When asked what types of jobs interest him, the response was enthusiastic and immediate.
“Fixer. Repairman. Handyman. Mechanic,” said Reed, a student in UMFS’s Courage to Succeed program, which helps students with autism or other neurological differences work toward a college degree, find work in their chosen field and ultimately learn to live independently.
“I like to fix things,” he said.
And the 21-year-old with the penchant for repairs had the opportunity to do just that when Cabin Creek Auto took him on as a paid intern for a few weeks this summer.
Owner Joseph Andrew Price Jr. — known affectionately as “Bubba” by customers and friends — helped arrange the internship. Reed’s parents have been Bubba’s customers for years.
“He’d put in spark plugs, air filters and change the tires,” Bubba said with a smile from the waiting room of his shop in Richmond’s West End. “He was basically doing tune-ups.”
Bubba learned auto repair from his father, Joseph Sr., and has been practicing the craft in Richmond for more than 46 years. Ten years ago, he opened Cabin Creek Auto, where he works with his sister, Shirley; adopted-son, Joey; and family friend, “G”. Bubba’s wife helps out at the shop on Saturdays.
Bubba is an experienced auto mechanic, no doubt, but he said the opportunity to work with Reed was unlike anything he’d done before.
“I learned something from him,” Bubba said. “What we do every day, and how hard it can be for other people … We just take life for granted. Reed was an absolute pleasure to work with.”
Kelly Magee, Social Coach with Courage to Succeed, said opportunities such as the one Reed had with Cabin Creek Auto are valuable beyond the skills they teach.
“Not only has Reed learned to rotate tires and change oil, but he shows a lot of pride,” she said. “You can see he sort of walks differently when he talks about his job.”
Visit Courage to Succeed online to learn more about the program.