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Despite disadvantages, couple are independent

On 7/1/2006

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Contributed by: Alejandro Guzman on 8/2/2006

Living on your own in Southern California can be challenging and difficult, but for Shelly Rocha and David Richard of Canoga Park, it took on an even more special meaning.
Rocha and Richard are diagnosed with mild mental retardation. Through their hard work, commitment and participation with Work Training Programs Inc. in Chatsworth, they have received job training and coaching that helped them land permanent employment. As a result, they have been able to get married and live together on their own.
But the paths they took toward independence were not smooth, they each faced challenges that could have discouraged some. Although they continue receiving help and guidance to budget their money, they came a long way from total dependency.
From birth, Rocha was not dealt an even hand. She lost all contact with her biological parents. Since the age of 2, she started living in foster homes. Also, she was separated from her brother Daniel.
Rocha was diagnosed with mild mental retardation and developmental articulation disorder in July of 1992. One month later, she was diagnosed with encephalopathy, a syndrome affecting the brain.
She spent nine years under the foster care of Mr. and Mrs. Jennik, who took care of her through high school.
Rocha did not let her disabilities keep her down.
After graduating from Canoga Park High School, she got involved with Work Training Programs Inc. Rocha says she liked it because she made good friends with both staff members and other participants. But most importantly, the program got her started on a path toward self-reliance.
She currently works at Rainbo Records in Canoga Park. Her duties include packaging and labeling CDs and DVDs. She was recently asked to start working on a full-time basis there.
But it was her job at Crate and Barrel in the Topanga Plaza that really changed her life.
Both Rocha and Richard remember the year, 1999, when Richard walked in as a shopper and said hello. Rocha says from that moment forward they developed a relationship as friends.
But they meant much more to each other than just friends.
"When I lost my parents, she was the one the Lord gave me," Richard said.
He says his life was torn after watching his dad die of cancer and Rocha gave him hope. To add to his pain, he says he heard nothing from either parents' side of the family. He thinks they do not care about him.
Just like any couple, Richard says they sometimes have disputes.
"We have our differences," Richard said. "But one thing we do is talk it out."
Richard, 50, works at the Goodwill store in Canoga Park. A native of the Antelope Valley, he believes his mother may have fallen during her pregnancy with him, causing his condition. He says his dad told him that is what happened.
Rocha, 30, says she too has been happier since they met. She says Richard is her angel. She used to have a boyfriend before him, but did not like the way he treated her.
"I feel much better," Rocha said. "He is much nicer than my ex-boyfriend ... I can tell you that."
She says if she did not have him, her life would not have improved.
"I'm just glad I have him," Rocha said.
They were married July 1, the same day they moved into their apartment in Canoga Park. For fun, the couple spends time watching movies on cable TV.
During their honeymoon, they went to Disneyland, where they spent time eating and getting on rides.
Angie Mercado, a case manager at Work Training Programs Inc., has been working with Shelly for about two years.
Mercado says initially, Rocha needed vocational and community based training. But just as important, she had to learn handling bank accounts and paying bills.
On the vocational side of things, she learned to work at different job sites and follow instructions from supervisors. Job developers for Work Training Programs Inc. go to certain companies and negotiate working situations for participants of the program.
Carol Mayhew, program manager, says Shelly was receiving services through residential program and basically living on her own. She learned to do laundry, cook and handle roommate relations well.
Mayhew says Rocha went through the Community Independent Living Program fairly quickly.
Mercado adds that Rocha always gets along well with others. She is also a hard worker who always requests extra hours at work.
Now that Rocha and Richard are living on their own, they both have new individual goals.
Rocha would like to go back to singing lessons. She was in choir during high school and wants to start up again.
"Every time I sing I cry because I don't have a voice anymore," Rocha said. "Hopefully I'll be a good singer."
Something that really bothers Rocha is that she cannot speak Spanish and wants to learn. She thinks if she does not learn, Mexicans will not care about her. She if afraid to lose her identity as being of Mexican descent.
For David, taking reading lessons would help him overcome one of the biggest challenges in his life. He is also interested in recording music albums. He says he used to record his own songs.

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