Just click on the blue links below to start watching!

Video Clip #1:
The Rileys discuss how they first found out Catherine had Down syndrome and how it changed their lives.

Video Clip #2:
Catherine, Molly and Nola chat about challenges and triumphs, including Catherine's health and work success. 

Video Clip #3:
The family explains why they have high expectations of Catherine, but also recognizes some limitations.

Video Clip #4:
The Riley family talks about why they enjoy sharing their story.
 

Catherine's Story

Catherine Riley, 32, is a teacher's aide at Hazleton Area School District in PA. She works with first and second grade students, both regular education and special education, many of whom speak English as a second language. Riley also has Down syndrome.

She, along with her sister Molly Riley-Cygan and their mother, Nola Riley, travel the state sharing their family's experience of "Growing UP with Down Syndrome." Most recently, the three presented the keynote address at the Pennsylvania Occupational Therapy Association's annual conference. The talk was a realistic yet inspirational look at the challenges as well as the successes the Rileys have faced over the years.

"Probably my biggest challenge was realizing and accepting that I have Down syndrome," Catherine told the OTs assembled at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in King of Prussia. That challenge takes on a poignant meaning when you also learn that Catherine graduated from high school at 18--the only person with Down syndrome at her school -- and entered the workforce immediately after.

Catherine began preparing for the working world while still in high school. Her IEP team, through her mother's insistence, put together a special program called Kopy Klatch - Catherine learned to make and collate copies, deliver them to teachers in the school, and perform many other office-related tasks.

Molly told the group that she firmly believes her sister Catherine's success is due at least in part to the family not treating Catherine like she was any different. "Treating anyone with a disability with kid gloves is doing him or her a great disservice in my opinion." She also stressed that professionals working with people with disabilities should remember that the disability affects the entire family unit.

Nola Riley, Catherine's mother, recounted the challenges she and her husband faced over the years, many of which revolved around fighting for Catherine to have the best opportunities in school. For example, when Catherine was ready to start high school, the principal of the school did not want Catherine to attend because, in his experience with students with disabilities, he didn't think she would succeed there. Within a few months, the principal called Nola back to apologize, telling her that Catherine had taught him not to prejudge any students with disabilities before giving them a chance.

"Being an adult with Down syndrome is no different from being an adult without Down syndrome," Catherine assured her audience. "No one has a perfect life." Catherine feels her life is pretty great--she made honors almost every semester in high school, she loves her job, she travels with her family, she has friends and a social life, she is active in her church, she writes poetry and has had it published, she is an inspirational speaker, she is an aunt and godmother, she was in both her brother's and her sister's weddings, she went to her senior prom.

Catherine has achieved many of her goals, and has accomplished more than her family ever expected. She's a great inspiration for OTs to always look for the potential that all of your clients are capable of.