A disability doesn’t mean that a life can’t be meaningful.

In fact, it can be what makes the world a more beautiful place, for yourself and for those that love you.

You just need to find your passion – no matter who you are.

Which is what Jack Leach’s family is learning, one cheesecake at a time.

Jack’s childhood wasn’t quite like other children’s.

“He just wasn’t talking when other kids were starting to talk,” his father, Brent Leach said. 

At age 5, Jack was diagnosed with apraxia, which is a communication disorder, along with autism.

“It was a little bit upsetting at first, but he became very sociable,” Brent said.

He started excelling.”

Then, about four years ago, his grandmother taught him how to bake a cheesecake. And from that one single dessert, Jack’s Cheesecakes was born.

One of Jack’s Cheesecakes many desserts.

“He started making cheesecakes like every night,” Brent said. “We didn’t really know what to do with those cheesecakes – we sure weren’t going to eat them all.”

The father-son duo sold the cheesecakes at local schools, and eventually started finding their way into restaurants and stores in their county.

His baking skills have won him awards against local restaurants. Jack has also won “Best Dessert” for four years running at The Taste of Oconee County baking contest.

The pair make up to 70 cheesecakes each day, ranging from seasonal flavors to New York-style.

“We get here in the morning. We start doing some prep work. We grind graham cracker crumbs. We make all our fruit sauces and caramel homemade,” Brent said.

His father is quick to point out that Jack’s skills don’t stop at just baking. The teen also plays basketball and has won two gold medals at the Special Olympics.

But for Jack, making a difference and helping others who are disabled, is his ultimate goal. When he first began baking, he would sell the desserts to teachers, raising money for other disabled students.

From left, Jack Leach and his father, Brent Leach. Photo courtesy of the Leach family

Jack’s Cheesecakes now has 10 locations across Georgia where his desserts are sold, and his drive to help others hasn’t changed since those early days.

We ended up getting so busy that I had to quit my job and work full-time with Jack,” Brent said.

The workload increased so much, Brent laughed, they had to hire his wife to help, as well.

“We have four restaurants that sell [Jack’s] cheesecakes by the slice,” he said. “We’ve got two locations that sell our stuff around the Clearwater, Florida, area where I used to live.”

For Brent, quitting his old job was the easiest thing he ever did.

Now he says, “(This is) the best job I ever had,” being able to “work with my best friend every day.”

The family plans to expand their business, with a goal of hiring more special needs young adults.

“There is something they can do to be a valuable part of their community,” Brent said.

What an amazing young man! Watch below for a look at this kind family and their delicious desserts.

Sources: Epoch Times | Fox 5