Juniper Hill Farms, an Autism Haven

       Much has been said about children with Autism. Have you ever wondered how would their life be when they become adults? Are they capable of living independently?
      Meet Andy, Brent, Patrick, Jose, Michael and Ray. Despite being regarded as individuals with special needs, they proved their worth as men and equally productive members of the society. Let's take a look and learn from their lives at Juniper Hill Farms.

Sunflower farm

       Juniper Hill Farms is an 8 acre farm land situated in Southern Chester County, Pennsylvania, U.S.A. The farm grows sunflowers which are being sold  to local businesses and markets. Its also a fiber farm that produces angora, cashmere and alpaca.

Busy tending the animals

      Diane Belnavis, a recreation therapist who have been working with people under the spectrum for so long started this community. It all began when they bought an abandoned house situated in a farm land in the Summer of 2009. By Fall of 2010, they established this community of flower and fiber farmers comprised of a few local folks, six men with Autism and their support group. 
     Juniper Hill Farm was built with the strong purpose of forming and maintaining a replicable model of independent living for adults on the Autism Spectrum. One may think its some sort of special needs institution or living facility. Contrary to that, they are renting the house they live in, with support people that visit once in a while to make sure things are going well, along with Diane who happens to live with them.  Ray, Patrick and Brent rent the rancher at the top of the hill. While Jose, Michael and Andy lives down the hill. They may  be receiving their monthly Social Security Income from the government but they did not stop at that since they work in the farm and some do in between jobs. Ray works twice a week cleaning two different gyms in West Chester, Pennsylvania. His employers are very impressed with the work attitude that he has. Brent on the other hand makes blankets then eventually selling them as additional means of living.

Ray at the gym

 

Brent making a fabulous flag blanket

     While everyday life may not be easy for someone with Autism taking into consideration the difficulties each one in the spectrum may experience like faulty sensory processing, impaired social and communication abilities, they managed to live and co-exist with one another. There may be a lot of differences like for instance their food favorites to begin with. But what is important is that they know how to respect each others'  interests and passions. They accepted and cared for each other just like a family.
     
   

 
     There are still a lot more coming for Juniper Hill Farms. Along with their sunflowers, zinnias will soon bloom. The animal population in the farm is no longer limited to fiber animals as they now have chicken, geese, pot bellied pigs, donkey and emu.

   

     
        I hope there would be more like Diane who see Autism with a positive perspective when what everybody else see is tragedy and misery.
       And if still one would ask if people under the spectrum could ever be self sufficient and productive?
 A resounding yes would be the answer.  ' need proof?   Meet Andy, Brent, Patrick, Jose, Michael and Ray of Juniper Hill farms.


Acknowledgement :
    Ms.Diane Belnavis for granting permission to cover the story.
    Andy, Brent, Patrick, Jose, Michael and Ray for the inspiration.
    Photo credits Juniper Hill Farms