Disability Pride Month: Tatum
Productive living and achieving positive community integration as a young adult with a disability
Written by Tatum P’s dad, Brian
After high school, adults with disabilities are faced with new challenges. There is no longer a daily structure or schedule to follow, so it is difficult for many to adapt and transition to work or home activities that are different each day. Tatum's parents did not want her to sit around at home in isolation, so as soon as she completed school, they were proactive about planning a relatively structured week that appealed to Tatum's interests. It was important that she would participate in productive activities that slowly build skills and help her become independent.
Positive impact and connecting with other adults to make a productive and meaningful life has always been what Tatum's parents have believed she can achieve from an early age.
She also worked at a BCPS coffee shop called Higher Grounds to learn retail skills and job duties, as well as how to follow directions and become more independent with work tasks. For Tatum, the decision to exit the inclusive classroom in 6th grade was a positive experience. It allowed her to focus on more basic educational information and opened opportunities to experience more life based learning.
Tatum now volunteers about 4-5 hours twice a week at a small clothing store near home. She organizes clothing, processes shipments of items to label and stock, displays goods in the store, and sometimes works the register.
Theresa, the owner of Karma Boutique, has taken Tatum under her wing and motivated her to become an entrepreneur making charm bracelets. With assistance from her mom, she creates about 10-20 original bracelets with beads and various unique charms, which she displays at the boutique. Customers can make a donation to support her artistry so she can invest in more materials and make new items. She enjoys letting people see her work, and giving a sales pitch to choose a bracelet that might fit their personality or interest. It is those type of interactions and personal connections that Tatum worked hard to learn over the past years.
Tatum participates in the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Administrations (DDA) Self Directed services community pathways waiver. This program allows individuals to determine their own independent activities and living situations, while employing staff to assist them with supports, most often, family members who they trust. This program allows adults like Tatum the opportunity to choose their activities like volunteering, social activities and work, with help from others rather than live in a state facility or day program. It has worked out in a positive way so far for her.
The most rewarding part of her job volunteering, according to Tatum, is feeling confident about herself. She really enjoys new trends with fashion and clothing, so when the opportunity to work with dresses, jewelry, gift items and home décor became a reality, it was a very exciting opportunity to do something she always talked about.
Tatum believes she serves as a positive advocate for Down syndrome by being visible in the community during her social and volunteering activities. She participated in Young Life up until she was 21, and now attends Rafiki girls club once a month to connect with other young adults with different disabilities. She also volunteers at Camp Puh'tok one day a week when she is able, grooming, cleaning stalls and feeding horses.
