The On-Air Advocate

As we spotlight Craniofacial Acceptance Month (CAM) this September, I am so excited to welcome, Erica Mossholder Executive Director of Children's Craniofacial Association. Erica has served CCA in the past as a Board member and volunteer. She brings her experience from the fields of higher education and business development to CCA to help continue the strong, 30+ year legacy of empowering and giving hope to families affected by facial differences. Erica has a undiagnosed craniofacial difference, and CCA helped her find a surgeon and confidence in the future. Erica seeks to find new ways to connect our community and help make the world a kinder place. Listen in as Erica shares all about the Children's Craniofacial Association and their mission to empower and give hope to individuals and families affected by facial differences. Resource: Children's Craniofacial Association #CraniofacialAcceptanceMonth

As we wrap up our Resource Series, I am so excited to welcome, Rhonda Parker, Executive Director & Founder of Parker Autism Center.

Rhonda Parker Executive Director-Founder of Parker Autism Center a 501C3 nonprofit located in Dallas, Texas. Rhonda has a background in nonprofit and forprofit. She has held positions as a Employment Consultant, Mentor Teacher, General and Special Education Teacher, and Transition Specialist. Rhonda received a Resolution from the Stste of Texas as Outstanding Educator snd Suppirt in the field of Special Education. She has served in numerous educational and business organizations. She Founded PAC in 2013. She created a Summer Camp Program focusing on individualized skill development. She believes it is important to foster independence and help individuals with Autism/learning and physical differences achieve their purpose and goals in life. PAC is developing programming offering solutions in Employment Services, Social-Emotional Services and Parent Services. Her motto "Everyone has potential within and given the opportunity they can achieve their personal level of success ."

Listen in as Rhonda shares an overview of the Parker Autism Center (PAC) and Employment Services.

Resource: Rhonda Parker

As we continue our Resource Series, I am so excited to welcome, Samantha Johnson, Wife of 1, Mom of 3 and Co-Founder of Champions Club.

Samantha is the Co-Founder of Champions Foundation and Champions Club Developmental Centers for special needs with over 75 across the world. Sam serves on staff with the Lakewood Missions Team and Lakewood Champions Club. She is a wife and mom of three children, Cory, Courtney, and Connor. Sam is a special needs advocate and inspiration to mothers with special needs all around the globe. Sam and her husband Craig have been in full time ministry for over 28 years.

Listen in as Samantha shares information on the Champions Foundation and Champions Club Developmental Centers across the world!

As we continue our Resource Series, I am so excited to welcome, Paula & Rosie Quinn Founders of Coming Up Rosies.

Paula and Rosie Quinn are the founders of Coming Up Rosies, a nonprofit dedicated to fulfilling Rosie's dream to make bald kids like her smile confidently.

At 2 years old, Rosie was diagnosed with Alopecia Universalis, an incurable autoimmune disease that results in baldness. From a young age, Rosie taught her parents how to embrace her difference by coming up with magical adventures of her hair each night before bed.

Despite Rosie's confidence, awkward questions and comments about her baldness started to bother Rosie. One day, her parents surprised her with a head scarf made from one of her paintings. Rosie immediately felt confident again, and wanted to share this feeling of pride with all bald children.

Rosie lives in Chicago, with her sister Caroline, her parents Paula and Larry, and their bernedoodle, Enzo. As a family, they love to go to Cubs games, have dance parties, and cook Italian dinners at home.

Listen in as Paula & Rosie share all about their New Book 📚 My Hair Went on Vacation and how Coming Up Rosies, their nonprofit is continuing to fulfill Rosie's dream to make bald kids like her smile confidently.

Learn More : www.ComingUpRosies.com

Many Thanks : Kendra Scott Little Big Shots American Red Cross Grant Thornton US

#Alopecia #AlopeciaAwareness 

As we continue our Resource Series, I am so excited to welcome, Evan Schermer Founder and President of The SEED Center.

Evan Schermer is the Founder and President of the Center for Social Enrichment and Educational Development, The SEED Center.

Mr. Schermer is a New York State certified school psychologist and has worked in the field of special education and autism for over 25 years. Prior to starting The SEED Center, Mr. Schermer helped build and establish several private schools for individuals with autism and related disabilities. Mr. Schermer was the former Chairman of the Custom Education Foundation, which is a not-for-profit (501c3) organization that provides resources and support to individuals with special needs and their families.

Evan Schermer is a certified instructor in Nonviolent Crisis Intervention (CPI) and trains and certifies all therapists employed by The SEED Center. Mr. Schermer is proud to have been awarded the U.S. Small Business Administration's Entrepreneurial Success Award in May 2015. Finally, , The SEED Center is accredited as a Center of Excellence by the BHCOE. Mr. Schermer's experience and knowledge, clinically and professionally, ensure a solid foundation and strength for The SEED Center to excel and grow.

