Nashua mother, son say PLUS Co. has helped him be independent, reach goals

Published: Monday, July 19, 2010

Courtesy photo Trever and Lee Bowley, of Nashua, who have used the PLUS program to help Trever develop life skills.

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The PLUS Company, 240 Main Dunstable Road, Nashua. 889-0652. PLUSinfo@pluscompany.org.

NASHUA – Trever Bowley, 24, has a strong voice. Since birth, Trever has faced extremely grueling challenges, yet he will gladly stand in front of hundreds of people and talk about his challenges with pride.

According to his mother, Lee Bowley, Trever has a diagnosis of mental retardation and cerebral palsy. Bowley further shared how, according to medical experts, the early diagnosis and outlook for Trever at his birth was extremely grim.

“They wanted me to know that there was not much hope that Trever would ever be able to walk, talk or eat solid foods,” she said. “That if he survived, Trever would be in a wheelchair and would require constant care.”

What makes Trever’s story more special than most is the fact that Bowley adopted Trever.

“I had agreed to adopt Trever before he was born,” she said. “There was never a doubt as to whether I would adopt him or not I would not have been able to say no to keeping Trever if I had given birth to him, and as far as I was concerned, saying no was not an option to the adoption, either!”

From the first moment, Trever had a powerful affect over Bowley.

“Did you ever see the movie ‘E.T.’?” she asked. “If you did, you will remember that E.T. had a light that shined in his chest area, and that is how I feel about Trever. He is my ‘heartlight.’ He has made me be a better person. He has taught me the things in life that are the most important. Trever taught me what love really is.”

According to Bowley, Trever has overcome all the expectations of the medical experts. Along with surgeries, medical treatments and the constant worrying and care on his mother’s part, Trever has managed to grow up and thrive. However, he still deals with constant obstacles and his disabilities every day.

“Trever has difficulty with both fine and gross motor skills. He also has some tactile issues where there are certain materials that he has difficulty touching. He also does not like to get dirty and will stay focused on the dirt until he can wash it off or change his clothes,” Bowley explained.

After high school, Trever transitioned into The People Learning Useful Skills Co., a nonprofit organization for individuals with disabilities with an office in Nashua.

According to Leni Hodgins, PLUS director of adult education, “Trever is very enthusiastic in his participation in several of our programs. He isn’t afraid to try new things, and he always has a smile on his face. Through his work at PLUS, Trever has found a way to use his voice to make a difference. Now, Trever speaks at many PLUS community events to promote self-advocacy and the many PLUS programs he participates in.”

Trever said he is becoming more independent, and he enjoys being a part of the programs offered at PLUS. He is involved in areas such as the book club, life skills, performing arts, public speaking, Together Group, money management, cooking, nutrition, NASCAR club, Aquafi and PLUS Pride Special Olympics. Trever competes on the basketball, soccer, bowling and softball teams.

According to Trever, PLUS has helped him grow more as a person by helping him achieve his individual goals and speak for himself. “The PLUS Company has encouraged me to speak for myself; to help me see if people are trying to take advantage of me and what I can do to help myself if someone tries,” he said.

According to Bowley, as a parent, PLUS has taught her a great deal.

“I have learned that I do not have to know everything – that there is a group of people who are there, available to me and to Trever, at anytime to help make life easier to maneuver through,” she said. “The PLUS team is there to make sure Trever and I are aware of his rights, to help direct me in making decisions and to guide me and help me be the best advocate I can be for him.”

Despite his busy schedule, Trever says he is making time for more goals and dreams he wants to accomplish. With a smile, Trever said he wants to help PLUS consumers learn how to use the Nashua bus system. He shared how he has learned how to use the transit system to get around Nashua, and now he wants to be a trainer, so his friends can have the same independence he has gained.

Bowley said she is extremely proud of her son and his accomplishments, and she knows Trever will continue to strive.

“To sum Trever up in four words: Trever is a fighter. Trever also has the heart of a champion. He truly wants to do well. He wants to please people and to be successful. He is a very caring and compassionate man, and he wants to help everyone he meets.”

– Submitted by Susanna Hargreaves