FIU Embrace providing meaningful education to students with developmental disabilities so they can work and live independently

MIAMI – An area college helps younger adults discover their interior mild.  FIU Embrace offers students with developmental disabilities with meaningful education and the instruments to work and live independently.

A program one mother or father says modified the ball sport for her son.

“When we came here, it opened the door for everything,” stated Sandra Fertil, mom of FIU Embrace pupil Marcel.

27-year-old Marcel has cerebral palsy.  And earlier than enrolling at FIU Embrace in 2019, his mother anxious about his future. 

“What will happen to him after we are gone,” shared Sandra.  “That was a great concern.”

Marcel was born untimely, weighing one pound and 13 ounces. 

“I’m a miracle baby,” stated Marcel.  “My mom and dad take very good care of me.”

Despite life’s early obstacles, Marcel grew up with a loving, adventurous spirit.  What he wanted was a chance to present it. 

“I used to be very shy and closed off,” stated Marcel.  “Now, I’m more open.”

Enter FIU Embrace, the place Marcel developed a love and ardour for cooking and being within the kitchen.  He discovered how to maneuver round campus by himself, make pals, advance his education, and grew to become a proud FIU Embrace graduate final month, prepared to work.

“I’m very confident in myself and my abilities and try not to worry about my disability,” stated Marcel.  “I’m special in some way.”

FIU Embrace Director Nicole Attong says creating confidence is vital.

“Where they see themselves and who they see themselves becoming,” added Attong.

The three-year program affords non-degree searching for and degree-seeking tracks, each geared for the person to embrace their incapacity, discover a profession path, and land a job after commencement.  Right now, the main target is on the non-degree searching for program.

“Getting the individual to learn more about themselves,” shared Attong.  “Fluent in areas you and I take for granted, cooking things and all the things we need to do to get through life.”

It’s exactly why FIU Embrace board member Cuong Do is glad his son Ben enrolled final 12 months.

“He is thriving,” stated Do proudly.

Ben is on the spectrum.  He lights up a room when sharing his animation initiatives.  Ben plans to pursue a level in digital animation.  Cuong moved his household from New Jersey to South Florida to assist Ben’s dream and independence.

“We have to get into the mindset we will have to push them to be independent,” stated Do.  “The more hands-off, the better.”

“Number one fear is what’s going to happen to my children or who is going to look after my children after I pass.  Our answer is they will look after themselves.”

And that is why Attong believes the one most important piece is pairing every pupil with a thriving pupil peer.

“See others like themselves who have jobs, enrolled in classes, living on campus in dorms, see themselves reflected in someone who was successful, believe then, for the first time they belong here,” stated Attong.

“I see the gleam in Ben’s eye,” stated Do.  “I see the gleam in the eyes of the other students here at Embrace.  That’s true happiness and true pursuit of passion.”

Ben informed CBS4 his dream job is to work for Nickelodeon, which occurs to be a part of our TV household, Paramount Global.

Attong provides neighborhood engagement and social networking create pathways for these distinctive students to land jobs after finishing this system.

The program accepts younger adults 18 by means of 28.  The purpose is to broaden to 200 non-degree searching for students on campus by 2026.