Age: 6

Disability: Down Syndrome

Regional Center: Kern Regional Center (KRC)

I love riding horses, doing art, playing with friends, and being part of the community. I have an older brother and a younger brother, and I love playing with both of them. I like going to school, and I want to become better friends with my other kids in my class. I have a great support system at Club 21, which is an organization focused on people like me and making sure I have independence, access, and belonging. I am excited to take part in more programs at Club 21 as I get older. Self-determination will change my life because I will be able to use my budget to do the things that I love to do. I will be able to do equine therapy and take art classes with other kids. Self-determination will set me up for a lifetime of doing awesome things. Amelia’s father, Moses, thinks that self-determination will help Amelia reach the full potential of the budget she currently has. “I want Amelia to be the center of the planning,” expressed Kelly, Amelia’s mother. “We want to be looking at what is best for Amelia.” Kelly is excited for Amelia to be the star of her own decision-making, instead of having to fit into someone else’s planning. Kelly and Moses believe that self-determination will allow Amelia to lead her own life and fulfill her potential.