October 2022 Special Needs Living Akron/Canton

Individual Spotlight: Aaron Williams

Introducing Aaron Williams Focusing on the “Can Do” instead of the “Can’t Do”

Written by Melissa Klatt Photos by Julian Curet

Melissa Klatt

Julian Curet

Calling all Perry High School grads: You may know this fella as 27-year-old Aaron Williams, graduate of the Class of 2013 at Perry High School. If you didn’t have the pleasure of meeting him, allow us to introduce you!

Aaron Williams, Long-Time Perry Township Resident Aaron’s been living in Perry Township in Massillon for a long time, in his home built by his father and grandfather! He was born with developmental disabilities, and in second grade was found to have bilateral hearing loss where he was then fitted with two hearing aids.

Challenges Present Opportunities for Creativity Even though Aaron loved school, he absolutely hated homework. (Don’t we all, though?) Due to this, his junior high and high school years presented its difficulties and challenges, but his family remained persistent and pursued opportunities for him:

“We had to be creative, flexible and have tons of patience,” says mom, Lisa Williams. “We chose, as a family, to focus on what Aaron could do rather than what he couldn’t do.”

Extracurriculars Bring Out His Confidence While in school, Aaron learned therapeutic horseback riding at Pegasus Farms in Hartville, as well as bowling for the Special Olympics, and playing baseball for the Canton Challenger Baseball League. He played for the Challengers until 2019 and added golf to the list of sports that he plays! He was also an altar server and greeter at his church, St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church, for many years.

Where Aaron shines brightest is within his community, thriving within his many activities outside of classrooms and workplaces. In fact, if you made a list of all of Aaron’s extracurricular activities, you would be amazed at everything he’s worked on to help others in his community! Take a look at some of the amazing projects he’s worked on to improve his community:

• He volunteers for organizations like Habitat for Humanity and Wishes Can Happen.

• He collects pop tabs for the Akron Ronald McDonald House, where they work with a recycler to turn those tabs into money for their Family Fund, providing muchneeded meals, items, and assistance for emergency situations!

• He donates new children’s pajamas to the Children’s Network of Stark County Child Advocacy Center and boxes of pantry food items to the SAM (Serving Area Military) Center in Massillon.

• He’s also a blood donor, even though he’s very fearful of needles!

The Importance of Giving Back Aaron has a drive to continue pursuing volunteer opportunities, giving back to his community! However, he also values the importance of his community where it all starts: his family.

“My mom inspires me. She always watches out for me and helps me to stay involved. She always puts our family first,” Aaron says. “I want to continue working in the community and will always volunteer and help others in need when I can.”

Imagine how much better our world could be with more Aarons out there… We don’t have to wait! Treat others with kindness, provide a helping hand when you can, and get involved in your community!