Matthew Graham

California 1990, a little boy was born named Matthew.

From the very beginning, Matt did not liked to be touched. His pediatrician told me, “You’re a first time mom, and you’re just nervous”. Later the pediatrician said, “You work in the disability field; you are looking for something”. However, I knew. When I would pick Matt up, he would go limp. He was not talking, not crawling, and was lining things up. He would throw a tantrum when things were moved from where he thought they belonged, and he was very tactile.

At around 18 months, I took Matt to a specialist where he was diagnosed with Autism. At three years of age, he started in an early intervention program. They used a process, which was very common then, called Brush Therapy. As one might guess, Matt did not like that one bit.

When Matt was nine, I decided to move to New York where I had heard services for differently-abled children were better. I had also met my spouse and I had more support with Matt. It was not long after this move, we became involved with the Center for Disability Services.

I secured a job working overnight in a residence at the Center, and Matt attended Colonie Schools. When the school district wanted Matt to attend a specialized school, the Center for Disability Services linked us up with a whole team of people…a psychiatrist, a Service Coordinator, and people on the management team who provided the needed support for Matt to remain in his school. During his time as a student, he experienced many challenges which included getting up and leaving the classroom when he felt the teacher was off topic, picking his skin, and going into the bathroom and rocking himself as he got older. His anxiety often got the better of him. In spite all that he had to face, Matt graduated at 19 years old with an Advanced Regents Diploma.

After Matt graduated, he had the opportunity to go to college and take classes or live at the Center. He was considered a Priority 1 back then, which was key to getting him into a residential placement. The team at the Center, once again, was instrumental in making sure Matt received the correct services. Matthew volunteered at the Center’s respite program while he was in high school, as there was no afterschool programs for a high school student, and he needed to keep busy. His volunteering afforded him to add that job to an application and to get employment at Saint Margaret’s Center in the recreation program. Not only did he move into one of the Center’s residences, he also receives services as part of Center Health Care and he secured competitive employment. Matt LOVED it. The Center has worked with Matt to ensure he keeps his benefits, has transportation to and from his job, and is safe and happy. Matt grew up when he moved into that residence.

If you ask me, I would share with you that there are no truer words than “it takes a village to raise a child”. I believe the Center for Disability Services is my village. I feel it is so important to give back, which is why I have become a member of their legacy society, the Guardian Circle, since its inception. Matthew would not be who he is today without the Center’s support.

My wife, Shirley, and I can breathe a sigh of relief knowing Matt will always have a warm, safe, comfortable place to live. I leave you knowing that when God is ready for me, Matt will be okay…the Center has ensured that. There is nothing more important to us.

—Leslie Spence