Jenny's Story
by Sarah K. Cron

Like many parents, Dan and Linda Cron worried what would happen to their daughter Jenny once she graduated from high school.  Unlike most parents, however, they wondered if they would ever find the help their sweet-natured daughter needed to function in a society that had overlooked her disability throughout her childhood. Jenny was 21 years old when she was finally diagnosed with autism.

“We always knew there was something amiss and struggled for many years with doctors and psychologists to determine just what that was,” Linda said.

Still, the future was not clear, as employment opportunities for adults with autism are limited. “Even though we finally had an answer, we didn’t know whether to be relieved or devastated because we just didn’t know what the future would hold,” she said.

After several unsuccessful tries at odd jobs, Jenny’s self-esteem began to sink. And although she had been working with the Regional Center of Orange County and a job training coach, finding a right match was difficult.

Then one day Linda found an ad in the paper for an aide at “the Creator’s Corner, a preschool day care center The Salvation Army was about to open in Tustin, California.

“Jenny was the first hire,” said Betty Linstead, the preschool’s director. “She walked in with a job coach and on the second or third meeting she said right up front, ‘I’m Autistic.’”

Linstead was undeterred. “We were willing to accommodate her to create a job that works with her disabilities,” she said. “I think there are a lot of employers who wouldn’t do that.”

Linstead, who is also a lifetime member of The Salvation Army, said she continues to hold high expectations for Jenny. As the “aide-at-large, she now flows between classes, helping the teachers with whatever they need.”

“Clearly, there is intellect there,” she said. “I think a lot of people would be put off by the diagnosis of autism. I have the highest expectations of her intellectual performance.”

As a symptom of her autism, Jenny does tend to drift on occasion from assignments. However, Linstead said she is always easy to pull back to task by simply reminding her of what she is supposed to be doing, which could be something like helping prepare snacks for the children or setting up cots for naptime and assisting in getting the children to their cots and quieted down for naps. She also serves as a backup on the playground for teachers who need breaks and assists the director with administrative tasks.

“The children love her because she is one of them. She likes to get down on their level,” Linstead said. “The first time we had a celebration, Jenny showed up in Mickey Mouse ears. The kids count on her being a little crazy.”

Linda, who couldn’t imagine three years ago that her daughter would be able to live on her own, said that Jenny’s position has helped her grow in other areas of her life to the point that she is now living independently.

“Because they accept her for who she is, and the kids love her, her self-esteem has sky rocketed,” Linda said. “They have made her feel valued. I don’t think many places would do that.” Jenny’s experience with The Salvation Army affirmed her mother’s belief that the organization upholds its mission to preach the Gospel and to meet human need. Linstead said she believes part of meeting human needs means giving people viable employment.

“Jenny has definitely been a valuable employee,” she said. “And to be honest, one we’ll have here for a long time.”