Why Daymark Living Was Created: A Father’s Vision for His Son’s Future

For many parents of an adult with an intellectual or developmental disability, there is a question that can be both exciting and difficult to imagine:

What could a fulfilling, independent adult life look like for my child?

For Daymark Living founder John Poston, that question was personal. His son, Michael, was growing up, and like his brother and sister, he deserved the opportunity to build an adult life that was truly his own.

During a recent episode of Mondays with Molly, John sat down with Dr. Molly to talk about the beginnings of Daymark Living, Michael’s journey toward greater independence and how a father’s hopes for his son helped inspire a community for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).

It Started With a Different Question

As parents, it can be natural to think about what we want for our children — especially when they may need additional support throughout adulthood.

John approached the question a little differently.

“If I was Michael, what would I want?”

As Michael's dad, John admits that part of him would have happily had his son live with him forever. But he also recognized that might not be what Michael wanted for his own adult life.

Michael wanted many of the same things his brother and sister had experienced as they grew up: greater independence, friendships, meaningful work, relationships and a place of his own.

That vision helped inspire what would eventually become Daymark Living.

Independence Can Be About Much More Than Where You Live

Today, John describes Michael's life at Daymark as more than he dreamed it could be.

Michael has friends. He has a girlfriend. He works. He participates in his community. And perhaps most importantly, he has built a life that feels like his own.

“He has his friends and his life is here,” John shared.

That sense of belonging is an important part of independence.

Independent living for an adult with an intellectual disability doesn't necessarily mean doing everything without help. It can mean having the right support to develop skills, make choices, build confidence and participate more fully in everyday life.

John has seen that growth firsthand when Michael comes home to visit.

During their conversation, John and Dr. Molly discussed something many families experience: when parents are always nearby to help, it can sometimes be easier for an adult child to rely on that help rather than practice doing things independently.

At Daymark, residents have opportunities to continue developing everyday living skills with support from people who know them well.

Over time, those experiences can build both ability and confidence.

Creating Daymark Took a Village

Although Daymark began with a father's vision for his son, John is quick to point out that he didn't build it alone.

Family members, friends and supporters rallied around Michael and the larger goal of creating opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities.

Turning that idea into an actual community wasn't easy.

John describes Daymark as a collective effort — a group of people who believed adults like Michael deserved opportunities to build meaningful lives of their own.

Today, seeing residents active, engaged, forming friendships and growing in independence makes those early challenges worthwhile.

For John, one of the greatest measures of Daymark's success is also one of the simplest:

Michael is happy.

A Community That Feels Like Home

One of the concerns families often have when considering independent living for an adult child with IDD is whether their loved one will truly feel at home.

Will they make friends?

Will someone know when they're having a difficult day?

Will they have people around them who understand them?

Will they feel like they belong?

John and Dr. Molly talked about the relationships that develop at Daymark — between residents, team members and the larger community.

Like any adult community, there are good days, hard days, friendships and occasional disagreements. Residents have people around them who know them and can help them work through those everyday experiences.

That is part of building an adult life, too.

The goal isn't to remove every challenge. It's to provide an environment where residents can experience life, learn from it and have support when they need it.

Growing to Meet Different Support Needs

Daymark has continued to evolve since its earliest days.

The original Daymark Living model was designed for adults who could live with a higher degree of independence and a lower level of daily support. But over time, it became clear that some adults could benefit from the Daymark experience while still needing additional prompts or assistance with everyday activities.

That helped lead to the development of Daymark Dwelling, a smaller-setting option designed for adults who may benefit from more support while still pursuing greater independence, relationships and community involvement.

It reflects something Daymark has learned throughout its journey: independence does not look exactly the same for everyone.

The right environment depends on the individual.

What Happens as Adults With IDD Grow Older?

John and Dr. Molly also touched on a question that is becoming increasingly important as Daymark itself grows older:

What happens as residents age and their needs change?

Today's residents are relatively young, active and engaged. But like all adults, they will grow older.

For John, the question is personal once again.

Michael considers Daymark home.

“Michael wants to stay,” John said. “And I want him to stay.”

There may not be one simple answer to what long-term support will look like for every resident. But planning for changing needs is an important part of Daymark's ongoing conversations about the future.

Just as Daymark has evolved since its beginning, the goal is to continue listening, learning and thinking ahead about how adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities can be supported throughout different stages of adulthood.

More Than a Place to Live

Nearly a decade after those early conversations about what Daymark could become, John can look at his son's life and see the answer to the question that helped start it all.

Michael has a home.

He has friendships.

He has meaningful work.

He has people who know him.

And he has a life that belongs to him.

For families beginning to think about the future for an adult child with an intellectual or developmental disability, John's story offers an important reminder: planning for independence isn't simply about finding a place to live.

It's about imagining what a meaningful adult life could look like — and then finding the support that can help make that life possible.

Hear the Story From Daymark's Founder

Watch the full Mondays with Molly conversation as Dr. Molly sits down with Daymark Living founder John Poston to talk about Michael, the beginnings of Daymark, independence, changing support needs and what the future may hold.

Is Your Family Beginning to Think About What's Next?

You don't have to have every answer today.

Whether you're beginning to explore independent living for an adult child with an intellectual or developmental disability or simply want to better understand the options available, Daymark Living is here to help.

Learn more about Daymark Living, explore our programs or start a conversation with our team at DaymarkLiving.com.