DISABILITIES

I have been a special education professional for 27 years. I was Director of Special Education for twelve years at a public school. I left that position to return to my first love, teaching. I have an MSE in learning disabilities and a BSE in education.

I am a Reiki practitioner and certified Speech-Language Pathologist, currently working in a school for young children (18mo-5yrs) who are diagnosed with autism and other developmental disabilities. What I ve learned as I ve gotten older? It s all about self-reflection...

I am a born again Christian. I am married, no children, but I love animals. I have 2 dogs and 3 cats. I also help foster dogs. I am the manager for a group home for people with Developmental Disabilities. I am a conservative libertarian.

Roesel is an emerging writer and artist and a proud wife and mother. She holds and advanced Bachelor of Arts in History and a minor in German. Although Roesel had completed half of an electrical engineering degre she realized her passion was in the arts. Roesel has hands-on experience living/working with persons with chronic illnesses and invisible disabilities.

I am a professional in the field of Education. I teach middle school Science, provide autism therapy, and assist adults and children with disabilities during leisure activities.

Currently working as a consultant and and adjunct Professor, Cheri has over 20 years of experience in child development, mental health, early intervention and special education, and family/community partnerships. Over the past 10 years Cheri has been working in the areas of special education and parent/community involvement in education in supporting individuals with disabilities. Her work has resulted in supporting increased resources for children/families experiencing autism spectrum disorders. She has had the unique opportunity to participate in the special education process as a parent, as a professional with the federally funded parent training and information center as well as the state department of education s bureau of special education. This opportunity has helped framed a greater knowledge and understanding of the challenges/benefits of special education and how to support success.

Karin is a disabilities advocate who lives in NY with her three daughters and her partner. She writes about her ongoing battle with chronic vertigo in her blog, balancing act: http://balanceblogger.blogspot.com/

Jamison Jessup is Executive Director and Senior Education Advocate for Florida Education Advocate, Inc., an organization that helps students with disabilities and their parents to access a high quality education. Mr. Jessup advocates at the local school district level. He also represents parents in due process hearing before the Florida Division of Administrative Hearings.

Debi is an outspoken advocate for the rights of those who are treated unjustly, particularly those who experience disabilities or are of differing sexual orientations. She is unapologetically liberal in her beliefs, compassionate, generous, and impressively stubborn. While she has attained the rank of black belt in Songahm Taekwondo, Debi is a pacifist, preferring to believe that non-violent solutions are always possible. She also believes that there are entirely too many adverbs in her biography.

I love writing stories and poems for children. I have been doing it for 3 years now and illustrate my own work. I enjoy reading fantasy, history, knowledge about disabilities, animals, and much much more. I love animals which is why i have so many even though in town we are not supposed to have so many. I love children and love to teach them new things and answer any questions they might have. if i don't know the answer i will research and find out. I also enjoy doing crafts and activities that involve using ones imagination.

Sharon is a wife of 19 years and mother to 4 sons with disabilities. She is a volunteer parent advocate, experienced with working with families, special education, and mental health. Sharon is an expert in animal care. Sharon has been raised in church and been involved in the ministry and is a singer/songwriter. She currently attends Morningstar Christian Fellowship and has 20 years writing experience.

Spunky, Intelligent, and Caring. This person see's the world through a different lens than many. My disabilities do not stop me. I love learning. I love helping others. I'm crafty, knowledgeable and unique. Nothing can keep me down!

I am a 36 year old woman who live in a small town of Southern PA. I have 3 children- all boys. Benjamen is 18 and enlisted in the Army. He is going through his basic training at Ft. Benning GA. Austin is 10 and has a disability called Neurovascular Dystrophy. I will explain in some of my writings more about this issue and more about Austin. Charlie is 8 years old and the baby of the family. He was just diagnosed with Childhood Bypolar. I will also write more on that subject. I am married to my loving husband Matt for 12 years come Feb. 21st. I love to write and educate people on health subjects and especially information that will help people with disabilities and those failies that have a child with a disability. Hopefully one of my writings will help you!

I work with a variety of clients in various fields including children and learning disabilities, seniors with disabilities, and film directors

I am a mother of a five year old boy who has been diagnosed with Aspergers Syndrome and ADHD. I am a graduate student completing my degree in Child and Adolescent Development. I have a Bachelors Degree received through the University of Illinois in Springfield in Psychology. I am a Licensed Nursing Home Adminstrator and have worked as an Administrator for group homes that serve individuals with developmental disabilities. I am familiar with the federal and state benefits process for individuals with disabilities, Behavioral interventions for specific syndromes, and have extensive experience and knowledge with a variety of developmental disabilities and disorders.

