How 1 Autistic Young Man Runs a Business

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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!!

Terri of WI 11:59AM June 18, 2009

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

Jerry of GA 8:42AM May 04, 2009

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!!!

Beth Powers of UT 2:59PM April 14, 2009

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

Kimberly Murphy of IL 2:41PM April 13, 2009

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!

Jaime of VA 10:31PM April 08, 2009

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

gerrie of TX 9:18AM April 07, 2009

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

Nancy Shute of DC 11:02AM April 06, 2009

My son will be 9 years old this month and he has autism.He speaks and has high functioning autism. He is very smart and I have great hope for him in the future. This article brings me even more hope for him in the future.

Lindsey of TX 6:26PM April 05, 2009

I think it is wonderful that this young man has a business. I have a 30 year old step-son who has autism. He is very high functioning and has the most amazing memory of anyone I know.
Eric drives and has a part-time job at Home Depot I am so pleased that Home Depot tries to find positions based on a disabled persons needs. Eric's hope is to open his own shop making keys.
Eric wants to have have a job, a wife and a family. A major goal is to own his own house.
My family adores Eric. Many people look at the disabled and don't think they can live life to the fullest and be happy. Eric is a wonderful example of how wrong they are.
Eric doesn't know that there is anything he can't do.
He is a special blessing that God has given us.
A very proud step-mother.

Jody Acedo of CA 5:55PM April 05, 2009