When Ian decided he wanted to learn how to cook, he was looking for more than just a new skill. He wanted to try something he enjoyed and have more independence in the kitchen. With support from his team, Ian has been learning to prepare meals he loves while gaining confidence along the way.

Ian has Prader-Willi syndrome, a genetic disorder that affects his ability to feel full. He said growing up with the condition could be difficult, particularly around mealtimes and at school.

Because food limitations are an important part of managing Prader-Willi syndrome, Ian has restrictions around what and how much he can eat. For much of his life, meals were something prepared for him. As a young adult, however, Ian wanted to learn to cook for himself.

“I like cooking at my grandma’s house,” Ian said.

Some of his favorite memories in the kitchen involve his grandmother. He remembers making steak and enjoying her oatmeal cookies. While his grandmother handles the baking, Ian has always been more interested in cooking.

A few months ago, Ian brought up the idea of doing more cooking with his team. He had a particular goal in mind: learning how to make jollof rice, a West African rice dish he had come to love.

Ian’s interest in African cuisine began after his staff took him to African parties. He tried jollof rice and immediately found something he enjoyed. The dish, made with rice, chicken, and spices, introduced Ian to flavors that have since become some of his favorites.

When Ian decided he wanted to learn how to make jollof rice, he took the initiative himself. He found a video and learned how to make it on his own.

“It’s just delicious,” Ian said.

Jollof rice was just the beginning. Ian has since explored other African dishes, including cassava leaves, which he described as being like cooked greens, and peanut butter soup, also known as groundnut soup.

His interest in African food has also led Ian to explore ingredients he might not find at a typical grocery store. He visits an African market near his home to find ingredients, including cassava leaves, and has discovered new foods he would like to try.

Now, Ian chooses an African dish to make with his staff and prepares it about once a week. He takes part in the process from choosing a recipe to getting the ingredients and preparing the food.

Ian has also advocated for himself outside of his own kitchen. Because his meals are calorie-restricted, he has reached out to Global Meals, an organization that provides nutritious, home-delivered meals in Ohio to help individuals maintain independence and meet their dietary needs. He asked that African food options be made available for him to choose from.

For Ian, cooking has become a way to make more choices for himself while still working within the food restrictions that come with Prader-Willi syndrome.

His growing independence extends beyond the kitchen. Ian recently moved into a new home with a roommate and has been living independently for several years. He also works at Binable, where he has been employed for a few months and helps with cleaning.

On Mondays and Wednesdays, Ian attends Pathways to Independence, where he spends time at a doggy daycare. He particularly enjoys “loving on the doggies.”

Ian credits the support he receives through the Delaware County Board of Developmental Disabilities with helping him access services and opportunities in his daily life.

When asked what he would want other people to know about the services available through DCBDD, Ian had a simple message: “It’s really great… a really great sort of support.”

For Ian, that support has helped create opportunities to pursue his interests and build independence in ways that are meaningful to him. Whether he is spending time with dogs, working, exploring African cuisine, or preparing a favorite meal, Ian is finding ways to make his own choices and do more for himself.

And if you ask him what someone new to African cuisine should try, he already has a recommendation: jollof rice.