29 years old
Danbury, Connecticut

After several misdiagnoses, Eric was formally diagnosed with TSC when he was 2 years, 3 months old. Eric had up to 10 seizures a day between the ages of 2 and 6, leading to significant learning and developmental delays.  He gained seizure control when he began taking vigabatrin. Eric has currently been seizure free for more than one year.

Although he has autism and functions at the level of a 5 year old, Eric graduated from Foundation High School in 2013, where he completed a life skills-focused curriculum for those with special needs.  Eric is also active in the Special Olympics, enjoys swimming and takes taekwondo classes.

Eric currently lives in a group home, where he has two roommates.  In addition, he works as a community volunteer at a local soup kitchen and community garden, where crops are donated to the people in need.  Eric, the agency coordinating his day program and his family are currently open to and exploring other employment/engagement options as well.

Eric lives life to the fullest and feels “forever young.”  The Parkes family believes Eric serves as an example/model demonstrating the importance and success of residential placement for young adults with special needs such as TSC.