My name is Catherine Chinery I am a graduate of Living Resources College Experience program.
I now live with two other housemates, and work at Living Resources as a peer mentor. I’ve been here for a couple of years now and I absolutely love it. I am also going to be working with kids at an after school program called Mater Christi School in Albany. I love living here and being with my friends here and my everyday life.
During Autism Acceptance Month, I want to share that we are capable of anything we do in our everyday life. We are all the same people but may have our challenges here and there but don’t let that take you away from life. Be strong and always think positive. I know we may sometimes think to ourselves, “ugh I can’t do things because of my disability,” but actually you can turn your thoughts around and say yes you can do anything. People around others like me have told myself we are all in the same shoes and boat, we are all unique in our own ways. I have friends who have it and I respect anyone with an intellectual disability.
Being in Albany has taught me so much independence and confidence, and I have made incredible friends. Being able to do all these programs and such has really been a big impact in my life, allowing me to have every opportunity in life!