Sarah is 21 years old with a love for dance, Taylor Swift and dogs – specifically Pomeranians. She embraces life with enthusiasm and loves going to work at Old Navy where she contributes to the team by managing fitting rooms, and organizing merchandise, among other tasks. She also finds fulfillment in connecting with friends from Special Olympics sports like swimming, basketball, pickleball, bowling and volleyball.
Sarah’s younger sister, Abby, a junior at Hickman High School, is equally driven. Balancing her time between working at the school’s daycare, participating in Special Olympics and gaining hands on experience at The Bluffs Nursing Home, she is already charting her path for life after high school.
Boone County Family Resources (BCFR) Support Coordinator Tory Sights has been a guiding presence for both sisters over the years, helping them navigate their journey with personalized support.
“Abby and Sarah’s family has told me how important BCFR’s supports have been to them finding success,” said Tory. “Particularly I think having the opportunity to participate in therapeutic recreation has been very helpful to connect them with their community.”
Another key support provided by BCFR is the Angel Sense watch, a GPS tracking device which has been instrumental in both Abby and Sarah realizing independence on a daily basis. This technology allows their parents to ensure their safety while giving the sisters the freedom to explore their community. The device’s two-way talk feature ensures that, if needed, their mother is just a call away.
“As a result of Abby and Sarah’s disabilities and life experiences they struggle to recognize when community members may be exploiting them,” Tory noted. “Having Angel Sense is like having their mom in their pocket if they need her. Without Angel Sense their family wouldn’t feel safe with them being alone in the community.”
In addition to the safety provided by Angel Sense, Sarah has greatly benefited from Individual Placement and Support (IPS) services through the Life & Work Connections (LWC) program. Kaitlynn Rhinehart, Sarah’s LWC Community Employment Specialist, played a pivotal role in finding employment that aligned with Sarah’s strengths and preferences.
“Kaitlynn and Tory, they can all help me in different sections,” shared Sarah. “With Kaitlynn she’s there helping me with interviews and telling them (employers) what I struggle with. And when I can work with the paratransit schedule.”
Sarah works 20 hours a week Monday through Friday at Old Navy and loves her job and coworkers.
“I clock in, get a zebra which is a special scanner, a walkie talkie, an earpiece and then I say, ‘Hey it’s Sarah, I’m ready to check in,’” said Sarah as she described her daily work routine. “I work in the fitting rooms, sometimes I’m on the sales floor organizing or doing some online orders, or getting shipments from stores.”
Both sisters participated in the BCFR work crew to gain employment skills during high school. When Abby joined the work crew, Sarah offered her some keen advice.
Abby explained, “Sarah was cleaning the break room and opened the fridge and ate other people’s lunches. So I knew not to do that. When you’re working, you can ask your supervisor after work if there is food sitting out.”
Abby also wanted to participate in the work crew to save money to purchase lunch at school, instead of packing her own lunch. Her mother, Maureen Harris, was proud of her commitment and efforts and said “getting paid was a good motivation for Abby.”
“Kaitlynn and Tory have been wonderful,” said their dad, Aaron Harris. “They’ve been a huge help, especially to Sarah. They’ve stuck with her when things were difficult but also getting her to a place that is really good. We really appreciate their support and BCFR. A lot of Sarah’s success is because of all their help and efforts.”