“Double the pleasure, double the fun… with Michael and Matthew at CPS Lewistown!”

Despite being born two years apart–Michael is 28 and Matthew is 26–the brothers can and often do pass as twins. While Matthew is the taller of the two by several inches, they share similar physical characteristics and nearly identical diagnoses of IDD, Fragile X Syndrome, and Autism.

The brothers also share many of the same mannerisms and interests, including a love of karaoke, which they frequently perform for their friends at Lewistown CPS. To hear them tell it, “Don’t Stop Believing” is the crowd favorite!

The brothers also have a karaoke machine in the living room of the house they share, though their tastes in music often diverge. Matthew is a huge country music fan; Tim McGraw is his favorite artist. Michael on the other hand, enjoys listening to and performing tunes by the late, great Elvis.

Graduates of Mifflin County High School, the brothers began participating in UCP’s Lewistown CPS in 2018. They are pleasant and outgoing in nature, and actively take part in whatever is on the program’s schedule for the day. Whether it’s volunteering at the Huntingdon County Humane Society, planting veggies at the local Community Garden, or visiting their favorite get-away spot, Raystown Lake… Matthew and Michael make the most of every opportunity to explore the world around them.

Most recently, the CPS schedule included a visit to, and tour of Lewistown’s Brooklyn Fire Co. Matthew and Michael listened attentively as Fireman Bob Mock explained the features of three different fire trucks. The brothers asked questions, took turns lifting and swinging the battering ram and other fire-fighting apparatus, and even tried on some of the fire gear.

Neither Matthew nor Michael have done paid work, though they are talking about exploring the possibility with UCP’s Employment Services. They both volunteer their time at the LUMINA Center in Lewistown, a faith-based Community Center with programming for children, youth, and families of Mifflin County. It should come as no surprise that given so much time spent out in the community, the young men have become recognized faces in and around Lewistown. Times two.

UCP operates 10 CPS locations in 5 Central PA counties (Cumberland, Dauphin, Mifflin, Snyder and Perry). To learn more about UCP’s Community Participation Supports, contact:
April Treaster, Director
717.247.2944, x412
April.Treaster@ucpcentralpa.org

To schedule a CPS site tour or inquire about an intake, contact:
717.737.3477, x387
Referrals@ucpcentralpa.org