Brendon Purdy Smith is an engaging and highly sociable young man with a famous winning smile. Brendon was diagnosed with severe global developmental delay when he was two years old. At the time, doctors told his parents that neurologists knew less about the human brain than astronomers know about the stars, suggesting they stimulate Brendon as much as possible, and trust their instincts.
Brendon graduated from high school in 2010 and transitioned into a program with CAPRE (Community Association of People for REAL Enterprise), which supports the realization of personal potential in people with intellectual disabilities. At CAPRE, Brendon is developing his small business, Mr. B’s Makery, in the hope that it will become a self-sustaining part of his lifestyle in the future. Running his own business, with help from CAPRE, enables Brendon to expand his range of work and life skills, to become more connected with the community, and to experience the variety of challenges and rewards associated with creative entrepreneurship. This proved to be the perfect vehicle for his love of bringing communities together.
Mr. B’s Makery strives to make environmental and socially responsible choices, which is reflected in the quality of our products:
Mr. B’s tie-dyed items are made from quality materials sourced from Valley thrift shops.
Crayzons are created from using 100% freecycled crayons.
Lunch usually contains items from the home garden.
“Play is vital work.”