Inspiration

Who is Alvin?

Alvin Edward McElderry, Jr. was born on January 18, 1981 in Calhoun County Anniston, Alabama to Patricia Allen and Alvin McElderry, Sr. Soon after Alvin was born, he was transferred to the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Hospital due to his health condition. Alvin was diagnosed with Microcephaly Seizures, Intellectual Disorder, and Schizoaffective Disorder.

Alvin and his parents moved to Augusta, GA in 1985, where he attended Lynndale, Inc., a company that provided services for people with disabilities. Sometime later, Alvin attended Cussetta Elementary School in Alabama. In 1988, Alvin had the chance to attend Burwell Psychoeducational Program in GA, Gardner Middle School and then Callaway High School in 1997.

In 2001, Alvin moved to New Jersey with his family in hopes of receiving better assistance and services for his disabilities as a young adult. Alvin attended multiple group homes throughout New Jersey but each one did not provide a safe environment for him. The group homes didn’t understand how to assist Alvin with his disabilities. After years of trying to find a stable group home, in 2020 Alvin settled into a group home in Montgomery, Alabama. However, Alvin experienced the same unhealthy environment. He was not provided with a safe environment nor the services he needed to sustain a healthy lifestyle. His mother finally removed him from the group home in Alabama and he is now residing at his family home.  

Group homes should provide a safe environment for people with intellectual disabilities. Provide the services that are needed to sustain a healthy lifestyle. Alvin’s story has inspired us to create an environment that will help maintain a healthy lifestyle for him and others with disabilities.