“Having Down Syndrome is not a sad diagnosis. I am living proof of that.” – Kayla McKeon
Kayla is a student at Onondaga Community College where she is seeking her associates’ degree in general studies, and eventually wants to get a BA in Psychology. In addition to attending class, she interns at her Congressman’s office in Syracuse doing general office duties, and works two part time jobs. Kayla has a long list of accomplishments, among them being selected to go to Greece for the Special Olympics Summer Games, being global messenger for the Special Olympics of New York, being a two time recipient of the National Down Syndrome Society’s ONeill Tabani Enrichment Fund, she won the self advocate of the year award in 2016, was among the “40 under 40” Leaders that Rock for Central New York, has been a keynote speaker many times for various organizations, and was a site coordinator for Gigi’s Playhouse. Oh, and in her “spare time”, she also writes her own blog on self advocacy at KaylaMcKeon.com.