Young Achievers

Growing up in English, Indiana, 19-year-old Matthew Brooks doesn’t let his Down syndrome prevent him from doing most of what he wants to do.

Matthew graduated from Crawford County High School in May 2021. Playing football his junior and senior years, he had the honor of scoring the final touchdown of the year and being crowned 2020 football homecoming king – before crowning his successor this past fall.

Matthew has three brothers – two older, one younger – that he’s very close with. The three of them live at home with his mom and dad, the latter of whom just retired from many years of working at a state park. The family has three dogs – none of which “belong” to Matthew -- but all love him the most.

Although it’s been harder to see his friends since high school, Matthew still tries to get together with them often – whether they’re grabbing something to eat or going to the movies. He’s always been a loyal friend and exceedingly loving towards his family.

With high school in the rearview, Matthew is currently contemplating whether college is a next step. In the meantime, after his father showed him some videos of pottery being made, Matthew started learning to make pottery. In tandem with his parents, Matthew is involved in every step of the pottery process, from working the clay to glazing and painting, firing in the kiln, and delivering the finished items to customers.

Along with his pottery, Matthew finds time for the other things he enjoys, be it playing video games, watching YouTube, or eating pizza and chicken.

Matthew’s pottery includes smaller bowls, cups, mugs, tumblers, spoon rests, and even some saucers. Their colors vary; he likes to choose them based on his mood that day. With help from mom, Matthew also makes some more advanced wheel-thrown, poured, and slab/pinch

In his own words, “None are perfect, some have flaws, but that is what makes them special, like me.”

After graduation, Matthew and his parents looked for something he could do moving forward. He took to pottery right away and liked it, learning the trade concurrently with his parents. Matthew’s favorite part of pottery is glazing and painting his work, and his talent for it has led to this new business opportunity.

Along with his mom, Matthew sells his pottery through Matthew’s Hands Down Pottery, a self-made small business that Matthew is an integral part of, obviously making the pottery but also taking the time to go out and sell the wares.

Posting on Facebook groups and Marketplace, Instagram, and soon through a webpage, his pots are being shared with others. Matthew’s work is sold at a local convenience store, short-order grill, and gift boutique, with hopes of selling more. The family also takes the pottery to the local farmer’s market.

Matthew’s Hands Down Pottery lavada.brooks@gmail.com https://matthewbpots.company.site https://www.facebook.com/groups/204024358183944/

Other than doing something he really enjoys, Matthew hopes that anyone who’s interested in pottery will support his small business so he can one day fulfill his dream of owning a mansion in California – full of the nicest cars, shoes, and all the hats that money can buy.

If you would like to share your personal or family story or to nominate someone else to be in an upcoming issue of Special Needs Living, email us at SpecialNeedsLivingIndy@n2pub.com.

Elizabeth A. Homes, Esq., MBA ehomeslaw.com | 317-660-5004 elizabeth@ehomeslaw.com

10412 Allisonville Road, Suite 200A Fishers, Indiana 46038