
Adventures of T-Man
11/12/2020 | 56m 46sVideo has Closed Captions
A jobs program for people on the autism spectrum gives a young man a shot at independence.
A jobs program for people on the autism spectrum gives Terrence (aka T-Man) the footing to consider living independently for the first time. Yet he struggles to convince his family that he’s ready to go on his own. Backed into a corner, he takes his future into his own hands as he tries to find his place in the world, risking his relationships and personal safety.
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PBS North Carolina Presents is a local public television program presented by PBS NC

Adventures of T-Man
11/12/2020 | 56m 46sVideo has Closed Captions
A jobs program for people on the autism spectrum gives Terrence (aka T-Man) the footing to consider living independently for the first time. Yet he struggles to convince his family that he’s ready to go on his own. Backed into a corner, he takes his future into his own hands as he tries to find his place in the world, risking his relationships and personal safety.
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Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship- This is my resume.
This one is the 2017, technically 2016.
This one is my professional profile before I worked at AvidXchange.
"Dear sir/madam, I'm taking this opportunity to submit my resume for consideration for the data entry office clerk position.
I'll provide my supervisor with confidence that duties for which I am responsible for will be completed in a way that surpasses the standard set of me.
Your company will enjoy a dependable, honest, and dedicated employee.
I would appreciate the opportunity to meet with you for an interview.
I can make myself available at your convenience, and I will follow up with you if I have not heard from you by the next week.
Good luck in your search, and thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely, Terrence Thiron Fenner, also known as "T-Man."
The only thing is I already have a job, and I'm not going to quit.
I can't quit this job.
NICK: Why not?
- Because if I quit the job, I'm-- I have nowhere else to do.
I have nothing to do.
I can't buy my bus passes.
Well, in this case, I can't buy bus passes.
I can't-- This phone won't even survive.
And I won't even do any of the cool stuff that I like to do.
Talking about me being autistic is, to the world, it's just-- I don't know.
It's kind of extreme for me.
I'm worried that I'll be the laughing stock of the whole city.
I don't want to do that.
I have a mild autism, so it's nothing to brag home about.
So I just don't want to brag.
I just don't like bragging about that, because it's probably a joke from the closet or something.
It's like a closet joke for me, my only closet joke.
That's my deep dark secret.
Yep.
It's my deep, dark secret.
- This one here.
This is Terrence as a baby.
This is a week-old picture.
And they came to my house because I was c-section, so.
This was his school in Williamsburg.
I think it's Williamsburg in Brooklyn, New York.
That's in there.
This was his room.
I think we lived here.
We lived in Charlotte.
We just moved here in Charlotte.
And his little Nintendo game down there, and trying to be silly.
And his map.
He loved his train map.
This one is my favorite.
We did the March of Dimes, with birth defects and autism.
And we did a walk on it.
We did a walk on it.
He started real young when he had those seizures.
And the doctors couldn't determine what was going on.
So he turned 15 months.
I said, "Why this little boy ain't walking or know language?"
So I took it to his doctor, and his doctor determined that something is wrong.
Send him to early intervention.
It was hard for me to want to know what he was like to eat, or something like that.
And he used to point to stuff, so I opened up the refrigerator.
He had to point and tell me which one until the teachers told me to place food on your refrigerator.
And that made my day easier.
So it's somethings that I don't want to remember.
Somethings that I do could have hurted me, that this young man-- I wanted more children, but I had to stop.
I did, because he was more attention, more attention.
He needed more of my attention than anything.
If I bring another child, it won't be fair for him or Jasmine.
So, yeah.
So it's kind of hard - Here we go.
Now first what I'm gonna do is pound these envelopes here to make it cut altogether.
Like that.
Easy once you get to know it.
The goal here is to separate out statements from invoices, whichever way all the invoices are patted down to.
- I don't like talking to people, especially when I'm at the transit.
I don't like talking to strange people, unless they're nerdy or they're bus drivers.
I'm not rigid or anything.
That's me.
I'm myself.
- Do you like that?
- I like it a lot.
- We'll see if you can work on some, maybe tomorrow.
- Sure, that sounds good to me.
In a future, I'd be moving to Monroe Road near the number 27 bus, probably in the next one year or so.
Probably around January 2019, hopefully.
Because I'd stay with my parents for a year for financial use, and I want to help them out for a year.
