Rachel Psutka | Visual Journalist

Janice Daley shows a photo of her son Josh, now 16, on the day he was born in 1995. Now living in Belleville, Ont., Josh spends most of his time with his mother, the most constant force in his upbringing, despite having an older brother and stepfather. Josh has Down syndrome and is becoming more and more independent as he approaches adulthood, yet still relies on his mother for much. 

Josh Daley, 16, heads out from home to walk to Centennial Secondary School on a rainy Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2011. Josh walks the three blocks to school on his own, a skill his mother is adamant that set him on the path to independence.

Josh Daley, 16, jokes around with fellow student Cassie Perry while playing a math counting game in their special needs class at Centennial Secondary School in Belleville, Ont. on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2011. Josh has Down syndrome and is becoming more and more independent as he approaches adulthood, but continues to learn skills more commonly taught in lower elementary classrooms.

Teacher Adam Speight forces Josh Daley, 16, to wear his glasses as fellow student Brody Loft looks on in a silent reading period at Centennial Secondary School in Belleville, Ont. on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2011. Brody comes by to Josh's special needs classroom on a daily basis to help Josh concentrate on his work and have a reading partner. 

Josh Daley, 16, and fellow student Nicholas Wannamaker laugh as Josh measures ingredients and educational assistant Nancy Burtt looks on in a baking class at Centennial Secondary School in Belleville, Ont. on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2011. The special needs students were making jars of cookie ingredients to sell as a fundraiser for the school.  

Josh Daley, 16, examines a knife at his co-op work placement with a catering company at William R. Kirk School in Belleville, Ont. on Monday, Nov. 14, 2011. The co-op placement teaches Josh and a fellow special needs student skills that they can use after their time in the education system is complete.

Physical education class is a favourite of Josh Daley, 16. A student at Centennial Secondary School in Belleville, Ont., Josh takes a break from a basketball game after being frustrated from not getting the ball enough on Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2011. Josh easily becomes upset when he doesn't get as much participation as he wants.

Josh Daley, 16, exchanges music playlists with fellow student Kevin McEwen (right) as student helper Brody Loft waits patiently on an outing from Centennial Secondary School in Belleville, Ont. on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2011.

Open swim time at Belleville's YMCA represents freedom for Josh Daley, 16. Visits to the pool used to involve constant supervision from his mother Janice, but he now spends the hour happily alone or with friends. Seen here on November 1, 2011, Josh has Down syndrome and is becoming more and more independent as he approaches adulthood. 

Josh Daley, 16, gets some help from his mother Janice while baking peanut butter cups for a fundraising bakesale at home in Belleville, Ont. on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011. Josh spends most of his time with his mother, the most constant force in his upbringing, despite having an older brother and stepfather.