Michigan's CEC-- Inspiring Event

This past Thursday, I had the opportunity to attend the Michigan Council for Exceptional Children's (CEC) annual awards event--my invitation came due to my affiliation with one of the award recipients. Terry Bennett, the owner of Specialty Pet Supply (a small store located in Plymouth, Michigan), currently employs my oldest brother at the store.My brother is 27 years old and is autistic, and has been working with Terry since he was hired at her store in 2009--with assistance from his job coach, my brother is able to complete a variety of tasks, including (but not limited to) stocking shelves, filling "food containers", and pricing items. He loves his current job, and leaves home with a positive attitude each and every day that he is scheduled to work. 

Terry was nominated (due to her work with my brother) to receive this year's "Outstanding Business Award", given to the business that serves as a prime example of a  local entity that is helping to transition individuals with disabilities into their respective communities. Terry is unbelievably accommodating, accepting, and understanding, and does a superb job of tailoring my brother's assigned tasks to his strengths and abilities. She was nominated by my parents, and was more than privileged to receive the honor.

The event was wonderful, full of reminders of why I aspire to work with individuals with disabilities--amazing accounts from students, teachers, and administrators were heard all throughout the night. To see my brother's face light up when he heard his name mentioned in Terry's acceptance speech was something that I will never forget, and the night is something that I will always remember.

My brother and Terry after the event! It was an awesome night!