Marcy Berg has been writing and editing newsletters for non-profit agencies since 1999. She began freelance writing in 2010, publishing online content with a focus on disabilities and foster care. Berg, a mental health therapist, specializes in working with at-risk adolescents. She has a Master of Science in rehabilitation counseling from Western Oregon University. Berg is currently writing a book on dysfunctional families.

Dr. Briggs is an epidemiologist with experience in research involving lower back pain, physical disabilities and birth defects. As a medical researcher, she has expertise in typically used study designs, data collection and analysis, reporting of results, and conclusions of clinical research published in all areas of the medical literature. Her goal is to summarize and simplify this information to make it more useful to everyone. Her doctoral research included three studies which examined the effectiveness of injection therapy for lower back pain. In addition, her personal interests include research on a common birth defect, spina bifida. Expanding on that focus, she hopes to contribute useful information about living and coping with physical disabilities to the medical community.

I am a graduate student studying Speech-Language Pathology, with a passion for children with disabilities. I studied violin for 14 years, classical and broadway voice for 4 years which lead me to the study of vocal pathologies and individuals with disabilities.

LuAnn Pierce is a licensed clinical social worker. LuAnn has written numerous articles on parenting, families and mental health. She has also developed curricula for couples living with disabilities and young adults exiting foster care, and wrote the book Growing up Sane (in Uncertain Times).

I was born on June 22, 1976 to Robert M. II @ Vicki Shepard. When I was born I started to breathe before I came out of the womb. My lungs coated with fluid, and the result was brain dammage. The Doctors said that I was not I never make it through the night, but when I did they quickly killed my parents joy when they told my parents that I would never walk or talk. About a year later my parents found out that I have cerebral palsy. After years of thearpy I did learn how to walk and talk. In fact, I went on to play percussion in the band, sing in the chior, and run track in Jr. High School. In high school I did things like be stage manger for all theater productions, acted in a play, and go on a 200 mile bike ride. During my senior year of High school I got serious about my relationship with Jesus Christ, and then went off to a four year private Christian college and graduated with a B.S. in social studies education. While at college I felt God calling me to full time minisrty, but I wanted to become a teacher so I ignoored it. However, after three years of running my call, I finally accepted it, and went to seminary. I went to semninary and graduated, but it took a tole on my health. I was able to be a pastor for a couple of years, but now I am on total disability, and my health continues to get worse. However, I have started a ministry called God as My Strength Ministries. I hope to share my story to inspire to to achieve their dreams by depending on God as their strength. I also hope to be an advocate for people with disabilites both in and out of the Church, and provide ministry opprotunties for people with disabilities. Right after seminary I marriedl the love of my life, Heather, and I now have three step-sons two of which have cerebral palsy. I will always consider them my reward for trusting God as my Strength.

I am a mother of 4 children, 1 with severe developmental disabilities. I have a Bachelor's of Social Work degree and have been in the field of developmental disabilities for 9 1/2 years. I have worked in residential programs for individuals wih disabilities and worked in case management. I am looking at becoming a mother again and would love to be a stay at home mom!

I live in San Antonio, TX, I'm happily married, two sons, and one girl almost any day now. My interests are spirituality and writing/publishing spiritual books. Also disabilities and helping others heal.

I am a statistician, working with a wide variety of clients, mostly researchers in psychology, education, medicine, social sciences and other fields. I also have given talks and written articles on learning disabilities and related issues.

Journalist, editor, educator. Lover of history, flowers, books & teenagers with learning disabilities. Democrat with Jeffersonian leanings.

Stephanie is a registered nurse certified in Developmental Disabilities. She is also a tour company owner and the author of six books on the paranormal, including a time-travel series for children.

As a Funeral Celebrant, Pam Vetter is known as "The Funeral Lady" in Los Angeles, CA. She meets with families, researches life stories, writes original tributes and conducts unique funeral services. She is committed to sharing stories about performers with disabilities.

Hello! My name is Stacey Benter. I am a native of the State of Missouri but have spent most of my adult life living outside of my home state. I enjoy researching and writing about childern with disabilities and the parents that raise them. I am the parent of two childern and

I love animals and children. I especially enjoy nature and being outdoors. Experienced with learning disabilities because I, myself, have conquered the difficulties of being dyslexic. Open-minded and always willing to learn.

I am a master's level clinician working with people with developmental disabilities. I have my own practice. I am also a free-lance writer and have credits in many publications, including the Gale Encyclopedia of nursing and Allied Health.

I am a secretary for People first of Ohio and being a blind person I am capable of giving information on blindness and other disabilities as well as just plain silly stuff of everyday life.