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I am now in my early 30’s and have Williams syndrome. I lived in an apartment training program in Ventura, CA prior to moving to San Juan Capistrano. I now reside at Casa de Amma an apartment complex specially designed for individuals with learning disabilities. I have my own apartment and manage very well. I attend the local community college. I am a compassionate young woman who wants to teach others about what it is like to live with a disability. I want to show people that "we are all the same" regardless of color, creed, sexual orientation or disability. I teach people to "stop and smell the roses", to honor the beauty in nature and the uniqueness in every person.I attended regular school, both in special classes and in regular education classes. My mom, Liz Costello, believed that mainstreaming was important, because children often learn by what they see. When I reached middle school, my self-esteem began to plummet, so my parents sent me to The Maplebrook School in Amenia, New York. That experience produced years of wonderful opportunities, but ended, unfortunately, with much heartache because of an incident at the school. I know that I’m not the only person to have gone through a traumatic experience, and after years of healing using therapy, massage, and coaching, I’m feeling self-confident again and no longer afraid.
From 1997 – 1999, I attended the PACE Program at National Louis University in Evanston, IL while my parents lived in Michigan. This turned out to be "the best" experience for me. I loved living in a regular college dorm and learning how to live away from home. I learned about getting along with a roommate, taking buses to internships, and I took many classes on self-esteem, communication skills, problem-solving techniques and so much more. I’m very grateful to the PACE Program for the many opportunities they provided for me to grow and to learn, and to be an adult.
When my parents moved to California, I moved into my first apartment training program in Rohnert Park, CA. This was a fun time for me (and a nerve-wracking time for my parents!). I thrived on my own. However, it was soon apparent that I needed more hours of support than I was getting in this particular program, so my parents started searching for a more effective program. The search ended when the TIL Program in Ventura, CA was identified. I enrolled in October 2001, after an eight month period on a "waiting list". I was now receiving 25 hours/week of training and support, which was more appropriate for my needs. In 2004, I found Casa de Amma, in San Juan Capistrano and have been living here for the past five years and plan to stay here forever. I am living a life that is rich and full, everything I could have ever dreamed of is now a reality. Let me update you on the exciting new elements in my life. I was lucky enough to be one of the Regional Center of Orange County clients chosen to work with a vendor to establish my own business. This Micro-Enterprise is vendored through Goodwill Industries of Orange County. I have a business manager, a business coach and vocal coach to assist me as I grow in this business. Obviously, the business has to do with my music and is called MEGHAN FINN. I perform twice monthly at communities for the elderly and there are many other ideas in the works. The goal is to work at four different communities, give performances for children in hospitals, create a new CD, create a one woman show to take to the schools and be a part of a band at the local junior college. In addition to my music, I also still volunteer at the San Clemente Animal Shelter once a week. With all of the other daily living appointments and social outings, personal fitness training and little time for family- I’m a busy woman!!! I continue to perform at the annual Casa de Amma fundraiser. I have also performed at several community events and it will be fun to see what else Goodwill comes up with for me. They have many contacts and ideas that are bountiful. They enjoy working with me, see my talent and my love of life and people combining that makes for a fun project. Please know that I am available to perform for many types of fundraisers, parties and programs. I love sharing my gift of voice and hope to show the world that disability is just another part of diversity! My mom, Liz, and Bob still enjoy living in San Clemente and being just 15 minutes away from me. We enjoy movies together, plays and concerts. But getting onto my calendar is a trick in itself! I don’t go home to sleep over very often and I love my own apartment and my independence. As I mentioned before Casa de Amma is a dream come true for me. If you are interested in learning more about this wonderful apartment living program for adults with learning disabilities please check out their website: www.casadeamma.org.
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