Anthony Schwager stands by his small display at the Downtown Lawrence Farmer's Market early on Saturday mornings with a vigilant eye gazing through his glasses. It's too early in the season to bring out the big tent, so the table before him holds a small assortment of honey products with brightly colored labels bearing the name "Anthony's Beehive." He smiles timidly through his braces at passing shoppers and is keen to aid them with their purchases when they stop at his stand.
Later this week, Anthony will take that same smile to his second job in the office at Trinity In-Home Care. He will also volunteer at Community Living Opportunities and Lawrence Memorial Hospital. And in the midst of all that, he will probably find time to visit a high school and speak about Anthony's Beehive or attend other events that cater to people who suffer from developmental disabilities. If he isn't sidetracked by hospital visits, that is.
Twenty-two-year-old Anthony suffers from epilepsy and developmental disabilities. Anthony's mother, Terri Schwager, said this is because of low oxygen at birth, and that he has always required a little extra attention because of his disabilities.
One thing Anthony's family is sure to watch out for is injury. Anthony's brother Brandon Schwager said Anthony doesn't feel pain like other people, so he doesn't tell them when he is hurt. This has resulted in multiple trips to the hospital, a few of which sent Anthony home with stitches. Brandon said they have to be watchful "if he's ever doing anything with scissors or knives or the stove." Terri said she used to find bloody socks in Anthony's room that he had used to bandage his wounds.
"He has no self-preservation skills," she said.
One particular hospital visit confirmed that Anthony had permanently lost sight in his left eye.
Terri said the blindness was likely because of an epileptic seizure. Once she noticed him bumping into things, it was too late to save his vision. Anthony now wears protective, shatterproof glasses to help preserve his right eye.
Now if Anthony is hurt, he must tell another adult who decides whether the injury is serious.
In addition to maintaining his physical well-being, Anthony's family pitches in to drive him places, help him manage Anthony's Beehive and make sure all his needs are met.
"We
try to make sure Anthony is living the life that he wants to live...That's always
been our goal," Terri said.
Anthony also has a caretaker, Beth, who helps out a few days a week to make sure Anthony's family has time to get other things done. But Anthony helps others as much as they help him.
Anthony began working at Trinity In-Home Care in January 2009, where he has been a client for many years. Executive Director Kelly Evans said Trinity is a local division of United Way that helps the elderly and people with disabilities be independent.
"He showed initiative by applying for a job we had available, and we knew he would be a great employee," Evans said.
Anthony works at Trinity two days a week helping with the mail, filing, cleaning and doing other tasks around the office.
"Anthony
is helpful, reliable and very professional," Evans said. "He even helped push
my kids on the swing outside when they were at work with me a few weeks ago."
Anthony
also volunteers at Community Living Opportunities and Lawrence Memorial Hospital. CLO's Web site said it serves the
developmentally disabled of Douglas County, and Anthony helps out there by
doing office work. He said his caretaker, Beth, helps him deliver mail to the different
departments at Lawrence Memorial every Wednesday.
"Reading the job description, I just knew in my heart that it would be a good fit for him," Terri, also a nurse at Lawrence Memorial, said.
In addition to Anthony's second job and volunteer positions, schools and organizations often ask him to speak at events for the people who suffer from developmental disabilities. His mother, Terri, made a half-serious joke about finding a manager for Anthony.
"To be honest, I have considered hiring someone to work with Anthony because we're getting really overwhelmed," Terri said.
Terri said the Kansas Council on Developmental Disabilities contacted Anthony about attending an event for the developmentally disabled in Topeka. KCDD asked him to be on a panel and speak to people with disabilities about employment.
Nancy Plunkett, a special education teacher at Broadmoor Technical Center in Shawnee, Kan., asked Anthony to speak to her students about Anthony's Beehive.
Anthony and the Bee at Broadmoor Technical Center. Provided by Nancy Plunkett.
"Anthony is a wonderful role model for students with cognitive disabilities, not just physical," Plunkett said. "He is in much more control of his life because of his small business."
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