John and Marissa first met at Camp Pals; a camp for young adults with Down syndrome to have fun, grow as individuals and build transformative friendships. With a little bit of dancing their love quickly blossomed and John asked Marissa to be his girlfriend. “When Marissa and John go out dancing, they are the first ones out on the dance floor getting the party started.” – Mary Erickson, Marissa’s Mother
Marissa was a student at Wayfinders at Fresno State and graduated the program in June 2016. Wayfinders is an inclusive postsecondary program for young adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities. The program focuses on teaching its students independent living and vocational and self-advocacy skills thereby increasing the life-choices available to them, thus enhancing their quality of life. Marissa’s mother recommended the Wayfinders program to John and he was soon enrolled for Fall 2016.
With John living in Fresno and Marissa living in the Bay Area, dating long distance can be tough. Thankfully they are able to be together a few times a month. Marissa loves John’s humor. He even does impressions of Robin Williams, Sylvester Stallone and Harrison Ford.
“I think sometimes people might be a little envious of what they have, cause they are present in the moment, they don’t get bogged down by the traditional relationship issues.” – Mary Erickson, Marissa’s Mother
John and Marissa’s love story caught the attention of CNN. CNN is doing a series called ‘Love Story’, the series is about love in all forms. To view the full video from CNN, click here.
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