OUR STORY

Our mission is to give our son John Shea the opportunity to be part of the community and have a fulfilling life despite his intellectual and physical challenges.

John is an active 24 year old young man who lives at home in Plymouth County with his parents. John was born with hydrocephalus, better known as "water on the brain". This resulted in other disabilities; cerebral palsy, intellectual disabilities, cortical visual impairment (legally blind), and epilepsy. He walks with a walker. He talks, though sometimes needs interpretation. These challenges have never stopped him from engaging in a full life. 

When it comes to life after age 22 – young adults with special needs have several obstacles to secure a job and are often left with few options.   Prior to John's 22 year old transition - we started with visiting some traditional  day programs and  supported employment programs, but none of them were a good fit for or son.  

We asked John what he wanted to do for a job and he answered, "sell hotdogs at Fenway!"   Although Fenway did not seem feasible, selling hotdogs seemed like a great idea!    In 2015, we found a great deal on a hotdog cart and through a combination of savings and other funding, bought a hotdog cart and started John's entrepreneurial business.  The ARC of Greater Plymouth made it easier for the family to hire a great staff person, who is also a wonderful companion, working side by side with John while grilling hotdog. 

John’s “DogHouseDog” business started to not only help him gain independence and social interaction, but our hope is to employ others with disabilities so they can share in our exciting adventure

DogHouseDog  began selling hotdogs at local softball tournaments, town events, high school football games, public events and parties.  DogHouseDog  also sells warm hotdogs on a cold night during the Halifax's Christmas celebration in December!

To fulfill John's dream - beginning July of 2017 “DogHouseDog” was asked  by the Pawtucket Red Sox, the AAA affiliate of the Boston Red Sox to setup outside the stadium on their version of "Yawkey Way" called "Mondor Way"  This main area is open 2 hours before the game and 1 hour after the game starts.   DogHouseDog offers the same great hotdogs that are sold inside the Stadium.

John has a great life, doing whatever he loves. John is a wage earner, socializes with people of all ages, has responsibility to meet some of his own needs, works on staying physically fit, helps others through volunteerism, is involved with his family and is maturing while experiencing life in his community.  When John is not busy selling hotdogs, he is an active member of is community. He works part time for "John and Son's Barbershop", volunteers for meals on wheel and his church, exercises at the YMCA, and takes the train into Boston to explore the city.

John says, "I like selling hotdogs and eating them too!", and so do his customers!