Meet the Family – March 2018

Junsang and the Yoon Family

CIDA proudly introduces Mr. Junsang Yoon and his family. Junsang is a participant of Self-Determination Academy and a man of many talents and dreams. Here is our interview with Mrs. Kyungja Song, Junsang’s mother.

Q: What can you tell us about Junsang?
A: Junsang is a young adult with epilepsy and a developmental disability. He was born in South Korea and lived there until he was in middle school. When Junsang went to middle school, he was bullied by other children and had an unbearably difficult time. Eventually, our family decided to immigrate to the U.S. for Junsang’s better future. Junsang is born with many talents. He loves to build and create designs. He often spends whole nights assembling Legos or a robot. Junsang also plays the violin. Sometimes, he plays gospel music in his church.

Q: What are the challenges that Junsang and his family face these days?
A: After graduating high school, Junsang was not able to continue his education or job training due to his learning difficulties and health issues. It has been difficult for him to find a career that he likes to pursue. Recently, he became interested in baking. He reads baking books and watches Youtube videos.

Q: What are the challenges that Junsang and his family face these days?
A: After graduating high school, Junsang was not able to continue his education or job training due to his learning difficulties and health issues. It has been difficult for him to find a career that he likes to pursue. Recently, he became interested in baking. He reads baking books and watches Youtube videos.

Q: What changes occurred in Junsang’s life after he joined CIDA’s Self-Determination Academy?
A: Junsang used to go to art therapy or art lessons to spend his time. Then we learned about CIDA’s Self-Determination Academy. In the beginning, my husband and I were worried that he would not be able to adjust to the new setting or the new people around him. However, we are very happy to see that he now waits for Thursdays to meet other peers in the program. I see he has changed so much – he is energized and enthusiastic. I guess learning self-determination skills with other young adults gave him confidence about himself. I did not expect that this program would make such positive changes in him.

Q: Would you like to say anything to the community?
A: Many young adults with disabilities have great difficulties in finding what to do after graduating high school. I hope that there are more opportunities for our children to show their potential and live as members of this society.

Q: Would you like to say anything to CIDA?
A: When we moved to New York, it was very difficult to find a resource for Junsang due to our language barrier. Now, we are resolving the problems one at a time because CIDA helps us. I hope that the parents work together and make CIDA stronger so that this organization makes a real difference in our community.