Susan crocheted a blanket for Bushman's 23-year-old son. It came out a sort of triangle shape, "but the spirit behind it was real sweet."

Some businesses are hesitant to hire people with mental disabilities. But Bushman said there was never any hesitation about having Susan and another development center resident working in her office.

"It gives you an appreciation for the differences and challenges we all face in our lives," she said, adding that Susan is happy no matter what.

Susan also works for an off-campus window-cleaning crew and in the developmental center's greenhouse planting vegetables and flowers. The money from her jobs goes for extras the center does not provide, such as a river rafting trip to Moab or to Zion National Park. She and her roommate recently bought matching leather recliners.

"I like where I am," Susan said. "I have lots of friends and staff members, people who love me."

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E-mail: romboy@desnews.com