Program helps man with cerebral palsy live on his own

Adam Horney likes singing country music, his police badge collection, reading crime stories and basically everything that has to do with fighting crime.

“I’ve always loved law enforcement, since I was a young man and I fell in love with the uniform,” said Adam Horney.

But spending time with his family brings him the most joy, and the Horney family has a close bond. They’ve been through a lot.

When Adam was born, he was a triplet. He had two brothers: Jared and Greg.

Greg did not survive.

Jared and Adam would live.

But Adam had a certain condition. “I have cerebral palsy,” said Adam Horney.

Adam has also been diagnosed with epilepsy, and recently overcame a battle with testicular cancer.

“When I’m in the hospital, I do get depressed and I will cry. Especially when I’m by myself in a hospital room. That’s not the most comfortable environment,” he said.

Now 31, Adam lives in his own apartment with the help of “Developmental Pathways” – a program that helps those with disabilities.

“Developmental Pathways provides him with a person who helps him with cleaning and cooking, really allows him to be independent,” said Karel Horney, Adam’s mother.

 “I’m very blessed to be in the situation that I am. My situation may be scary to some people. I overcome those boundaries and I do it very well,” Adam said.

And if he’s not at his apartment, you can usually find him at a local police station helping out in whatever way he can.

“Hey this kid can do something, we just need to find a task that he is suited for,” Adam said.

You can probably tell by now that Adam has always wanted  to be a police officer. He volunteers for the Denver Police Department and he has a number of certificates.

He says he knows he’ll never actually be a police officer, but he wouldn’t change anything about his life.

“If there is anything that you could ask me that I want? Nothing really comes to mind. I’m happy with my life.

Developmental Pathways, the program that has helped support Adam and others with disabilities, will be holding a fundraiser on Saturday at 5:30 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency Tech Center in Denver.

You can make a donation here: http://www.developmentalpathways.org/donate.html