Too often, individuals with physical or intellectual disabilities are treated with an assumption that so many things in life are out of their reach. We focus on what they can’t do, rather than what they can do.
One young man is proving the naysayers wrong in a big way, and he’s got an audience to back him up.
Twenty-one years ago, Plainfield resident Izaak Thomas was born a preemie at 4 pounds, 1 ounce. The family was told while he was still in the womb that a host of disabilities were sure to follow.
“He had so many disabilities, the doctors wanted him to be aborted, but of course the answer was no,” said Izaak’s mom, Shannon.
It might be a diagnosis that would scare or alarm the average person, but as a nurse, Shannon wasn’t dissuaded. She’s worked with children with special needs for many years. Still, at birth Izaak was very sick, and as doctors predicted, there would be a long road ahead.
Izaak was born with gastroschisis, where the intestines are on the outside of the abdominal wall. He has cerebral palsy, autism and a seizure disorder. He’s also fed by a g-tube, suffers from partial hearing loss and is nonverbal.
He’ll always require full-time care. However, Izaak can walk and his limitations have never been the focus for this family.
Shannon even found Izaak’s passion fairly early on and taught him everything she knew. Izaak has a talent many dream of; he’s a drummer, and a good one too.
Shannon said the family has always been musical. She was in a band for many years as a keyboardist but took a break when Izaak was born.
“To look at him, you’d think there was no way he could play drums, but from a very young age, I showed him how to play and he took right to it,” Shannon said. “He can feel the beat and can hear enough, so when we put headphones on him, he can hear certain frequencies.”
Izaak began watching his favorite Christian band, Newsboys, and mimicking the drummer. He’d go to YouTube and practice songs for hours.
He had expressed the desire to join a band with Shannon, and years ago she promised him that one day they’d make it happen.
Today it’s fair to say Izaak has made his dream come true. Mainstreet Vineyard Church in Plainfield has a special member on their worship team.
“A friend asked if I wanted to play the keyboard for the church worship team,” Shannon said. “Every once in a while they’d let Izaak play too and he always did well. In the summer of 2024 our worship leader went out of town and I was leading the worship time. I asked if Izaak could play with us and he played the whole set that morning. He did so well, people were asking if he could play all the time. The worship leader was able to see how he did online and approved. He’s been playing ever since.”
Perhaps what the congregation saw is Izaak’s personality and talent come to life.
“He’s expressive and he likes to interact,” Shannon said. “He likes to make people laugh, and boy, when he gets on the stage to play, it’s just amazing to watch.”
She’s grateful for a church that loves and accepts him. They’ve always made the family feel welcome, and with two family members on the worship team, Shannon said they often spend more time with their church family than with those at home.
The congregation’s acceptance and welcoming environment is now making a dream come true for a young man who needs to utilize the skills and talents that make him unique.
“He can get excited on stage and yell out, but we have several people with special needs at the church and we all feel right at home,” Shannon said. “They don’t ever make him feel bad for being him. It’s the perfect place for us.”
When not playing the drums, Izaak likes to play basketball, play video games, watch movies and take the occasional trip to Chuck E. Cheese.
I’m so proud of him,” Shannon said. “It’s amazing to watch someone living their dream. His dream was to be in a band and he’s made it.”
Comments 1
I have been to the church and heard him pkay. He is amazing