Nathan at home at the piano. He also enjoys playing bongo drums.
After moving back and forth between Arizona and South Carolina, Nathan and his mother, Susan, have settled in an active, 55+ community south of Tucson. Nathan, a 41-year-old member of the DES Division of Developmental Disabilities, said with finality, “Here is home.”
When DDD Support Coordinator, Brenda Leinen, first met Nathan, he told her, “I don’t see with my eyes. They don’t work. So, I see with my heart.” The ability to see from the heart leads Nathan to express himself with music. According to Harvard Health, “Music can activate almost all brain regions and networks, it can help to keep a myriad of brain pathways and networks strong, including those networks that are involved in well-being, learning, cognitive function, quality of life, and happiness.”
Holding onto the back of a chair for stability, Nathan sings Swing Low, Sweet Chariot.
According to Susan, Nathan started singing as a toddler in his playpen. Today, he continues his musical journey by taking weekly singing and piano lessons, learning music by ear. Over the years, Nathan’s singing has brought pleasure to thousands of listeners. He has performed the National Anthem four years straight at the Special Olympics’ largest fundraiser, which is held in Tempe. He’s also performed at numerous community holiday programs, and last year, he recorded a CD of Christmas carols. Most recently, Nathan held a recital at the Silver Springs retirement community in Green Valley, Arizona. In September, he will sing the National Anthem at the Hearts & Horses gala hosted by a Tucson-based equine-assisted therapy provider.
A graduate of the Arizona School for the Deaf and Blind (ASDB), Nathan was named “Optimist Student of the Month,” and was selected as senior prom king. Although no longer considered a king, Nathan has been dubbed “The Mayor” by his neighbors at the community pool. According to Susan, Nathan earned this title because the neighbors believe “he’s the one in charge.”
Nathan beams at a community game of card bingo.
Prior to son and mom living together, Nathan lived in an individually designed living arrangement (IDLA) home for about five years. “He made friends, had a roommate that he liked, gained confidence in himself and a sense of pride about ‘living on my own’,” said Susan. “He learned how to self advocate through sessions that focused on those skills at his day program.”
Now that he and his mother live in their own single-story house, Nathan receives DDD home services including attendant care, habilitation and respite services. He also received a home modification in his bathroom to help him be more independent. Susan credits DDD with the success of this arrangement: “This option is possible for us because of the home supports for Nathan that enable him to stay at home, engage in community activities, and develop friendships. [...] In my opinion and experience, Arizona does a wonderful job supporting our individuals with disabilities.”
Learn more about the services and supports available through the Division of Developmental Disabilities website.