A take-charge "people person," Kurt Kondrich began his career in law enforcement in 1985, when he graduated with a criminology degree and landed a job with the Atlanta Police Department. Six years later, he became deputy sheriff in Fort Meyers, Florida, but missed his family in Pittsburgh. So in 1993, when he heard that his hometown police…

A caregiver of a child or adult with special needs, who is concerned about who will advocate for them when he/she no longer can, may want to consider developing a microboard to oversee their long-term life quality. A microboard is a legally recognized "agency" with the sole purpose of providing support to an individual with developmental or other…

While any child can be a target of bullying, children with disabilities can be especially vulnerable. Research concerning children with disabilities and bullying indicates an increased risk for children with special needs. This article discusses how parents can help protect their children with disabilities from bullying and its devastating effects…

This article features the life of Louise Underwood, an advocate for people with disabilities and their families. Underwood is known for her nickname "The Velvet Hammer" because of her relentless attitude when it comes to advocating for people with disabilities. Many times she has pulled strings to halt legislation that would have…

This article presents the story of Wesley Brooks, a freshman at Middlesex County College and someone who will not let his disability impede him from what he sets out to achieve in life. Brooks was born 24 weeks early and weighed just under one pound. This resulted in him having cerebral palsy, which impacts his motor movement. He also had to…

Advocacy begins with an assumption that if a number of community members are suffering, then there must be something wrong, not with the individual members, but with the community as a whole; therefore, the community must be changed to help alleviate that suffering. Advocacy creates a platform for change by allowing individuals to begin the…

In February of 2000, "Exceptional Parent" introduced readers to the Crowley family. The author profiled John, Aileen, and their three children: Megan, Patrick, and John Jr. They told "Exceptional Parent" that in 1998 both Megan and Patrick were diagnosed with Pompe disease, a progressive, multisystemic, debilitating, and often fatal muscular…

This article presents an interview on Kevin Eggers, a 19-year-old college student from Seattle, Washington, who was diagnosed with epilepsy but had not let it prevent him from accomplishing his goals. As an Epilepsy Advocate, Kevin helps other teens and young adults realize that having a disability does not mean not living a normal and fulfilling…

Eighteen years ago, the author's son Teddy was born with an unbalanced chromosome translocation of 10/12, leaving him with severe disabilities, medically fragile, and chronically ill. The author describes how her entire world was changed that day. Through it all, her journey through life has been an extraordinary educational experience, despite…

Too often, parents of children with disabilities come with negative expectations about the intentions of the teachers and administrators who are proposing an education plan for their son or daughter. In preparation, they arm themselves with advocates, lawyers, and a myriad of outside evaluations in preparation for the "battle" ahead. In…

Four steps in self-advocacy for disabled persons are described: (1) targeting individual or family needs, (2) preparing to work with service professionals to meet the targeted needs, (3) influencing decision makers, and (4) following up to ensure that agreements are kept. (CL)

The article examines legal options for parents concerning guardianship of disabled offspring. A distinction is made among plenary guardian, limited guardian, and guardian of the estate. Also considered are public guardianship programs, private guardianship corporations, and the National Continuity Program which provides funds for locally delivered…

When it comes to making the right choices for children with disabilities, families are the experts. To prove this point, the Hatton Project sponsored a grant wherein researchers interviewed members of 12 families of children with disabilities on factors that caused them to identify themselves as "successful." The results yielded eight lessons…

The executive director of the United Cerebral Palsy Associations, Inc. recounts progress made in advocacy for the disabled since 1972 when he was one of four disabled college students interviewed in this magazine. Remaining challenges are identified including developing a customer-service orientation and eliminating economic and other disparities…

The National Network of Parent Coalitions is composed of 23 coalitions operated by parents whose children have a variety of disabilities. The coalitions help each other in such areas as information, advocacy, peer support, and coordinated training. Members of the National Network of Parent Coalitions are listed. (CL)