Matthew Learns to Drive

Matthew Redhead has a smile that will make your heart swell up and make any day better. That’s what greets me twice a week when he reports to work for Blue Sky Acres. I have had the pleasure of watching Matthew become so focused on what he was doing that I think he forgot I was there!

Matthew’s long-term goal is to work independently so that he will develop more skills to be able to take care of himself in the future.  We set short-term goals daily.  One of these goals is to follow procedures in the correct order.  The property owner, Tina Bragg, has allowed him to operate the gas-powered Utility Vehicle (UV) she uses for chores.  There are gears, pedals, and levers.  Over the past month, Matthew has successfully started, driven, and parked the UV.  He stays focused and always catches himself before he makes a wrong step.  I have only corrected him twice.  His face remains serious and focused when driving through a tight space.  I wait for his huge smile after he powers the UV off and he always shares it with me.  It is an important accomplishment and he knows it. 

Trusting him to drive the UV has given him confidence and it shows in his behavior while he’s at work.  He takes the initiative to help in other areas without waiting to be told.   Recently, he was the passenger in the UV while another volunteer, Larry Fort, was driving.  Larry had only one hand on the steering wheel.  Matthew told Larry to stop and he (Matthew) put his hand over Larry’s other hand and placed it on the steering wheel.  I see a future supervisor here!!  

It is a joy to work with Matthew and I am looking forward to seeing what the future brings for him.      

See how carefully Matthew navigates through this gate! If only you could hear the patience of his Drivers Ed teacher…I mean job coach, Karen as she coaches him through this❤️