As a parent, I couldn’t help but tell my son’s story. 

My son, Joseph, is the younger of my 2 children.He is now 22 and “exited out” of public school. He doesn’t understand that he is too old to go to his “old” school even though he has friends that are still there. He is trying hard to understand this but everyday he continues to tell me, “but I want to go there”. You see, Joseph wants to be with his friends.

In school, Joseph and his friends had “job-site” every afternoon at the YMCA. He was very proud when the YMCA held a party for them at the end of school. But he wonders why he can’t go back to the Y and work with his friends. When I ask Joseph what he wants to do for a job now that he is out of school, he replies “be with my friends”. Joseph likes to work and he likes to be with his friends.

I am 21 years old- and I live in Plano with my parents. This is my very last year of going to school at Plano West. I enjoy going to school, learning and hanging out with my friends. I like going to job site, and learning how to work and take care of myself. I have been to a number of work places like the YMCA, Target, Home Depot and Tinseltown. My Mom tells me that I will be Graduating next year, and I am looking forward to attending MY Possibilities to continue learning, volunteering, hanging out with my friends and in the future I hope to get a job and live on my own. I enjoy singing, and attending many of the Plano Parks and Recreation activities, and attending church/my bible study at Prestonwood, with my family.

From A Parents Perspective

As Kyle reaches his end of his school career at Plano West – The future of what Kyle is going to do post high school is of great concern to me. As a parent I do not want my son at home alone watching Television 24/7, and having no purpose or anything meaningful to do every day . Having looked around I have come to see and understand that there are very limited opportunities for adults with disabilities post high school in Collin County. Quality programs are very limited, and in most cases have extensive waiting lists. Quality Residential facilities are far away in other cities, and require that Adults with disabilities be sent away from home, distanced from their loved ones, and removed from their family support systems. As a parent I want to continue having a relationship with my son, go to meals together, attend church, and for him to continue to be an active and valuable member of my family, however I also want Kyle to have purpose and passion and an opportunity to continue to grow and become self sufficient. I am very excited about the opportunity that Kyle will have through my possibilities to continue to grow and become independent.