Annual Report 2025: Jesse's Story

When Jesse became an APSI client, he was ready to take control of his own life. Living independently in his apartment, Jesse has been steadily building the skills and confidence he needs to live with even less support, a goal he's actively working toward with his APSI PSR, Cassie, and his home manager, Christian.

"Just do what you need to do," Jesse said when asked what advice he'd give someone seeking more independence. It's a simple philosophy, but one he lives by every day.

Jesse's recent trip to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, exemplifies the progress he has made in advocating for himself. The vacation wasn't handed to him; Jesse had to speak up about wanting to go, plan it with his staff, and make it happen. What was supposed to be a few days turned into over a week when Jesse decided he wanted to stay longer.

"I was supposed to come back on Thursday, but I stayed about another four days," Jesse explained. At the beach, he found hermit crabs buried in the water and considered bringing some home, but decided instead to bring back a souvenir shell, a reminder of his first big trip, planned and executed with his own voice leading the way.

Back home, Jesse is working toward another major goal: employment. He applied for a job at Burger King, completed his interview, and is now waiting for the training information to arrive so he can begin. "I check my emails and calls all the time," Jesse said, eager to start earning his own money.

Jesse's growing independence is evident in his living situation. He lives alone in his apartment, which he prefers over roommates. He is working toward a goal of having more independent time without staff, including overnight. What began as a single weekly overnight on his own has been successful, and he plans to expand to two nights soon.

"At first I was nervous, and then I just got used to it," Jesse said. After the first month, he was ready for more. "Can I increase my alone time?" he asked, showing confidence that's been growing steadily.

His PSR Cassie has noticed the dramatic change. "I have seen so much growth in you,” she told him during the interview. "When I first [met] you, you wouldn't even speak up for yourself to me. Now you're just sitting here doing an interview. This is really impressive."

That growth includes learning to advocate for himself when situations aren't right. When a previous home manager was controlling, Jesse spoke up about it, which he said was not an easy thing to do. He was able to communicate that to his team, and they fixed the situation. It's the kind of self-advocacy that seemed impossible when he first became an APSI client.

Jesse's home manager Christian helps him with practical matters like budgeting and understanding how his benefits will work once he starts his job at Burger King. These aren't simple topics, and having support to navigate them makes the difference between feeling overwhelmed and feeling prepared.

In his free time, Jesse enjoys old-school wrestling: Stone Cold Steve Austin and The Rock are his favorites. He watches wrestling regularly and is excited about the resurgence of interest. Jesse also loves music—all kinds except hard rock—and is a devoted fan of the Twilight series. He's a serious gamer, owning an Xbox that came bundled with a new TV. His next goal is saving up for a gaming PC, and he's already planning to order the latest Grand Theft Auto game for himself for his birthday.

Looking further ahead, Jesse has housing goals too. He wants to move from his current apartment to somewhere with more space. "It's too country, and there's not a lot of stuff to do [here],” Jesse explained of the town he currently lives in. His team is helping him understand that the change may require careful planning and budgeting. However, they're not dismissing his goals; they're working with him to explore the possibilities realistically.

Jesse is also close with his family, proudly buying Christmas gifts for his nieces and nephews. He orders his own Christmas gifts online, buying exactly what he wants: another small expression of his independence.

The quietness of living alone suits Jesse. He appreciates having his own space, his own schedule, and the growing ability to make his own choices. His PSR Cassie visits regularly, and they've built a trusting relationship where Jesse knows he can ask questions and get support without feeling controlled.

Jesse is working toward eventual restoration, not needing a guardian anymore. It's a big goal, one that makes him a little nervous because new things and changes are always nerve-wracking. But it's something he wants, and his team is supporting him in building toward it step by step.

With APSI's support, Jesse has gone from someone who couldn't speak up for himself to someone planning beach vacations, applying for jobs, managing overnight alone time, and thinking seriously about his housing future.

"You're doing a great job," Cassie told him, and the evidence is clear. Jesse is building the life he wants, one careful step at a time, with support that respects his growing autonomy while providing guidance when needed.

Each Thursday night alone, each conversation about finances, each time he speaks up about what he wants or needs, each decision he makes for himself exemplifies the steady growth he is making toward being more confident and independent.