Stowe, Vermont - September 5, 2011
Patrick Lewis has a gift.
"That is how it all started, because I thought -- what can we do to capitalize on that?" said his mom, Mary Anne Lewis.
Born 14 weeks pre-mature, the 19 year-old suffers from cerebral palsy. But as his mom likes to say, that doesn't hold him back. "He doesn't have any vision at all, but he does a lot of exploration with his hands. He also had some brain damage, so he uses sounds and songs to communicate," she said.
His business, Purely Patrick, capitalizes on what he can do. With a voice output and pouring device, Patrick creates ready to make jar mixes. The kits allow consumers to add wet ingredients to Patrick's jar mixes and create things like M&M cookies and dog biscuits.
"This one is sequential, so you add the list of ingredients -- onions, parsley -- like that," Lewis said. "This one is his favorite -- country soup -- because it's the loudest to make."
Singing as he works in his room -- just like the rest of us, he doesn't always feel like working. "Sometimes he can do four jars in a morning, sometimes he does one. We let him take his own time. If he wants to work quickly, that's great. If he doesn't -- its just purely Patrick," Lewis said.
Reporter Gina Bullard: "Do you think he has fun doing this?"
Mary Anne Lewis: "I like it. Do you like it...? I think he does enjoy it."
Patrick's jars range in price from 5 to 10-dollars, which he sells at his families business, The Brass Lantern Inn in Stowe.
"I don't think Patrick worries about how much he sells. I think he has more fun in the process --right bud?"
He also loves going to local farmers markets, meeting the community and marketing his business.
"I'm not sure he's going to retire rich, but I think it's enough to give him a meaningful purpose and enjoyment -- that's what I'm hoping," Lewis said.
Vermont products made purely with purpose.
Gina Bullard - WCAX News
