A 21-year-old Alabama native with Down syndrome is continuing to defy the odds.
Jake Pratt, of Vestavia Hills, wasn't expected to ever make his high school football team, graduate from college or get his driver's permit, according to a profile by WVTM 13 in Birmingham. However, Pratt has successfully accomplished each goal and is now adding another to his list of achievements.
This week, Pratt began working for UPS, which will have him delivering packages on foot up to eight hours per day, his sister, Amy Hyde, announced on Twitter.
"Thank you @UPS for giving my brother a chance & promoting inclusion in the workforce," Hyde tweeted with a photo of Pratt wearing his uniform standing in front of a UPS truck. "Jake has Down Syndrome but that doesn’t stop him! He loves his new job running packages up to 8 hours per day. That’s after working 6-10 am every morning at the golf course. I’m so proud of him!"
The company quote-tweeted Hyde's tweet with the following: "Welcome to the UPS family, Jake! We're lucky to have you on the team."
Pratt will be walking around 15,000 steps per day delivering packages to doorstops, while also working maintenance at a local golf course from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. seven days a week. WVTM said all the 21-year-old ever wanted was a chance and that's what UPS is providing for him.
Congratulations to Jake on his new job!
Photo: Getty Images