I'm staying with them for a year, and so after that, I'll be getting an apartment so I'd be able to work and pay my bills and start paying my bills and learn how to do it.
Learn how to pay my bills and everything.
- Oh lord.
They sticking.
- Yeah, bring that on the other side.
Yeah, that rib, you put them on top right there.
- I'm trying.
Hard work, but somebody gotta do it.
- We celebrate a lot of things, graduations and anniversaries.
I've been married for 17 years.
Woo!
[MUSIC - THE O'JAYS, "DARLIN' DARLIN' BABY"] - Baby, baby.
Baby, baby.
- You came to my house a long time ago.
- You came to see us when you were real little.
See, I remember when they were little.
So how old is Jasmine?
LINDA: Jasmine is 27.
- 28.
LINDA: 28.
So they're right there together.
- Yeah.
LINDA: Thank you.
We gonna put the food out in a little while.
- The reason why I don't want to go down there is too much things there.
Too much chaos going on.
This is where I wanted to go.
Well, this is where I wanted to go.
More likely either a studio or one bedroom.
If I get a one bedroom, then I have to get a partner.
And 95 times out of 100, it's going to be a female anyway.
Honestly, I wanted to get my own place so I can be independent and start learning new things, instead of just being stale.
I wouldn't mind staying with my parents for another two or three months, but a whole year is kind of pushing it big time.
I don't want them to just say no.
I just want to move forward and move on, not permanently but at least until further notice because I have a lifestyle to maintain.
I mean.
I love my fam.
I love my parents, but I really wanted to move on.
I really wanted to move on and do better things, because I'm about 27 years old in the next half year.
And I wanted to at least adjust so I can get myself ready for the real world.
I just wish that there was things getting better for me.
Anything you want to say?
NICK: No, I'm just thinking.
- Me, too.
Most people don't understand.
People with autism are like really intelligent, futuristic people.
I mean.
I'm just saying autism is weird and all, but no, it's not.
No, no.
It's practically a pretty interesting trait for some people.
Even Albert Einstein experienced delayed language development and educational slowness.
That's right, Albert Einstein.
And he's one of the smartest people in the dang world.
Just because we're autistic doesn't mean we're weird in a bad way.
As a matter of fact, we're weird in a good way.
So let this be a lesson for those who don't know what peoples with autism is.
Thanks, man.
Oh, I love Mondays.
To start off the day fresh for work, that's why I love Mondays.
I love being busy on Mondays.
And voila, welcome to AvidXchange.
- The boxes are over there on the right, with the Canada things on them.
The three ones sitting right there.
- You know, this box is Canada.
Check it.
Like that.
- Bring the mail back in.
And then once we do that, we'll go back to the post office in the afternoon again.
- I'm having fun right now, because I want to stay away from the house.
I just want to enjoy myself instead of staying at home all day.
I have another boring party going on today.
I'm leaving at 2:58.
Clock out at 3:00.
Do not clock out late or early than 2:58 to 3:01, because I have to catch the 11, not 11, 21.
Hey, how are you?
- Good.
How are you, too, man?
- I'm good.
How's it going with you, man?
- Good.
- Hey, good to see you.
- Good to see you, too.
- Nice shirt.
- Thank you.
I like frozen yogurt.
You got any fruit?
What is this, Street Fighter?
OK.
OK.
Sure, you can.
Sure you can't.
OK.
Close.
- I'm hot.
Thank you.
- You're welcome.
She won.
I was close.
Two points.
I've been feeling pretty good.
I call it the day of T-Man.
I'm not going to quit.
I'm not going to leave.
No way.
Oh, no.
It's bad enough in this-- It's bad enough they-- I mean, it's hard enough as it is.
Oh, there it is.
Touch.
If I have a couch, I'll probably put this right here just to relax and everything.
Then all the boxes that are not there are not opened or anything is going to be over here in the corner.
Now the Mario statue will probably be on top of the fridge.
It'll be nothing but Special K in this refrigerator, by the way.
Spoiler alert, the video games will be here at all costs.
This bed will be right here.
The clothes, they'll probably be next to me, but I don't know.
I got two cabinet, so what we do?
I just want to do this by myself and everything.
It's not about having fun.
It's about being independent and taking care of business and everything, and then doing everything that needs be doing.
And make sure I get it right and everything.
