Early on
Dupree was called to explore his creative talent and supporting others with disabilities.
He started as a participant at an organization
that uses the power of creative arts to amplify the voice and choice
of individuals with disabilities.
He's now a teaching artist there.
Listening to your inner voice and paying attention to your passions
can guide you on the right path.
I'm Dupree.
I work for Upstream Arts.
A disability art service that use the creative arts
through social skills to help people with disabilities.
And I'm a teaching artist there
and I used to work in their office
a couple of years ago.
I was also a participant in their classes.
So I'm trying to up live their vision and their mission and their values
and try to represent that in every way that I can.
And I'm striving to be a better teaching artist every day.
As I'm starting to figure it out
about ten years since I have a job now
you need it to pay the bills.
You need it to do some fun stuff.
You just need to be proactive
you know, getting a job.
And I'm telling you what
when some people get out of high school
get out of Transition School
and you get that first paycheck
it's going to feel good.
So I got into Transition School early.
I have like a one on one para
because I wasn't really technically supposed to be in the school yet.
I created a talent show for them because I wanted to do art
and I wanted to do something for people with disabilities.
I was just getting into like volunteering
you know, Voc Rehab.
Some things were really clicking that year
that really got me onto the path that I am today.
But my dream job is is to be in show business.
You know, I would love to do that for long days
you know, to act
to be able to rap
to be able to do that.
But in reality it's basically kind of customer service work in an office
doing something that I communicate with people.
You know, in my meetings
to ask for something
like alone time or like a job or like asking for help.
You know, I learned those things first
but I didn't know how to speak up for my rights or
speak up for my wants and needs.
I had to really
It took a real long time to learn that.
But I'm starting to be a pro at is though.
It's always good to plan for your future.
It's always good to actually
really know what you want in your life.
I could see
you know, probably getting married
you know, the next five years
maybe have a kid.
But I think I'll be able to go to that show business that I want.
I can see that.
Dupree has a clear vision and he knows what he wants in his life.
Individualized education programs or IEPs
and the person centered planning or PCP approach
identify an individual's needs, strengths, and goals through support
from Vocational Rehabilitation Services and his Transition Program
Dupree focused on his strengths and set a goal of teaching
both the creative arts and social skills.
Along the way, he also learned how to advocate for himself.
He learned about his rights and how to let people know when he needs help.
Dupree is working on living in his own apartment
continues to hone his performing skills and hopes also to work as a performer in the future.
I'm pretty sure we'll be seeing him on stage soon.
Good luck, Dupree.