Healthy and Ready to Work

NARRATOR: 
For many families, caring for a child with a special need will be one of the most fascinating and fulfilling experiences of their lives.  And yet, it seems that childhood passes so quickly.  In the blink of an eye, the newborn is a child, the child an adolescent, the adolescent a young adult.  Like their peers, children with special needs grow into adulthood with unique abilities, and a constellation of hopes, dreams and goals.

VINNIE:

I was just looking so far ahead, just like, I’m ready to go, I’m ready to do this, nothing can stop me.

LORETTA:

Exactly, to be fulfilled like any other person’s life, you know, to get married, to have a successful job.

JEREMY:

I’ve wanted to do some animation stuff because I’ve always loved to draw.

VINNIE:

When I finally decided that I'm going to move away from home and move to another city to go to college, I wanted to move away and just try to become totally independent, because that way I could really see for myself and really know if I could do these things."

NARRATOR:

For youth with special healthcare needs, continued health, happiness, and productivity hinges on access to quality healthcare and benefits. Preparing youth for increasing levels of responsibility in making healthcare decisions is critical as they move into the adult healthcare system.  The goals are clear: improved inclusion in the community, increased school attendance and becoming a productive citizen, healthy and ready to work.

MIKE: 

Well, last Fall I graduated from the University of Florida with a degree in English and in August, I'll be starting at Georgetown University Law Center for my JD degree.

LORETTA:
Good health, to me, means I can live a long and happy life and fulfill all my dreams that I want to fulfill, and maybe a few more.