 Welcome to another show of Celebrate Life. My name is Gary DeCoralis and I'm your host. This show is all about capturing the lives of people while they're still vibrant and active in our community. I don't know about you, but I've read too many obituaries where I've said to myself, gosh, I wish I had gotten to know that person while they were alive. Well, this show is all about doing something about that. All of our guests are very alive and vibrant in the community, living life the way you would hope one would live life, and it's a chance for us all to celebrate their life. I know for sure that everyone has a story to tell, and so this show is all about giving people a chance to tell their story. If you are interested in being a guest on my show, please write me at celebratelife0747 at gmail.com. Or if you have a question for one of our guests, again, send me an email and I'll make sure they get that and respond to you, and that email again is celebratelife0747 at gmail.com. Well, today I'm honored to have as my guests Sterling Peoples. Welcome Sterling. I'm thinking you. Great to have you on the show this morning. So Sterling, I've gotten to know you a little bit from reading some of the things that you've written, and you're quite a great writer. But why don't you take us back to when you were younger and, and let's talk about that wonderful life that you have. Where did it all start Sterling? It all started in 1982. I'm a person that was down syndrome. I also have a serious medical heart and lung condition. Great. And so you grew up in Montpelier. Is that right? Yes, it is. Yep. Has that been a nice place to grow up in? Yes, it is. And how, how are the schools there when you were younger? They were excellent. Great. So when you think about your early life, what, and growing up with Down syndrome, what, what was the key ingredient that really made things work for you as a young person? Well, being included in school, I also went to the early essential education program, the triple E program. Mm-hmm. I had. First in Vermont and I was lucky that I lived in Montpelier. Mm-hmm. Yeah, go on. Before there was the internet in Amazon, my mom went to the Vermont State Library. Mm-hmm. I'm up here and found every book possible on Down syndrome. And her childhood intervention resources, resources really helped. That's wonderful. Oh, yes. Wow. Mom picked that book up. Read it from cover to cover, I bet. Yes, it is. I bet she and you could write another book right now. It's possible. Uh-huh. So your family played an important role in your life, Sterling. Talk to talk to us about that. I have three siblings. I have a brother that lives in San Diego, California. And my sister, Skye, lives in Sexton's River. It's $2,000. Oh, and tell me about, and your mom and dad love you to pieces. Is that right? Yes. How important was that love for you as a young person? Yeah, it helped. It helped shaped who I was and who I am. Yep. Okay. So, okay. So you, you went to triple E program early essential education. And, um, and you were very included in all of your early classrooms and, and, um, daycare. I think you mentioned daycare as well. That you always, you know, yeah. And, um, so then you got into elementary school, middle school. How were those, how were those years in school? Like, did you have friends and things? I had friends. I had my sister. We were in the same grade. So. Okay. Yeah. Tell the audience about your relationship with Skye, your sister. What are the things that you really like about your sister, Skye? She's funny. She's funny. And she is a great person to be with. Oh, that's great. What if the sky was to talk about you? What would she say about you? I'm funny. Sometimes. That's great. That's great. Now, one thing about you that I picked up in the. Little bit that I was able to read is that you have a lot of determination. Where does that, where does that come from? Sterling. How did you get that determination? No, I did a lot of camping as a child. Hmm. And did a different adventure trips. Mm-hmm. Cooking hot dogs. And a common stove. Mm-hmm. What's the most? Oh boy. And it's been out. Canoing and a family fishing. More boats. And kayaking. Wow. And swimming in different places like. The ocean. The local pool. And. At different lakes. And going to my family. Camp. By the small lake in Western Maine. No. So you've had a lot of life experiences. Growing up. Yes. That's fantastic. So now you're in. Let's go, let's go to high school. How was high school for you? Of course. What courses did you like? Well, see. High school. High school. High school. High school. High school. High school. High school. High school. High school. High school. High school. High school. High school. High school. High school. High school. High school. High school. High school. High school. High school. High school. High school. High school. High school. High school. High school. High school. High school. High school. High school. High