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WHAT'S INSIDE?
  • Graduating Senior Soars with Support
  • DCBDD Updates
  • Technology Resource Feature
  • Community Events & Resources
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Megan Schirtzinger stands with her teammates during Olentangy Berlin High School's gymnastics senior night. (Photo by Kelly Jacoby.)

Graduating Senior Soars with Support

Megan Schirtzinger, 19, a senior at Olentangy Berlin High School, leaps into her future with support from teammates, family and the community.

Words by Olivia Minnier, Photos by Kelly Jacoby

Entering Olentangy Berlin High School’s Tumble and Take Down gymnastics senior night, all eyes are on the girl with the space buns and dark hair. With a cheering section that seemed to take the entire in gym, she appears to be in her element. Accepting fist bumps, gifts of Cocoa Puffs and other cereals, she taps her hair buns in joyful bliss.

As she walks up to compete in her routines, the crowd goes wild. Her parents, and independent provider, and siblings are behind her beaming with pride at her confidence.

Megan Schirtzinger, 19, is a graduating senior at Olentangy Berlin High School and communicates non-verbally She uses some verbal communication but largely communicates by using her own personal style, which is a combination of some American Sign Language and her way of indicating thoughts and feelings to others in gesture.

At school, she utilizes a communication device to help her complete assignments and participate in class.

Despite these the obstacles, Megan has created a close-knit network of support that has adapted to her unique communication style and has gotten to know her well.

A big part of that support network has been her teammates on Olentangy Berlin’s cheerleading team and the gymnastics team.

Shirtzinger’s mom, Dawn Schirtzinger, reached out to the cheerleading team before Megan’s junior year to see if they would be interested in having her daughter join, and they were.

Megan started to be an active participant in cheering her senior year and became close with the girls after attending many sleepovers, outings, and events. Once cheer season ended, her teammates who were also a part of the gymnastics program, encouraged her to join them on the team.

Dawn said her daughter has had an incredible experience on the team.

“They have fully accepted her for who she is, as one of their own,” she said.

The girls have helped Megan choreograph her floor, beam, and bar routines so she could not only be a part of the team, but actively compete as well.

Dawn said this was a vastly different experience than the one Megan had with Special Olympics. While she made a great group of friends, which she refers to as the “HA HO Squad,” she did not fully gain the comradery that she has with her Olentangy Team.

Dawn said not only has her daughter made friendships but has improved drastically since joining the cheer and gymnastics teams for Olentangy Berlin High School.

Megan has shown improvement in her expressive language, overall physical health, and most importantly, her confidence.

In a huge show of confidence, Megan led a cheer right in front of the student section during a football game this past fall. The student section quickly turned the cheer around, cheering directly for Megan herself, making it one of Megan’s favorite moments of the school year.

Looking forward beyond senior year, Megan is excited to join Olentangy’s ACT program and continue her education in transition skills.

She’s incredibly excited about her future and is using her newly gained confidence and is learning additional tools to help move her forward or as said, in her words with her chosen senior quote, “play the cards you are dealt, because every hand can be a winner.”

Megan Schirtzinger starts her beam routine with help from her teammates. (Photo by Kelly Jacoby.)
Megan Schirtzinger stands at Olentangy Berlin’s Senior Night with her perfect 10 score card. (Photo by Kelly Jacoby.)
Megan Schirtzinger stands outside her home with her Olentagy Berlin Cheer Uniform. (Photo submitted.)

DCBDD Updates

March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month

We have a lot of great things planned for DD Awareness Month!

Click here for more information about our other events!

Upcoming Board Meeting: March 9 at 6 p.m.

Technology Resource Feature

Ohio's Tech Ambassadors

Ohio’s Tech Ambassadors are a resource on how Supportive Technology can be used at home, at school, at work, and in the community. Tech Ambassadors share their personal experiences through peer-to-peer mentoring sessions, either in person or virtually.

Request a meeting with one of Ohio’s Tech Ambassadors here: https://ohiotechambassadors.org/request

Assistive Technology Library

Interested in trying assistive technology to see if it meets your needs? Borrow a device from the DCBDD Assistive Technology Lending Library! Our current inventory includes:

  • Echo Show
  • Echo Dot
  • Ring Video Doorbell
  • Smart Plug
  • Wyze Camera
  • Electronic Reading Aid
  • Miku Monitor
  • Schlage Electronic Deadbolt
  • Clip Different


To borrow a device, review the following documents and submit the request to AssistiveTechnology@dcbdd.org.

  • Assistive Technology Lending Library Procedure
  • Assistive Technology Lending Library Application
  • Assistive Technology Lending Library Agreement

Community Events & Resources

March is Developmental Disability Awareness Month!

Use the QR codes to register for upcoming events or the links further down in the newsletter!

Wear Blue for Inclusion Day

March 1

March 1 is Wear Blue for Inclusion Day – wear blue and show your inclusion pride! Help DCBDD promote community inclusion by posting pictures on social media wearing blue. Be sure to tag us – @DelCoBoardOfDD

The Ohio Coalition for the Education of Children with Disabilities

March 9 at 1:30 p.m.

The Ohio Coalition for the Education of Children with Disabilities (OCECD) is a statewide nonprofit organization that serves families of infants, toddlers, children and youth with disabilities in Ohio, educators and agencies who provide services to them.

Register here

Family Advisory Council

March 15 at 12:00 p.m.

The Family Advisory Council provides a forum for the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities (DODD) to hear directly from family members about the issues that affect their lives and provides families the opportunity to learn more about the department’s current initiatives from executive staff.

Register here

The Color Coded Chef

March 16 at 12:00 p.m.

The Color-Coded Chef kit promotes life skills for all ages and abilities through the power of cooking!

Register here

Learn about Adaptive Sports Connection

March 21 at 11 a.m.
Learn more about all that Adaptive Sports Connection has to offer!
Register here

Accessible Gaming with All Access Life

March 29 at 1:00 p.m.
Bradley was born with nonverbal spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy, but he never lets it hold him back from living life to the fullest. What started out as a job for Daniel at the age of 19, working as Brad’s full-time aide while he attended high school, has turned into a journey neither of them would have ever expected.
 
Over the years they’ve built a very unique and everlasting friendship. A decade later, they’re still attached at the hips!
They’re now using their unique journey and experiences with adaptive products and assistive technologies to help others with disabilities through their non-profit, All Access Life. Over the years they’ve seen the amazing effects technology has had on Brad’s life. Their goal is to create a website that showcases the latest trends and movements in adaptive products and assistive technologies.
 
Register here

Charting the LifeCourse 2023 Ohio Showcase

March 17

8:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

Click here for more information

Strand Theatre's Sensory Series

March 25 at 10:00 a.m.
 
Click here for more information
Each month, the Strand Theatre provides showings for children, families, and adults in the community who may benefit from an alternative movie experience. The next movie is on Saturday, March 25th at 10 am. Doors open at 9:30 am. Free boxed popcorn and free canned beverage courtesy of the Autism Society Central Ohio.

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