John Quinn's path to self actualization is magnificent. He is a decorated U.S. Veteran, who served as the Administrative Leading Chief on the USS John C. Stennis and the Assistant Ship Secretary on the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower. John served for 20 years in the U.S. Navy. He is now a retired Senior Chief Petty Officer, advocate, motivational speaker, and author of Someone Like Me: An Unlikely Story of Challenge and Triumph Over Cerebral Palsy.

At the age of four, John started to walk. Abruptly, after this amazing childhood milestone, he was diagnosed with cerebral palsy by a medical professional. Cerebral Palsy affected his gait, balance, reflex, posture, vision, and he was born with two different sized feet. John was part of a large family, as he was one of eight children. His parents decided early on that John would be treated the same way as the rest of their children. This parenting approach, a push for determination to overcome daily obstacles, required John to understand the importance of independence at a young age. 

John reached a point of paramount significance. He enlisted in the Navy and never disclosed that he had been diagnosed with cerebral palsy. John did not want to be treated differently; he wanted to be recognized for his hard-work and perseverance. Over the course of 20 years, John kept his disability a secret; he received multiple military decorations including four Navy Commendation Medals, Joint Service Achievement Medal, and four Navy Achievement Medals. John is also authorized to wear the Enlisted Surface Warfare breast insignia.

In the interview with our Different & Able President and Founder, Alexandra Nicklas, John shares his triumphant coming of age story. From the challenges John faced as a young child to his struggles in adult life, he is a  role model who epitomizes perseverance and dedication. John’s hope for a fully inclusive society is achievable, as he has stated, “Together we can do great things.” 

Kelly Cervantes is chairwoman-elect for the non-profit organization CURE Epilepsy, which promotes and funds patient-focused research to discover a cure for epilepsy. Kelly also hosts the podcast/videocast, “Seizing Life,” dedicated to encouraging empathy, hope, and support through personal stories pertaining to epilepsy and a cure for the neurological disorder. In addition to these positions, Kelly also organizes fundraising campaigns, such as the My Shot at Epilepsy campaign that she spearheaded with her husband Miguel, writes a blog entitled “Inchstones,” and speaks at epilepsy events nationwide. Epilepsy was not always a cornerstone in Kelly’s life.

In 2015, Kelly and Miguel welcomed a baby girl, Adelaide Grace, to their family, which already included their son, Jackson. When Adelaide was seven months old, she was diagnosed with epilepsy and eventually, infantile spasms, a severe form of childhood epilepsy. With Miguel starring as Alexander Hamilton in Hamilton: An American Musical the family moved to Chicago and Kelly became a stay at home mom and Adelaide’s primary caregiver. Kelly and Miguel spent three years with their incredible little girl. Sadly, Adelaide passed away on October 12, 2019, five days before her fourth birthday, from an unknown neuro-degenerative condition.

In the interview with our Different & Able President and Founder, Alexandra Nicklas, Kelly shares the story of her daughter, Adelaide. Heartbroken, but determined; Kelly chooses to celebrate Adelaide’s life each day, fighting for a cure in memory of her daughter. Adelaide would have celebrated her fifth birthday, just four days ago, on October 17, 2020. Even though Adelaide is no longer with us, her journey inspires us to find a cure. Happy Birthday, Adelaide.

Dr. Elliot Kaminetzky is a licensed Clinical Psychologist, member of the Association of Cognitive and Behavioral Therapies (CBT), and the founder CBT Base Camp, a community for mental health professionals. He specializes in the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), other anxiety-based disorders in adults and children, and Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT).

Dr. Kaminetzky’s, My OCD Care, an educational program and clinical treatment process, provides individuals with a goal-forward approach to high quality well-rounded care. With his wealth of knowledge and friendly nature, Dr. Kaminetzky shares his highly praised My OCD Care lecture series to the world. His lectures are free of charge and accessible to anyone that is seeking information and/or treatment for obsessive compulsive disorder.