school. High school. High school. High school. High school. High school. High school. Yeah. Yeah. And were you the mayor of Montpelier High School? I used to be a class Elvis. Class Elvis? Yes. That's great. So that you were determined that you were going to be successful in high school. Have friends, go to dances, get involved in the school and make it a good experience. Yes. Yeah. And did it work? It did. Fantastic. That was pretty popular that day. That's fantastic. That's great. And now school didn't end at that point though, did it? Well, not for me. I was an average researcher in a computer junkie in high school. And I used to spend a lot of time in the library reading books about computers and technology. Wow. I always have been interested in digital and technology literacy. I first became a storyteller. As a student in graphic communications and video technology program at the regional location and technical center, which is now known as Central Montpelier Center. Wow. In graphic communications, I learned how to do graphic design using Adobe Illustrator, Korg Express, and Adobe Photoshop. I also learned about digital photography. Another thing I learned is that I studied at the technical center was filmmaking. Wow. Wow. So I did a semester long internship at Book of Media. I learned how to use and operate cameras, how to check for white balance, and how to use phone call code 10. Wow. You might have a show on CCTV someday. I might be available. I read books on my bookshelf on filmmaking screenwriting. Wow. So that interest in filmmaking and media and computer research started in high school. And then you got involved at UVM as well, right? Yes, I did. How did that come about? I went to, when I was 24, I wanted to go back to college. So I went to CCV. I mean, I got ready, I was going to take a class on dinosaurs or something, just a class. I was still, I didn't belong there. Wow. That was when I did occur. So then, so you started at CCV. But I also took some basic foundation classes. And that helped me to be a much better writing reader for college. Gotcha. Okay. Okay. And how was that experience? I mean, that's a, that's a pretty, that's a positive experience. That's a, and that's, we're talking about a pretty high academic university here. Yes. And you were able to handle that curriculum. I was using all the college, different college classes. Nothing changed, but I was missing. So I did all the classrooms all at home, same as everyone else. Wow. Wow. Wow, that's very impressive. And then you got also involved in some leadership education at the medical center. Yes, I did. So tell us a little bit about that, Sterling. The leadership education, neuro-developmental and related disabilities, then the program. Mm-hmm. Leadership education and neuro-developmental and related disabilities, wow. So I took two graduate classes. Jeez. I got an A in both classes. I have a sense that a lot of people think very highly of you. I think I'm not going to put words in people's heads. Okay. We'll let that sit. Right for a second. Now, you've, so you've done a lot for yourself and I, and we're getting a good picture of that through school, college. You've also been an advocate for other people with disabilities. Is that correct? Yeah, it's correct. How do you do that? And what, what, what's, what do you say? Well, I advocate for, for implement first thing. The association of people supporting implement first. Absolutely. Mm-hmm. In the national, actually, we have a more active chapter. Say that again. I didn't quite get that. They have a national absentee. There is a more absentee chapter. Oh, okay. So there's a national organization. Yes. That you work through to advocate on behalf of people with disabilities. Just for implement. But I also use the employment. I have mentioned. In some place. Mm-hmm. I also work for a nonprofit. I'm not familiar. Call green amounts of advocates. Okay. Green, green mountain advocates. It was. I let it run by people with disabilities. Mm-hmm. So I started later in 2006. Hmm. And I've been happy to run. That's it. That's it. I do some testimony. Legislative. Really? A few months ago, I did a testimony on housing in Vermont. Mm-hmm. So you advocate for a decent housing for people with disabilities. Oh, different things like housing. Disability rights. Disability rights. Yep. Yeah. Do you have a situation where you were discriminated against? I have not. Okay. Well, that's a. That speaks well of Vermont, doesn't it? Yes. That's great. Have you offered trainings or any workshops ever? I've done the workshop. I don't see level eight. National level as well. Wow. Wow. I've done that. The absolute conferences. Mm-hmm. Local. To my dogs. That's fantastic. Starling. Have you ever. I know you're very humble, but have you ever had any, any awards given you? It's okay. I knew that was coming. Let's see. So. Back in 2016. I was awarded the Vermont Bison Star Award. For 40 under 40. Wow. That's