Celebrating Christian: 2025 Personal Achievement Award Winner

posted on Wednesday, October 8, 2025

We are proud to celebrate Christian as the winner of the 2025 Iowa APSE Personal Achievement Award. This award honors the achievements through integrated employment or self-employment — and Christian’s story is a shining example of what’s possible when resilience, collaboration, and belief come together.

Christian first began receiving EPI services during his transition out of high school. Like many young adults, that season of life came with big changes and big challenges. For Christian, independence and anxiety were significant barriers. At the time, he required one-on-one job coach support and often hand-over-hand assistance to complete multiple tasks.

But Christian didn’t give up. And neither did his team. Together, they focused on person-centered support — meeting him where he was, building on his strengths, and encouraging him every step of the way.

In just one year, Christian’s progress has been nothing short of remarkable. He is now completing most job tasks independently, learning new skills like dishwashing, and working multiple days each week without a job coach present. His employer has been amazed by his growth, and his support team has watched his confidence soar.

Christian’s journey is about more than skill development. It’s about finding courage in the face of challenge, adapting to new environments, and discovering the independence that once felt out of reach. Every milestone reflects his determination and resilience.

What makes Christian’s story even more powerful is the impact it has on those around him. His success is not only practical — showing what independence can look like — but also emotional and inspirational. His journey challenges all of us to rethink what support looks like when it’s truly tailored to a person’s needs.

Independence isn’t a fixed trait; it’s something that can be nurtured and grown over time. Christian proves that with the right opportunities and support, individuals can surpass expectations and redefine what’s possible.

Christian’s well-deserved recognition with the 2025 Iowa APSE Personal Achievement Award is more than a celebration of what he has accomplished. It’s a reminder of who he is in the process — courageous, determined, adaptable, and inspiring. His growth encourages others to see ability first and to believe in the power of inclusion.

We are so proud of you, Christian. Congratulations on this incredible achievement — and thank you for inspiring us all.