The only challenge is, of course, money.
- Desire to move in on the 12th?
- Yeah, the 12th.
- Where you staying at right now?
- 10810 Pointer Ridge Drive, with my parents.
- With your parents?
- Yeah.
- Yeah, it's going to ask you for a application fee.
It's $40 application fee.
That's to run your credit.
- Oh, I hope I can accept it.
- You have a couple minutes, like five, 10 minutes, so we can go look over and then come back and let you know.
- Yes.
- All right, I'll be right back.
- I'll be very heartbroken if I don't get accepted.
- OK, Terrence?
- Yeah?
- Sorry, it took a few minutes for it to get in our system, but I want to give you good news.
You're approved.
- Yes!
- Congratulations.
- Thank you.
Yes!
Thank you.
- So we've got a few options.
I wanted to find out when you wanted to sign the lease and put down a deposit.
So you can either do that online at home.
We can send you the lease, and you can do that through online.
Or you can do it here at our office, whichever works best for you.
- I can do it here if... what it looks like.
- Do you want to do that today, or you want come back another day?
- How much it costs?
- To sign a lease, you don't pay-- Oh, for the deposit, it's $750.
- Yeah, I can pay it by November.
I can pay by the time I move in.
- We'll need that at the time you sign the lease.
Yeah.
- OK.
Drat!
Oh, man.
That's one thing I don't have.
- Yeah, like I said, that's something where if you need to come back another day this week or something like that, for 48 hours, we can hold the place for you.
So if you wanted to come back-- - I can do like half and half.
- For the security deposit, we need to have the full amount.
- Full amount.
- Yeah.
- OK.
I got a credit card, and I can just pay my-- - Up to you.
- I can just pay my credit card on November 9th.
I can do it.
I can do it, but I have to use this.
- OK.
- I'll use my credit card.
- So you're going to do it here today?
- Pretty much, yeah.
- OK.
All right, cool.
Might take a few minutes, but let us get that lease together.
And we'll be right back.
- Great.
Yes!
Wait til Mom hears about this.
I'm proud of myself.
Got approved.
Accepted.
It's about time, too.
The bad, no-- The good news is I got approved.
The bad news is I had to use my credit card, but thankfully it's due on November 9th.
So I have time to save up.
So that's kind of a good thing.
All I got is $500.
- So how much the rent is?
- $750.
- How many bedrooms?
- One.
- What the place look like?
It's clean.
- Very.
- Apartment eight.
Oh, you have an air conditioner in the kitchen.
- Yeah, It's pretty cute.
- How you pay for this?
You have to have one month's rent, one month's security.
- Credit card.
The available credit is like $1,500.
- That does it.
All right.
Wow.
- You proud of me?
- I mean, yeah.
I mean.
- Do you want a hug?
- Let me put the plate down.
Excuse me.
I want to put that plate down.
- And I make sure I save my money.
That's no big deal.
- All right.
- Hug?
- Yeah, It's not a good hug, but I'm hugging you.
- How is the hug not good?
- Huh?
- Hug's not good.
- No, it's not, but you still have to start off somewhere.
- I'm glad they didn't say no, because this is my life opportunity.
Oh, hey.
- OK.
You need to open up the windows a little bit.
I really want you to go on your own.
I really do.
But I think you're rushing it too fast.
I think you should wait till we move out of here.
I'm not asking you to move in with me.
Why is there hurry?
- It's not hurry or anything.
It's just that-- But when you shook your head no, Terrence, you ain't save a nickel.
- Just trying to not spend.
- How much you save, $100?
100 is about to be 500 or 600.
In the next two weeks, probably like 1,100.
- You gotta save.
- That's what I'm doing.
I'm just tired of this neighborhood.
No, that's not-- No.
- Why are you tired of the neighborhood?
- I'm not tired of the neighborhood.
- Just be honest.
I know what you trying to say, but I want to say it yourself.
I know what you're trying to say.
- What I'm trying to say is-- - I know what you're trying to say.
- It's the buses.
It's the buses.
Actually, it's the buses.
- Nah.
- It's like 45 minutes for Saturday and Sunday.
- I don't know what his reaction is going to be.
So I think I need to be as strong as possible, because he'll read my energy and take it from there.
Just letting him know that it doesn't have anything to do with him, that his performance has been great, that this is just, unfortunately, a business decision that happens, that companies go through all the time.
