Disability Pride Month: Kalif

An Interview with KALIF ROSE HOLMAN, supported by DSAmd volunteer, Kristen Chan

What places in your life feel like home? What places make you feel like you Belong? What do you love about them?

I feel that being on TikTok and dancing makes my life feel like home. I have grown so much as a dancer, and my favorite styles are pop, jazz, and hip hop. When I go on vacation, I feel like I belong because I get to visit family. In Jamaica, I help my uncle by doing mission work for his church. I also go to Florida and Pennsylvania to visit my cousins, aunts and uncles. I love hanging out with them and talking to them because it feels like a community.

Complete these sentences:

I am ….. Kalif, I am 20 years old, and I live in Baltimore, Maryland

I am great at…. Rapping songs that I self teach myself, especially “Walk it Like I Talk It” by Migos.

I want the world to know… I am a self advocate for Down syndrome and participate with them.

What do you find to be most rewarding in your job?

I work Mondays to Fridays at a hospital in downtown Baltimore. I’ve been working here since April 13th, and I help transport patients on wheelchairs to get to other locations. I am part of the team with blue scrubs and I enjoy helping patients and spending time with my team.

What is one of your dreams?

I want to go to more concerts and make more music. I would like to see Usher perform one day, one of my favorite artists.

Why are you a self-advocate?

I participated in my IEPs from Kindergarten until 3rd grade. In 4th grade, I began to be homeschooled. I have even presented to the Board of Education.

What’s something you are proud of in the last year?

I'm proud of being who I am. I went to a dance contest last year and performed a routine to songs I liked that led me to winning the grand prize, a bike!

What steps can other people take to better support the Down syndrome community?

I see other people with Down syndrome at his work. I think more support can come from parents and from speech therapy programs so everyone can feel supported.

What would you like to see at events and activities to make them more accessible for people with Down syndrome?

I want to see more game events and health awareness events to help people with Down syndrome.