This is Betsy Smith. She is a 25 year old woman who has Down Syndrome. She has shared her story with PBS. (www.pbs.org/parents/inclusivecommunities/independence.html)
Her parents raised her to be active and involved in her schools ever since pre-school. She has been in plays, concerts,and has made friends. Once she was in high school, she found that she enjoyed speaking in front of her peers. It was one of her talents. She never liked being called "special", she just wanted to be like the other kids.
She started working at the front desk at the local YMCA. After graduation, she was able to get her own apartment and keep her job. She is a big advocate in inclusive schooling and community, and has had a senator ask her to be a member of New Jersey Coalition for Inclusive Education. She will be an advocate for people with disabilities.
Betsy loves music and wants to be a rock star, she loves makeup, and she has a passion for life. She is independent with an inclusive support team for her whenever she needs. What in inspiration for us all! Betsy has truly shown that disability is an incorrect statement for this young lady's life.
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