Overcoming his handicap.(THE GOODNESS OF AMERICA)

After Tim Bird graduated from Boyceville High School in Wisconsin in 1986, he worked on his parents' family farm. Though Tim has Down syndrome, the farm provided ample opportunities for him to do fulfilling, productive work. However, when his parents, Bob and Lynda Bird, decided to sell the farm, Tim felt somewhat useless and was eager to take on a new challenge.

Fortunately, Tim's sister-in-law, Jolene Bird, who teaches at Tiffany Creek Elementary School in Boyceville, thought there might be a spot for Tim at the school, and she mentioned this to a coworker, Joan Klassen, who told the Dunn County News (Wisconsin) her first impression. "I realized I could do something about this young man I was hearing about, who had always been needed and was now at a loss about feeling useful," she said. "As I listened, I began to think I could give Tim small jobs in my classroom, busy work that would help me and give him a sense of contribution."

However, Tim's contribution grew into something beyond what some may have anticipated.

On the surface, Tim's position seems mostly about "chores." As he told the newspaper: "I have many jobs here, and I like it better than farming. I have friends, and I help them. I pass out papers and make copies for the teachers. I like to run the stopwatch for testing. And I wash chalkboards."

But driven ...