Carissa Schlichting March 7, 2015 Inclusion Mini-Conference
Hi, My name is Carissa Schlichting. I am 18 years old. I am a senior at Collingswood
High School. I was born with down syndrome, a rare heart disease called pulmonary
hypertension. Since the day I was born my life has not been the easiest. I go to many
doctors and take lots of different medicines. My heart disease causes me to tire easily.
I cannot participate in sports as much as typical kids do. I have worked extremely hard
to achieve my goals. Last summer, I participated in teen theatre, joined the swim team
in my town, and had a job that paid minimum wage.
I have lots of friends in High school. I have been friends with many of them since
kindergarten. They support me by helping me to become active in the student
council and in the National Honor Society. I hang out with a lot of the girls on the
basketball team and like going to see them play. Sometimes some of them come and
watch me play basketball on my Special Olympics team.
I am a huge part of my IEP team. I
go to all of the meetings. I
suggest goals that are important
to me. An example is working on
knowing what to say at different
places in the community. I have
stressed to my IEP team that I
need to explore various jobs and
vocations. I want to experience
different jobs so I can learn more.
When I started middle school, I
told my IEP team that my aid did
not have to walk with me in the
hallways; she could meet me in
the classroom. I also told them
she did not need to come to
lunch with me. I told them I was
very independent. I have proved
this considering I no longer have
an aid at all.
Ever since I was young my
dream has been to be an
actress. Some people have
told me that being an
actress was plan A and that
we had to focus on plan B. I
told them NO! I want to
pursue my acting career and
we need to focus on plan A!
I was not going to let
anyone squash my dreams.
Period.
When I was 8 years old, my love for acting began. I participated in lots of plays in my
town, summer camp, and middle school. In high school I had a role in practically every
play. My junior year I received the Theater Award for outstanding contribution in
Theater. I was so happy. In the play I am currently in I got a lead role for the first time. I
have lots of lines. My goal is to become a professional actress. Next year I hope to
attend Camden County Community College where I will continue to pursue my acting
career.
Some words of advice I have are
to get involved in your
community! I volunteer at a
nursing home and have a job at
an interior design store, beauty
salon, kitchen, and theatre. My
past four years of high school
would not have been the same if
I were not involved in my
community. I have meet so
many amazing people this way.
Pursue your dreams and never
let anyone tell you what you
cannot do.
Go for Plan A!!!!