Dream Big! 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!!!!