The Realization of a Dream

Every dream starts in the mind of a person and in this case it was the dream of Dr. Liliana Mayo.

While pursuing an undergraduate degree in clinical psychology in 1977, Liliana was labeled a troublemaker by her academic advisor for asking too many questions. A military government governed Peru during the 1970s, and “radical”, well-read psychology students such as Dr. Liliana, were “punished” by being sent to complete internships in special education. However, little did Liliana know, this internship would change her life. She encountered a grim situation.

No educational infrastructure existed for people with severe disabilities as few people believed they could learn, meaning that most stayed at home learning little and accomplishing even less. Unable to turn her back on this reality, opening a school for people with different abilities became Liliana’s dream. With her parent’s blessing, she set up a small classroom in their garage. On August 20, 1979, Centro Ann Sullivan del Perú (CASP) became a reality. Eight students immediately enrolled and Liliana’s friends from the university became volunteer teachers. Against all odds and its humble garage beginnings, CASP has grown into an international full service center that educates over 450 students annually, ranging from birth to adulthood. This growth was also thanks to support from principle CASP consultant, Dr. Judith LeBlanc from the University of Kansas who joined Liliana's dream 35 years ago. Dr. LeBlanc's role in developing the CASP model has been integral to the impact of CASP around the world.

The continual education program includes curriculum for students, parents and siblings as well. This makes CASP unique, as the only center currently known of that persistently and continually teaches and refreshes family skills throughout the student's’ lifetime of education. The CASP model of inclusion into life is successful because families, schools, communities, and workplaces have become a team that is intensely dedicated to the success of each student.

Delta Air Lines, an inclusive airline with Heart.

For the third year in a row, on October 28th, Delta Air Lines performed a simulated flight for students with different abilities at the Centro Ann Sullivan del Peru (CASP). Students enjoyed an innovated and unique experience where they learnt the whole flying sequence in an airplane. 

Thanks Delia Ortega and DELTA Family.

We invite you to watch the simulated flight activity by clicking at https://vimeo.com/146317108

Dr. Liliana Mayo was the guest of honour of the Government of the Dominican Republic at the opening of the second center of comprehensive attention to disability in Santiago de los Caballeros

On November 20, 2015, Dr. Liliana Mayo was the guest of honour at the opening ceremony of the Center of Comprehensive Attention to Disability (CAID) that took place in Santiago City, Dominican Republic. It is the second center out of five that will be built by the Dominican government to give support to children with different abilities in that country. The event counted on the presence of  the Dominican Republic President´s Danilo Medina , the First Lady Cándida Montilla de Medina, the President of Panama Juan Carlos Varela and his wife Lorena Castillo de Varela.  

At this important event, Dr. Mayo had the opportunity to meet up with the First Ladies of Dominican Republic and Panama who showed their admiration to her effort in support for inclusion of people with different abilities that CASP has been making over the last 36 years in Peru and around the world. Likewise, the First Lady Cándida Montilla de Medina stated that Centro Ann Sullivan of Peru has been an “inspiration” to her. The First Lady of Panama, Lorena Castillo de Varela, remembered happy moments she had experience during her visit to CASP in Lima and the positive outcomes that the Centro Ann Sullivan Panamá (CASPAN), which follows the Peruvian Model, has gotten in her country.

During her stay in Dominican Republican, Dr. Mayo and the psychologist Shirley Marroquin gave theoretical and practical training sessions to professionals and families of people with different abilities of CAID (in Santiago) about the philosophy on which CASP bases its education methods. The course/workshops were as follows: “Trátame como a cualquier persona” (treat me like everybody else) and “El ABC de cómo educar a mi hijo con habilidades diferentes” (The ABC of how to educate my child with different abilities), and the conference titled ¨Introduction for working with families¨. These events had a massive attendance and the motivating stories from  students and the great job CASP has been doing inspired the Dominican families.

It is worth mentioning that in 2014, the government of Dominican Republic awarded Dr. Liliana Mayo with the Heraldic Order of Christopher Columbus, Official Degree, for her recognized work through the Ann Sullivan Center in favor of people with different abilities in Peru and around the world, as well as her constant support offered to the Dominican Republic in the implementation of methodologies to help in the development of the Center of Comprehensive Attention to Disability (CAID).

Students of CASP lived and innovated experience of a simulated flight thanks to Delta Air Lines

For the third year in a row, today October 28th, 200 students with different abilities were transported from the third floor of CASP to Atlanta and back to Lima. The students enjoyed an innovated and unique experience with the support of Delta Air Lines.

Delta Air Lines is committed to support initiatives of organizations which work to improve the health and well-being of people with different abilities, hoping to have an impact on the lives of people all over the world.

This activity was performed with the support of Ms. Delia Maria Ortega, representative of Delta Air Lines in Peru, and local and international airline staff. The purpose of the activity is to make our students participate in the simulation to learn the whole flying sequence in an airplane and be ready to have this flying experience. They follow instructions such as waiting for their turn to be assisted, providing their personal details (name, age, address), identifying their seat number according to their boarding pass, taking care of their belongings, and following instructions of the flight attendants.     

“It is an inspiring experience that a company such as  Delta continues betting on people with different abilities for three years, and that always ask us how to improve. The company is adding new environments, such as a counter like the one we find at the airport, security and a simulated plane with more seats. Delta is helping our students to know the sequence since they arrive at the airport, show their passports, recognise their seats, put away their suitcases. During these three years, we have seen the difference made in the lives of our students when they get on a plane. DELTA is a company aware of the mission of CASP, which is to make independent, productive and happy people.” Explained Dr. Liliana Mayo, founder of CASP.        

