The Smile That Says, "I Did It."

Roger beckons, smiling, from the doorway of his condo. His home is full of modern amenities, new appliances, granite countertops and all the other trappings of a successful homeowner. Beaming with pride, Roger loves to show off his first place. He enjoys being on his own, and his sense of accomplishment is visible in every step he takes.

"I feel like an adult," he says. "I can do what ever I want. I can watch what I want on TV. I can come and go as I please. It's great!"

Roger has come a long way. When he first came to Ability Specialists, he was lonely and searching for a place to belong. Born with cognitive disabilities, Roger had always been a fun-loving, sincere person. However, his personal relationships had been hampered by his difficulty expressing himself. When he wasn't able to communicate his thoughts and feelings adequately, Roger would sometimes explode verbally in frustration. These outbursts took attention away from the caring personality that his friends and family knew, and instead put a spotlight on his disability.

Roger began participating in Ability Specialists programs in 2001. The company's co-founder, Rick Sison, worked with Roger as his individual mentor. Rick challenged Roger, in his early 30s at the time, to push his limits and expand his abilities in new directions. Roger started attending Ability Specialists group activities, where he learned better social skills and formed a core group of friends. The sense of belonging he'd always desired came quickly, and his confidence grew.

"By working with Ability Specialists, Roger has gained a lot of confidence and has learned how to make decisions," says Sally, Roger's mother. "He has benefited tremendously from the structured exposure to people and the good work ethics that Rick has taught him."

With greater confidence came greater ambition. As Roger learned to feel more comfortable in group settings and discovered how to communicate more effectively, he began expanding his boundaries. He became more independent and transitioned to a new job that better suited his skills and personality. "Rick has been both a job coach and an advocate," says Sally. "He helps Roger with his schedule and has been a wonderful guide over the years. Rick reinforces Roger's positive work ethic and helps him organize his time. As a result, Roger is an excellent worker. He is always on time and is so honest."

Roger eventually moved out of his parents' house and got an apartment with a friend he met at Ability Specialists. Then after a year, Roger was ready to push his limits even more. His longtime dream of living alone, in his own place, was finally a real possibility. In 2006, with the support of his parents and guidance from Ability Specialists, he bought a one-bedroom condo. Five years after starting with Ability Specialists, Roger was able to actualize his full potential and realize the American dream of home ownership.

"Ability Specialists has been so supportive of Roger," says Sally. "That has been critical. The support can't just come from mom and dad. As far as their working model, I couldn't ask for more. They are always there for Roger and for me."

Today, Roger supports himself through his job at Wal-Mart, owns his own car and takes regular vacations with friends. "I feel like I'm on top of the world," he says. "I have the freedom to go wherever I want, and I am proud of everything I have."

Roger's expression tells his story best. His pride is uncontainable. His sense of accomplishment is right there for all to see, spread out in a wide smile that says, "I did it!"