Jesse is 25 and has Down Syndrome Regression Disorder. Jesse exudes a warm and aware sensibility, has never heard a Broadway song he didn’t love, and never, ever, forgets anyone who sincerely tries to engage with him. Despite his charm, he is very limited verbally and requires a stable and nurturing environment for his wellbeing and safety. He needs ongoing oversight to guide him through even the most basic tasks. And because so much of the world is incomprehensible to him, he thrives within a community that is rhythmic, kind, and patient.
When Jesse was 22, his father was diagnosed with a brain tumor and died at home 14 months later. Jesse's future became our family’s primary focus given that he would likely end up in adult foster care once he could no longer be cared for at home. The thought of Jesse – so openhearted and so vulnerable -- spending his adult years as a guest in the homes of a series of strangers was unbearable, and so our family's journey to Riverflow began.
My vision for Riverflow is vivid, because we saw Jesse’s joy and sense of belonging spike during his brief trial visit at the Heartbeet Camphill Community in Vermont, when he was 19 years old. It was our first exposure to the Camphill model, and we joked that we wanted to live there too, given the warmth and functionality of its beautiful community design. While Heartbeet was not able to accommodate Jesse, he has never stopped asking about the friends he met there. And so now when he asks, I tell him we are all working hard to build Riverflow, where he can live and work with friends while they help take care of animals, garden, craft, dance and sing a lot.
