Meet Aaron Jones, Loyal Friend to All

In celebration of Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month and World Down Syndrome Day on March 21, the Baylor Center for Developmental Disabilities (BCDD) is highlighting individuals with disabilities. Aaron Jones, a Wacoan, kindly took the time to give us a glimpse into his life as an adult with Down Syndrome. His friends describe him as a “confident, funny, and talented person who always sees the best in everyone.”

Aaron is 44 years old and works as a cashier at a local coffee shop, Bitty & Beau’s Coffee. He is also an artist planning to start his own business – AJ’s Artworks. Aaron wants to sell his art to churches, businesses, and individuals for personal use. Although adults with Down Syndrome are very capable of securing employment and living independently, unfortunately, many adults with disabilities do not often have the opportunity to gain these typical life experiences. Aaron says that the chance to work at Bitty & Beau’s has done a lot for his confidence; it has been a positive experience and has allowed him to meet new people. Aaron is able to experience living independently through the support of Shephard’s Way, an organization that provides housing opportunities for individuals with intellectual disabilities. He is currently living in a townhouse with two young adults who serve as mentors. Before living here, Aaron lived with his dad until his passing. This significant life change put Aaron in need of a suitable living situation that allowed him to flourish in a very supportive environment. Aaron has enjoyed this opportunity and says “living independently” is so much better. “My sister can actually be my sister. I can’t find any better people than my mentors, and it has been a dream come true.”

Aaron says he has many friends, young and old. For Aaron, he relates friendship to a scripture in the bible that references “laying down your life for your friends. That’s what friendship means.” Aaron says his faith has brought him closer to friends and family and allowed him to develop even some unexpected friendships. Aaron loves to meet new people and advises people who may not know how to interact with someone with Down Syndrome. “Just be patient with them. Be wise. Tell them how you feel, and bring up a normal conversation like you would with any other person.” 

At the BCDD, we encourage people in all community spaces to welcome and embrace people of all abilities. As a community, we must create spaces and foster acceptance so that we may recognize the unique gifts and contributions of people with disabilities.