It’s been an amazing experience for the entire family.
“The changes we’ve seen in our sons over the past year have been incredible. It feels so good to know they are doing things and having successes without us.”
That’s what Heather said about Ethan and Arthur’s experiences with Pine Tree Society’s Community Support Program.
“My husband, David, and I feel so fortunate. The staff is enthusiastic and caring and really committed to making sure everyone has interesting things to do.”
Ethan is 22 and Arthur is 24 and have both been with the program for a year.
“It has opened doors for them that we wouldn’t have been able to do on our own,” David said.
Ethan wanted to increase his independence and was interested in meeting a new group of people. Arthur was interested in doing more outside his family but is usually more comfortable one-on-one than in a group.
“At first we were a bit nervous, especially for Arthur,” Heather recalled. “Ethan had been asking for a program but it was a bigger step than I thought Arthur was ready to take.”
To their delight, Arthur absolutely blossomed.
“He loves trying everything and says ‘yes’ without hesitation to going new places or trying something new,” Heather continued. “He loves the people he’s met and his confidence has grown so much. He holds himself differently and wants to do more for himself at home and is less timid when we go out to a restaurant or a store.”
Arthur and Ethan both joined the Pizza Paddlers kayak team in the Paddle for Pine Tree Camp and, as part of that experience, had the chance to stay overnight at camp with their team members. For Ethan, that was a big decision. He took several weeks to decide.
“Ultimately, he decided to stay overnight and was so excited when he came home,” Heather said. “The next weekend when the Pine Tree Society Special Olympics team went to Orono for the State Games he didn’t hesitate saying yes to going and staying in the dorm with everyone. The Community Support Program helped him build the confidence to do that. When he first started, he was more reluctant. Now he’s problem solving and making decisions about what he wants to do.”
Heather and David know Pine Tree Society is a place where both their sons feel respected, listened to and cared for.
“The staff is incredible. We’ve just been so happy. It’s been an amazing experience for the entire family.”
