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PORTSMOUTH - A Portsmouth High School senior

Portsmouth Herald - 10/15/2017

PORTSMOUTH - A Portsmouth High School senior, who is remarkably open to talking about being on the autism scale, chose the Greengard Center as the location of his Eagle Scout project.

Joseph Riggle, 17, is a friendly, yet reserved young man. He is one of the original children to attend the Birchtree Center for autistic children and he has a long-standing connection with that center and its founder, who also runs the Greengard Center

The Greengard Center for autistic adults is run by Barbara R. Frankel, Ph.D., who also founded the Birchtree Center for children and youth. Frankel's mission has always been to make sure services are available for her son, Elliott, diagnosed with autism at the age of 16 months.

She started both centers to meet the needs of her son at varying stages of his life. Along the way she has helped numerous other children, young adults and their families as they work to find not only needed services, but a place for themselves in the community as they grow.

One of those people is Joseph Riggle, who not only remembered, but decided he wanted to give back for the help he received that put him on the path to succeed.

Joseph built storage units for the Greengard Center, something badly needed but not in the funding it has available to operate the center. Frankel said they feel privileged that Joseph chose them and that the units were built in such a way that if they ever move to a larger center, the units can come with them.

"Joseph came to us as one of the first children in 2002," said Frankel. "He left at age 5 and we haven't had contact with him until he showed up here wanting to do his (Eagle Scout) project here. It has been so extraordinary to get to know this young man again. He is intriguing, courageous, charming and very sweet. What strikes me most, is the way he completely owns his autism. It is so amazing."

Joseph said he wanted to give back to the people who helped him, but also to do something for others with autism.

"I have been one decade in Scouts," said Joseph. "I did a fundraiser, a car wash to raise the money to buy the materials and then I came here to build the storage as my lifetime project requirement for my Eagle Scout."

Joseph speaks freely about his own autism.

"I have had a paraprofessional to work with me all of my life," said Joseph.

"I have found that I am really good in math. I am taking Algebra III and pre-calculus this year. I want to go to college to study meteorology."

In fact, Joseph is a member of the Portsmouth High School Math Team and plays a mellophone in the marching band. He also holds down a job at Taco Bell.

One small miracle occurred during the construction and installation of the storage units.

Frankel got a gift she didn't expect, the involvement of her son, Elliott.

"He worked with Elliott and got him to help with the project," said Frankel. "Elliott never engages in a fine motor skills endeavor. Joseph sat with him so patiently and what happened was amazing. Elliot wanted to be involved. Joseph engaged all of us, but he definitely engaged Elliott."

Last week, Joseph came with his parents, his Scout leader and other guests for a celebration of the completion of his project.

Scout Leader of Greenland Troop 158, Brian Fogarty said he has known Joseph since he was a Cub Scout in first grade.

"I admire him," said Fogarty. "He is very direct and very dependable. I have learned to answer his questions the same way - very directly. Joseph is also very kind and loves to help. He really loves his grandfather and helps to care for him."

Joseph's grandparents Victor and Lynne Hoffman also came to the ceremony at the Greengard Center. Elliott took great care of his grandfather, making sure he had a comfortable seat, and asking him what he needed.

"That was so beautiful, the love he has for his grandfather," said Frankel.

Fogarty said they will submit Joseph's Eagle application to the Eagle Board of Review. He expects he will have a ceremony to be awarded Eagle status sometime in November.

Patti and Chris Riggle, Joseph's parents, said they are really proud of their son and how far he has come.

They watched with huge smiles on their faces as Joseph made his presentation.

A plaque will be hung by the storage units, thanking Riggle for choosing the Greengard Center for his Eagle Scout Project.

"I have known you for more than a decade," Frankel said to Joseph as she showed him the plaque. "It is not until recently that I really got to learn who you are as a young person. I am so proud you chose us to be the recipient of your project, that you wanted to be a part of what we are doing here."

Riggle presented Frankel with a plaque as a gift for her support of the project. It included a photo of Riggle and Elliott working to assemble the storage units. It also included a quote written by Riggle.

"Some may see these students and feel sorry for them. I see them as being blessed. They may live a life struggling with autism on earth, but they will be among the most rewarded in heaven. We have a chance to help and encourage them here on earth so that we can earn our way into heaven as well."

Riggle said he so wanted it to be a surprise for Frankel that he hadn't even hung a nail for the plaque, so she wouldn't wonder what the nail was for.

That gift moved Frankel to tears. "I am in awe of his ability to overcome challenges and to become who he is," said Frankel. "He will graduate and go on to college. He is becoming an Eagle Scout and that is a huge accomplishment. He is becoming an adult."