Rockin’ Recipient Adam Moss leads a life that is “pretty typical to a 21-year-old male,” according to his proud mom—and she’s right, if typical 21-year-olds successfully juggle college studies, jobs, volunteer work and social lives along with all the demands of independent living. Adam, who was the 2014 recipient of the Maudie’s Scholarship Award through Ruby’s Rainbow, attends the TOPS program at Ohio State University.

He takes a programming class for adults with developmental disabilities and also works twice a week in the physical therapist office at Nationwide Children’s Hospital as he trains to be a physical therapy aide. Adam uses public transportation to travel between work and the apartment he shares with a roommate. He cooks, cleans, does his laundry, and manages his own work and school schedules. He also volunteers with Upreach, an organization that provides services to Adam and other individuals with intellectual disabilities and special needs.

Adam is planning to complete his time in the TOPS program in Spring 2015, after which he feels he will be ready to enter the workforce full time.adam-moss-update2