MARYSVILLE – Brock Kipperpert can’t read or write, but that doesn’t mean he can’t work.
He recently brought home his first paycheck from Summit Physical Therapy. He was so excited he wanted his picture taken with it, said his mom, Jan.
He wants to save up his money and go to Hawaii, he said.
Brock, 20, is in the special education transition program in the Marysville School District for 18- to 21-year-olds. Catherine Jones said the goal is to teach the students life and job skills after graduation so they can be as self-sufficient as possible.
“It’s to give kids an opportunity, give them a chance,” she said.
Jones said Brock interned at Summit, and they liked him so much he got a job there. He received a polo shirt that says “aide” on it. He asked his mom what that meant, and she said to help people.
Jones and Jan said they both would love to see more businesses provide internships and jobs for other disabled students.
“So many don’t open their doors,” Jan said. “It breaks my heart.”
Jones added: “We’re not saying you have to hire them. Just give them the opportunity to get work ready.”
Jan said if given a chance, the students can do jobs.
“You’d be surprised what they can do with a little guidance,” she said. “You can’t just put them all in a corner. They can be productive citizens in society.”
Kit Blue, clinic manager at Summit, said he is so glad he got involved in the program.
“I wish we did it years ago,” Blue said.
Brock started working there about a year ago as an intern, and he was hired about a month ago.
“He fills a need I have to keep the place looking like it needs to be looking,” Blue said.
He said Brock does a lot of custodial work, such as cleaning equipment, tables, bathrooms, etc., but he also does the laundry, stocks rooms and brings patients to rooms. He works well with customers and staff, Blue added.
“When you ask him to do something he’s on it,” Blue said. “That initiative is why I hired him.”
In the future, Brock will help train other school interns.
“He will be my on-site supervisor for future students,” Blue said. “He will teach them the ropes to his satisfaction. He’s very meticulous.
“It will take a load off of me.”
Blue encourages other businesses to give the program a try.
“It’s worked out well for me,” he said. “Brock’s my first student, and he exceeded all expectations.”
Jan said she is very proud of her son.
“He’s shy and timid when mom and dad are around, but when you put him out there” he can step up and be self-sufficient with some structure, she said.
Brock’s family is thrilled that he works three hours a day three days a week. His mom said Brock thinks he could work more, but he really doesn’t understand time. It would be hard to keep him engaged for 40 hours a week. So part-time is great for him.
“It gives him something to look forward to,” Jan said.
Jan said the people at Summit have been amazing, and it’s been great for Brock’s self-esteem.
“They make him feel like he’s part of a team,” she said. “He wears what they wear. He gets tons of kudos.”
She said it’s been a long road raising Brock from a parent’s standpoint, so the job is a big deal for them, too.
“It’s hard to say who was more excited, mom and dad or Brock,” Jan said.
Both Jan and Jones said Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring is working on an initiative that would encourage businesses to be more disability conscious.
“They can’t all just stock shelves,” Jones said.
Jan added more special education students need to be able to get jobs.
“It can be lonely and boring after school,” she said. “We don’t want them to regress.”
She said raising a child in special education is a humbling experience.
“So many things about life people take for granted,” she said.
