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Ian is a young man who graduated from high school three years ago and experiences Asperger's Syndrome. Ian has his own apartment, which he shares with his two cats. They live in the same apartment building as Ian's dad.
Ian works 20 hours/week for Tech Electric. His responsibilities have progressively increased over the past couple of years, and he's a really valued and dependable employee.
In the fall of 2003, Community Opportunities assisted in the development of a circle of support around Ian. A group of people who know Ian began meeting with him to talk about his life, including how to help him meet new people and get more involved in the community. They also wanted to make sure support will be in place long-term for Ian, even when his dad is no longer around. Ian's circle started small, with more people gradually joining.
The circle helped Ian identify his strengths and interests, which include Civil War history, the Japanese culture and language, politics, Celtic festivals, Dungeons and Dragons, and helping other people in need. Circle meetings often focused on celebrating the many ways Ian is becoming more independent and continuing to brainstorm ways he can meet other people who share his interests.
Through circle contacts, Ian met a Radford University student who shares Ian's passion for history, and they met regularly to talk about two common interests - history and Dungeons and Dragons. One circle member, his former high school teacher, has met weekly with Ian, discussing a book they're both reading. Ian has also recently met a couple members of Pi Kappa Phi, a Virginia Tech fraternity. When the guys return to VT in the fall, they're planning to spend more time hanging out with Ian.
With the support of his circle, Ian has been facilitating his own meetings for over a year. The confidence he has gained sharing with his circle made it easy for Ian to step naturally into the role of "presenter" this past March. He shared his story - what it's like living on his own and the role his circle of support has played in his life - at a statewide conference focused on helping students with disabilities transfer from school to life in the community. It was a fabulous presentation, and Ian is ready for the next opportunity!
This spring, the Community Opportunities facilitator helped Ian's circle complete the incorporation process. The circle members developed the required articles of incorporation and by-laws. In April, "Ian's Group, Inc." was officially recognized as an incorporated microboard!
Ian's microboard will continue to meet regularly, helping him to evaluate the support he receives, problem-solve, and dream about the future.
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