Say hello to Eric...

Eric works three and a half days each week at Blue River Services in the car wash bay of the transportation department. He also holds a janitorial job at Deer Country, which is a dealer of John Deere equipment. Eric is a big John Deere fan, and loves to cut the grass at home using his family’s John Deere mower.

Eric obtained the rank of Eagle Scout in 2006. He completed his Eagle Scout project at the Rainbow’s End Child Care Center in Corydon. Eric attended special needs preschool at Rainbow’s End, so his Eagle Scout project was an opportunity for him to give back to the facility. His scout project was to power wash and paint the back side of the building, which took 48 gallons of paint. He also mulched the playground for them. Eric continues to be involved with Boy Scouts as a scout leader.

Eric has been a Special Olympics basketball and track athlete since he was 9 years old. He also loves to bowl during Community Habilitation, and volunteers at Goodwill and as a gardener at the YMCA.

With a primary diagnosis of Autism, Eric’s biggest barrier to achieving community integration has been communication. His IPMG Case Manager, Gli Castueras, has helped him to set goals to improve his communication skills, and his mother says that he has come a long way. Gli recently suggested that Eric try Music Therapy as an approach to continuing his journey to improve his ability to communicate. Gli assisted the family with obtaining this new service through the Medicaid waiver program.

Eric’s mother, Evelyn, is thankful for the resources available to them. “IPMG and Blue River Services have provided so much help with a successful transition from school to adulthood.”