Rion Holcomb- Clemson LIFE Program

I hear it from families constantly that these experiences are life-changing for their loved one who is going for their dreams of higher education and independence, and it is often harder for the parents to let go then it is for the individual.  How can you learn independence if never given the chance?  Dramatic is a word that is used a lot when talking about the transformation during college.  I asked Susan, Rion’s mom, to do a guest blog post on some of these transformations, and it is pretty remarkable!!

Two years ago, my son’s life changed….dramatically!  He was fortunate to earn a scholarship from Ruby’s Rainbow to help his dream come true, to go to college!  For the past two years, Rion has become immersed in college life at a large university, Clemson University in Clemson, South Carolina.

 

Rion has had the full college experience.  He lives in a co-ed apartment-style dorm with three other young men (two in the LIFE program and one ILA) surrounded by college students.  Clemson LIFE students are completely integrated in all aspects of university life.

 

Depending on the day of the week, he attends 4-6 hours of classes followed by two hours of work in one of three internships.  He has worked for the Clemson Rugby team, Firehouse Subs, and the campus recreation center.  In addition to his internship, he volunteers with a variety of causes such as Habitat for Humanity, Challenger League Baseball, and Special Olympics.  On weekends, he attends football and basketball games, socials, does his own grocery shopping and laundry.  He finds time to attend a local church and has joined Fellowship of Christian Athletes.  Not only does Rion have a great social group with the other 23 Clemson LIFE students, he has made numerous friends with typical college students on campus through tutoring and mentoring opportunities.  After work, Rion meets up with friends and has dinner at a dining hall or restaurant of his choice.  He pays for his own meals with a debit card and keeps up with his finances as part of the math curriculum.

 

 

Before and after:

 

Before:  We woke Rion up every morning before school and made sure he did everything on his list to be ready for school.

 

Now:  He sets the clock on his cell phone, gets himself up and moving, dressed (weather appropriately), fed and off to class, walking nearly everywhere he goes.  When he needs to go into town, he takes a bus.

 

Before:  We managed Rion’s hectic schedule of baseball, swim team, guitar lessons, school, and appointments.

 

Now:  Rion manages his own hectic schedule that differs from one day to the next, one semester to the next.  He makes his own appointments and plans social events with his friends.

Before:  He never had homework, projects, tests, or a need for email.  Rion had never used a laptop, Microsoft Word, Power Point, or email before going to Clemson.

 

Now:  He completes homework on his own, takes mid-terms, and exams.  After his first year finished last April, he ASKED for a reading tutor so he could learn to read better. He insisted on paying for his own tutoring 3 hours a week. He has completed and presented several projects using Power Point.  He sends and answers emails from his professors.  He also uses technology to check his bank account daily.

 

 

Before:  Rion only had to keep up with his duffle bag for swim practice and a book bag for school.

 

Now:  He packs his schoolwork and his work uniform in his book bag 3 mornings a week, walks a mile to class in all types of weather, crosses intersections and walks through town to a job where he works part time.  He then walks nearly 2 miles back to his dorm…..independently.  He navigates the campus without assistance, makes his own arrangements with mentors/tutors and meets them independently. He has to make sure his computer and cell phone stayed charged at all times.  He has to keep up with a list of chores which rotate on a weekly basis.

 

Before:  I supplied all of his wants and needs.  He always had someone to drive him where he needed to be.

 

Now:  He can, independently, meet the bus, ride to the grocery store, buy items on a list staying within his budget, and return to his apartment with his groceries intact.

 

Before:  He had a messy bedroom that he cleaned once every two weeks.  He helped with laundry, bringing in the mail and rolling the garbage cans to and from the curb.

 

Now:  His room is neat, bed made daily, sorts his garbage from his recycling, completes chores shared with roommates, and has learned to clean every room of a home.  He organizes his clothes (drawer for work clothes, workout clothes, dress clothes, etc…).  He takes a lot of pride in calling it “my house.”

 

Before:  I stored and administered his medicines when needed.

 

Now:  He organizes his liquid allergy medicines, measures and takes his medicine without assistance as needed.

 

Socially, he has continued to flourish. This is evident on his Facebook page and in the numbers of people who have contacted us directly or approached us on campus to tell us an experience they have had with our son.

 

Story relayed to us:  Last October 31, a man reached out to me to tell me that he was lost on campus looking for a building where he was to speak. He is a quadriplegic in a motorized wheelchair….no one, he says, would make eye contact or ask if he needed help. Other college students passed him by. That is, until Rion saw him. He said Rion was the ONLY college student who walked up and offered assistance. This was on Rion’s initiative. The gentleman told Rion the building he was seeking. Rion not only showed him where to go but walked with him to be sure he got there then showed the gentleman where to find the elevator. Turns out, that gentleman happened to be there to speak to Clemson LIFE that day.  Rion had no idea.

 

In short, Rion has learned to live in a distant place without family, relying on himself for his needs while enjoying the full experience of his dream to attend college!  He will graduate next month.

 

Keep on Rockin’ it Rion!! We are so proud of you and can’t wait to see where life takes you!!

(Blog post written by Susan Holcombe, Rion’s mom!)