Conor Loves Working Hard Washing Windows and Has Benefited Greatly from Doing So

Conor's old school lunch bag below. He was accommodated outside the mainstream classroom at our request and he loved school and would often put his lunch bag on the kitchen counter to tell us he wanted to be ready for school. Today he put it up there again because he loves his activity with Jobs Unlimited especially in the mornings at the Willie O'Ree where he washes windows. He was letting me know he wanted to go to the WillieO'Ree.

When he found out there was no JU and no Willie O'Ree tomorrow because of Thanksgiving he was quite agitated at times.

Conor requires an attendant from JU with him at all times for his safety. He LOVES washing the windows at the Willie O'Ree where his physical AND mental health have prospered and the anxiety he felt in his last year of High School when he knew he was finishing school has been beaten back.

People who don't know my son's realities would expect a full pay employment relationship but that is not real with an aide required at all times and staff to maintain the organization. Conor has benefited greatly by providing the service he does as many volunteers do for charities and churches. If the extremists I heard recently at an otherwise very informative and positive disability meeting attempt to impose their will to prohibit his volunteer service he loves I WILL FIGHT THEM.

Q & A from  Facebook:

Q:  Was this the meeting Friday evening? What’s this about?

A:Yes this was the Friday evening. There was a discussion about advocating for laws to prohibit situations like my son's. There was no room for exceptions and one person got very loud and insulting and would not listen to the information I presented that Conor could not do this without a full time aide who requires payment, that my son has greatly benefited physically and mentally from being able to do this work. I left the meeting because there was no real dialogue and I am not going to sit and be told by a stranger what is best for the son I have cared for his entire life and do so every day. .The general discussion on mental health and lack of MH services was very informative and moving. But the person who was insulting could not understand that my son's mental health has benefited greatly from what is essentially volunteer work. In fact he is very happy as you can see in these pictures.