Resident Stories
Jake
Jake is a very articulate young man. He was born in Orange, California but grew up in Fallbrook. He has a twin brother who serves in the military. As fraternal twins, they are very different. “He has always been more technical, and I have always been more creative. I also have five sisters.”
“I spent much of my formative years not really knowing why I couldn’t do certain things. My pediatrician suggested that ‘he might be on the spectrum’ but aren’t we all a little on the spectrum?”
There were several little markers. Hand-eye coordination, eye contact was hard – he had a hard time communicating his needs. “I could talk about my interests – but beyond that it was tough.” He ended up being diagnosed with autism and bi-polar disorder at 21. With this diagnosis, he became eligible for regional center services and became familiar with Villa de Vida.
“My mom, my advocate, my hero really looked hard at what options would be right for me. I wanted more independence but was not quite there. When you can barely tie your own shoes, you need assistance in various areas,” he explained.
It was clear that he couldn’t live completely independently but what could be possible?
At that time, Villa de Vida was new – in fact it was just a concept. “An amazing one, of course,” he continued. Unfortunately, he was placed on the waiting list and forgot about it.
At that time, Villa de Vida was new – in fact it was just a concept. “An amazing one, of course,” he continued. Unfortunately, he was placed on the waiting list and forgot about it.
In the meantime, Jake went to college for a year, but it didn’t go so well because “I didn’t have the support that I needed. I was an English major, and I love literature and the arts.”
And he still does. He is passionate about writing and engaging people through stories.
Then one day, he received a phone call from his mom saying his name had come up on the waitlist to live at Villa de Vida. “Are you still interested?”
Then one day, he received a phone call from his mom saying his name had come up on the waitlist to live at Villa de Vida. “Are you still interested?”
“I immediately fell in love with this place. The people are extraordinary – the ones who work here as well as the residents. I can’t speak enough about the potential of everyone who lives here. I am utterly charmed by the sincerity and honesty of the people.”
He has always dreamed of fostering a greater community of creative minds, so he reached out to the Villa de Vida activities team and proposed leading an art discussion; over half of the residents attended his first meeting.
They are now working on a new project called the “Inclusive Collective” – everyone is welcome and has a seat at the table to foster and create art.
The group has planned out a schedule of educational sessions and guest speakers to launch soon. In fact, in November the group will be discussing a mystery night to solve.
“My hope is to get people thinking and inspired to create their own stories,” Jake said.
One of the biggest life lessons that Jake shares with his fellow residents is that life goes on after failure. “There are still mountains to climb and I can still explore my hopes and dreams in other ways.”
He is in the middle of writing a novel - a murder mystery, of course - and enjoys having this opportunity to think.
“The experience of living here has been transforming. I thought I would have to live in a group home the rest of my life – with no access to a kitchen and other choices. The lifestyle of living with the right support, in the right community, that is affordable and welcoming has been life changing. I’m excited to see what we can do next.”
Josh & Drew
Drew and Josh are two of Villa de Vida’s original residents and are brothers that live across the hall from each other.
Like many brothers, they are very different but share some common interests. Drew has a wonderful childlike wonder and enjoys karaoke and acting in plays. Josh enjoys video games and his favorite game show is Family Feud. Both enjoy movies and talking about them together.
Most importantly, they love living close to each other but still having their independence.
Over three years ago, their parents learned about this new community being built in Southern California and they quickly put the young men on the waiting list. Once the construction was done, the entire family relocated from the Massachusetts area.
On the East Coast, he and his brother were in different boarding schools and had very little independence. He credits the staff with making things easier to live by himself and take care of himself.
Drew loves animals, especially racoons, and is in the middle of writing a book called “Wonder the Wondrous Elephant” and has completed three chapters. He hopes to be an author someday.
Josh works two days per week at a local organization doing data entry. He also goes to e-Sports to play video games a few days a week and he takes the bus on his own. “My mom says I have to take the bus! It’s what she wants me to do and it feels good.”
For both brothers, their supported living staff help them with shopping and they enjoy cooking, especially beef stew and other soups. “I enjoy being independent and keeping my home clean,” Josh shared.
He and his brother enjoy going to the library together and really enjoy doing movie dialogs together. They visit with their parents a couple of times a week.
Drew is a big fan of Dr. Seuss and Roald Dahl, especially “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.”
According to Josh, one of the best parts about living independently are the activities such as Padres games and attending Aktion Club meetings each month. The Aktion Club is an offshoot of Kiwanis and is a service club that lets disabled adults participate in various projects for the community such as painting pumpkins and decorating senior centers for the holidays.
Between work and the various activities, the young men are very busy but will find time to connect every day. According to Josh, “It’s perfect.”