Loretta Claiborne was the middle of seven children in a poor, single-parent family. Born partially blind and intellectually challenged, she was unable to walk or talk until age four. Eventually, though, she began to run. And before she knew it, she had crossed the finish line of twenty-six marathons, twice placing among the top one-hundred women in the Boston Marathon. She introduced President Bill Clinton at the 1995 Special Olympics World Summer Games and has won medals in dozens of its events, and also holds the current women's record in her age group for the 5000 meters at seventeen minutes.

Today, Claiborne is a celebrated athlete who was honored in 1996 with ESPN's ESPY Arthur Ashe Award for Courage. Her life is recounted in Walt Disney Productions The Loretta Claiborne Story (originally broadcast on ABC-TV and now on DVD) and in the biography, "In Her Stride" published by WorldScapes. Considering all of Claiborne's achievements, these are just small steps in her life's mission to show that persons with intellectual and physical disabilities are equal to those without.

"I figured if my story could change a person's mind about another person, or especially a child's mind about another child, then it was the right thing to do," Claiborne says. Now in her mid-sixties, she recalls a time when children taunted her for being different and how the taunting turned her into an angry young woman who was expelled from high school and fired from a job. Although she loved to run and used her speed and strength to protect herself in fights against cruel classmates, she credits the Special Olympics with helping her realize that her tremendous athletic talent could be used to do good.

Claiborne was first introduced to the Special Olympics by social worker Janet McFarland (played by Emmy Award-winner Camryn Manheim in the movie). She credits McFarland as well as her family, community, educators, Special Olympics founder Eunice Kennedy Shriver and her own strong spirituality with giving her the confidence necessary to become a world-class runner. "If it weren't for sports, I wouldn't be the person I am today. I was very angry before and sports was the arena that turned that around for me," Claiborne says. "I got support from family, community, and God -- he is the strength of all and can make anything possible." 

The Loretta Claiborne Story not only outlines Claiborne's personal and spiritual journey, but it shows her joyful, sometimes mischievous personality. "In the simplest terms, it's about possibility," says executive producer Suzanne de Passe. "Loretta Claiborne's life is uplifting and full of a sense of renewal. But it's not humorless. It doesn't hit you like a freight train with a somber, one-note refrain. This is also about a very engaging, funny personality." 

Running is not the only part of Claiborne's life. She holds a 4th-degree black belt in karate, communicates in four languages, including American Sign Language, and holds three honorary doctorate degrees from Quinnipiac University, Villanova University, and York College of Pennsylvania, making her the first person with an intellectual disability known to receive such honors, according to Special Olympics Incorporated. 

However, Claiborne says the most rewarding part of her life has been her involvement with the Special Olympics, and she wants to continue helping people with intellectual disabilities and physical disabilities succeed. She advises them, "Find an opportunity and seize it. Be the best you can be, and never let anyone doubt you." Claiborne runs every day -- often about five miles, even when she plans to go only three or four. Just for the joy of it, the joy of the moment. It is how she lives her life. "I don't really look toward the future because you don't know what tomorrow will bring," she says. "You have to live your life for today." 

Interviewed by our Different & Able President and Founder, Alexandra Nicklas, Loretta recounts her journey from being ignored in school to becoming the voice of millions of Special Olympics athletes. Loretta shares heart-felt messages of hope and tolerance for people around the world through her amazing stories of endurance and determination. Sports have given Loretta a chance to shine and bring down barriers. "I hope that whatever comes out of my life, people feel better about people with intellectual disabilities,” Loretta says. “I don't need my name on buildings. I don't need my name anywhere. But I hope people think back on my life and see that everyone deserves to have the right to work, to live, to play.”

Biography information courtesy of Loretta Claiborne | Read Her Inspirational Story.

Movie Trailer: "The Wonderful World of Disney" The Loretta Claiborne Story (TV Episode 2000) - IMDb

Edie Cusack is a College of Charleston alumni and an award-winning, National Board-Certified Teacher who has educated and advocated for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) for more than 30 years. Inclusion and self-determination are the philosophies she incorporated into the REACH Program, a postsecondary certificate program for students with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities at the College of Charleston that she created and developed in 2010. With a grant from the College Transition Connection program, the REACH Program has four areas of focus: academics, social, independent living, and career development. The REACH Program models a typical college experience. Students take regular classes and live on campus. As the Program’s executive director, Edie continues to break down barriers for post-secondary education students with mild intellectual and developmental disabilities. In addition to her work at the College of Charleston, Edie works with other universities to build inclusive programs that unlock entire new worlds for students with unique gifts to give.