But it just stinks, sometimes, to be the consequence of those decisions.
- Hitting this off.
How's it going?
- Good.
How are you doing?
- I'm good.
- We've got something to chat with you about.
It that OK?
- Is it something good?
- There'll be good spots of it.
- Oh.
- I know.
It's nothing you did.
How about that?
- Oh.
- So, T-Man.
- Yes, Lindsey.
- It's nothing, and this is really hard for me so I apologize.
So the project here at Avid is ramping down, which means that they're going to stop doing anything with us at the end of the year.
I know.
Yeah.
And so that means you can keep working until the end of the year.
But remember we were talking about Wells Fargo, and when we saw everybody at Wells Fargo in July, they-- - Might as well.
- Yeah.
So I've talked to them, and they really want you back.
- Yeah.
- So that's what our goal was if you were OK with going back to Wells Fargo.
- Yes, and you know, that's a good idea.
Because since AvidXchange is going to stop on the end of the year-- [sighs] Man.
- I know.
- I like this job.
- I know, and you've been doing so well.
- Yeah.
You've rocked out the OPEX machine.
- Big time.
- Yeah, you're like the master at that.
- Yeah, I even beat April.
- I know.
I guess we'll just take it one step at time.
- Yeah.
- I'm really sorry.
- It's OK.
- You did a great job.
You lasted the longest out of everybody.
- Yeah.
- Yeah.
- What are you doing this evening?
Anything?
- Dawson properties, and that's probably it.
- Dawson?
Oh lord.
Where's that at?
- East Boulevard near-- East Boulevard and Scott Avenue, by the-- - I know what you're taking about.
Like Kenilworth, is that where it's near?
Where the Blockbuster and stuff used to be?
- Yep.
- What are you doing, what are you doing over there?
- I'm going to confirm about the Vail apartments.
- What do you mean confirm about the Vail apartments?
- I applied there.
And I kept your promise.
All the more reason to wait now, right?
Please?
OK?
You're just going to look?
- Look and then I'll apply for December, the middle of December.
I'm serious.
- I know you're serious.
But I want you to wait.
Will you wait?
Maybe?
Just until things are in place.
LINDSEY: And you start working at Well's Fargo?
- Boy, this is gonna a really-- Oh man.
I really-- - Just go and look.
You don't necessarily have to, or-- Maybe?
- I don't know about this.
- You don't know?
What don't you know?
What?
No, just say it.
Don't be upset.
Grab your bike.
Grab your bike.
Come on.
I'll walk out with you.
- Yeah.
- How much was the Vail apartments?
- 750.
- OK.
Do we need to get our pen and pad out?
- Well, I got my laptop.
- These are all givens, your monthly bus pass, your internet, phone, your rent, your water, electricity, your meds.
You do that every month?
- Depending.
- We'll just say yeah, you did.
How much is the remaining?
- Under 200.
Like 180, 96.
- So what happens when you need clothes, or you need extra stuff?
No, I'm just saying that's the things that concerns me is that you only have a $200 window each month.
I think you should save your money up.
- That's what I'm doing now.
I think you should really save your money up.
Get your finances together.
- That's what I'm going to do.
- And that you don't move in and be broke.
And you making these decisions, the moving in next month by the 12th or moving by the 30th, you're you're gonna be strapped, financially.
- Yeah.
- To put it bluntly, you cannot afford to move in by the 30th of December.
You can't.
There's no way in the world you'd be able to afford that.
And if you sign that lease, Terrence, you're stuck.
So if you don't have to put yourself in that situation, please don't.
Just don't put yourself in that situation, because it's hard.
[instrumental music playing] NICK (ON PHONE): So just talk me through what's going on?
LINDA (ON PHONE): He's outbursting.
He's calling his father all kinds of names.
He's calling me things.
He's calling me out of the name.
He's like in another world, ho man.
I can't explain this guy.
I want him out of my house.
He's disrespectful.
Called me a *****.
You stupid *****.
I mean he called me all kinds of names.
I just want him out of here.
OK?
I want him out of here tonight.
NICK (ON PHONE): How about I give him a call and see what's going on?
LINDA (ON PHONE): Go ahead.
Go ahead.
If you could do that, you're welcome, but I still want him out of here.
OK.
I want him out of here.
OK.
