When Raymond Jr. was born in 1977, his father, Ray Pitts Sr., felt what many fathers feel: pride, excitement, and hope for the future. But in the months that followed, Ray Sr. and his wife, Janice, began to notice that Ray Jr. was not reaching developmental milestones. He wasn’t making eye contact, talking, or walking like the other children. At the time, they did not understand that their son had a developmental disability.

A family friend was the first person to voice what they had begun to suspect. As they searched for answers, they entered a time when families of children with disabilities were often told that institutionalization was the best option. But Ray Sr. and his family refused, choosing to chart a different path for their son and keep him at home with his family.

Like many parents, Ray struggled privately with accepting his son’s disability. For a time, he found himself caught between his love for his child and uncertainty about the future. But eventually, he made a choice that would change his life: he would begin to advocate for Ray Jr.

“As I became more aware of Ray’s needs, my fatherhood and maturity evolved,” Ray Sr. reflects.

The more he learned, the more involved he became. Advocating for Ray Jr. taught him empathy, patience, and resilience. He soon realized that his family was not the only one facing these challenges and felt inspired to help others navigate their own journeys as parents of children with disabilities. Advocacy soon grew into a commitment to supporting others because Ray Sr. believes that raising a child truly takes a village, especially a child with higher support needs.

One of Ray Sr.’s favorite memories happened when Ray Jr. was eight years old. After years of work and determination, Ray Jr. began to make progress with his mobility. One day, as Ray Sr. was coming home with a new wheelchair, expecting to help Ray Jr. transition from his previous chair, he was greeted with an unforgettable surprise. With assistance from Mary Yu, Ray Jr. had taken his first steps.

For Ray, that moment felt like validation. It was proof that the impossible was possible and that every effort, challenge, and moment it took to get there had meaning.

Today, Ray Jr. has been a part of Makom for 27 years. He enjoys spending time with his longtime roommate and best friend, Joseph. He loves swimming, and over the years, he has continued to develop skills that have allowed him to lead a more self-determined life. Although Ray Jr. is nonspeaking and communicates through sounds, his positive impact on those around him speaks volumes.

For Ray Sr., being Ray Jr.’s father has made him a better person. Father’s Day is a meaningful celebration, but the bond they share extends beyond a single day on the calendar. Ray Jr. is his “best friend, the center of the family, and the person who helped shape the man I am today.”

For Ray Sr., every day is Father’s Day.