In this interview, with our Different & Able President and Founder, Alexandra Nicklas, Edie discusses how after high school the college transition for students with intellectual difficulties is challenging. This is the time when students move out of their family home, navigate independence for the first time, and figure out who they are, and what they want to do with their lives. She also speaks about how the REACH program can be an inclusive educational experience for students with intellectual difficulties that prepares students for productive, full, and meaningful lives. Edie states, “I believe in the dignity of risk. College is a time to make choices, and a time to learn from those choices and their consequences. Our goal is for our students to experience college life through inclusive participation in academics, social-skill building, independent living activities and career development. We want our students to graduate and join the workforce where they live independently and hold a job they love.”

Ben Glenn is an author of seven books, an artist, an ADHD specialist, and a Lego fanatic. He is also known as The Chalkguy and president of Chalkguy Media International. Ben was diagnosed with dyslexia and other learning disabilities while in grade school. As an adult he also learned that he had Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and suddenly everything about his life made perfect sense. Dropping out of college to pursue a love of art and speaking, Ben has been on the road, full-time since 1995. He has traveled to every part of the United States as well as to more remote places like China and Australia, to educate himself and others about ADHD.

 Years of living with and studying ADHD has brought Ben to the firm conclusion that ADHD impairs a person's life the most when that person is trapped in an ADHD-unfriendly environment or does not possess the information they need in order to deal with their symptoms in the right way. Ben's special mission is to share the realities of ADHD through his speaking, writing, and art with as many people as possible. His live art demonstrations, as The Chalkguy, are dynamic and not-to-be-missed. They astonish audiences, sweeping them up in an exciting and memorable experience.  

Interviewed by our Different & Able President and Founder, Alexandra Nicklas, Ben talks about his family, his heartfelt experiences living with ADHD,  how he overcame adversity, and his passion for art. Ben, who is quite humorous, also discusses The Chalkguy Experience! and how he is dedicated to share his positive message of hope with groups all over the world. Ben continues to inspire and educate through art and storytelling. He has proved that ADHD has been his perfect companion throughout his life, as a performer, creator, and educator.

Dean Bragonier is the Founder and “Executive Dyslexic'' of NoticeAblitiy, which is a nonprofit organization dedicated to, “helping students with dyslexia identify their unique strengths and build self-esteem.” Shaped by the challenges associated with his own dyslexia and wanting to help his son Bodhi, who is also dyslexic, Dean decided to create an after-school strength-based program for students with dyslexia. Dean partnered with the Harvard Business School, the Harvard School of Education, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), among others, and created a middle school level curriculum that helps dyslexic children learn in different ways.

Dean wanted to change the conversation around dyslexia and make it a more positive one. In 2015, Dean began a 50-nautical-mile swimming adventure to draw donations for NoticeAbility, to hit the intended $145,000 target for curriculum development. Through Dean’s passion for education and his conviction that the advantages of dyslexia far outweigh its associated challenges, Dean was able to take the donations from his swimming adventure to build NoticeAbility’s first curriculum entitled, Entrepreneurs & Innovators. The organization is now globally leading the way to target those individuals with dyslexia that may not have the resources or the level of awareness in their home or in their classroom. NoticeAbilty unlocks the power of the dyslexic mind, enabling students to be exposed to the professional paths, in which most people with dyslexia find success.

In this interview with our Different & Able President and Founder, Alexandra Nicklas, Dean shares his personal journey with dyslexia. He also discussed how highlighting the cognitive advantages of dyslexia empowers the individual and benefits society at large. By looking at the unique mindset of students with dyslexia as a strength, Dean reframes a perceived weakness as a powerful tool and teaches us all a lesson about the importance of an open mind and an open heart.

Jonathan Mooney is a dyslexic writer, motivational speaker, author, and activist. He is a graduate of Brown University and a winner of the prestigious Truman Scholarship. Jonathan is the Founder and President of Project Eye-to-Eye, which has over fifty chapters in over twenty states nationwide. Eye to Eye is a “national mentoring movement that empowers young people with learning disabilities by giving them a mentor who shares that experience.” 

At twelve years old, Jonathan learned to read. Identified by others as "dyslexic and profoundly learning disabled with attention and behavior problems," Jonathan Mooney wanted to free himself and others from being labeled. As a child, Jonathan was categorized as a short bus rider- a term used for children in special education. This misnomer led Johnathan, as an adult, to create a larger-than-life journey. He purchased his own short bus and set out across the country. Jonathan looked for children who had dreamed of whimsical, imaginative, and magnificent ways to overcome the stigma, the labels, and the negative perceptions of others. 