The SEED Center offers a wide range of services to children, adolescents and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and related disabilities including: Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) - The SEED Center staff integrates the practical applications of ABA principles across a variety of everyday experiences.

Listen in as Evan shares with us all about The SEED Center and the wide range of services they offer for children, adolescents and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder and related disabilities.

#Autism #ABA #ASD

As we continue our Resource Series, I am so excited to welcome , Dr. Jennifer Edwards, Wellness Scientist and Entrepreneur.

Jennifer started her career working in public health at the federal and local levels. She submitted presidential appointee health testimony to the U.S. Congressional Record and has served as Principal Investigator for Centers for Disease Control, Health Resources and Services Administration, and Robert Wood Johnson Foundation grants.

She was an invited TEDx speaker on women's wellness, but the event was canceled due to the pandemic. That didn't stop her dedication to wellness. Brands like Tieks and Rothy's have supported her mission.

She speaks to women about reversing burnout and created a four-step system to restore balance called Wellthy. Today, she is immersed in wellness and growing her multicultural clean beauty brand, Refinne. Grab a socially distant latte with her if you're ever in Dallas where she lives with her husband and two children.

Listen in as Jennifer discusses the great importance overall wellness in our lives and tools to avoid burnout.

As we continue our Resource Series, I am so excited to welcome, Andy Petro, Chief Operations Officer at The Hope Learning Center.

Andy Petro is an executive, coach, author, and educator. Throughout his career, he has worked in traditional, charter, and private education, both bricks-and-mortar, and online. In his role as COO at The Hope Learning Center, Andy works with therapists, teachers, paraprofessionals, behavior analysts, psychologists and counselors to provide the systems and supports necessary to enable our amazing staff members to deliver life-changing academic, therapeutic, and behavioral services to the children and families in various school, community, and outpatient settings.

Our Mission : The Hope Learning Centers and Schools will be the premier provider of educational and therapeutic services for children with special needs. It will be a model for excellence, a safe haven for students and a vibrant and outspoken advocate for those who need our support. Our committed, talented and compassionate staff will exude the characteristics of patience, perseverance and trust by using a multi-disciplinary approach of best practices. Individual success will be celebrated and students lives will be improved.

Listen in as Andy shares all about The Hope Learning Center and their services, along with some useful strategies!

Resource: The Hope Learning Center

As we continue our Resource Series, I am so excited to welcome, Erin Galyean, Professional Author, Speaker, and Trainer.

Erin has spent two decades honing her communication and interpersonal skills in the corporate sector. As a professional trainer, author, and public speaker, Erin is passionate about inspiring and encouraging others to live the life they truly desire. Daily she equips sales professionals with the skills needed to better communicate and connect with healthcare providers and mentors a small group of top-rated sales trainers. Erin's favorite training workshops are those that focus on developing relational skills like emotional intelligence, advanced communication, and leadership. Erin lost her father in 1997 to Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma and her sister Meghan in 2018 to a rare lung disease. These heartbreaking life events taught her how to effectively advocate for a patient. The most recent loss of her sister led her to a vision of helping others powerfully advocate for the patient in their life.

Listen in as Erin shares how family members and friends can get their seriously ill loved one the best care possible with the right knowledge and tools.

Resource: Badass Advocates

As we continue our Covid Conversations Series, I am so excited to welcome back , Sarah Sweeney.

More About Sarah : My name is Sarah Sweeney, and I am 35 years old. I have my Masters's degree in Social Work, and I am interested in many causes. I have Cerebral Palsy, and because of this I have sometimes found it difficult to show employers my skill-set, and be given the opportunity to prove myself and my capabilities. In addition, I am always grateful to be a part of many different projects or organizations I love to travel and would love the opportunity to travel and share my story in order to help others.

Listen in as Sarah shares how the challenges 2020 & Covid 19 have affected her and our differently abled community.

As we continue our Covid Conversations Series, I am so excited to welcome back to the show , Chris Blezien.

Chris has mild Cerebral Palsy and is 38 years old. He has had several jobs including Cashier at the Kane County Cougars. He had the privilege of interning at Disney World in Orlando Florida in 2003 as a Guest Services Host. Chris attended College Of Dupage and worked at Walmart as a greeter from 2007-2014 . His most recent job was as a Guest Services Ambassador in 2017. Chris has tried getting employment services from Department of Rehab but, it ended up being a dead end. At the initial meeting a counselor assigned to Chris told him that he had done too much for employment services and that she had people waiting five years just to get a part time job. Then he found Achieving Independence and Mobility Center for independent living who he is working with to this very day. Chris can't begin to express how much they have helped and encouraged him. They have given Chris housing leads, helped him with resume writing and encouraged Chris to go back to college and complete his degree.

Listen in as Chris shares how the challenges 2020 & Covid 19 have affected him and our differently abled community.

#CovidConversations