Sometimes there are exceptional people living in our community that we are not even aware of. One young woman, McGinn Morgan is one such person. McGinn (yes, that is her first name) was born a hydrocephalic. She has shunts that relieve the pressure of water building up around her brain.
McGinn is 31 years old and has lived independently for eleven years.
Sometimes there are exceptional people living in our community that we are not even aware of. One young woman, McGinn Morgan is one such person. McGinn (yes, that is her first name) was born a hydrocephalic. She has shunts that relieve the pressure of water building up around her brain.
McGinn is 31 years old and has lived independently for eleven years.
Ms. Morgan has some limitations that prevent her from doing some things we find easy to do—But that does not stop her from moving forward and participating in activities such as going to Washington DC and speaking in Sacramento and other areas in California to encourage others with disabilities that they are very important members of society.
McGinn is a high school graduate and has some college, in her pursuit to become a teacher. At one point in her schooling, She was told “I couldn’t, because of my disability become a teacher. To quote McGinn, “I felt my brain was trashed and because of this I was determined to prove them wrong. I was advocating by giving presentations and helping students with disabilities have a stronger self esteem and that in itself is being a teacher and and a leader. McGinn worked with Jackie Hycer during her time in Grossmont and Cuyamaca College for students with educational challenges. She left in 2000.
After college, she took a position working at Interwork Institute through San Diego State College. This program is a part of the Department of Administration, Rehabilitation and Postsecondary Education (ARPE) and the Interwork Institute promotes the integration of all individuals, including those with disabilities, into all aspects of education, work, family, and community life. Their mission is to enable individuals, organizations, and communities to support, appreciate, and engage diverse members in community integration through education, research and advocacy. She also held a position of Peer Mentor for the Center for Emerging Leadership or CEL. The vision of d of CEL encompassed the enrichment of communities by the inclusion of capable and empowered people with diverse abilities. Their mission is to support and educate youth and young adults through peer-to-peer mentorship as they transition into adulthood as leaders.
McGinn worked as a teacher’s assistant at Alpine community center and also worked in retail.
Grants ran out at SDSU on many workshops or McGinn would still be doing them.
“Attitude is the spice of life!” McGinn is quoting her mother and because of my mom’s positive attitude and supporting optimism, I have learned to overcome my obstacles and found different ways of doing things that were and are difficult for me to do. McGinn has no time for self-pity or slowing down.
McGinn attends Queen of Angels Church and sings in the Choir—She enjoys movies and music.
I personally know McGinn, her cheerfulness is infectious, her ambition remarkable, her intelligence above average. She has no sympathy for those who use their disabilities as an excuse to do nothing, to lead better and happier mor productive lives.
I for one am honored to know Ms. McGinn Morgan and nothing I write even touches this amazing woman’s accomplishments, past present and future.
