Rose House residents and staff members often call Ted the “president” or “mayor” because he enjoys meeting and greeting visitors, and helping those around him. He loves to feel needed and valued for his contributions.

Ted’s positive and outgoing demeanor was influenced by a close relationship with his parents, three brothers and a sister on Long Island. The family enjoyed camping and educational trips, such as museums, zoos and historical sites. When he was old enough, Ted’s parents exposed him to a variety of cultures by traveling with him overseas and to many U.S. states.

After graduating from the Carman Road School, Ted worked at a United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) workshop, where he loved his packaging and labeling career. The facility also provided training and medical services to the disabled, and because Ted had a great memory for locations and directions, he was sometimes asked to serve as a transporter or guide for people who needed their wheelchairs pushed to various appointments.

As Ted’s parents got older, the family decided to move them all from Long Island to Morris Plains, New Jersey. There they could be closer to his sister Laura and her family. Ted and his mom moved into a little ranch house in Cedar Knolls, and he got a great new job at Employment Horizons (EH).

Over time, it became important for Ted to find a residence of his own, and luckily in February 2016, a spot opened up at Rose House’s Independent Living Program at the Hanover Apartments. The apartments are located right down the street from EH, and many of his co-workers were already living there.

“Moving to the Rose House gave Ted the chance to learn to think and act for himself,” Laura explained. “Most importantly, it gave him the chance to be part of and live with a big, busy and funny family again. He loves the affection and togetherness.”

After more than seven years at the Hanover Apartment’s Independent Living Program, Ted now resides at the Glencove Group Home in Morris Plains. He was able to keep his job at Employment Horizons and remain close to his original housemates.

Ted loves getting to know his new housemates as they share his interest in bowling, going to the movies and parties where he can dance and sing karaoke. He still travels, but these days it’s to spend quality time with siblings, either at their homes or at the lake house his parents owned near the Delaware River, where he can swim, kayak and help with all the chores.