Building A Purposeful Life

This guide outlines how we built a purposeful, balanced life for Benji and Giulietta, one rooted in vision, connection, growth, and empowerment. Each step reflects a lived process: lessons learned, strategies refined, and goals that continue to evolve.

Step One: Clarifying Our Vision

It began with a simple question: What does growth look like for Benji and Giulietta?

Once we understood that, everything else fell into place. Our choices, goals, and supports started aligning around that vision, building a life centered on purpose, independence, and belonging.

Step Two: Nurturing Friendship

Friendship is essential because it creates a feeling of belonging. For Benji, friendship grows through shared work and connection, whether at IKEA or his social program at WindReach. These experiences help him build teamwork and a sense of community. For Giulietta, friendship is about shared joy, going to the library, grocery store, social program, mall, cooking, bowling, and spending time with people who know and care for her. These relationships give her confidence and help her feel supported and valued.

Step Three: Creating a Home

We focus on creating an environment where Benji and Giulietta can try, make mistakes, and try again without fear. Having dedicated support workers who truly believe in them has made all the difference. Some have been with them for over ten years, providing stability and a deep understanding of who they truly are.

Step Four: Making Decisions

Decision making takes time, and we’ve learned the value of slowing down. For Benji, that means giving him a moment to process before jumping in to help. For Giulietta, it’s waiting a few extra seconds so she can connect what’s being asked to her next action. They’re both involved in choices throughout the day, from what to eat to what activities to do. These moments build confidence and show them their opinions matter.

Step Five: Building Independence

Independence looks different for everyone. For Benji, it means practicing real-world job skills, managing routines, and communicating using his PECS binder. For Giulietta, it’s taking initiative in daily tasks and finding her voice. The goal isn’t to remove support but to build confidence, helping them do more for themselves while knowing they’ll always have help when needed.

Step Six: Advocating

Advocacy means keeping their voices at the center of everything. We speak up for Benji and Giulietta when needed, but also create space for them to express themselves in whatever way works best. For Benji, that’s using PECS to ask for help or make choices. For Giulietta, it’s using her iPad to share her thoughts and feelings.

Step Seven: Securing the Plan

Once we find what works, we write it down and keep it flexible. Weekly check-ins with the team help us stay aligned, celebrating progress, making adjustments, and keeping goals current. A plan that keeps everyone moving forward together.

Step Eight: Developing a Microboard

A Microboard is a small circle of people that include: family, friends, and professionals, who care and want to be part of Benji and Giulietta’s future. It keeps their goals personal and sustainable, even when services or systems change.

Step Nine: Building a Circle of Care

The Circle of Care includes everyone in their daily lives: friends, family, coworkers, therapists, support workers, and teachers. It’s about creating a network that believes in them and shares the same vision for their lives. When everyone works together, Benji and Giulietta stay at the center of their own journey.

Step Ten: Creating a Life Skills Plan

A Life Skills Plan builds independence through real experiences at home and in the community. For Benji, that means practicing routines and job related skills that prepare him to manage his home and work responsibilities. For Giulietta, it’s strengthening communication, literacy, and daily living skills that build confidence and connection. Blending structured learning with real world experiences helps both of them develop the independence and self-assurance they need to live purposeful lives.

Step Eleven: Developing a Work Plan

A Work Plan connects purpose with practice. It starts with getting to know each person, their strengths, interests, and communication styles. Since Benji and Giulietta are nonverbal, we created video resumes to highlight their abilities and help employers see their potential. The plan focuses on building a supportive workplace, teaching essential skills, and offering consistent encouragement. Through gradual learning and real experience, they continue to grow their confidence and independence at IKEA and Loblaws.