Happy-go-lucky Windham girl shows inspirational path to success

Kayla Fillinger, 18, has overcome an intellectual disability
and will graduate from Windham High School in June 2022.
SUBMITTED PHOTO

By Abigail Davis

Kayla Fillinger has lived in Windham her whole life and at the age of 5, Kayla was diagnosed with an intellectual disability. Growing up a middle child sandwiched between two brothers, Kayla’s parents raised her to be an intelligent and well-rounded young woman. 

Her older brother, Fred Fillinger, thinks the world of his sister, saying she is, “Talkative and funny,” and that “She doesn’t have a mean bone in her body.” Her mother, Elizabeth Fillinger, adds to her son’s admiration. “She loves animals, loves being around people,” she says. “She loves being outside. Just go, go, go.”

As children, Kayla and her siblings enjoyed summers swimming and tubing on Little Sebago Lake, where the family still resides today. In the summer and especially during the winter months, Kayla enjoys weekends and vacations at her family’s camp in Mars Hill, Maine. At camp, Kayla enjoys riding RZRs (side by side ATVs), snowmobiles and four-wheelers. As Kayla and her brother have gotten older, Fred has found a great appreciation for his sister’s ambition. 

Her mother explains. 

“She can ride the four-wheeler better than I can and a snowmobile faster than I can," she said. "We don’t let any part of her disability affect her trying something.” 

Kayla laughs and shrugs, “A little bit fast,” she says. 

Fred is proud of his sister’s versatility on the toys. “I enjoy when we get to go for snowmobile rides up North,” he says. “She always makes it a fun time.”

Throughout her schooling, Kayla has had an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) that ensures that she receives specialized instruction and related services. Her mother said she feels that the RSU 14 Windham/Raymond School District has been good to her daughter. 

“They’ve been very supportive,” she says. “A lot of times, they (Kayla’s instructors) come up with suggestions. I feel they’re always looking out for her best interest …. Or, if I bring something to their attention, they’re open and responsive. As long as it’s something they can do, I’ve never had something not happen. They are very receptive to anything I suggest and vice versa.” 

She believes the school is great and has no complaints.

By the time high school rolled around, Kayla was eager for the adventure. Elizabeth smiles, remembering Kayla’s start of high school. 

“She was very excited,” she said. “At the time, her brother and cousin were in the high school.” Kayla says that she most looked forward to hanging out with her friends.

Now a senior at Windham High School, Kayla talks about her day at school. She shares that she learned how to make steak and cheeses and buffalo chicken sandwiches. Elizabeth is happy with what her daughter is learning. 

She’s in a life skills program and it’s really good because she still has her academics,” she explains. “But then they (the school’s classroom) have a washing machine in there, and they cook in the classroom. And of course, now she’s going to PASS.” Positive Approach to Student Success (PASS) is a comprehensive, multilevel special education program. 

Aside from getting to see her friends, Kayla’s favorite part of school is exercise class. “Biking,” she says happily. “I only do biking.” Kayla also enjoys any opportunity to go outside, informing her mom that Mr. McNeill, a life skills teacher, is her favorite teacher because he takes her class outside a lot and her favorite place to be is in the outdoors.

Kayla’s extra curriculars include playing for Windham High School’s Unified Basketball team. Unified basketball joins students with and without intellectual disabilities on the same team, fostering inclusion and promoting understanding through sports. Kayla has only had the chance to play one season on the team due to the pandemic canceling team sports her sophomore and junior year. 

But Kayla plans to play her senior year. 

“As long as they have it,” Elizabeth says, “she’ll do it again.” Elizabeth appreciates the unified team and players. “I have found they have created friendships and relationships with these students and the students are amazing with the team,” she says. “I know a few of the girls Kayla really took a liking to and they would all do her hair before each game. Many talk to her outside of school as well as whenever she runs into them, or she Instagram/Snapchats them.”

Kayla has also participated on Windham’s Special Olympics team. The Special Olympics is a global organization. At the high school level, it aims to promote social inclusion through shared sports training and competition experiences. Leading up to the big event, teams across the state train for the Special Olympics. Over the years, Kayla has participated in a variety of Special Olympics events for Windham. “She has participated in swimming and track,” Elizabeth shares. “They used to do bowling. For  track it used to be the standing long-jump. The 100- or 50-meter dash, the relay and softball throw. They each usually have three to four different activities.” At the last track event, Kayla was challenged by the running long-jump.

As senior year draws to a close, Kayla is looking forward to graduation. She has already chosen which color she’d like for her cap and gown: maroon. 

Asked about the future, Kayla shared her desire to work someday. “At McDonalds,” she says. “Yeah, McDonalds.” Elizabeth laughs, reminding her that she can’t eat the fries. “No,” Kayla replies happily. “During break maybe?” Elizabeth is also researching adult programs, such as REACH, for Kayla after graduation. <