The Vargas-Portocarrero Family Story

Told by Rita Vargas (Mom)

The Jill’s House adult program is a dream come true. Ricardo is welcomed, engaged one-on-on, and growing in independence.

I’m Rita, mom to Ricardo. He’s 37, endlessly social, and lights up whenever there’s a chance to talk, play a game, or ride a bike. Ricardo was born in Bolivia and diagnosed with Kabuki syndrome. Over the years he’s had many surgeries—cleft palate repair at birth, spinal surgery at five months old, eye procedures—and therapy after therapy. We moved to the U.S. when he was just two months old, and Fairfax County Public Schools supported him from the time he was a toddler.

Life gets so much harder when kids get out of the school system. As a young adult, for a while Ricardo was in a day program that was not good for him. He had to sit around stuffing envelopes and my heart just broke.

Things got better when we got into the Adults with Disabilities Day Program (ADDP) at McLean Bible Church. Ricardo has a girlfriend who he met there years ago. Although she moved to Florida two years ago, he visits her during his summer and winter breaks. They talk on the phone every night.

We learned about Jill’s House because Ricardo met Jill Solomon at ADDP, just a stone’s throw from Jill’s House! But Ricardo was already too old to participate in Jill’s House programs, which were serving kids up to age 21. When I heard last year that Jill’s House was starting an adult program, I couldn’t believe it. A few of us ADDP parents went to the open house, and the moment I walked in, I knew it was for Ricardo. I signed him up right away.

Now, Tuesday nights at Jill’s House are Ricardo’s favorite. He loves the individual attention, the chance to talk and play, and the warm welcome he receives at the curb. Staff run up to greet him by name, and he beams. Before I can even park the car, he’s calling out, “Bye, Mom!” and heading inside with a big smile. The Jill’s House adult program is a dream come true. Ricardo is welcomed, engaged one-on-on, and growing in independence.

Ricardo’s absolute favorite activity is riding bikes. At home, he would ride for hours in our cul-de-sac, but his bike is broken right now.  Jill’s House has the same bikes as his at home. He happily hops on their bikes and rides with joy for as long as he can. He also loves to play “game show host,” asking staff to be contestants while he quizzes them. Chloe, one of his favorite staff members, has become a real friend to him. She accompanied him at the “Night to Shine” gala, making the evening extra special.

When Jill’s House started offering adult camp sessions of Weekend Adventures, we were there for the debut! Ricardo had such a fun time at Blue Ridge in Middleburg. He found it thrilling to go horseback riding!

As a single mom, when Ricardo is at Jill’s House, I can meet a friend for dinner without worrying about being home by 8 p.m. to relieve a caregiver. I can breathe, laugh, and come back refreshed. That kind of respite keeps me going.

Jill’s House helps Ricardo grow in independence. For each visit, together we make a checklist for his overnight bag—toothbrush, clothes, all the basics—and he now packs for himself. I double-check, of course, but he’s learning to take responsibility.

Community has been another gift. Through Jill’s House moms’ dinners and Zoom meetups, I’ve connected with other parents who understand this journey. At a recent dinner, I met another mom and we started dreaming together about future housing options for our adult children.

To the staff at Jill’s House, I want to say: thank you for answering God’s call. You could be doing a thousand other things, but instead you pour out love, patience, and joy for our children. When I drop Ricardo off, I feel complete peace. That is no small gift.