Mikey’s Story: From impossible to what’s possible
For Mikey, leaving the house once felt impossible. One year with Life in Motion changed everything.
February 24, 2026
A simple trip to the grocery store was seemingly impossible for Mikey.
For most families, picking up a few groceries is routine. For Mikey and his mom, Tammy, it was overwhelming. The lights, the noise, the unpredictability – it was all too much.
Mikey, now 23, missed a critical transition period when COVID shut down programs in 2020. The move from special education into adult programming is a pivotal time for young adults with autism, and without that bridge, Mikey spent more time at home. The longer he stayed in his comfort zone, the harder any transition became.
“He had a hard time going anywhere. I couldn’t even take him to the grocery store,” said Mikey’s mother, Tammy. “He was such a homebody. I knew I needed to find something for him after he turned 22 and aged out of his program, but it seemed like it would be impossible.”
That changed in June 2025 when Tammy found Little City’s new Life in Motion program.
Life in Motion is centered on maximizing community engagement. Participants build independence by practicing real-life skills in real-world settings – from grocery stores and libraries to recreational outings like Dave & Buster’s and even a recent trip to Disney On Ice. These experiences help individuals not only navigate community resources but also build confidence in more complex social and sensory environments.
At first, Tammy worried that the busy outing schedule would overwhelm Mikey. Instead, careful planning and collaboration made all the difference. Staff from his former program supported his early transition, giving him a familiar face and helping him feel secure in a new environment.
“As he came into a new place for the first time, having that familiar face really made a difference and helped him feel comfortable early on,” said Emily Griffin, Life in Motion Coordinator. “It didn’t take long before he began looking forward to community outings, despite his earlier hesitation.”
The results have been life-changing.
Mikey has gone from refusing to enter a store to eagerly waking up each morning to check the schedule posted in his kitchen, excited to see where he’ll be going that day. The grocery store that once felt impossible is now part of his growing world.
The transformation has impacted the entire family.
“Your whole life changes when you get that diagnosis when your child is 2 years old and you know nothing will ever be the same. My biggest worry became that my son would not be able to have a fulfilling life, but I don’t have that worry anymore,” Tammy said. “To see how much he has changed in not even a full year is shocking. I am blown away by what Little City has done and how much he has grown.”
And this is just the beginning. With newfound confidence, Mikey is beginning to explore vocational skills and the possibility of a job in the community.
From impossible to what’s possible – that’s the power of Life in Motion.
Transformations like Mikey’s are only possible because of supporters and donors who believe every individual deserves the chance to thrive in their community.