Julia is a young lady living with cerebral palsy as a result of contracting meningitis as a very young infant. She is nonverbal, relies on a wheelchair, and requires total assistance for daily life.  She enjoys music, action movies, having someone read to her, and watching the Carolina Panthers play. Having a sense of adventure, she enjoys going fast in whatever she is riding as well as being in, on, and around water, and strolling through the city. Her gifts are having keen discernment and a wonderful sense of humor! Julia is truly a gift. She is easygoing, oh so tolerant, tenacious, non-discriminating, and very forgiving.

Julia enjoys living at home in Belmont, NC with her parents and two of her three brothers. Some of her favorite people are Meika, who has been her caregiver and second mother for over a decade, her friend Kayla (who is really considered Julia’s big sister), her brothers, and her extended family. 

After recognizing the deficiencies in the community for individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD), Julia's parents, Bob and Lori Spence, embarked on a journey to address the challenges faced by these individuals and their families. Their profound understanding of the "cliff" experienced by families after high school graduation, coupled with the realization of the lack of inclusion and integration in mainstream communities, fueled their determination to make a difference.

As Julia's parents delved deeper into the issues surrounding IDD individuals, they explored various approaches and possibilities to create a more inclusive and supportive environment. They created the idea of Julia's Community into a tangible and groundbreaking model of using the resources on a college campus to empower and uplift IDD individuals. This is an empowering and supportive community where people with IDD can live, learn, and earn.

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