Bio
I’m a survivor, creative and forward thinker, innovator, teacher, speaker, inspirer, and advocate for technology that helps people work around disabilities be more independent, active, and enjoy a more fulfilling life..
I’ve been legally blind (20/800, low resolution) since birth. I’m autistic and have bad ADHD. After surviving 18 years of foster care, I made a strong determination to not only be an independent and successful contributing member of society, but most of all to teach and inspire others. I’ve been determined to work around my physical and mental challenges. I view things as how they can be helpful in other unintended ways, and respond to problems with thinking of resolutions. My adult life has been a story of making the next solution to my needs. I enjoy teaching and helping others get more out of life and to enjoy winning against their disabilities and other similar limitations.
My last foster dad showed me that “disability doesn’t have to mean inactivity and dependency on others, but instead can be the opportunity to show independence and have the free time to do more for others”. From a teenager, he knew that his time working would be limited, and yet he worked as hard as he could for as long as he could. Afterwards, he still ran a small farm and, with the inspiration from a good foster parent he’d had, he took in not just any kids, but those with the worst trauma and mental conditions, to give them an overall good and relaxing place to live. His family was the best three years of my childhood, and where I learned more skills and good character than anywhere before. His example taught me to take my desire to do well in life and run with it as best as I can.
Now, after nearly 20 years of working as well as I could, I’ve used this next part of my life to do more for others and hopefully inspire many to see what they can become or what they can help with to make life better for themselves and others who face physical and mental limitations. Now, I’m doing more, being more involved, and recently starting my own organization dedicated to this cause.