When I was born in April 4, 1974, the doctor told my mom I had Down Syndrome and that I would never be able to make it to college or have a regular life. Forty-four years later here I am in my second year as a college student working towards my associate’s degree in Communication at Mercer County Community College.
I remember being bullied and teased by my other classmates during my elementary and high school years just because I looked and sounded different than them.
I grew up on Long Island in New York with my 4 siblings and my parents. I don’t know what I would have done without my family. They never stopped believing in me, and they never stopped fighting for me to get the best education possible, even though we never had a lot of money.
Despite the setbacks, I kept on learning and taking my classes.
My family helped me develop as an adult. They taught me everything they could to help me succeed and become independent despite my differences.
When my dad got a job offer in New Jersey in 1980 we moved to the Garden State. I started to work when I was 13, I had all kinds of different part-time jobs. I worked as a bagger in a supermarket, and at Bristol-Meyers Squibb-helping out with the mail. I also helped at the desk of the YMCA. Then in 2002, I got a job at Target. I had this job for about 8 years. That’s when I decided to start my education in Mercer.
I told my parents that I always wanted to go to college and I was ready for it, so they supported me as always and they told me they would help me to pay for school.
This is my second year at Mercer and I feel thankful for the opportunity to be a college student and to defy the odds that the doctor who brought me into the world gave me. At college, I can talk to other people and learn a lot. All of my professors are always very welcoming and helpful whenever I ask for something.
When I learned that the school had a newspaper I wanted to join them and learn more about writing. Now as part of The College VOICE I have been learning about how to write articles, improve my interviewing skills and work with all kinds of people. The staff always help me and work with me on the writing.
Everything that I am learning in my day to day life at Mercer and with The VOICE is helping me to achieve my dream. I hope one day I can become a writer for a magazine or newspaper.
