Unabridged Press intern Shalace Moore talked with Erin recently about her work, scary movies, and more.
Meet Erin Gannon. She just won a Press Club of Western Pennsylvania Golden Quill public affairs podcast reporting award for hosting Unabridged Press’ Look Who’s Here! She’s worked over a decade serving people with disabilities, won a bronze Special Olympics medal for golfing in Ireland. She also happens to have Down Syndrome.
SHALACE: Let me say first thank you for taking the time to do this interview.
ERIN: No problem.
SHALACE: How did you come up with the title Look Who’s Here!?
ERIN: Because every time somebody walks in (the group home) where I live–it’s like a revolving door. I always say “Look Who’s Here!” So we kept that name and I am the first host.
SHALACE: I heard that you always wanted to work on radio. Where did that love come from? Why not TV?
ERIN: That’s what I started out with, listening to a lot of music and I wondered, “How did we put it together?” The music and podcast.
SHALACE: What music do you listen to?
ERIN: I listen to country.
SHALACE: Kenny Chesney was just here. There were so many people there. Were you one of them?
ERIN. No.
SHALACE: Probably for the best. They can get a little crazy. So, how many interviews have you done so far?
ERIN: I did four.
SHALACE: Yes. I heard the one you did with Marsha Blanco, then CEO of ACHIEVA. I heard about ACHIEVA before but never knew what it really was. I soon found out through the interview that it is an organization that helps people with disabilities live a full and sustainable life. You also work at ACHIEVA. What do you do?
ERIN: I am an administrative assistant. I do a little bit of everything.
SHALACE: You’re pretty much the glue that keeps everything together.
ERIN: Yea (laughter)
SHALACE: How long have you been working at ACHIEVA?
ERIN: Twelve years.
SHALACE: That’s a long time.
ERIN: Yes. I started off working with the kids there and then they became too much for me. So they moved me upstairs and had me doing office work.
SHALACE: Yes, kids can be overwhelming. I have around ten nephews and nieces.
ERIN: Try thirteen. And I just became a great aunt to two twin boys.
SHALACE: Congratulations.
ERIN: Thank you.
SHALACE: Now when I first met you at the Golden Quill Awards, I notice that you had an entourage.
ERIN: No! (laughs) That was my family. My mother and father and sisters and brothers.
SHALACE: Are you the oldest or the youngest?
ERIN: Youngest. My brothers and sisters were born in different countries because my father was in the Navy.
SHALACE: They all came out to support you. How did you feel when your name was called?
ERIN: I never dreamed of it! When they played the audio of me and Marsha and when they announced the winner–I’d thought I was just a finalist! I really did. I was in tears. I never dreamed of winning the Golden Quill Award!
SHALACE: Well, you deserved it. The interview was very informative and it helped spread awareness about how people with disabilities were treated in the past. With you spreading the word, it allows others to go out and do more research. Speaking of research, how do you prepare for an interview?
ERIN: I pick someone I want to interview and prepare notes and I do research on the person.
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SHALACE: Why Marsha Blanco?
ERIN: I knew her almost my whole life. I went to a preschool program here at ACHIEVA. And she knew me. She knew me for a long time.
SHALACE: So it was an easier interview for you then? How do you handle interviewing someone who doesn’t have experience with talking or working with people with disabilities?
ERIN: I don’t understand.
SHALACE: Well, everyone goes through hurdles growing up. Did you have any bullies or people who didn’t know how to talk to you because you have Down Syndrome?
ERIN: There was a girl I went to school with who pulled my hair and called me names. She wasn’t nice but for the most part, I wasn’t bullied. Well, there’s another kind of bullying.
SHALACE: Like what?
ERIN: When someone talks down to you.
SHALACE: What is some advice you can give to someone with a disability who is not a child and yet someone is talking to them like they are one?
ERIN: Say, “Hey! I don’t like to be talked to that way. Don’t talk to me like I am a child or treat me badly.” We don’t appreciate it. Stand up for yourself, tell them and if they continue then go and get someone. A person. An adult.
SHALACE: So say something and if that doesn’t work then go get someone to help.
ERIN: Yes. When they’re talking to you, it depends on the tone. Either speak up or just walk away.
SHALACE: I know that some people, me included, haven’t had experience with interacting with people with disabilities so I find myself talking to them like a child so I don’t offend them when in fact…
ERIN: You are.
SHALACE: Yes and that is not my intention. It’s a miscommunication and it can be difficult on both ends.
ERIN: Yeah, so I would tell them to speak up and let them know that this is not the right way to talk to me.
SHALACE: I really admire how your podcast touches on topics that many don’t have the nerve to talk about. Like your interview with Marsha. She talked about going to see her grandmother in an institution…
ERIN: Yes.
SHALACE: So changing to the subject, what do you do in your free time? What do you like to watch?
ERIN: I like comedies and scary movies.
SHALACE: Do you like the ones with the blood and guts too?
ERIN: Yeah, sometimes it freaks me out but I don’t believe it because I know it is not real. But my favorite movie is The Ring. Every year my great aunt and I would out on Halloween to a scary movie and then out to dinner but we kind of don’t do that anymore (laughs) we just go out to dinner instead.
SHALACE: Anything else you do?
ERIN: I now play golf for fun instead of for the Special Olympics.
SHALACE: You play golf?
ERIN: Yes and I played in North Carolina and Ireland. But I’m taking a big break from it because it was getting too much with work. Now I just swim for the Special Olympics. For 35 years I’ve been competing in the Special Olympics.
SHALACE: Wow. that’s impressive. What’s your favorite style?
ERIN: Freestyle.
SHALACE: Is there any project that you want to do in the near future?
ERIN: Well I have a favorite country singer. Reba McEntire. My dream is to meet her.
SHALACE: Well with the radio and the podcast it shouldn’t be long before that happens. There’s gotta be a way.
ERIN: (Laughter)
SHALACE: I love her show!
ERIN: Yes, and the theme song “I’m a Survivor” is a great song.
SHALACE: Do you relate to that at all?
ERIN: Oh yeah. (big smile)
