When Michael Torres first came to AMIB in 2022, he was quiet and reserved, standing behind his father during his meet-and-greet and avoiding interaction with staff or residents. His father worried about the transition to a group home after a lifetime of living with his parents.Today, Michael has grown in confidence and connection. He enjoys socializing with his housemates and staff, actively participates in a day program, and engages with his peers. He has embraced new experiences, from attending baseball games and dances to dining out at restaurants.
When Michael moved in, his speech was extremely limited. With the help of a communication device, he can now express his wants and needs, hold meaningful conversations, and recently, he has begun verbalizing more than just one-word responses. One of his first messages on the device was truly heartwarming—he told a housemate, “I love you.”
AMIB is proud to recognize Michael’s incredible growth and achievements by honoring him with this year’s Cochran Award.
