Mother and son find balance living and working together
When Daniel was younger, Kathleen often volunteered at his school. As he passed from grade to grade, she followed in his footsteps and ended up working in the school, even in the same classroom. When Daniel attended Wisconsin Lutheran College, she worked in the development office.
“It was kind of funny, and the other students thought it was kind of funny, too,” Kathleen explained. “We tried to keep the mother at work and home relationships separate.”
Today, they both work for the same company. Daniel writes code, while Kathleen manages a group of coders.
“I always thought he would have a job, but I didn’t know what kind of job he would have,” said Kathleen. “I didn’t know what he would want to do.”
Daniel is thriving at home and at work, all while living with Asperger’s syndrome. Kathleen and her husband, Bob, love seeing Daniel be successful.
Daniel isn’t the couples’ only child with a disability. Their daughter, Caroline, has Down syndrome and has spent most of the last year at home due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We started being at home before the state mandate took place due to risks to her health,” Kathleen said of Caroline. “People with Down syndrome have small lung passageways. With it being a respiratory virus, we took every precaution possible.”
Caroline continued with online classes with the Down Syndrome Association in Wisconsin but is looking forward to getting back into the community. Prior to the pandemic, she was involved in an organization that allowed her to work in the local hospital and attend New Friends at Wisconsin Lutheran College.
Caroline is in her late 20’s while Daniel is in his early 30’s. Both continue to live at home with their parents. Many younger people with disabilities continue to live at home long after they reach adulthood.
“Residing with their parents allows both Daniel and Caroline to be independent but still have support when needed,” said Mark Hayes, President of Ministry at The Lutheran Home Association. “Providing spiritual programming designed for those with special needs allows Daniel and Caroline to find true balance with work, school, and Jesus.”