<p>Rion</a> Holcombe gets a special letter in the mail - YouTube</p>
<p>Amazing! </p>
<p>To clarify, he was accepted Clemson LIFE program -- a two year program for 15 young adults with special needs. This isn't a program in which one can earn a degree, but it's great that he'll have this opportunity.</p>
<p>Like!!!</p>
<p>There is a similar program at the college of new jersey (TCNJ).
Our special needs daughter has a few friends who have attended.
One has secured a ‘real’ job with further potential. We are thrilled for her and all young adults who can benefit from such programs post high school.</p>
<p>Any more good news?</p>
<p>Wonderful news</p>
<p>Vanderbilt also has a similar program called “Next Steps”… Really cool!</p>
<p>This family faced a different challenge - three grown sons with Muscular Distrophy in wheelchairs. The dad quit his job to be their aid, and then he decided to attend class too. He is graduating with an Electrical Engineering degree [Family</a> with severe specials needs celebrates graduation | 9news.com](<a href=“http://www.9news.com/news/local/article/369486/346/Family-with-severe-specials-needs-celebrates-graduation]Family”>http://www.9news.com/news/local/article/369486/346/Family-with-severe-specials-needs-celebrates-graduation)</p>
<p>Colorado mom! What a great story!!</p>
<p>Love all the news on this thread!</p>
<p>I tend to be wary of some of these post-secondary programs, as some of them aim to provide the “college experience” but with no real educational component. The ones that have actual, focused coursework (e.g., training for a specific field like a teacher’s aide, PCA, or vet tech) as part of them are very valuable, IMO, and because of this, go further in replicating the actual college experience (i.e., academic work and independent living and socialization) while also providing long-lasting benefits to the students in the form of career training in a field the student has an interest in.w</p>
<p>It’s great to see colleges and universities making a concerted effort to helping those who are in need and truly ambitious!</p>
<p>Colleges need to do more. That Dad should not have had to quit his job so he could pack books in his sons’ backpacks and wheel them around. The college should have provided aides to do those things. Disability rights is still in its infancy and has some growing to do.</p>
<p>These students needed far more help than simply putting books into backpacks. The Dad knew this so he was willing to step in and do the job. Think about the needs of these three young men–Bathroom help, personal hygiene help, eating, getting from place to place, note taking, etc. I really don’t feel that it is the college’s responsibility to provide a free nurse/aide for each of these students.</p>
<p>A number of years ago I had an absolutely brilliant student with a fatal, debilitating disease. His mom brought him to school, pushed him around in his wheelchair, took notes, wrote out his exams (he dictated). His will to learn was inspirational to his fellow students. Sadly, he died during his junior year. </p>
<p>Parents do what they need to do to help their children. May God bless them.</p>
<p>This is both an uplifting and heartbreaking thread. Thank you all for sharing, and Merry Christmas to those who celebrate.</p>