If you're Chris, then who is the Zack in Zack's Hobby Farm??

     Zack is my wife Tracy and I's 22 year old autistic son. He's a fine young man who in the last few years has began working at the ARC & loves every minute of it.

     When most people first hear the word "Autistic" they immediately think of the movie Rain Man & want to know what Zack's talent is. While a good movie to watch, the downside was that it cast all autistic people in one mold, so people don't understand when Zack can't count the number of toothpicks on the kitchen table.

     Zack (and all other autistic folks) are their own person, just like you and I. Some do not do well in crowds (heck, neither do I!), & some are very introverted, with little or no verbal communication skills. Some will obsess over different objects or place things in just the perfect place.....and don't you dare move them!

     Zack's verbal communication has become awesome over the past few years, & while it may take awhile he can usually get his point across. Zack has always had dogs and cats in his life, & can remember most people's dog's or cat's name - even if he hasn't seen them in year. Along with that fascination is dog & cat collars, plus the tags that go on them. He also loves to have a two-foot piece of a garden hose in his hand. (I have bought more garden hoses in the past 20 years than most of you will purchase in a lifetime).

     Zack is a big reason we have the livestock on the farm. He's always loved birds, & fell in love with goats several years ago when some were brought into his class at school.

     As you can see in the photo, Zack has learned to drive his own 4-wheeler - something Tracy and I never would have believed possible. Zack continues to amaze us each & every day, & I Thank God for him every evening.