Learn About Shawn's Journey
One of our friends works in the same building that Shawn is working in and she happened to snap a picture of him at work when he wasn't looking. She sent it to me with a message that she is so proud of him and all he is doing!
I had been wondering how I could get a picture of Shawn at work and then I got one in a message. Some things just fall into place.
#smallthingsLeadToBIGTHINGS
Thank you for your encouragement and continued support of Shawn.
Katheryn, Jim, and Shawn
I meant to update sooner, but things have been busy here. Jim (Shawn's dad) is recovering from surgery, so that's been taking up a lot of our down time. Shawn is doing great. He came home for the Independence Day Weekend and showed us just how independent he is learning to be!
He amazed us at how much he has grown in his first four weeks of the Summer Bridge program.
One of the big things was that Shawn wanted to cook and help cook every meal! Here is why, straight from the program: "The kitchen is the place to be at Summer Bridge! Every evening, a small group of students select a recipe they want to cook for their peers. The students make grocery lists, shop for the necessary ingredients, and prepare the meal with their mentors! The students learn about kitchen safety and cooking a variety of foods!" Shawn must be loving this part of the program, because he was really wanting to help make meals for his dad and himself. One day I heard Shawn get up and make himself breakfast without coming to wake us up.
Shawn was also very excited about his job and told everyone about working at the recycling center. We think that Shawn has developed a great sense of pride that he is working because he knows that is what adults do. He was very excited when we drove past his work on the way back to his dorm at the end of the break, he said "I work there!"On July 4th, we went to visit some of our friends from the Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA) and Shawn was happy to see them. He has missed being able to go to SCA events on weekends, but has been very busy with the Summer Bridge program.
The weekend after the holiday, the Summer Bridge participants went with Parks and Recreation to see Mary Poppins at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival. Shawn loves all the songs in Mary Poppins, so I'm sure that he had a blast. Then on Sunday, Shawn and his friend, Anna K, went to a concert at the Amphitheater and saw Rod Stewart and Cyndi Lauper perform live and had a great time. That wasn't part of the Summer Bridge program, but was just Shawn hanging out with a friend! And like any other adult had to get up Monday morning and go to work.We do think Shawn is a little home sick though, because on Tuesday after work he called me after he couldn't reach his grandpa or Jim (He told me that grandpa was at work and daddy was at school). So I asked Shawn if he wanted to come to the SCA meeting with me that night and checked if it was ok with the staff at the program. Shawn came to the meeting and listened patiently while everyone gave reports. Then after the meeting was done, he visited with everyone, including the new baby in our Shire. Shawn really loves the SCA and his friends in the organization. Lord Shawn can't wait to go to an event and see you all again!
He called me again yesterday after work, and he also called Jim yesterday and today. His sister told me that he has been calling her too. Jim got to speak with his on-the-job work mentor and was told that Shawn has been calling just about everyone he has in his contact list during his breaks at work. He will be coming home for a little while this Sunday to see his sister, but he is busy on Saturday with the Summer Bridge and won't be able to meet her at the airport.
We sure miss Shawn being at home, but he is learning so much from this experience. So much more than money can buy.
Thank you for your encouragement and continued support of Shawn. Remember#smallthingsLeadToBIGTHINGS
Jim, Katheryn, and Shawn
It seems fitting to update about Shawn's progress towards Independence on the Independence Day weekend! Since coming home, he seems to miss the Summer Bridge and his classmates. He keeps telling me that they might call him.
He has been helping take care of Jim while Jim recovers from Surgery, he seems very concerned with making sure that daddy gets well. He also helped me make scrambled eggs this morning. He scrambled them, and moved them from the pan to the plates, and carried the plates into the living room (we are eating together in there since Jim is more comfortable in the wing back chair).
We got a detailed update about how the June Semester went so here is that news as it was given to us.
Independent Living
Shawn is learning a lot about living on his own at Summer Bridge! He is very social in the dorm, and he enjoys playing pool with his peers and mentors. Shawn is also the dorm "d.j." He supplies music with his Alexa when hanging out with his friends. Shawn is working on becoming more independent with cooking simple meals. His First Then Visual Schedule Apphas been programmed with a step-by-step schedule showing him how to make a grilled cheese. This has been very effective for increasing Shawn's independence. They plan on programming more recipes after the break. Additionally, Shawn has grown so much in his independency in taking his medication. The blister packets have allowed him to grow in his independency in taking his medication on his own.
AcademicsShawn participated in the following UA Course during the June Term:
MUE 107 - Basic Skills in MusicMUE 107 explores basic music-reading skills developed through singing and playing of instruments.
Shawn participated fully in this course and did a great job! The teacher raved about Shawn's ability to match pitch throughout the term. He said on numerous occasions that Shawn was a joy to have in class and was always quick to volunteer to demonstrate new skills. The teacher reported that Shawn's positive attitude helped his classmates become more open and willing to step out of their comfort zone. This was a great experience for all involved. Way to go, Shawn!
Next term he will be participating in COM 123 - Public Speaking. COM 123 is the theory and practice of basic principles of public speaking, with emphasis on the compositional and presentation aspects of communication in formal speaking situations.
Employment
This summer, Shawn has been participating in employment training. He has been completing his job training at the Recycling Center on campus. He works for four days a week from 8:30 am to 11:30 am. He goes to work with the same male mentor everyday that serves as a job coach. During his time at the Recycling Center, he is responsible for sorting the different containers of recyclables. Shawn does a great job of sorting the items and following directions. However, he does get easily distracted by sounds going on around him. For example, if two employees are talking, he will stop and look and listen to them instead of focusing on his work. He seems to really enjoy his time at the Recycling Center and never complains.
Social Skills
Shawn participated in a weekly social skills course during the June Term where skills such as communicating feelings and understanding the feelings of others were targeted. He has received some 1:1 instruction regarding initiating conversations with others about a mutually preferred topic and making requests/inviting others to join in an activity.
We are so blessed that Shawn has this opportunity at Summer Bridge to learn how to be more independent! He is making progress faster than we ever imagined. Thank You all for helping support Shawn in his path to independence!Remember #smallthingsLeadToBIGTHINGS
Shawn, Jim, and Katheryn
