"My grandmother taught me that I have a disability, the disability doesn’t have me," Hunter said.

Born with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (formerly known as Fetal Alcohol Syndrome), doctors and specialists didn’t correctly diagnose him until he was a pre-teen. "I had more labels than a jar of pickles," he said.

After being removed as an infant from his mother’s custody, Hunter was raised by his grandmother. She died when he was 10 and consequently, he lived with foster families for many years. At 15, he went to Arc Greater Twin Cities, a United Way partner agency that works to secure opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.

"Arc has been a huge part of my life," Hunter said, "I’ve grown a lot since I’ve been with them." Arc taught him how to be a self-advocate by educating others on how they can help people with disabilities get what they need. Arc also gave him a support system—one in which he is still closely involved.

Hunter is on the Arc Greater Twin Cities board of directors, Arc of Minnesota’s board of directors, People First board of directors, and he volunteers with Mains’l Services, Inc. He’s traveled to Washington, D.C., providing public testimony about the health effects of drinking while pregnant and he’s participated in Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder symposiums.

Hunter lives independently but he has many daily obstacles, like transportation and motor skills challenges. Reflecting on how he’s faced his difficulties, he said, "Life is hard. But you are the strength you need to get through the challenge." He likes making people smile (his goal is at least one person a day) and he loves his social workers and support team from Arc: "They are the family I always wanted."

United Way’s Agenda for Lasting Change focuses on 10 measurable goals in our three focus areas: Meeting Basic Needs, Supporting Health and Independence and Nurturing Children and Families. One goal is helping an additional 15,000 seniors and people with disabilities maximize their independence by 2010.

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