Creating a life of choice and connection

For Eric Carter, independence is built through everyday experiences: going to work, managing an apartment, spending time with friends and making decisions about his own life. 

For his mother, Dorrie, watching that journey unfold has required trust, patience and a willingness to let her son take risks and learn from them. 

“I’m very happy I stepped out of my comfort zone and allowed him to be independent, learning and growing,” she said.

Eric works up to two four-hour shifts a week as a laborer for Pariseault Builders. His father, Brian, has worked at the family-owned general contracting company for over two decades, and the company welcomed Eric to the team when he turned 18. 

Dorrie said the company has worked to match job responsibilities to Eric’s abilities, and his co-workers have been an important source of support. Some even help by providing rides to work, while his support staff take him home.

Although there can be challenges on a construction site, accommodations and support help make the work possible. Eric cannot wear traditional construction boots and instead uses hiking boots with prescription orthotics. He receives assistance with other required safety equipment, including tying his shoes, wearing a hard hat, safety glasses and gloves.

Technology has played an important role in Eric’s independence. Dorrie said he has been teaching himself technology skills since middle school, beginning with an iPod and now an iPhone. He has been using communication devices since age 5 to help clarify his speech. 

Those skills continue to grow. “Now he’s a breeze at texting,” Dorrie said. “His progress has skyrocketed amazingly.” 

Eric uses texting to stay connected and manage daily activities, including arranging rides to work with his direct support professional and communicating weekly with co-workers and staff about his schedule.

He has also become more independent with preparing for work by packing enough fresh water, snacks, his medicine and sometimes his lunch.

The job has also provided opportunities to learn about money management. “He overdrafted a couple of times, but it’s been meaningful and allowed him to grow,” she said.

A place of his own

Eric, who grew up in Warwick, lives in an apartment in the Narragansett Pier area with a roommate. The apartment became available through Perspectives Corp., and when the opportunity arose, the decision had to come quickly. 

“He had to decide within two weeks when the offer came,” Dorrie said. 

The apartment is subsidized, and he receives assistance with heating costs. 

“Eric and his roommate complement each other nicely,” she said. “And the Narragansett Housing Authority loves them.”

Living independently has created opportunities for Eric to develop new skills and routines. He self-directs his own services with help from his mother and hires and manages his staff with help from his LAZO support broker. 

Direct support professionals ensure he takes his medication four times a day and assist him with tasks such as laundry, food shopping, cooking prep, checking his SNAP balance, obtaining library museum passes and with participating in recreational activities.

Connected to community

Eric enjoys exploring his community and finding opportunities to do things independently. 

“He always knows what’s happening,” Dorrie said. On a trip to Boon Street Market, a food hall in Narragansett with five fast-casual restaurants, he researched menu options and ordered independently using self-service kiosks – and learned afterward that he had ordered far more food than he needed, which became a good learning experience.

Dorrie said Eric enjoys staying active and connected to his community. He bowls weekly with his roommate, their staff members and others, and spends time with friends. 

Before moving into his apartment, he volunteered with the Conimicut Village Association, helping hang wreaths and wrap lights around poles, and rode his bike to work at the Elizabeth Buffum Chase Center.

He enjoys sports and is a fan of the Providence Bruins and the Philadelphia Flyers. 

“He’s also a very good uncle to his nieces and nephew,” she said. 

Despite challenges, Dorrie says the progress she has seen in her son’s life has made every step worthwhile. 
“It has been a journey that has not been easy,” she said. “But now he’s happier living independently, and so are we, too.”