Family is often considered the foundation of our lives. For
Alex Sudbrook, a student at Vern Riffe School, it was the foundation for
gaining independence. At the age of 18, Sudbrook made the difficult decision to
move out on his own, due to the family environment he was living in.
“Alex is an extremely intelligent individual. He knew that
by moving out on his own and gaining independence, he could move on and better
himself without the negative influence he was currently experiencing,” said
Steve Sowkulech, Community Employment Team Leader and former Service and
Support Administrator (SSA) for Sudbrook.
According to Sowkulech, the home Sudbrook was living in was
not wheelchair accessible nor was anything in the home handicap accessible.
“I couldn’t get in and out of the house without being
carried,” said Sudbrook. “I couldn’t get around inside either.”
Sudbrook is diagnosed with cerebral palsy, which causes a
physical disability and some problems with sensation, depth perception and
communication ability. He is confined to
a wheelchair.
“I don’t let that hold me back, I still am able to get
around and do what I want,” he said.
Besides the accessibility issues, Sudbrook shared that other
conditions within the home were not suitable for him growing up. A high amount
of drug activity and domestic issues were allegedly taking place. Often
Sudbrook was left to fend for himself on many levels.
“There was a lot of stuff going on. It was bad. But I am
proud of my mom for trying to make things better now,” he said.
After his eighteenth birthday, Sudbrook decided to move out
on his own into a group home with five other individuals with developmental
disabilities. Sudbrook worked with his SSA and the Scioto County Board of
Developmental Disabilities to obtain his independence and find a place to live
where he could thrive and finish out his schooling.
“Alex is a wonderful kid and I have seen him really flourish
since he has been with us,” said Sandy Hackworth, house manager for Scioto
Residential Services. “He has really been a lot of fun at the house and has
made great friends with his roommates.”
“I graduate next year, and I’m really looking forward to
that,” said Sudbrook. “I’m very proud of what I have done and am already
looking for a job too.”
Sudbrook is in his junior year at Vern Riffe School, has
completed the Bridges to Transition program (which helps establish job skills
and investigate the types of work individuals are looking to obtain) and has
served as the manager for the Special Olympics Basketball Team for three years.
“I love school and I love gym, but I really love when we
have a free day. That’s the best fun ever,” he laughed.
“Our focus is to help people reach their goals and to live a
meaningful life. We support individuals in the choices they make, to enhance
their lives. That is what happened with Alex. He made a difficult choice that
helped him gain independence and increase his ability to live a meaningful
life. And we are proud of him and continue to support him in his endeavors,”
said Tom Sherman, current SSA for Sudbrook.