Abigail Cushing Loving The New BUILD Program at Bethel University

Rockin’ Recipient Abigail Cushing is lovin’ her college experience in the Bethel University BUILD Program.  I got this update recently:

Photo caption: An excerpt from the BUILD Program newsletter

At the end of December, Abigail wrapped up her first term in the Bethel University BUILD (Bethel University Inclusive Learning and Development) Program. This is a new experience for everyone and, of course, there was learning to be done on both sides.

Abigail and her BUILD classmates have had their ups and downs, but it has been a blessing to watch Abigail change in many ways. Gaining 15 pounds was, of course, not an intended outcome, and the whole program is undertaking some new thinking about better ways to approach health and eating management, since weight gain can be a real problem for Down syndrome folks in the mid-twenties and beyond. For these students, it is not just about appearances, but the excess weight can become a serious threat to their heart and other health factors.

Near the end of her first term, Abigail wrote us an update telling us about what she was learning in her various classes, then added, “Living in my [dormitory] suite is fun. I am friends with all my suitemates. We watch movies and work on crafts. I have also been reading before bed. I have been helping each week to clean the suite…. On Sunday we went to Feed My Starving Children. It was fun. I put the soy in the bags for the meals. I worked. I got sweaty and I was real hungry. We had a potluck afterward for the workers and there was a lot of food. I ate different kinds of salads.” (I guess the focus on healthier eating helped some there!)

In her second semester, the BUILD students were allowed to choose one course from a handful of electives in which they are being mainstreamed with the rest of the college students. Abigail is taking a theater (drama) class, which she enjoys very much. As you may recall, acting on stage in community theater has been a part of her life for about a decade.

She is now in the midst of her second semester and continuing to enjoy every minute. Sometimes it’s hard to talk her into coming home for a few hours on the weekends!

Thanks again for helping to make this all possible.

Keep on Rockin’ it Abigail! We are so proud of you!!