Furthermore, Ms. Delia Maria Ortega, representative of Delta Air Lines in Peru mentioned, “We are very pleased to help Centro Ann Sullivan del Perú do this simulated flight activity. It is the third time we perform it and the results are impressive. It is important for us in Delta to support the community we work for. Thank you, Centro Ann Sullivan.”

People with different abilities will have employment opportunities in Parliament

Through the Board of Directors an agreement was signed with the Ann Sullivan Center of Peru.

People with different abilities in the country will have employment opportunities in the National Parliament thanks to the decision of its current Board of Directors to sign an agreement with the Ann Sullivan Center of Peru, which serves more than 450 young people with severe limitations.

The agreement was signed by the head of Parliament, Luis Iberico Núñez, and the founder and executive director of CASP, Liliana Mayo, during an event held in the Sala Castilla of the Legislative Palace. Third Vice President Luis Galarreta Velarde, one of the promoters of the event, also attended.

During his speech, the president of the Congress said this is a sign that the First Power of the State is still working to promote policies that grant dignity to people with disabilities, just as every individual deserves, according to our Political Constitution.

He added that they should decide and exercise their own abilities, legal personalities and will, without other people deciding for them.

For this reason, Iberico Núñez highlighted the agreement signed with CASP, because, he said, it is a very prestigious and model institute where research and training are done and where young people are prepared to pursue a worthy job.

“The areas that have been identified for now as places where the young people of the Ann Sullivan Center can perform their work are Documentary Process, Library, Dining Supervision, Auxilary Services, Press, and others,” he said.

Then Iberico reported that there are currently 29 people with disabilities working in the parliamentary service and three in the parliamentary organization. He said he had faith that after the agreement, they would reach the 5 percent quota required by Law No. 29973.

In the event, the president of the Congress introduced Luis Miguel, a disabled worker from the Parliamentary Service who has worked there since 2003 and who has a bachelor’s degree in Philosophy and a master’s degree in Social Sciences from the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru. “It is an honor to have you as a collaborator of Parliament,” he said.

Third Vice President Luis Galarreta reported that it is a policy of the current board of directors to be concerned for people with disabilities who work in Parliament. He said that because of this, he has visited the different offices to see how their work is going and whether they have evacuation plans in the event of emergencies or other problems.

“In this way, we seek to be inclusive in an efficient manner and respecting the human rights of this sector of the population,” Galarreta said.

Liliana Mayo, Executive Director of CASP, said it is a historic moment for Peru that the Congress of the Republic would give work opportunities to this sector of the population. She added that it will serve as an inspiration to be repeated in other countries.

“If they are hiring them, it is not for charity but for quality,” she said. “These young people always ask for more work and are very loyal. They will be very appreciative of their Congress.”

The signing of the agreement will not result in costs to the parties. It is valid for three years and will be subject to biannual evaluation.

In Peru, People with Disabilities Day is celebrated every October 16 in commemoration of the first joint action for the rights of men and women with different abilities, which occurred in the 1980 Senate.

PRESS-CONGRESS

Mayo Family and its lineage of hope

Dear friends:

We invite you to see and read the report of Dr. Liliana Mayo and her father Dr. Orestes Mayo Musso, published by El Comercio Newspaper, inviting us to know the history of Centro Ann Sullivan del Peru (CASP) from its beginning to present. CASP is the institution leader of the special education in the country and international referent because of its model of education for people with different abilities and their families, and its participatory Schools of Families. Father and daughter, who share the same passion and enthusiasm, dedicate themselves to the noble cause of contributing to the independence, productivity and happiness of students and their families.

Visit: http://bit.ly/1JAQsli 

The fine arts auction Des-Bordes x1 for students of CASP was a success

The II solidarity arts auction of Centro Ann Sullivan Del Perú called DES-BORDES x1 staged on Wednesday, June 17^th in the evening in the Art Gallery of Cultural Center “El Olivar” in San Isidro, was considered a complete success.  

DES-BORDES x1EStDEcobco sold 14 works of arts donated by well-known Peruvian plastics artists, and paintings of our student Salvador Velarde. The proceeds in this II solidarity arts auction will finance the scholarship of our students with limited resources, so they can continue their training and integration in society, as well as becoming independent, productive and happy.

Salvador’s big night

DES-BORDES x1 also became the platform to meet new artists. Because of this opportunity, our 17- year-old painter, Salvador Velarde, was able to exhibit and auction his work.  He is a born artist of unique and genuine art. Despite his young age, he paints his experiences in different formats.  In this auction, he made available for sale three of his works which were sold with great success. 

“I feel very happy, I cannot believe it, it is a very important moment for me. My works are my escape. When I was sad, I found shelter in my paintings so I could be better.  I thank everybody, especially the Centro Ann Sullivan for this great opportunity” stated our young student.

“My paintings show everything I have felt in crutial and shocking moments. Before I start drawing with a pencil and a brush, I don’t necessarily have a portrayed figure on my mind; I do not always paint what I had in mind, but my memories and feelings lead me to paint the whole painting, and eventually, this represents me completely. Perhaps most people see the meaning in a very common way, but for me… it is much more than a painting”, indicated Salvador Velarde.