OK.
Thank you.
NICK (ON PHONE): Sure.
TERRENCE (ON PHONE): Hey, Nick.
NICK (ON PHONE): Hey, Terrence.
How's it going, buddy?
TERRENCE (ON PHONE): Not so good.
NICK (ON PHONE): Yeah I heard your mom and you are having some issues.
What's up, man?
TERRENCE (ON PHONE): I'm just sick and tired of-- I'm just tired of-- I'm just tired of my parents right now.
I just wanted to leave as soon as possible.
Probably like the middle of December or something.
I really don't want to speak to my mom and dad anymore.
NICK (ON PHONE): So what happened?
TERRENCE (ON PHONE): What happened?
I was trying to get some-- I was just trying to get some dinner, and then-- Well, first off, my mom told me to hurry up, and then on little petty things like the music and stuff.
And I didn't really felt like it because honestly, there's things that they suppose that they [inaudible] they need to figure it out.
NICK (ON PHONE): What do you think you can do to calm everything down?
What do you normally do?
TERRENCE (ON PHONE): What I normally do is be on the bus pretty much all day.
Just let God take care of it.
Just tell him that I have brighter days and everything.
- Testing.
Wolverine.
OK.
This is the apartments where I'm going to live for several years.
It'll be Lineville Avenue near Monroe Road and Sharon Amity.
It's really nice out there.
Kind of remind me of Miesha's house.
This is the den.
This is the den and living room.
It's not finished yet, but I'm probably going to work on it just a tiny bit until I get all the boxes ready.
Right there is the kitchen.
This is the kitchen right here.
This is really petite, too.
And later on, it's going to be full of stuff, full of food that will last for a couple weeks.
This is the computer.
Pencils.
There.
Socks.
I feel really relaxed.
I could have did this a long time ago.
I really could have.
I really could have did this a long time ago.
Now I can be able to have peace and quiet.
Solitude.
And not one major problem.
She wanted me to move anyway.
I mean, yeah.
She wanted me to move, but it's OK.
Yeah, she wanted me to leave.
Everything'll be OK.
It's not going to be perfect, but at least it's going to be calmer now.
I got a feeling that I'd be working at Well's Fargo after New Year's.
NICK: Are you worried about that at all?
- No.
Well, actually yes and no.
I mean no if David still got me on this-- I mean, I'm sure he still won't forget.
NICK: That's your old manager?
- I think so, yeah.
NICK: So how did you end up saving enough money to sign the lease?
- Well, I save up-- Oh no.
I save up my money and everything.
I just save up and not buy anything stupid.
I don't have to buy anything.
I can just transfer as much money to my savings.
That's it.
NICK: But you didn't have to put anything on a credit card, right?
- Come on now.
NICK: I'm just looking out for you.
That's all.
- I'll pay it off.
I'll pay it right off, everything.
Come on.
I'll just pay it all off.
Man.
I'll just pay it all off, OK?
I got a feeling that I'll be OK.
I think I got a feeling.
- I don't want these.
These was my wedding gifts.
I didn't like the decision.
He didn't let me know.
He didn't say anything about it.
He didn't let me know.
I think that's the bad part right there.
He didn't let us know.
He didn't let us check out the place.
He just did on his own.
So I don't know.
Ain't that something.
Packing up, huh?
Packing for him.
It started with Thanksgiving.
I mean, me and my husband had a good time.
He was a chef.
I was a sous chef.
And he was just playing, getting along.
Terrence, food's ready.
OK, come down.
Tyrone asked him, "Can you move the dish off the stove and put it there?"
I don't know if Terrence heard him or Terrence was fixing his plate.
I think he was fixing his plate.
So Ty asked him again, and that was it.
And when he just left his plate there unfinished, he went upstairs and slammed the door.
So Ty went up there and said, "What's the matter?
The food's ready."
Cussed him out real bad, real bad.
I hate that pot.
He can have it.
I hope he don't be cooking in there.
He started getting Social Security checks when he was 15 months old.
The money was signed to me.
With that money that he gets every month, I helped my husband pay the bills.
I don't buy clothes or anything.
I used to give him $100 out of it, but our rent went up.
And our utilities changed.
He wants his own money.
He wants his own dependence.
I understand that, and that's what I planned on doing, giving it to him.
You know, but he just took it upon himself, went to SSI, and transferred it himself without talking to me.