Dr. Kaminetzsky’s affability greets individuals seeking advice and treatment options for OCD, in a compassionate manner. Interviewed by our Different & Able President and Founder, Alexandra Nicklas, he discusses symptoms, treatments, and innovative strategies for a person living with obsessive-compulsive disorder. Dr. Kaminetzsky encourages those living with OCD to practice mindfulness, find strength in adversity, and seek treatment options, so they can live their best lives. 

Four individuals discuss their stories in the work place in the face of their disabilities. 

Josh LaBarge is a personal trainer, the owner of Conquer Fitness, and an epilepsy advocate. Throughout his life, he has struggled with a genetic form of epilepsy. Josh uses his own story and fitness journey to empower others to “conquer” their own fitness and wellness goals. Josh recently sat down with our Different & Able President and Founder, Alexandra Nicklas to chronicle his life with epilepsy.

In the interview, Josh discusses the challenges of his medication regimen, the injuries he has sustained during seizure episodes, the support of his family and friends, his life-long mission to stay active, and succeed in seizure self-management. Josh’s charismatic personality and honest manner is evident through the course of the video. His attitude towards obtaining and sustaining a healthy lifestyle is paramount for him and his clients.

Like most, Josh looked for structure and wellness in his college years. He knew he had to curb his unhealthy routines; and he succeeded to forge a future, that has enabled his inner and outer strength. His “lick your wounds and move on” mentality, has helped him earn role model status and be seizure free for three years.

Sophia Rose Gigante is an entrepreneur, an author, and hydrocephalus warrior. Her book, Strength, Resilience, Growth: How I Defied Physical and Mental Limitations and Took Control of My Future, inspires others to harness their inner power, to bring their health and wellness goals to fruition. Sophia’s true goal is to help people with difference, just like her, live a healthy and rewarding life. 

At just 22 years old, Sophia launched her own business, SRG Fitness in Westchester, NY. Her all-inclusive approach to health and wellness is offered through personal training, virtual training, and her expert nutrition counseling and meal planning.  

Sophia is an NCSF Certified Personal Trainer and NASM Certified Sports Nutrition Specialist; with this knowledge and her empathic personality, she specializes in helping clients with special needs, Autism, anxiety disorders, Scoliosis, Epilepsy, and stroke victims. 

Sophia’s unwavering affable disposition and her everlasting drive to support her clients, she advocates living life to the fullest. In this interview with our Different & Able President and Founder, Alexandra Nicklas, Sophia shares her journey with difference and her altruistic spirit. When you finish watching, it will be hard not to feel emboldened. You will want to put on your sneakers, grab an apple, and start your own wellness journey with Sophia. 

Mindy Scheier is a mom of three, an entrepreneur, and an authority on accessible fashion. She is also the founder and CEO of the Runway of Dreams Foundation, which she started in 2014 with the help of her son Oliver, who has a rare form of muscular dystrophy. Oliver wanted to wear jeans to school like his peers; so Mindy took on the request and modified a pair of jeans for her son to wear the next day. Being in the fashion industry and inspired by Oliver's new jeans, Mindy began her journey designing adaptive clothing that enthuses people with disabilities.

As a renowned leader in adaptive clothing and advocate for inclusion, Mindy collaborates with mainstream brands to make modifications for their present and future apparel lines. These adaptive pieces are wearer friendly, stylish, and encourage conviction, autonomy, and self-expression for people with difference. Her design work has also earned her the award for Ark Catalyst Marketing Influencer of the Year; Mindy also kicked off New York Fashion Week in the fall of 2019 with a runway show, featuring models of all abilities.

Recently, Mindy chronicled her fashion vision and the Runaway of Dreams Foundation mission, of “working toward a future of inclusion, acceptance and opportunity in the fashion industry for people with disabilities,” with our Different & Able President and Founder, Alexandra Nicklas. Mindy’s design modifications enable people with difference, by giving them the power to choose their own fashion. With a flaunt forward fashion mentality and her contagious exuberance, Mindy’s philosophy on accessible fashion shines, “Where there is a will, there is a runway.”