October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), and PremierFMS is proud to spotlight Meghan Perkins—a vibrant, hardworking, and inspiring young woman whose journey through self-direction has transformed her life and her community.
Meghan is a Participant with PAS, one of the trusted programs within the AssuranceSD family. Her story reflects the shared mission across all our brands: empowering individuals with disabilities to live independently, pursue meaningful goals, and thrive through personalized support.
From Cake Pops to Confidence: Meghan’s Story
For Meghan Perkins, independence has taken shape in the sweetest of ways—one cake pop at a time.
Meghan lives in Allen Park, Michigan, and graduated from Allen Park High School in 2016. With support from her family and PAS, Meghan set a big goal: to find a job that fits her talents and passions.
That search led her right to Michigan Pastry Company, a wholesale manufacturer of specialty bakery items, where Chef Pat and owner Joe welcomed her with a job offer. She was hired to make cake pops and wash dishes—a part-time role at first. But as the months went by, her dedication and skill stood out. Today, Meghan works up to 35 hours a week making cake pops, washing dishes, and helping package desserts.
Her favorite part? Making cake pops. “Dipping the cake pops in ganache and putting sprinkles on them. It’s so fun,” Meghan says. Her favorite flavor to make is birthday cake, with yellow cake pop mix, blue ganache, and rainbow sprinkles.
But Meghan says it’s not just the work she loves—it’s the people. “They’re kind of like a family. Like, they have fun. They just laugh and joke all day.” Her coworkers even gave her the nickname “Maggie,” after she asked how her name would sound in Spanish.
“I like it a lot,” she says. “I belong there.”
“She’s learning all these new things about what she can do because of the chance that they gave her,” adds her mother, Carole. “I often think if [Meghan] would have gotten the job at the other [place], I think they would have just said, ‘This isn’t working.’”
Now, Meghan’s days are filled with purpose and pride. She wakes up excited to work at a place where she’s valued, challenged, and celebrated.
Celebrating Milestones
Since starting at the bakery in June 2024, Meghan has hit milestone after milestone. She’s grown her hours, received a raise, expanded her responsibilities, and built strong relationships with her coworkers. But perhaps the biggest milestone is the confidence she’s gained.
“They told me I’m an asset,” she beams. Her growth has surprised even her family, who once thought 20 hours a week would be her limit. Now, she’s thriving at nearly full-time.
“She’s the one who said, ‘I want to work,’” Carole explains. “And they’re just so patient with her. We’re very grateful to them. They are like one in a million.”
The Power of Self-Direction
Meghan’s journey toward independence has been shaped by the support of her family, her community, and services like PAS. Nearly nine years ago, her family chose PAS, and it’s played an important role in helping her achieve her goals.
With support from staff, Meghan has been able to explore her community, maintain employment, work out at the gym, sing in her church choir, and even prepare for a driver’s license. Her support coordinator—her aunt, Jill—along with Christine, Gail, Emma, and her family, have been instrumental, but they credit PAS for enabling Meghan’s independence today. “Having support staff is life-changing,” her aunt shares. “She wouldn’t be where she is without it.”
The family also points to PAS team member Becky Pedersen as a standout supporter. From day one, Becky has cheered Meghan on, even sending a personal congratulations card when she landed her bakery job.
“She truly and genuinely cares,” Meghan’s family says.
Advice for Others
If Meghan could speak to her younger self, she’d say: “You’ll be a good young adult in the future. You’ll be excited for whatever comes your way.” Her story is a testament to what’s possible when individuals with disabilities are given the tools, support, and respect they deserve.
Her family encourages others to consider PAS: “They treat your loved one with dignity. They leave no stone unturned. Meghan’s program feels like it was designed just for her.”
We’re honored to be part of Meghan’s journey and proud to share her story. Let’s keep baking up possibilities—for Meghan and for all.
Know Someone Like Meghan?
Meghan’s story is one of many across the AssuranceSD family of brands. If you or someone you know has used self-direction to build a life of independence—whether through employment, community engagement, or personal growth—we’d love to hear it.
Nominate a Participant or share your own journey at PremierFMS. Your story could be the next spotlight that inspires others to dream big.