How 1 Autistic Young Man Runs a Business

A life long friend

Joe is a life long friend of mine. I started to work with Joe in 2002. He never made fun of me or put me down. I had other friends who did. I trusted Joe and I talked to him about things in my life. His response was a smile and a thumbs up. Joe's relationship with me has brought me to a place in my like where I am going to school to become a special ed teacher. I would work with Joe on kettle corn and become tried, but Joe would be there working harder then I can. He is a inspiration and getting to know Joe and his family is a blessing on my life!

Poppin Joes is awesome!!

My son is 14 with a traumatic brain injury. His teacher shared your article with the class. Danny will soon be out in the workplace and your story was an inspiration for my family. Danny would love a job just like Joe's. I'm curious as to how you started. If you can provide some pointers I would appreciate it.

I also teach a class at our local tech college regarding people with differing abilities. I would love to mention Joe's story as a great example that people with a disability can be successful, independent, productive and happy.

Keep on Poppin'...Joe. You are an inspiration to many.

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Very Empowering

Thank you Joe and family for sharing your story. Your business accomplishment is very empowering. We were told by VR staff that my son would never be employable in the community. Andy is 20 years old with DS/VI and non-verbal. He will graduate from High School next summer. We are working with him to start up his own business. Best wishes for your continued success!!

Spiritual Power

We all seem to look at the outside not the inner man we saw this weekend a little horse that was driven many hours in a trailer to the Kentucky derby 50 to one shot you can never count anyone out both of these examples show spirit heart and

love that God puts in his creation God bless you Joe we have a little boy name Dillion in our family that is Autistic he has suprised us all and is a blessing keep poppin Joe

This is a great story.

Way to go Joe... Thanks to your parents' belief in you and some creative thinking, you have proven that everyone in our society can not only be of help, but actually, do their part and be productive. I am so very happy for you!!!

inspiring

Hi thanks for this article! I think this is a great story and my mom is one of those parents sitting around worrying about my brother with down syndrome right now. I am his sister who is studying to be a special education teacher and trying to help my mom get comfortable with the idea of allowing him to have more independence! I hope her reading this article will help!

Do you have any other encouraging words for her that may help her feel more comfortable with letting him out into the "real world"? She thinks he will fail miserably, but I think her not giving him a chance to try is the failure, we have till June 2010!Thanks again

Great story - how about people first language?

I found the link to your story through a Council for Exceptional Children newsbrief. I encourage you to visit disabilityisnatural.org to learn more about people first language.

To Joe: Way to go!! I can't wait to share your story with other folks. I also can't wait to try Kettle Corn!

need this today

Having a 12 year old son with the same diagnose this is just what i needed to read this morning!

Yes, you can buy Joe's popcorn online!

Thanks to all you super-sharp readers who pointed out that you can order Joe Steffy's popcorn online at www.poppinjoes.com.

It will be fun to see where orders come from. Joe's dad told me that after Joe donated kettle corn to soldiers stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan, he got quite a few orders from other servicepeople. A taste of home!

cheers, Nancy