I've been wanting to share a little about what Jacob has been doing at The RISE Community and what it has meant to our family for those following along.
As Jacob has gotten older, one of the hardest things for me has been watching the gap between him and his peers get so big. Honestly, it's not even comparable anymore. I know...I shouldn't be comparing. But the teenage years have been pretty isolating for him. The older he got, the more I wondered what friendships and relationships would look like for him or honestly if he'd ever have real ones.
If you've followed his story, you knew I always had ideas in the back of my mind about what kind of future we would need to build for Jacob. We knew it would look unique. We tried our hardest to create the farm, but that was unsuccessful. I just wanted him to have something meaningful and relationships other than his family and therapists. I wanted him to have real friends, connection, and work.
We've been attending The RISE Community each week. I don't know if I can fully express what these few hours have meant to us. Every meetup starts off with the artisans introducing themselves and answering a fun question. Even the fact that he does this on his own (mostly) now is amazing. But they answer questions like what their favorite season is or if they prefer ice cream or cake.
At our last gathering, the question was, "What's your favorite thing to do at The RISE Community?" And when it got to Jacob, he proudly answered, "Seeing Aiden!"
Aiden is his buddy at RISE and who Jacob now calls his "best friend". If you know Jacob, you know he can be pretty content living in his own little world. He has his very favorite things and brands and is so particular about things and isn't interested much in anything outside of that. So, the fact that he is thinking about another person, asking to see him throughout the week, and genuinely looking forward to spending time with him is huge.
He's not just going somewhere because I take him, or to pass the time, or to make me feel better about his life. This is making HIS life better. He is going there because HE wants to. And I think about that a lot.
Each week the artisans, as they call them at RISE, create these beautiful, high-quality products. And they really are gorgeous. But Emily, the founder, often reminds us that the products themselves aren't the most important part. It's the purpose behind them. The work gives them something meaningful to create and share. They are learning skills, contributing, creating something of value, and taking pride in what they've done. Its not keeping them busy like so many day programs for adults with disabilities. It's not filling the space. They're doing real work, and they're treated with the dignity and respect that comes with that.
AND JACOB LOVES IT!
I'll admit, I wasn't even sure he would enjoy working or that I wouldn't have to force him to go each week. But he starts asking for RISE first thing Thursday mornings. I love the community being built around it, too. As a mom, I get to spend time with other moms who understand this life. Moms who are thinking about the same things and navigating the same unknowns. There's something really comforting about not having to explain all of that. They just get it.
They end each meeting with a cheer "We create! We thrive! We belong! Let's Rise!" Watching them say those words together is so sweet because that's what it's all about. Having people who are happy to see you, having something to look forward to, and having somewhere to grow.
I keep coming back to the answer he gave in RISE when asked about his favorite thing. "Seeing Aiden." Of all the things he could've said, his favorite thing was a person. For a boy who spends much of his life happily in his own world, doing his own thing, that means more to me than words can explain.
So this is my thank you post to Emily and Christine, and everyone who pours their hearts and souls into creating The RISE Community. They are giving so much to families like ours.
I used to wonder what Jacob's future would look like when he got older. But right now, I get to watch him experience the things I wasn't sure he would ever have.
I'm just so thankful.
