January 2022 issue showcases

The Shalva Band The word ‘Shalva’ means ‘peace of mind’ or ‘serenity’ in Hebrew. The Shalva Band, based in Israel, consists of members who represent a variety of intellectual developmental disabilities and physical impairments. The Band members’ disabilities include...

  Let’s Talk ... Dwarfism Awarenesswith Danielle Webb"My journey of self-acceptance . . . in progress"     From a young age, I have clear memories of being shamed for my body image and size. From the innocence of my reception classmates saying I “looked...

  Let’s Talk ... Dementia Awarenesswith Rianna PattersonRianna Patterson is a personal development coach, TEDx speaker founder of a youth-led dementia charity called Dominica Dementia Foundation which she launched when she was 18, in memory of her grandfather. She is...

WAGS of SCIWives and girlfriends of spinal cord injuryBrooke & Elena gives us a peek into their worldBrooke Pagé and Elena Pauly of Vancouver, BC, started the Wives and Girlfriends of Spinal Cord Injury (WAGS of SCI) group after becoming caregivers for their...

Autistic self-taught artist and designerMargaux Wosk (they/them)Support entrepreneurs with disabilitiesMargaux Wosk (they/them) is an autistic self-taught artist and designer as well as an activist and advocate for people with disabilities. They fight really hard for...

Katy Neas: She can teach us all a thing or two!by Alexandra Nava-Baltimore [ This interview has been edited for length and clarity. ] Spanning a powerful 30 year career, Katy Neas, the Deputy Assistant Secretary at the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative...

Avi GoldenA stroke and aphasia survivorAvi is a stroke and aphasia survivor. He was an New York City paramedic and about to start medical school when he had a stroke. Prior to his stroke, he loved many outdoor sports like horseback riding, kayaking, sailing, bicycle...

Cole Sibus: "We have no limits"  Meeting Cole Sibus for the first time, it will be immediately evident that he is an extrovert. His effervescent personality cascades throughout a conversation, humour seamlessly interwoven, eliciting frequent bouts of laughter...

Marcela Marañ[email protected]“I am beautiful the way I am”  At 20 years old, a car accident resulted in Marcela Marañon being confined to a wheelchair, paralyzed from the waist down. Fast forward to today. The adult Marcela enjoys a very influential...

The Alinker: A Vehicle for ChangeBy Shana Jones From the first Alinker deliveries to ecstatic customers, people previously marginalized by society have been re-imagining and re-purposing their lives. She says she’s not an activist, but I respectfully disagree. She has...

Omar Harrinanan“Do not give up on yourself”Omar Harrinanan has a keen interest in anything tech-related. He spends a significant amount of time seeking out knowledge that relates to his two passions, information technology and gaming. Many hours are spent learning...

Interview with Ron Pettit, Director, Disability & Inclusion and ADA Compliance,Royal Caribbean Groupby Crystal Vaughan-Gagnon, student at St. Cloud State University “I want to leave a legacy, and this is how I do it.” “Plane,” was Ron Pettit’s second word. When he...

Interview with Andrés Gallegos,Chairman of the National Council on DisabilityWritten by St. Cloud State student, Taylor Mulcahy, B.A. in Psychology “I learned to fully embrace my disability and once I did, it became easier to advocate for myself and for others.” Four...

Judy Sango: Disability is not inability At times, things may be difficult, but do not be hesitant to pursue your passion.” 21-year-old Judy Sango has big dreams. One of her dreams is to become a judge. Judy was born with Arthrogryposis, a condition that affects the...

Retired attorney, Roger Chardtalks about a life of grit, determination and excellenceRoger Chard at Parry Peak, ColoradoMy father was totally blind and was educated at the Michigan School for the Blind. He earned bachelors and masters degrees in music from Michigan...

Anil Lewis: Defining his identityby St. Cloud Student Makayla Christen, B.S. in Psychology Lewis recognizes the difficulties many individuals in the disability community may face in the workforce   Anil Lewis grew up in Atlanta, Georgia, as the third of four...