Eli’s Family Story

“My dreams for him are that he continues to advocate for himself”

Eli Alvarez is passionate about music and has big dreams to pursue this passion.

At 18 years old, he is off to a great start, with several original songs and performances under his belt.

Eli loves country music and is inspired by one country artist in particular.

“Luke Combs, he’s a songwriter… He sings a lot of cool songs. He has a group, and I want to be like him,” Eli said.

Eli’s mom, Beatrice, supports his dream 100%.

“It comes out in the music.”

“I was, in a previous life, an opera singer, and I do play music. So, one of the ways I got to tap into Eli and help him early on to read, as a matter of fact, was through music,” Beatrice said.

“And he started reading at about 4 years old, and granted, this is a kid with multiple diagnoses. He’s autistic, he has Down syndrome, he has anxiety disorder, he has a bunch of other labels. And the music was a way to tap into him learning to read. And then the writing came afterward,” she continued.

“Had I not tapped into that, we might have missed this absolute passion of his to write music. And the way he writes is so profound that he will never speak that way, but it comes out in the music, and I’m just blown away by it.”

Now that Eli is becoming an adult, he’s planning for his future and how to share his original music with the world. Beatrice wants to help him achieve his goals and highest level of independence.

The University of Illinois Chicago’s Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) is an essential partner in helping the Alvarez family navigate the crucial transition to adulthood.

“It’s scary,” Beatrice said of the transition. “Even the IEP (Individualized Education Program) is not the typical IEP anymore. It’s still an IEP, but it’s also about, ‘Oh, what do you want to do with your future?’”

Eli’s DSCC Care Coordinator regularly checks in with Beatrice and Eli and is a valuable sounding board. She’s helped connect them with funding sources for Eli’s hearing aids. She also helps troubleshoot gaps or issues with Eli’s care and find appropriate resources.

“It’s a really good relationship. I feel that I can reach out to her whenever I need to, and I’m grateful for that,” Beatrice said.

To help with Eli’s transition planning, their Care Coordinator recommended the Illinois Statewide Transition Conference. The conference provides valuable resources and information to help youth with disabilities and their families prepare for adulthood.

DSCC covered all the related costs for Eli and Beatrice to attend the 2024 transition conference in Springfield.

Eli made new friends and shared his love for songwriting. He even booked a gig to perform for The Arc of Illinois.

Beatrice learned more about key services and programs and connected with other professionals and family members.

“I got the answers I needed, or at least I got the direction I needed,” she said.

“If he’s able to do it, then do it.”

Beatrice says she wants to empower Eli to take the lead in his future.

“I used to say when he was very little, ‘Oh, he’s going to live with me my whole life.’ And my dear friend said, ‘You better stop saying that because I’m going to call you out.’ And I’m glad she said that. I am now saying, ‘Well, you lead, kiddo,’” Beatrice said.

Eli, in turn, enjoys taking the lead.

Once he decided to pursue songwriting, he worked on his own to find a music arranger and free sound mixing programs. He now uses Google Docs to organize all the music and lyrics he used to write on paper.

Eli has written five original songs, including the ballad “Hopeful Smile,” which he wrote for his girlfriend. Eli and Beatrice recently performed “Hopeful Smile” during an outdoor concert at the Berwyn Market in Chicago.

“Other people like to listen to my songs,” Eli said.

He also hopes to move to California with his girlfriend.

“I would say my dreams for him are that he continues to advocate for himself and preparing for the time when I’m no longer able to or here with him to do it,” Beatrice said.

“I don’t want people to…  what I call it, disabling the disabled. If he’s able to do it, then do it and to have the dignity of risk to do it. So, being able to fail and learn from that and be OK.”