In high school, she was bullied. After college, it was difficult to find a job. But through all the difficult times, Collette Divitto, has had one thing that makes her happy: baking. Divitto, who has Down syndrome (唐氏综合征), decided to channel her passion into a career, opening her own cookie company.

“So actually, I always loved baking, since I was 4 years old. From high school, I had been taking baking classes,” said Divitto, 31. “It was a hard time for me. I had no friends. I didn’t have a social life. I got bullied. I got picked on. And that’s why I had been taking baking classes.”

After high school, Divitto went to Clemson University in South Carolina, but after graduating, it was difficult for her to find jobs. So, she turned to her mom, who helped her create her own job: CEO of Collettey’s Cookies.

“There’re lots of amazing things happening,” Divitto said of the opportunities coming her way. She says her favorite part about running her business is hiring people with disabilities. Collettey’s Cookies helps people with disabilities prepare for their careers, by offering workshops and guidance.

In 2020, just 17.9% of people with a disability were employed. But Divitto believes many want to work, federal law does not require employers to pay them minimum wage. That means companies can pay people with disabilities whatever they think they’re worth — something Divitto is working to change.

She has appealed to society to help create more jobs for people with disabilities, which she hopes gets the attention of Congress. Collettey’s Cookies now has 15 employees, and about half of them are people with disabilities. And they have a strong leader to look up to. “No matter who you are, you can make a great difference in this world,” Divitto said. “Don’t let people bring you down... Do not focus on your disabilities. You only need to focus on your abilities.”

【小题1】What drove Divitto to start her business?

A．Her being bullied.

B．Her mother’s help.

C．Her Down syndrome.

D．Her failure to land a job.

【小题2】Which of the following best describes Divitto’s attitude towards the disabled?

A．Merciful.

B．Generous.

C．Considerate.

D．Tolerant.

【小题3】What does Divitto want to work to change?

A．The salary the disabled get.	B．The fedal law about the disabled.
C．The working conditions of the disabled.	D．The role the disabled plays in the Congress.

【小题4】What can we infer from the last paragraph?

A．The disabled act as leaders in her company.	B．The government shows no care for the disabled.
C．Disabled people have potential to achieve success.	D．Employees show respect for Divitto in her company.