Self-Advocate and Scholar Erin McNulty’s Closing Remarks at the 2012 NDSS Gala & Auction
I want to thank the National Down Syndrome Society for inviting me here to speak to you tonight. And I want to thank the O'Neill family for providing the O'Neill-Tabani scholarship to me. It was a great honor.
I have a good life. I was included with regular kids from my neighborhood in elementary school, Sunday school, Brownies and the Girls' Club. I was an altar server at my church. In high school I performed in 12 plays with typical high school students. I belonged to Best Buddies and was the Buddy Director for my school. I now work two days a week at T J Maxx.
I am proud to be a student at Temple University in Philadelphia. I travel to Temple on my own by bus and subway. I am part of the Temple community. I have taken classes in acting, planning my life by design, disabilities and sexuality, and computer studies. Tomorrow I start a leadership development class. I have fun on campus, too. I have a mentor named Kim who is a senior. We hang out at the student center, work out at the gym, swim and go to movies and Temple games. I love being a college student! I hope my education will help me get a good job in the fashion world. I never miss Project Runway.
In the future I would like to live with a friend I get along with. I want to continue to spend time with family and friends and to compete in Special Olympics. I want to join a local theater group. I want to be a self-advocate and leader for people with disabilities. I plan to continue to learn. In short, I want the same chances in life as anyone else. And I think I can have them because I am smart and I have the support of people like you. Thank you for all that you do for people with disabilities.
Good Night.