Without talking to me.
NICK: So are you concerned then about his-- - No.
No, I'm not, because he gonna see the way we were struggling.
And we only had one income.
You gonna feel the same way, too.
- You got this dishes in here?
- And the pots here.
The pots.
This is a rag you clean a house with.
He can have that if he want.
Oh, you got his lasagna?
Did you save that piece of lasagna?
- Oh there's one wrapped up here?
- This one.
That's lasagna.
- All right.
- Thank you.
- How'd you do with management?
- Management?
- Are they here on the property?
- Yes, it's Daw-- not Dawson.
It was a Dynasty Properties.
Month-to-month.
- Oh, it's month-to-month?
- Yes.
- They didn't have an option for you if you wanted a six month or a year lease or something like that?
- I think I told them-- I don't know.
But I told them that I'm probably stay for more than one month.
- Oh yeah.
Yeah.
- Yeah.
- All right, Terrence.
You good.
You got your comforters and all that stuff.
And you set?
- Yeah.
- Love you.
- Love you, too, Dad.
Good luck.
- Yeah.
If you need anything, you just call.
NICK: How's everything with your new place?
- It's been not too bad.
Yeah, except I have to-- Remember the landlord and everything?
He owns the apartment, and I just had a call from Mr.
Michael that it was actually his apartment unit.
So if he keeps the apartment, then I'm probably going to get a backup.
And Mike will probably give me a refund.
It's hard to explain.
NICK: You want me call these guys and see if I can maybe help understand a little bit about what's going on?
- Sure.
MICHAEL (ON PHONE): Yes, Terrence.
- Hey, Mike.
How are you today?
MICHAEL (ON PHONE): Great, wonderful.
- I got my friend, Nick, here to talk about what's the whole debacle for yesterday.
MICHAEL (ON PHONE): Terrence, I spoke with him three or four times yesterday and maybe twice today.
And so he should be very clear.
When I'm dealing with adults, I deal with the adult that I dealt with initially, right?
First hand.
Terrence is very capable of conversating and holding a conversation, and he's very well capable to reiterate all that he and I spoke about.
We don't need third and fourth and fifth parties to try to intervene in the sense of trying to understand.
That's not what I do.
I don't have time for that.
All right?
I just want to make that very clear.
Again, I'm not quite understanding why you're calling.
- Well, I'm just trying to help Terrence out, so that's sort of the-- MICHAEL (ON PHONE): Right, but we've cleared that already, though.
He's in capable hands, most capable hands, Are we clear?
- No, we're not clear.
I'm sorry.
MICHAEL (ON PHONE): All right.
Well, I'll tell you what.
You sit down, and you chat with Terrence.
And you all can play back and forth.
I don't think that.
Take care.
- Well, hold on.
Just Mike-- The heck was that all about?
MICHAEL A (ON PHONE): Michael speaking.
- I'm here with Terence just trying to help him sort out what's going on.
Are you up to date on anything?
MICHAEL A (ON PHONE): My understanding is that James, which is our leaseholder of that unit, subleased that unit to Terrence.
And we don't permit subleasing of that unit.
And we're trying to get a hold of James, and for some reason, he's not returning our telephone calls.
But we can't rent to Terrence until James gives up the apartment.
Maybe he would talk to Terrence, maybe.
I don't know.
OK, good luck to you, though.
- Thank you.
- Thanks.
MICHAEL A (ON PHONE): Thank you.
Thanks, bye.
- Bye.
VOICEMAIL: Your call has been forwarded to an automatic voice message system.
[beep] - Good afternoon, Mr.
James.
This is Mr.
Terrence Fenner.
How are you?
I would like to keep the apartment.
OK?
If it's all right with you, because it is a really rough week for me, and I don't know what to do.
And I don't know what to do, and can you give Michael [muted] a call ASAP.
I really need the.
Apartment You know.
Thanks.
Have a nice day.
VOICEMAIL: Thank you.
Your message has been sent.
Good bye.
- This sucks.
I'm probably going to rack up to at least 1,600 if I don't buy any huge stuff.
The only big item I'm currently going to buy is probably going to be Smash Ultimate, but I already prepaid it.
NICK: So if people see this film-- TERRENCE (VOICEOVER): Hopefully I'm not the laughing stock for the dang city.
