Jimmy's Day

Monday through Friday, Jimmy goes to a Young Adult Program that is part of our school district. He and his friends start their day by taking the bus (public transportation) to the Recreation Center. Here, they alternate days with swimming and cardio workouts. Once they are done, they take their showers and head to the school to prepare for their day. They go over current events, the weather, calendar, their daily schedules, prepare their snack and lunch to take to their job sites....Then it's off to work. The students work all over our city at different businesses, restaurants, bowling alley, grocery store, golf course.....Our community has been wonderful working with our kids. One of the pictures below shows Jimmy working at ACO hardware. He really enjoys working there and also enjoys the people he works with. Earlier this week, Jimmy also interviewed for a job at the car wash. He is supposed to start working there soon.:) He is really excited about it!

In the afternoons, the students work on a variety of skills that are determined by their IEP goals and objectives, such as:
Banking, grocery shopping, cooking skills, money skills, communication skills (phone and email), reading a map, household management (cleaning, doing laundry...), safety around the community (street signs, emergency numbers..) Leisure activitiy participation (reading, games...), Computer/Technology skills, using public transportation, community outings to the theater, museums, restaurants, skating, bowling, golfing, using the public library, volunteering.....
I love this program and the people that work with our kids are fantastic! It is not uncommon for them to plan something for the weekend and to include the students too. (going out to eat, the movies, baseball games,.....) In Michigan, individuals with disabilities are able to receive an education provided by the public school system until the age of 26. So once Jimmy completed 12th grade, he moved on to the Young Adult Program.

Enjoying good times at the Bowling alley.

Jimmy and James (a friend and also an aide in his program) at a Detroit Tiger's baseball game.

Jimmy showing off his Bulldog necklace that matches the Bulldog ice sculpture. This is one of the many community trips that his class takes on a weekly basis.

Jimmy doing his weekly grocery shopping. Every Tuesday they take public transportation to the grocery store to shop for the food that they would like to prepare and eat for lunch during the week. Each student has his own grocery list. (Jimmy and I go over his list on Monday night). Then they pay for their own groceries using their debit card or cash.

Jimmy and Brian working at Aco Hardware.

Jimmy swimming at the Rec center.

Jimmy working out. He really loves to do this and he is proud to show off his muscles.:)

Jimmy and his good buddy Brad. They go to the movies, out to eat...on the weekends.

Jimmy and one of his teachers, Chelsea.

Jimmy and friends!