Introducing...
Eric Lempinen...
Hello, My name is Eric Lempinen. I would like to tell you a little bit about my life. I graduated from Lincoln High School in 1998. Then I went to Lutz for 2 years and then to Macomb Academy. I stayed at Macomb Academy for 6 years and graduated from there in 2006. While I was at Macomb Academy I had the chance to live in the apartment. Along with 3 other students, we get to stay all by ourselves for 2 months. I had to get to work and school all by myself using the Smart Bus. We also had to cook, clean and wash our own clothes. I liked staying at the apartment so much that I got to stay there 3 different times. I work at Kroger for 15 hours a week and have been there for almost 6 years. Sometimes on my way home from work I stop and have lunch before heading home. When I’m not working I like to play video games, listen to all kinds of music, go bowling, watch T.V. and practice my harmonica. I just started playing in a jazz band. We had our first performance at Christmas and everyone loved it! I also love to play Bocce ball. I am on a Bocce league and also compete at the Special Olympics. I have won a Gold, Silver and a Bronze medal in Bocce. In the very near future, I want to get my own place. My Mom says I will need to have a roommate so I can afford to live on my own but I would rather have a dog or a cat. One last thing. I would like everyone to know that even people who have Down Syndrome can live very happy and full lives.
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...and Megan Talbot
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My name is Megan Talbot and I am 21 years old and attend Macomb Academy where I take classes and learn job skills. In my spare time I play soccer, take karate lessons, bowl, and play bocce on a league. I also take cooking classes in evenings. CSI and Law & Order are my two favorite TV dramas, and I LOVE to watch cooking shows. I have sleepovers and like to do Sudokus in pen. I also really like to play Wii and watch videos. I like to go out to eat. Olga’s and the Mongolian Bar B Q are my favorite restaurants. Four nieces and a nephew call me Aunt Megan, and I am a Godmother to my niece, Ella. My dog’s name is Veda. I love and take responsibility for her. I have trained her to do many things, like to pick up my pen when I drop it, to get the newspaper, and to roll over. I even taught her to carry food up from the basement pantry. I really like to travel and I went to California last summer and will go to Florida this summer. I am a GLOBAL MESSENGER for Special Olympics and read my speech all over the Michigan to promote support for the special athletes. When I am 29, I want to have my own apartment and I want to drive a yellow “slug bug”. Kids with Down syndrome can do all the things other kids can do. It just takes us a little longer. My friend Eric and I are learning how a business runs. Eric is the President of our company and I am the Secretary. I do lots of paperwork and ask permission before we use anyone’s photos on our cards. Eric runs the meetings and likes “calling them to order” and “asking for a vote”. We decided to use our savings to start our business and hope that our business will be successful. By showing others what people with Down syndrome can do, will make DownRight Special successful. |
