Jordan Lives Life on His Terms
March is National Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month (NIDDA), which seeks to raise awareness about the inclusion of people with developmental disabilities in all areas of community life. Mosaic will feature one person we serve each week during the month who exemplifies this national campaign by leading a BOLD life.
Jordan Ingram lives life on his terms these days, boldly defying limitations that were placed on him in the past and learning to do more and more for himself.
His mother will tell you that Jordan’s strong will and determination showed up while he was still a toddler. When doctors had said he’d probably never walk, he proved them wrong and before he was 3, he was walking on his own. When he was frustrated around age 4 that his mother wasn’t reading his sign language fast enough, he decided he was ready to talk. The first words he said: “I want a cookie.”
As he grew into his teen years, Jordan started experiencing the discrimination and exclusion that happens to many with a disability. Even school administrators weren’t always helpful as they didn’t know how to respond to Jordan’s needs. But his strong will and determination kept him moving forward.
When he became a young adult, he knew he was ready for more. His family was a little anxious about him moving from their home to Mosaic. Yet, on moving day, he comforted his mom with the words, “Mom, I’ll be alright.”
He’s more than alright.
Jordan set his sights on greater independence and has learned to take care of himself, shaving on his own and doing his own laundry and cleaning his room. He has also developed the friendships and social relationships that were so long out of his reach.
The future is bright for Jordan as he now boldly lives the life he chooses.