wonderful. In 2019. I got this national award. I'm absolutely. Cheers. And then I. In. 2017. I won that to the word Susan. To avoid. Being one of the best advocates. Wow. We mountain sub-advocates. Wow. That's fantastic. I actually know Teresa Wood. Used to work to get. She's really cool. She is cool. Absolutely. Yeah. And she's a legislator now. Yes. Yep. That's wonderful. And are you are you working at this point? I have two part-time jobs. Okay. Of course I see what. Advocates. Right. And think college Vermont. That you. Wow. Is it. Do you actually go to your work in Burlington when you're with that job? Yeah. I mean. I was a playboy. But I also played events. So I go up to play. Howling events. So. Howling is my favorite. Holiday. I also am. Photographer. In my spare time. I've actually, I have seen your photography. On Facebook a lot. beautiful sunsets. Yeah, you do a beautiful job. I'm very impressed. Thank you. Thank you. Because I am also an industry of the employment corner. That's a volunteer job. Well, that's great. Is there anything that you haven't done in your life yet that you would like to do? Let's see. Like maybe go to Hollywood and make a movie or something. I love to travel. Yeah. Where would you like to go that you haven't been yet? I've never been to Lake Willoughby, but I just recently been there. So I can cross that off my list. New Jersey? I said Lake Willoughby. I just went. I never been. Okay, gotcha. Nice. So how about some words of wisdom for the audience? What would you want them to know that you have learned in your life? People with disabilities need to believe in themselves and find opportunities that what they want in life. Let them be capable and also let them find meaningful employment. Yes. Now, there's something I've learned a long time ago that there's two things in life that we all need. One is meaningful work and the other is love. If we've got both of those things in our life, we're going to do pretty darn good. If we've got one and not the other we can get by, and if we don't have either of those things, we're probably not doing well. So having meaningful work is a critical piece of having a good life. Absolutely. That's a good thing. So anything else that you want to talk about here? I know you love to travel. I know you're terrific photographer. Got some great jobs. I'll talk more about your mom and dad. What roles have they played in your life? Well, they have given me awesome support throughout my life and they've been there for the last 39 years. It's fun people and really trying to hang out with them. Yeah. So they're like the foundation of everything for you and then let you become the woman that you are. Yes. That's fantastic. Maybe I should have them on the show at some point, huh? That's an excellent idea. Yeah, I think that would be a great idea. Anything else that you want to talk about this morning? We cover everything? Is there something we missed? Let's see. Yeah. What's Skye doing these days? What's her job? What's she doing? She's a full-time parent. She's a full-time parent. Yep. That is a full-time job. So you're an aunt? I'm an aunt, yes. That's fantastic. Any other questions you have for me? You know, I don't have many more questions, but what was your favorite teacher in high school? I had a lot of favorite teachers in high school. Oh, good. Tell me about some of them. Some of them they helped me become more self-confident. Yep. They were a whole bunch of teachers that I really liked. Yeah. So but the key takeaway is that they helped you become self-confident in yourself and what you'd love to do. And they helped me belong. Right. Help you belong as a guy. You can't ask for anything better than that. Nope. So when you think about it, you've got a wonderful set of parents, a fantastic sister. You've had some great teachers who helped you become all that you want to become. You've made friends on your own out there. Got a couple of great jobs and a wonderful hobby of photography. And it sounds like filmmaking is another thing you'd like to do. Let's see. I used to do life histories. Really? Yes. Like what I'm doing right here? Yes. But I did with youngness of advocates in different parts of the world. That's amazing. So maybe someday you'll take my job here. No. Okay. Well, any last words you want to share with the audience and we can close the interview. I also have a brother that lives in San Diego. Oh. What's his name? I'm Cam. Cam? Yeah. All right. What does Cam do? He's a hard scientist. Wow. Batteries or something. Uh-huh. Now, do you have an aunt named Giovanna Peebles? Yes, my mother. That's your mother? Oh, then actually, I know your mother. She's a, isn't she a archaeologist? Yes. Uh-huh. Well, actually, I knew your mother about 40 years ago when I was working for the Department of Mental Health. She helped me find a cemetery that had been lost. Okay. Well, say hi to mom for me. I will. All right. She says hello. Oh, she's okay. Thank you.