Tales and Reflections from LVCIL Consumers, the Community, and Staff
Proving Them Wrong
*An incorrect version of the story was previously posted on 7/29/26. The editor would like to apologize for the mistake and present the original version in full: Allison O’Connor’s love of horses began when she was just five years old. After her autism diagnosis, her parents looked for a therapeutic riding program that could help strengthen her gross motor skills and give her confidence. Allison continued riding throughout high school and soon knew she wanted to work in the equine industry. At an IEP (Individualized Education Program) meeting during her senior year, a team member told her there was no way she would be able to get a job working with horses. Her mother told her they were going to prove them wrong—and that is exactly what Allison did. Allison credits Jennifer Lomastro, Director of Fellowship Equestrian Services for also believing in her. Ms. Lomastro had offered Allison an internship in 2015. That same determination was strengthened by Allison’s involvement with LVCIL. She was part of S2L (School-2-Life) for a few years and said the program helped her build the employment skills she would need. She also formed lasting friendships through S2L, including with girls in a book club, and those relationships have continued to this day. After graduation, Allison attended an equestrian studies school, Meredith Manor in Waverly, West Virginia. The program was far from home and located in a rural area, which made the year challenging at times. Today, Allison works at Fellowship Equestrian Services, where she helps care for 14 horses. Her responsibilities include mucking stalls, making sure horses have fresh water, checking that they are properly blanketed, and training. Allison currently works most closely with her own horse, Czarina, a Morgan horse she describes as “an absolute sweetheart.” She also helps care for a pregnant Gypsy
The Girl Talk Book Club
CIL Benefits are Long-Lasting “The Girl Talk Book Club” is a group of eight women with disabilities. As they graduated from school, they had to work hard to fill their lives with social activities, hobbies, sports and employment. And reading for pleasure was a struggle without the supports they had in school. So LVCIL Board member LeeAnne Fura and her daughter Audrey decided to start a book club with Audrey’s friends. To accommodate the groups varying reading abilities, LeeAnne reads aloud while the members follow along with their copies. Each take turns providing a meal, celebrate each other’s birthdays and support one another through difficult times. The book club now meet twice a month, with one member continuing to participate through zoom after she moved out of state. All the girls have been a part of LVCIL’s social groups, like Adaptations and S2L (School to Life). These programs are designed to help young adults with any kind of disability live as independently as they want, especially when the time comes where they no longer need or get support. “The Girl Talk Book Club” is just one sign of the program’s success. Image: A photo of The Girls Talk Book Club gathered together. Reading list (So far)A Wrinkle in TimeMatildaAnne of Green GablesThe HobbitPride and PrejudiceThe Bridge to TarabithiaThe Lion, The Witch, and theWardrobeJackie RobinsonThe Book ThiefHarry Potter and the Sorcerer’s StoneThe Witch of Blackbird PondThe Wizard of OzJohnny TremainMrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMHAnd more …
I Can Do Anything
A Journey of Advocacy, Friendship, and Achievement Recently, Samantha Lurwick, a graduate of LVCIL’s transition programs, was inducted into the Pennsylvania Special Olympics Hall of Fame. A representative from the PA Special Olympics surprised her with the announcement during basketball practice. “It was exciting,” she said. At the Hall of Fame celebration at Penn State, Samantha gave a speech thanking the people who supported her journey. She also reflected on 20 years of being a Special Olympics athlete and the nine sports she has participated in. Her favorite sports? Basketball and volleyball. The weekend included meeting community leaders and carrying the torch to start the state games. But for Samantha, the most important part of Special Olympics has always been the people. Those friendships and experiences began years earlier through programs at the Lehigh Valley Center for Independent Living. Through youth programs, leadership activities, and advocacy experiences, she learned how to speak up for herself and ask for what she needed. One of her earliest lessons in self-advocacy came after attending a transition conference with the CIL, where she learned about accommodations. “I’m short, and I need stepstools,” she explained. She took that knowledge back to school and requested accommodations for herself, an important step toward independence. Over the years, Samantha has continued to advocate for herself and others. She has spoken with legislators, participated in awareness events, read to students during Read Across America, and shared her story with younger generations. She also gives back as a certified Special Olympics Young Athletes coach, working with children ages 2-7. Beyond athletics, Samantha works as an office assistant, participates in a book club, attends dance and fitness classes, and stays connected with a wide circle of friends, many of whom she met through the CIL programs. When asked what she wants
