Reading Time: 2 minutes

Living in the community can be challenging for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities that have complex needs. Families often need to be persistent and creative to get their loved ones the services they need. 

Zainab Edwards sits on a green bench while her mom ties her right ice skate. She is wearing black pants and a blue t-shirt. Her mom is wearing jeans and a blue sweatshirt.
Zainab Edwards points her right arm forward while standing on the ice. She is wearing black pants, a black sweatshirt and pink gloves.
Zainab Edwards holds hands with her teacher Tammy Jimenez as they skate. Zainab wears a black sweatshirt with her name on the upper left. Her left knee is bent. Her instructor wears blue pants and a black coat. She is watching Zainab as they skate.
Zainab Edwards waves while standing on the ice. She is wearing black pants, a black sweatshirt and pink gloves. She has short dark hair and is smiling.
Zainab Edwards stretches during a skating lesson. She wears black pants, a black sweatshirt and pink gloves. Her left foot is on rail of the rink. Her mom is talking with her. Zainab's mom is wearing a blue sweatshirt.
Photographer Rick D’Elia visited one of Zainab Edwards’ skating lessons at the Ice Den in Chandler, Arizona, in May 2021. Her mom, Cynthia Elliott helped her get her skates on and her instructor Tammy Jimenez, held her hand as they skated. 

Joaquin Carson uses a letter board with the help of his sister Diana. He wears a blue and maroon plaid shirt and a black hat with ear flaps. Diana stands to his right. She is wearing a gray sweatshirt and has sunglasses on her head.
Joaquin Carson and his sister Diana are in his house. He is wearing tan pants, a maroon and blue plaid shirt and a blue ball cap with ear flaps. He is pointing with his right arm and his sister is smiling. She is wearing a gray top and jeans. Behind them is a black sofa. On the wall is a mural of someone walking between trees.
Joaquin Carson lives in a blue house that used to be a barn. His sister's house is on a hill above. A white pickup truck and a blue sedan are parking in front of Joaquin's house.
Joaquin Carson and his sister Diana are doing a high five in his house. He is wearing a maroon and blue plaid shirt and a blue ball cap with ear flaps. He is reaching out with his left hand, his sister is reaching with her right hand.
Joaquin Carson holds a green bucket and a trash grabber. He is picking up trash at a park. He wears a gray brimmed hat, a maroon and blue plaid shirt and tan pants.
Joaquin Carson stands between his sister Diana, to the right, and his caregivers. He's wearing a gray hat and a plaid shirt.
Joaquin Carson walks along a road with white fences on either side. He wears a gray brimmed hat and a maroon and blue plaid shirt. He small pieces of pine branches in his left hand.
Photographer Zoë Meyers spent time with Joaquin Carson and his sister Diana Carson in November at their home in Jamul, California. She went with Joaquin to Rohr Park, where he picked up trash as part of his vocational work program and to a pharmacy in Rancho San Diego with Diana and Joaquin’s two caregivers Brittany Merrill and Jennifer Stone.