Spotlight on Non-Profit

The Exceptional Way

When Laurie Wilder’s son, Thomas, turned 22, he was no longer able to attend public school. Wilder quickly realized that an adult with a disability had limited options in Troup County. “Sitting on the couch watching Jeopardy at 8:30 in the morning is not what you want for your kids. I want Thomas to experience life. He has much to give and much to experience,” she said. When children with disabilities age out of school, 80 percent experience a decline in social, physical, and emotional health. That was unacceptable to a group of parents in Troup County. George Childress, a local dentist and parent of a son with autism, first saw the need in his own family. “I started listening to three moms who had been thinking about options for a long time. I was unaware of the drop-off that kids experience. I always thought by age 22 they’ll be functional and able to have a job, but it doesn’t always happen,” he said. Wilder, Childress and a group of other parents and teachers began creating a plan. In 2021, they opened The Exceptional Way, a day center for adults with disabilities. Just a year later, they’re actively looking for a larger location to provide services to a long waiting list. Cindy Skipworth, executive director at The Exceptional Way, is quick to point out they are not providing adult daycare. “We are building life skills, job skills, and helping them reach their goals,” she said. Current participants in the two- or four-day program range in age from 20 to 57. Daily activities include art projects, movement activities and other skill-building instruction. Each week, the group goes on an off-campus outing ranging from bowling to shopping for Christmas gifts. “We also do volunteer projects in the community. Our participants have a lot to give and it’s good for them to learn to interact with people,” Skipworth said. Recently, the group passed out free popsicles at Granger Park. “They had to talk to people and ask them what color popsicle they wanted, it was a good experience for everyone,” Skipworth said. For Skipworth, one of the most rewarding parts of her job is seeing the dramatic changes in participants. “Our oldest participant lived with his mom and when she passed away, moved in with his sister. When he started coming to our program, he didn’t talk much, wasn’t social at all. He’s a different person now. He talks more and at home, he wants to sit with the family and join them. Sometimes just being in community makes a big difference,” she said. The Exceptional Way is a nonprofit organization, but not a governmentfunded program. Tuition is kept low with much of the cost funded through donations, grants and fundraisers. “We originally thought we would ask for the families to pay half the actual cost and raise the rest,” Childress said. “Most of our participants get a disability check, but it doesn’t go far. A lot of times that’s rent or grocery money. It’s been an eye-opener for me. My heart really goes out to the single parent. “I know my son, Carson, is in my life because God has used him to keep me humble and aware of things around me. I’ve realized this is a place where God can use me and some of my resources to help Carson and others right here in my community. And I couldn’t be happier about it,” he said.

For information about The Exceptional Way, call (706) 668-1465 or see the website theexceptionalway.org