Profile

Eden Rapp, a native Californian, is a 2nd year culinary arts major at Shepherds College in Wisconsin, and music is her passion. Her other interests include growing in her faith, appropriate independence, employment skills, and developing her writing and speaking abilities so she can make a difference. She kept an email-blog 2019 ? 2021 of her experience working at Mod Pizza -- and now is blogging about her learning adventures at Shepherds. She co-founded UpVoice, has lobbied in California and in Washington, D.C., and has served on the boards of Disability Voices United as well as Down Syndrome Association of Los Angeles and South Bay Down Syndrome Association. In addition, she has been active in Toastmasters, California's Self-Determination Program, serves on the DS2theMax Co-Researcher Team, and has embraced supported decision-making. In addition to being a writer, Eden is a sympathetic listener. She wants to grow in her people skills and boundaries so she can say no to peer pressure but still be helpful. As an advocate she wants to balance listening with being able to speak up for herself and for others. She has presented workshops and given keynotes on the local, state, and national level, and was featured in the National Down Syndrome Society?s #DSWorks Partnering for Career Success booklet. She is a recipient of Down Syndrome Association of Los Angeles?s Voice Award, Toastmasters? Competent Communicator Award, California Miss Amazing, and was one of thirty ?Thought Leaders? in Ability magazine?s celebration of the 30th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act.