Since 2005, NDSS has provided financial assistance to young adults with Down syndrome who choose to take classes or enroll in postsecondary educational programs, through the O’Neill Tabani Enrichment Fund. Congratulations to this year’s O'Neill Tabani Enrichment Fund recipients! Eleven outstanding students who have Down syndrome were awarded scholarships to help cover the cost of their postsecondary or enrichment courses, including Kayla McKeon of North Syracuse, NY. Here is what Kayla had to say about going to college.
Right now I'm taking a math course. I decided that I'm going to go for my associates degree in the general studies program at Onondaga Community College, taking one class at a time. I go to the disability office to get accommodations. I have a mentor, which is huge. She drives me to class, takes notes in class and helps me with studying after class.
I have been very busy. I went to Colgate University and spoke to teachers and talked about abilities and the classes I'm taking at college. I just got my paycheck for it. I'm speaking at Syracuse University at the Taishoff Foundation next week. People have been following me on my blog, www.kaylamckeon.com. I got offered a job at Gigi's Playhouse, but I don't know all the details so I'm going to Chicago to learn more and be trained. The position is Site Coordinator, and it's a paying job.
I like sign language so I volunteer at Whole Me, an after school program for kids with hearing impairments. Fridays I volunteer at the YMCA. I volunteer at the library. I love to read - about one book per week. Right now I'm reading Danielle Steele. I like murder mystery books, too.
I'm taking driving lessons. I'm officially in training! I have a lesson for an hour and a half every week. I go on the road, practice parallel parking and three point turns. I also go driving with my parents.
I have a boyfriend. His name is Jon. He's 31 and I'm 25. We hang out, go to movies, walk around the mall, talk on the phone. We have our separate lives but we talk and go out a lot. We have been together for 17 months.
I want thank everybody for your support and NDSS for this honor.