So proud :)

Read the original here!
(Oh, and in case you don't know, Jay Bottum is my "little" brother)


Introducing Jay Bottum

Jay Bottum, 25, is the “Ambassador of Welcome” at the Madren Center here at Clemson. As well as being a devoted worker, he is a charming gentleman. The fact that he has autism may limit some of the abilities we would normally value, but enhances those skills that we either take for granted or don’t even acknowledge it until they’re seen in someone else.

“You can have the worst day in the world, but after three minutes with him, everything is back to normal,” Jim Bottum commented about his son. Jay started working at the Madren Center in August of 2006. In addition to being given the title of “Ambassador of Welcome” by Jeff Martin, director of the conference center, Jay also assists with maintenance and grounds keeping. Some of Jay’s tasks include washing windows, setting up and taking down chairs and tables in the conference rooms and pavilion, and taking out trash. He said during an interview that his favorite part of the day was “hanging out with Tarver and taking out the trash.”

Jonathon Tarver, operations manager at the Madren Center, works closely with Jay every day, making sure he remains on task and doesn’t get distracted. “I was nervous when I first met Jay because I wasn’t sure how he was going to react to such a different environment and someone else giving him orders,” Tarver said about his relationship with Jay, “but I love it. I wish all my employees worked as hard as Jay does. He never complains. He just loves his job. If you tell him not to do one of his tasks that day, you better have a good reason as to why not, because he needs his routine.”

When asked about the responses of visitors and other employees regarding Jay, his father didn’t miss a beat, remarking that everyone can’t help but smile when they see Jay. “He never meets a stranger,” Bottum went on to say. “Jay treats someone like family the second he meets them,” Tarver added. “He’ll remember your name forever, too.”

Tarver also described some of the experiences between Jay and other employees. “Jay loves everyone the same; he doesn’t dislike anyone. If only we could all be that accepting.”

Autism can be a debilitating condition, but Jay has succeeded in developing skills that no average person could. He swims 30 laps every day after work, remembers names from years in the past, recites numbers and dates and their relevance, maintains a routine to the tee, establishes relationships with people that last and even loves to make brownies. “He’s also fastidious in his organization. It’s like seeing an intelligence that you can’t connect with,” said Bottum about his son. He marveled at Jay’s abilities with memorizing, and told stories about his exuberant encounters with familiar faces; the endearment in his eyes mirrored his emotions toward his son.

Jobs that Jay has had in the past include working at a nursing home, putting movies away at Blockbuster and filing medical records at a hospital. Both Martin and Tarver expressed their humility in working with a man like Jay. His limitations only enhance his other abilities. Anyone visiting the Madren Center needs to keep an open eye for Jay. He’ll put a smile on your face and a warm spot in your heart.

Published by Erin Knapper

Pictured: Jay Bottum (left) and Jonathon Tarver (right)

June 12, 2008