Eastern PA Down Syndrome Center

Wow! Has it really been so long since we blogged?
Between speaking engagements for Bryann and Mrs. Ally's new baby boy, this year has really flown by!

Here is a little write up about a special presentation that Bryann and her Mother were apart of..

Need a motivational speaker? You'll get TWO with this fine duo. (((BIG SMILE)))


"The first two things you notice about
Bryann Burgess when she speaks are her
Southern accent and her endless enthusiasm.
She started her presentation with the opening
statement, “We are so excited to be here”. You
can tell that she meant every word of it.
Bryann and her mom, Kathreen, spoke
about her early childhood years first; complete
with adorable baby pictures. When Bryann
was entering fourth grade, Kathreen decided
to begin teaching her from home. Her two
main reasons were that she felt even with
speech therapy, Bryann was not given enough
opportunities to speak. The other reason was
that they were not teaching to her strengths;
especially her creative and musical side.
Bryann plays piano and is currently learning to
play guitar. In addition to learning at home, the
family did quite a lot of learning through travel
in the family RV.
Bryann was accepted in the two-year
University of South Carolina “Life” (Learning
is for Everyone) program in 2008. She was
a commuting student. The program was
expanded into a four-year program giving
Bryann the opportunity to live on campus
in an apartment for the last two years of the
program. She graduated in the spring of 2012.
Bryann worked for the “Life” program this
past year assisting the current students. She
is a certified instructor for Kindermusik and is
actively involved with her local theatre group.
She will be performing in “Miss Siagon” this
May.
When asked what words of advice do they
have for families their response was:
Kathreen: “As a parent, you know your
child best. Push for what you know will be the
most successful path for your child.
Bryann: “Follow what your heart is telling
you.”
From their presentation, we can tell they
practice what they preach!"

 I Remember

"Self esteem comes from doing something and accomplishing something." -Shari Lewis

I can remember first starting out with Bryann Burgess, during the very first few steps that were made to communicate with the University of South Carolina's post-secondary education program for students with intellectual disabilities. This program, called CarolinaLIFE, and the concept of these programs are becoming very popular all over the United States. I am glad to be a witness, because I have been able to see first hand how the program has enhanced student  Bryann Burgess's experiences in life to better equip her for what she chooses as a vocation.

Before we began the apprenticeship, I remember sitting down at a 'round table' with her loving parents and dedicated professors as we talked about the opportunity of a partnership between CarolinaLIFE and my Kindermusik program in Columbia, which strives to provide the best musical experience to families and their children.

"What can I expect?" "How do we go about doing this?" I asked myself.


I would later learn that nothing they would say would fully prepare me for what was to come, though the support and communication of Dr. Kathleen Marshall took flight the first year of the apprenticeship. Her mentoring me  is a gift I will treasure always. If it weren't for her encouragement, the apprenticeship wouldn't have been as strong. This goes for the close communication with her parents as well.. :)

Though I knew I wouldn't know how to structure our training sessions without actually spending time with Bryann first. It would be too hard to just assume goals for Bryann to achieve without taking time to get to know her and her learning style. So, that's what we did...we spent many hours of 'prep' time/one-on-one training..


Anyone who is beginning to learn a new skill, needs necessary components specific to them to achieve.

1) Firstly, providing a safe place where she can feel free to ask questions about our sessions and to practice different skills was one of the vital elements to this apprenticeship.

2) Secondly, providing a practical training ground where she could practice what we learned together during our one-on-one training sessions, only with the children, in their classroom setting.

Some Benefits of the Apprenticeship Model:

1) Confidence: This creates a slow but steady swell of confidence, but the build of the experience is breathtaking because she comes into the classroom knowing what to expect. She comes into the experience knowing she has something to contribute to the classroom.

2) Individual Plan: Part of the power of an apprenticeship type model is the way the program plan can be tailored by the instructor to the apprentice's needs, which propels her forward to develop her skills at a gradual and approporiate pace.

3) Setting up for Success: I remember the feeling of freedom that Bryann and I both experienced once we realized that this partnership was going to be a success. I remember noticing  Bryann's confidence level just soaring, and as a result, I began feeling more confident about the experience as a whole. I could see the benefits of our time together.


I remember mentioning this song to Bryann, reminding her that she has the freedom to choose to do whatever she sets her mind to, as long as she gives her all and tries her best!

You're free to dance-
Forget about your two left feet
And you're free to sing-
Even joyful noise is music to me
and you're free to love,
Cause I've given you My love,
and it's made you free
Free

 "Free to Dance" by Ginny Owens, a musician who is totally blind, but still chooses to sing about the greatness of her life's purpose no matter the circumstances. 

Like Ginny, Bryann continues to look at every moment in life as a gift and an incredible honor and opportunity to accomplish great and notable tasks!