Jessica Poole

Name: Jessica Poole

Age: 25

Hobbies: watching TV, coloring, swimming, doing my nails, playing with our dogs.

What is the best moment of your life? When I was voted prom queen

#TheLuckyFew #TheLuckyFewFoundation #DownSyndrome #ThisIsDownSyndrome

(THE POOLE FAMILY SERIES, JESSICA: Richard & Mary Poole, Parents)

While we were driving to Indiana to take custody of Justin, we received a call about the possibility of adopting Jessica from the Texas foster care system.  Jessica was 17 when she came to live with us and had developed some interesting habits as a teenager in foster care. She watched so many movies and television shows that she honestly thought she was one of the characters in the film “High School Musical”. It was a real challenge convincing her that she was Jessica and not Gabriella! The good news is that learned behavior can be unlearned and in Jessica’s case that is exactly what happened as she filled the TV hole with activities and developing other interests.

Her bubbly personality and incredible people skills made her high school years fun and productive. She joined the student council and was assigned a Mentor who has been so good to her, even after graduation, Savannah stops by to talk to Jessica. In High School Jessica was able to dance with a dance team and cheer with the cheerleaders. Jessica was named Prom Queen her senior year and treasures the crown and sash to this day. She is now 25.

As a 25-year-old Jessica attends a work activity center here in York run by MaxAbilities. Job training as well as opportunities for volunteerism and community involvement are offered.  Jessica works on a mobile work crew and volunteers with the local Meals on Wheels agency. She has made quite a few friends and absolutely loves the socialization the program provides.

Jessica loves to travel especially if it means new food to try – she is up for trying everything. She thinks it is hilarious when she gets Justin to eat spicy food – which she loves by the way. Justin, being a redhead, turns beet red and tears just roll down his face, all the while Jessica sits looking on and laughing so hard that she almost falls off her seat.  It just isn’t fair – Jessica is from Texas while Justin is from Indiana – just saying,

Jessica loves to go to the hair salon for her highlights and trim and her fingernails always have to a cool, preferably glittery, polish on them. She is a Miracle League player and a Special Olympian.  Not much this girl won’t try!

#TheLuckyFew #TheLuckyFewFoundation #DownSyndrome #ThisIsDownSyndrome