A personal account My advice: Don’t be afraid to try something new

Hi, my name is Meagan. I graduated from Saint Lambert Elementary School and Centennial Regional High School. After that, I attended Champlain College in the three-year Adam's P.A.C.E (Post-secondary Alternative Community-based Education) program.  

Adam Taylor, born with Down syndrome, had a dream to attend college. His parents, Ann and Graham Taylor, were inspired to follow Adam’s dream, and so the Adam’s P.A.C.E. program was created and named after him. It’s a college-level inclusive education program, where I audited classes, participated in work study (internships) and completed the Prework Training program. Adam was an inspiration to me because his great desire was to go to Champlain College with his friends, and that was a dream that came true for him.  

For the next five years, I worked at Tim Hortons as a kitchen helper. I really enjoyed working but sadly due to Covid-19 I was out of a job. While being at home, I started writing and playing my guitar.  

This past August, I went back to school, ACCESS, a Social Participation program for adults with special needs. My two goals are “independent living” and “learning French.”  

Growing up, I always liked writing and putting my thoughts down on paper. A few Christmases ago, I received a gift – a 300 Writing Prompts book. Each page offered a new idea, a new challenge or a new question that made me think more deeply about my life and emotions. The prompts encouraged me to reflect on things I hadn’t considered before, and writing became more than just “something to do” – it became a way to process my thoughts and understand my feelings. That book reminds me that everyone has something meaningful to say, including me.  

Since then and over the past couple of years my brother, Tommy, who is a photographer by profession, started writing songs. His love for songwriting inspired me so much I decided this was something that I also wanted to pursue as an interest. Like my writing prompts, I now write to express how I feel through songs and lyrics. Writing about positive things such as happiness, love and family connections lifts my spirits, especially when I've had an off day.  

My dream is to one day sell my songs to artists who inspire me. Jelly Roll, for example, writes openly about inspiration, hope, love and his faith in God; I want my lyrics to touch people’s hearts, just like what Reba McEntire looks for in songs – real emotional meaning. I’m also inspired by artists like Dan + Shay and Michael Bublé, who often write about love, family and meaningful connections. I hope my songs can reflect those same values and bring comfort, joy and inspiration to others.  

Here are some lyrics from one of my songs “Holding Hands:”  

“We started out as friends, now we’re holding hands,  

We go out on dates and talk about lots of things.  

Happy he’s in my life and that I get to call him my sweetheart.”  

Writing songs has given me a purpose, and it doesn’t matter what age I am – I always want to follow my dreams no matter what, just like Adam did. I’ve even decided to take guitar lessons. I really want to encourage other people to find their dream no matter what it is. It’s never too late to do something different – there is always space for something new. 

If I could give one piece of advice to someone searching for their passion, it would be this: don’t be afraid to try something new – you never know what the future might be for you. Life is full of surprises and uncertainties, and that’s ok. You never know until you try. Who knows – maybe one day you’ll write an article for the Inspirations newspaper, too.  

Oh, by the way, I have Down syndrome. 

Meagan Hawes is a student at ACCESS, an Adult Education Centre of the Riverside School Board. She was formerly in the Adam’s P.A.C.E. program.