COUPLE MAKES IT ON THEIR OWN.

Byline: ALEJANDRO GUZMAN Valley News Writer

Shelly Rocha and David Richard of Canoga Park, have both been diagnosed with mild mental retardation.

But through a lot of hard work and some help from their friends at Work Training Programs Inc. in Chatsworth, they've landed permanent jobs -- work that has given them the money to get married and live on their own.

But their paths toward independence were rocky. Each faced challenges that would discourage most people. And although they continue to receive help and guidance to budget their money, they came a long way from total dependency.

From birth, Rocha, 30, was not dealt a fair hand. She lost all contact with her biological parents. At 2, she started living in foster homes. She also was separated from her brother, Daniel.

Rocha was diagnosed with mild mental retardation and developmental articulation disorder in July 1992. One month later, she was diagnosed with encephalopathy, a syndrome affecting the brain.

She spent nine years under the care of foster parents, 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 said she liked it because she made good friends with staff members and other participants. But most importantly, the program got her started on a path toward self-reliance.

She currently works at RainboRecords 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 -- now the Westfield Topanga shopping mall -- that really changed her life.

Both Rocha and Richard remember the year, 1999, when Richard walked in as a shopper and said hello. From there, Rocha said, a friendship developed.

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 said his life was torn after watching his dad die of cancer, and Rocha gave him hope.

Just like any couple, Richard said, he and Rocha sometimes have disputes.

``We have our differences,'' Richard said. ``But one thing we do is talk it out.''

Richard 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 said his dad told him that is what happened.

Rocha said she, too, has been happier since they met. Richard is her angel, she said.

If she did not have him, her life would not have improved, she said..

``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 two spend 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 Rocha for about two years.

Mercado said that initially, Rocha needed vocational and community based training. Just as importantly, Rocha had to learn handling bank accounts and paying bills.

On the vocational side of things, Rocha 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, said Rocha was receiving services through the residential program and basically living on her own. She learned to do laundry, cook and handle roommate relations well.

Mayhew said Rocha went through the Community Independent Living Program fairly quickly.

Mercado added 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 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 of losing her Mexican heritage.

For Richard, taking reading lessons would help him overcome one of the biggest challenges in his life. He is also interested in recording music albums. He said he used to record his own songs.

CAPTION(S):

photo

Photo:

Shelly Rocha, left, and David Richard pose with friend Shiela Seecutt on their wedding day.