Jonathan has established himself as one of the foremost leaders in LD/ADHD, disabilities, and alternative education. He is the author of three books, Normal Sucks: How to Live, Learn, and Thrive Outside the Lines The Short Bus: A Journey Beyond Normal Learning Outside The Lines: Two Ivy League Students With Learning Disabilities And ADHD Give You The Tools For Academic Success and Educational Revolution. He has also appeared in The New York Times, USA Today, NPR, ABC News, New York Magazine, The Washington Post, The Boston Globe and numerous other local and regional papers in the cities, states, and countries where Jonathan has traveled.

Interviewed by our Different & Able President and Founder, Alexandra Nicklas, Jonathan shares his views on the narrow educational definition of intelligence and the fight to advocate for oneself. Jonathan says, “We need to stop trying to figure out what is wrong with people and focus on what is right with people.” He is hopeful that, by talking about one’s difference, society’s stigma of people with differences will be eliminated. Johnathan’s goal is that young people with a difference will be confident and optimistic in what the bright and successful future holds for them.

David Flink is a social movement leader, international speaker, and author of the book, Thinking Differently: An Inspiring Guide for Parents of Children with Learning Disabilities. He graduated from Brown University earning two B.A. degrees, with honors, in education and psychology; he continued on to Columbia University to earn his M.A degree in dis/ability studies. While a student at Brown University in 1998, alongside a group of dedicated volunteers, David created Eye to Eye, a "national mentoring movement that empowers young people with learning disabilities (LD) by giving them a mentor who shares that experience." David is the Founder and Chief Empowerment Officer of Eye to Eye, which has over 50 chapters in over 20 states nationwide and recently developed a virtual platform, Eye to Eye: Learning Differently 101, to continue to reach students and educators wherever they are.   

David was diagnosed at a young age with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, commonly referred to by its acronym ADHD, and dyslexia. As a child, his parents and teachers applauded David’s educational strides and knew he had the brainpower to achieve his dreams. However, David felt that he would have found the message of achievement to be more valuable and effective; especially if he had heard from another person who also had a learning disability. Using an empathetic approach, Eye to Eye today is accomplishing what David wanted as a child, a mentoring movement by people with learning disabilities and attention disorder for students with learning disabilities and attention disorder.This confidant method allows children to flourish with confidence and learning independence.

David regularly speaks to audiences ranging from students and educators to social entrepreneurs, policymakers, and corporate leaders. David has been the keynote speaker at the International Dyslexia Association’s Annual Conference, the Education Revolution Conference held in San Francisco’s AT&T Park, and the Arts and Special Education Conference at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC. Also, David was elected to the prestigious Ashoka Fellowship in 2011 and he was named one of the New Leaders Council “40 Under 40."

Interviewed by our Different & Able President and Founder, Alexandra Nicklas, David discusses his mentorship program and his personal struggles with ADHD and dyslexia. He is hopeful that by talking about one’s difference, society’s stigma of people with differences will be eliminated. David believes that a person can overcome challenges by educating others and following their passion. David has been quoted saying, “Tell your story. From your story comes our community, and comes greatness ahead.”

Ella Sigander is an 8th grade student, who was diagnosed with the learning disability dyslexia in 2nd Grade. Ella faced difficulties at school with reading and writing. Unfortunately, she was bullied for her difference by her peers. Moreover, Ella also dealt with educators who did not understand dyslexia and lacked empathy. Her parents requested a 504 plan, which is a blueprint that supports a student with a disability and removes barriers to one’s learning, to assist Ella during school hours. Even though Ella was being supported with her 504 plan in place, Ella’s parents decided they would seek out additional ways to assist Ella with her dyslexia. 

With her parents persistence, Ella decided to try a new approach to tackle her dyslexia; this approach is called the Neural Organization Technique (NOT). NOT is a chiropractic-based technique, which primarily deals with identifying and correcting faults within the autonomic nervous system. After implementing this technique, Ella went back to school and her Lexile Measurement improved by three grade levels. Ella was experiencing positive results and her confidence skyrocketed. 

In the interview with our Different & Able President and Founder, Alexandra Nicklas, Ella eloquently shares her personal experiences with dyslexia. Ella is a role model and a huge source of encouragement for people with dyslexia and other differences. Describing her disorder, Ella has said, “I may never accept it, but it won’t define who I am.”