Craig

At age 26, Craig doesn't have much movement left. He can blink yes or no. His severe cerebral palsy has limited just about everything else, except his spirit and his drive to succeed. Because of your investments, every week Craig goes to work and earns his own paycheck. Craig was diagnosed as a infant with one of the most severe forms of cerebral palsy: spastic quadriplegia, in which all four limbs and the trunk are affected, often along with the muscles controlling the mouth and tongue. And so while he can't communicate verbally his mental abilities are completely intact. His primary caretaker is his mom who works full time. When she works, Craig, who needs almost constant care, needs a safe, structured place to go. Through a nurse, Craig and his mom found out about the employment program at the Abilities Resource Center in Vero Beach. For almost five years now, Craig has faithfully gone to work doing inventory control. It's his job and he takes it very seriously. At ARC his supervisor constantly works with Craig on new ways to improve their systems. He's good at what he does, says Chuck Bradley who has personally worked with Craig for over three years, but this is way more than a paycheck, this is dignity in action. United Way of Indian River County is focused on giving all people the chance to reach their full potential. And one of our goals is to make sure people who are differently challenged not only have a place to go but are given the tools they need to become as independent as they are able to be. Not only does the Abilities Resource Center provide a safe, constructive place to be but they work with each individual on developing essential job and life skills. That's why we support programs like the Abilities Resource Center, because they focus on providing solutions to our communities most pressing problems. Solutions that work. When you give to United Way, it's an investment in your community, and in people like Craig who simply want a chance to make a better life for themselves.