Starfire aims to remove disability conversation

Like many 25-year-old men, Michael Makin loves comedy, beer and hanging out with friends at the bar.
 

And like many of his peers, he has spent this fall beginning to plan a capstone project necessary for his post-secondary graduation. Makin’s project is a local beer-tasting festival set for early summer where a specially brewed beer will be unveiled in his name. 

 

“Michael is great--his personality is infectious--the guy is a riot,’’ says Gabe Saba, also a 25-year-old guy who has been known to drink a few beers and who is working with Makin on the project. “We have so many things in common. I see traits of him in me.”

 

Folks like Saba talk about Makin’s project, his personality and his passion for beer, but the fact that Makin has Down’s Syndrome never really enters the conversation. 

 

That’s exactly the mission of Starfire.

 

The Oakley-based nonprofit, which works to build inclusive communities for people with disabilities and their families, has been connecting people based on their interests and passions for years. Instead of segregating those with disabilities into groups, Starfire intentionally works to introduce them with others of like interests and passions, such as connecting Saba with Makin.

 

“We want you to see the gifts they bring to the table before you see the disability,’’ says Lauren Amos, Starfire’s development director. “It’s not always easy, but it is so worth it.”

 

Makin is a fourth-year participant of Starfire U, which is designed for young people with disabilities to continue their social and personal development beyond high school. The four-day a week program, which runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily, is funded by Hamilton County Developmental Disabilities Services. There is a five to one teacher-student ratio as students learn about safety, budgeting, nutrition and social etiquette. 

 

“We work one person at a time with person-centered planning,” Amos says.

 

Last year, 18 students graduated from Starfire U. This year, Makin is one of about 100 students in the four-year program. Graduates also participate in a fifth year as a follow-up, Amos says.

 

Community participation is key and integrated into all seminars.

 

Enter Makin and Saba and a group of other community members, including the men behind the not-yet-launched Madtree Brewery. Saba is referred to as Makin’s connector and the two meet weekly for about three hours. At first, they devised the project and now they are meeting to further plan and coordinate the event. 

 

All the while Makin, and Saba, too, are meeting new folks who will work with them on the project and hopefully will become resources for Makin in the future.

 

Lana Makin, Michael’s mom, can’t say enough good about Starfire and the changes she has seen in her son. 

 

“He is so much better socially; he is more independent,’’ she says. “I have seen a lot of maturity come out of this. It’s wonderful to see him with people who share his interests. He doesn’t need mom or dad to take him to the bar or out to karaoke.”

 

Makin has not been the only one helped.

 

“It does a lot for me, too,” Saba says. “I’m getting to know people, and it expands my network as well. There is no downside to this when you look at it."

Saba adds: "I really admire the work they are doing. It is amazing.”

 

 

• Buy a unique piece of art at Starfire’s fifth annual ArtAbility fundraiser on Dec. 7. Tickets are $100 each with a $25 credit going to an art purchase. 

 

• Donate to Starfire.

 

• Share your talent or passion and volunteer your time. 

 

• Check out photos of the capstone project planning and like them on Facebook.