Just a few years ago, Tyler was introverted and rarely left home. 

Today he lives in his own apartment in Ridgefield and has a job he enjoys at Regional Hospice. He enjoys cooking, going out with his friends, attending anime conventions throughout the region, and connecting with his extended family. He’s even joined the Special Olympics softball team, running laps around his apartment complex to gear up for competition.

“All these little things don’t sound gigantic,” said Residential Services Manager Peter Sullivan, “but the small steps add up, and it’s been rewarding to watch Tyler grow.”

If Tyler can count on anything, it’s change.

“There have been a lot of changes recently,” the 26-year-old said, reflecting on the last five years of his life. “Moving was a big change. My father passing. Starting a job. Making my home into my own. It can be good or bad—but you have to get used to it all.”

Thankfully Tyler can also count on his community at Ability Beyond, where Residential Services and Career Development have collaborated to help him develop skills for independent living as he navigated hardship and embraced opportunity. 

Growing Through Grief

Tyler’s journey with Ability Beyond began when he was still in high school, receiving limited in-home support. As graduation drew closer, his single father, Thomas, knew that Tyler needed more focused preparation for life in the real world.

That was 2020—just months before COVID lockdown, and before Tyler’s father fell unexpectedly ill. When Thomas passed away a few months later, both Tyler and Ability Beyond realized the stakes had changed.

“We went very quickly from occasionally working on life skills, like learning to cook, to asking ourselves, ‘How do we get Tyler up and running as soon as possible?’” Peter said.

Tyler had no family to live with, so Peter and the Residential Services team helped Tyler maintain stable housing while he adjusted to his new normal. And Career Development connected Tyler with a dishwashing job that honored his working style and personality.

“The Career Development team works hard to make sure the job fits the individual,” Peter said. “Not the other way around.”

One Morning at a Time

Assistant Residential Services Manager Pam Sweeney has seen Tyler mature dramatically in the last five years. And she has played a pivotal role in the process. For instance, it was Pam who showed up at Tyler’s house on workdays when he struggled to wake up on time.

With encouragement and consistent care, Tyler got the hang of his morning routine. From there, Pam simply asked for a phone call to confirm he was awake. Eventually, he didn’t have to call. He’s now been washing dishes at Regional Hospice for four years, with support from an Ability Beyond job coach.

“I enjoy my job,” Tyler said. “Although I don’t like getting splashed all the time.” 

Pam also helped Tyler learn to cook. The young man who used to set off the smoke alarm now makes complicated recipes like macaroons, pork fried rice, omelets, and steak with salsa verde—reverse engineered from the meal he enjoyed at Ability Beyond’s Gala in 2024. 

“He never would have gone to Gala in the past,” Pam said. “He even danced—like Elaine in the television show Seinfeld. From my perspective, the biggest change is that Tyler never really showed an interest in doing things before. He’s come a long way.”

Community in Cosplay

In the words of Sora, a character from the video game Kingdom Hearts:  “They can … cut you loose from all you know. But if it’s your fate, then every step forward will always be a step closer to home.”

Not only does Tyler enjoy playing Kingdom Hearts on the gaming console he set up in his first apartment, but he dressed as Sora last year for Anime NYC, a three-day convention at the Javits Center. For Tyler, cosplay is a form of self-expression that taps into his artistic abilities of sewing, drawing, and design. It also brings him out of his shell, into community.

“When I go in my costume, I get a lot of comments like, ‘You look really good,’” he said. “Sometimes people want to take a picture with me. It’s a really nice feeling.” 

As Tyler has grown more confident and social, he has specially requested trips to new conventions, where he is accompanied by Peter to meet up with friends and make lasting memories.

“When someone feels like they’re being listened to—not being told what to think, or what they should like—they trust you, and they’re willing to grow,” Peter said.

Tyler’s network of natural supports also includes his extended family—another example of positive change in his young life. 

“For a long time, it was just me and my dad for birthdays, holidays, and all that,” Tyler said. “Since he passed away, my family has been more frequently in my life. It’s like they’re pulling me down the stairs, into the world.” 

Take Action

Tyler is one of more than 3,000 individuals in Connecticut and New York who receive services through Ability Beyond each year. Find out what you can do today to help more people like Tyler reach for their dreams.