Never Give Up

By Jennifer Gosselin Hills, Colorado H&V

Supporting a Deaf young adult who has additional needs is both challenging and rewarding. We adopted our son when he was 18 and he is now 25. He is thrice-exceptional as a Deaf, autistic and gifted young adult. Eli was initially adopted from China when he was eight years old by another family. His adoptive family knew limited sign language, so they placed him in the state school for the Deaf. Over time, it became apparent that Eli was struggling both in school and in his adoptive family. One day, his parents asked if my husband and I would be willing to take him into our home, and we said yes! (There’s a long story there.)

Eli struggled with poor communication and miscommunication with his first adoptive family. When a child does not acquire a first language at a young age, they can spend a lifetime trying to learn any language. It was difficult for him to learn to read without a language foundation. When I met him in the high school where I worked as a Teacher of the Deaf (TOD), we worked hard on academics and he made nice progress, but his real talent was and is in machining, Computer Aided Design (CAD), and 3D printing.

He has an uncanny ability to understand how things are made and how they work. His knack for inventing new and better gadgets with his 3D printer and knowledge of CAD and Solidworks is remarkable. Eli is attending classes at our local state college with a 4.0 GPA, with all of his coursework so far focusing on CAD, Solidworks and machining. By playing to his strengths and making sure he has the accommodations he needs for success, Eli was able to earn his first certification in Basic CAD. He is close to earning his second in Advanced CAD and Solidworks. These certifications open up the doors for better job placements for Eli as he works with the Department of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR). DVR supports people with disabilities by assisting with job applications, interviews, providing interpreters and job coaching. They provide services that support the success of their clients in the employment world. Many of the jobs Eli would like to land require certifications or experience. By going to the state college, he can now apply for those positions.

Eli was able to earn his first certification in Basic CAD and is close to getting his second in Advanced CAD and Solidworks

As his mom, I spend a lot of time talking to him about appropriate conduct at work and school. At first, he required a lot of support to plan out his homework and get it in on time. He had to learn to get up when his alarm went off and get himself to school. Additionally, Eli needed help to advocate for the numerous accommodations he has so he can access the courses he takes. His accommodations include an ASL interpreter, teacher’s notes, flexible seating, extended time on tests in a separate area, and having tests read to him. These accommodations give Eli the opportunity to access the curriculum at the state college to help him build a better future for himself. He has a huge sense of accomplishment as his teachers see his amazing abilities.

Some situations can be tough for Eli. He does his best to manage difficult social situations and learn from them. He owns his own car and faithfully makes payments on it. Eli needs some minimal support in managing his money, but is getting better all the time. At 25, he lives at home, and is making strides to gain his independence. No matter how hard or long the road to freedom and independence may be, never give up!  ~

Editor’s note: Hills serves as a professional and parent board member for Colorado Hands & Voices.

H&V Communicator – Fall 2024