DDD Member Strikes Out on His Own and Thrives

A sports enthusiast, Braden is a Seattle Seahawks fan in honor of his hometown.

There was no formal declaration, no fireworks, no fanfare. Just solid determination, advanced planning, and thorough and ongoing preparation for Braden to establish his independence by moving into his own condominium in 2013. A lifestyle change that’s largely been rewarding, thanks, in part, to his family and services provided by the DES Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD).

“He’s worked hard,” said his mother, JoEllen. “He knew that he wanted to move out and be on his own, so we set some goals for him before he could move out of the house; basic things that he had to be able to do.”

Braden enjoys cycling on Scottsdale’s bike paths and spending time on his spacious enclosed patio.

Scheduling rides is one of the goals Braden is currently working on with his mother and Ashley, a DDD habilitation worker with Arion Care Solutions. Ashley visits Braden every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday to help with various goals, such as meal planning, grocery shopping, cooking and cleaning. “She helped him put together a cleaning checklist,” said JoEllen. “So even on days when she’s not here, he has a little checklist of things he knows he needs to get done. Then she checks in with him when she comes back. She’s helping him to plan his week.”

Among his current goals is scheduling his own transportation. “For so, so long, his sister or I would take him to the grocery store or sometimes just go grocery shopping for him,” said JoEllen. Transportation scheduling is a task that’s been accomplished since Ashley’s been working with him. “She’s been really helping Bradon accomplish a lot of his goals,” said JoEllen. 

For example, not long ago, Braden used his ADA Platinum Pass to treat himself to dinner at a favorite restaurant at Tempe Marketplace. At the restaurant, he used his own debit card to pay for his meal. With his parents’ guidance, Braden is also learning more about personal finance, furthering his independence.

Braden took this striking photo of the landscape near his grandmother’s house in Washington.

Braden has held a steady job for over six years, at Gryphen, a contracted DDD provider who offers Group Supported Employment. At Gryphen, Braden and his coworkers make, bake, package and sell a line of dog biscuits. Also through Gryphen, Braden receives one hour of adult day training, which consists of activities to help improve independent living and self-care skills. He commutes to work and back home using Valley Metro Ride Choice. 

Braden also leads an active social life. He participates in adaptive sports offered by Scottsdale Parks and Recreation, such as socials and dances, Guys’ Night Out, martial arts classes and swim practices. Through the City, he and Ashley attended a breakfast at the Giants baseball spring training facility and toured the Cactus League stadium. He also is an active Special Olympics athlete, competing in golf, swimming, and basketball. “In fact, he scored 2nd in the Special Olympics for golf, and gold for swimming,” reported his DDD Support Coordinator, Dallas Conner. He also participates with his mom and sister in the annual Pat’s Run, sponsored by the Pat Tillman Foundation.

Braden shares his home with Lucy the cat. (or is it the other way around?)

As a sports spectator, Braden is an avid Seattle Seahawks football fan. His affinity for the Seahawks is largely due to his heritage. Born in Seattle, Washington, Braden’s family moved to Arizona when he was a baby. As an adult, Braden makes an annual trip to his grandmother’s house in Washington for a month-long visit. “He saves up all year long so he can buy his airline ticket,” said JoEllen. 

Braden has become so socially adept that he hosts little gatherings on holidays or his birthday. He invites friends to visit at his place to share pizza, snacks, watch a movie, and socialize. He hasn’t done so yet, but he may also host a pool party in the months to come.

Since declaring his independence 10 years ago, Braden is successfully exercising his “unalienable rights…[of] life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”