Issue 5 | Spring 2025
The Power of Music and Community
We are thrilled to highlight Jacob Herring, 31, who has made remarkable strides in his journey towards greater independence and community involvement. Over the past several years, Jake has worked towards significant milestones, including becoming a professional drummer using the stage name "Jake the Snake."
By utilizing self-direction and tailoring his supports to fit his life and choices, Jake has mastered living an Everyday Life with support from his family, drum teacher, staff, Support Broker, friends, countless natural supports, and fan base. With a passion for drumming, he has actively pursued open mic nights, booking band gigs with several bands, volunteering his time to play for the veterans at the VA Medical Center in Coatesville, and playing dances for Compass Point Travel. In addition to being interviewed by Channel 6 ABC News and highlighted in different newspapers, Jake was also invited to play at the Juke Joint Blues Festival in Mississippi which has over 10,000 people attend annually.
All these opportunities have allowed him to enhance his skills and build meaningful connections wherever he goes. His dedication to music and drumming serves as an inspiration to us all. We are proud to support Jake as he continues to pursue his dreams and make valuable contributions to our community.
This article was prepared by Erin Bove, Caring Connections, and Jonathan Fulton, Institute on Disabilities at Temple University.