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The Perfect Ying and Yang

By Angela Caple '14,'15
Published Tuesday, May 27, 2015

Kimberly Ahlum is not only an experienced designer and project manager, but she is also a mother of a beautiful son named Taylor. Originally from Bucks County, PA, Ahlum first discovered The College of Boca Raton when she traveled to South Florida to see the family she was a nanny for. She was accepted and studied design. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree with Honors in 1994. While taking classes, Ahlum worked 40 hours a week designing yacht interiors, which was how she paid her tuition. Her success within this industry taught Ahlum the necessary skills she would later use to persevere through the toughest points in her life.

When her son Taylor was born, he was diagnosed with Down syndrome, and a few years later was diagnosed with Autism. Ahlum described this as the perfect Ying and Yang. As a single mother, Ahlum has made many sacrifices, which she said is all worth it to see a smile on Taylor’s face and his hug at the end of a long work day. She wrote a book highlighting the trials and frustrations from the school systems to her financial struggles. She self-published it which presented her the opportunity to receive a Masters of Education Degree in Early Childhood Special Education from the University of Vermont, in hopes of understanding her son more, and others like him.

Currently, she lives in Houston, TX, where she found a specialized school for children with Autism and neurological disabilities. Ahlum works for Energy XXI and has uncovered the many struggles for employees throughout the enterprise. She has planned a 40 mile kayaking trip which she will begin on May 28, starting in New Orleans and ending in Grand Isle, LA. She’s seeking to raise funds for her son and to spread awareness for others living with Autism and neurological disabilities. Ahlum will also be recognizing those in the Louisiana area for their hard work within the energy industry during this difficult economic downturn in the oil and gas industry. Selfless would best describe Ahlum, and she couldn’t be a more suitable advocate for single mothers across the world.

Reach out to Kimberly and Taylor with kind words at www.fightingfortaylor.org

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