Stephen
Stephen, 29, is a proud member of the staff at A Special Blend, a non-profit coffee shop in Greensboro, North Carolina that employs individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Its mission is to address the current statistic of the approximately 82% of people with disabilities being unemployed. This is Stephen’s first job, and he's grateful for it. At the cafe, Stephen greets customers at the door, delivers food, cleans, sets up outdoor furniture, and prepares drinks.
When not working, the native Marylander can be found fishing, camping, and spending time with family. He’s a member of the Inner Rhythm Choir for people with disabilities, and also sings in his church’s choir. Stephen listed guitar, drums, and bongos as some of his favorite instruments. When asked about other interests, he mentioned enjoying archery at summer camp, bocci ball, and swimming. “The Twilight Zone” is one of his favorite shows to watch in his remaining downtime.
Some may also recognize Stephen’s face from the now-viral Tiktok videos with his girlfriend Mallory, a past T21 participant and co-owner of Mallory Paige Designs, Inc. There they document their dinner dates and doorstep greetings. The two have been forced to social distance due to Covid-19, but are—despite this new challenge—more in love than ever!
Stephen is one of many individuals with Down syndrome in North Carolina and beyond who, when given the opportunities to grow and learn, are able to thrive in their communities and make a difference far outside of their workplaces.