NICK: You think people will see this film and think that you're a laughing stock?
TERRENCE (VOICEOVER): Hopefully not.
NICK: So what do you hope that-- TERRENCE (VOICEOVER): Hopefully they think that you are so interesting.
We didn't notice it until now.
We're sorry.
They think you're a creep... ...or an uptight loser.
I'm still uptight, but yeah.
People who have autism just keep it to theirself sometimes.
Usually we start working on these kind of books here and put the books in these kits.
We call them envelopes and books.
Well, this part actually to be the consistency and the how much work we have every day.
No slowdowns.
No slowdowns involved.
- Good morning.
- I brought the dream team.
- Good morning.
- How you doing?
- I'm well.
How are you?
- I'm doing well.
- Everything is going well with Terrence?
- Everything's going real good with Terrence.
It's fun to be around him.
He'll do anything that you ask him to do.
And he also has a lot of suggestions.
He doesn't mind coming to you and saying, Brian, I have a suggestion.
And there's always something that could possibly work to make us more efficient.
- Right.
Well, that's good.
- He comes up with great ideas.
- He's a really good guy.
How's everything going with everyone that's out there, like adjusting to everybody's personalities?
Everything going well?
- Eh, it's been OK.
- Better?
- A little better.
- They had said that when it slowed down, they had said that you said something about-- I can't even remember what is was.
- I was kind of blunt toward them because-- Not blunt as a bad way.
But it was like blunt like in a productive way.
- Right.
Right.
- I was a little too serious.
I was a little too serious and stuff like this.
- And that's what I mean by getting to know who you are and the personality.
That it's not anything personal, that you're not mad or disgruntled or anything like that.
You just don't like having nothing to do.
OK.
So you can call or text me if you need me?
- Of course.
- OK.
And then I'll see you in a couple of weeks?
Alrighty, sir.
- $2.97.
Cheerios bars and bites, I got that.
Can't Believe It's Not Butter, I got that.
Coupons are awesome.
Welcome to my humble abode.
So the couch would be on the right side, and the TV will probably on this side.
I'm going to buy a bookcase for this.
Hope for 2019 that everything is going to be picture perfect, and I still got the apartment.
Recover everything, and then fix everything from last year.
And try new things, new job, new place, new adventure.
It's going to be much better for me.
I'm actually pretty glad they're coming because they've never been here.
I just hope they don't start negativity.
That's what I'm afraid of.
I have an image to recover, let alone maintain.
I don't have time for anything that's as petty anymore.
You know what I mean?
- Oh lord.
Hey, Terrence.
Oh wow, this is nice.
You got a big dinner table.
This is nice, Terrence.
Oh, you got a new TV.
Look at this!
This is cool.
- I plan on putting a New York Subway Map somewhere.
- You have one, right?
- Oh yeah.
- Because I have one, too.
- It's on the ottoman.
- Oh, OK.
- Wow.
- This looks so comfortable, Terrence.
- This is nice, very nice.
I'm really proud of you.
- Thank you.
- I wasn't sure you was ready to move on your own, but you know just like my neighbors said, I knew he was upset.
I said, yes, I'm upset.
I can't wait to see it.
But you took that load off my heart, you know, because I was really worried.
- Were you?
- But now I see this is very nice.
It's look like a safe neighborhood, and now that load lifted off my heart that is you OK.
You did good.
Really.
You did.
You did real good, Terrence.
You did real good.
- Thank you.
- You want us to leave?
- No.
- OK.
I sit down for a minute.
My hip's starting to hurt.
Got his TV there.
Nice size TV.
- All right.
All right.
- Keep up the good work, OK?
I love you, and we will see you soon with the blinds.
We'll let you know about the blinds.
- OK.
Close the door.
Nice.
- See you, Terrence.
- All right.
- See you.
- Nice place!
- Thanks.
How do I feel that everything turned out is I'm very happy.
Very.
I think we can go now.
NICK: Anything else you want to say?
- I got a scooter.
Jetson electric scooter.
I just bought it last month.
Ready?
This life is fair for me.
Life is actually a little bit better for me because I can be able to get an ADA bus pass, reduced fare.
Actually get discounts from people... Life is pretty fair.
[bright upbeat music] ♪
Video has Closed Captions
A jobs program for people on the autism spectrum gives a young man a shot at independence. (30s)
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