DCMN Women's History Month

When I look into the mirror, I often question, who do I see looking back at me? When I look at my college graduation photo, I say… “I made history!” I made history by becoming Ms. Wheelchair NYS 2018, graduating college so far with an associates degree that only 6 to 7% of students with disabilities graduate college and founding a non-profit organization. I am someone that serves on many committees such as the Council On Developmental Disabilities where I serve as vice chair. I ask myself, am I a future Shirley Chisholm, Rosa Parks or Michelle Obama in the making? They are amongst the most amazing women we are celebrating this month for Women’s History. 


Shirley Chisholm was known for her work against economic, social, and political injustices as well as being a strong supporter of black civil rights, women's rights and here I am now advocating and speaking on systems of injustice for people with disabilities. They have been my inspirations as well as the mentors who helped me through the years to succeed in my purposeful, fulfilling educational journey. I definitely did not do it alone… When I think about Shirley Chisholm, I think about my parents facing injustice being denied access to benefits for me, who had a disability because they either made too much or less money to be eligible for certain programs. They chose to walk away because they were tired of the run around. In my culture, parents do their best to support their children without asking for help from the system and now today I choose to not stay silent for my rights. When someone asks my parents who I am, they say I am tough to battle not only as a disability champion but a system champion calling for change. I’m a descendant from the Caribbean and come from women who came to America to live the American dream. This is part of history that shapes my life to pursue more education, wealth and opportunities. 

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Michelle LaVaughn Robinson Obama is the former US First Lady from 2009 to 2017. A cum laude from Princeton University and later earned her Juris Doctor from Harvard Law School in 1988. She’s a 4x book author and has won two Grammy Awards for Best Spoken Word Album (for Becoming and The Light We Carry). She is currently a co-host podcaster alongside her brother Craig Robinson titled IMO (In My Opinion). She is the epitome of Womenhood. She was never just the First Lady, she had many titles that she owned and carried into the White House becoming a grand inspiration to all women including fashion. 

I DEDICATE THIS WOMEN’S HISTORY ARTICLE TO PARA PROFESSIONALS, TEACHERS, MENTORS and MY VILLAGE! 

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I want to start with Ms. Reed who was my paraprofessional in elementary school who has recently passed away. As shy as I was, she reached for me and we connected. Her trust was palpable with me as well as my parents which was a gain being that they felt comfortable enough for her to stay with me. She became my protector and advocate, when I asked her if I was able to be employed to help people like me, she always said that I could do anything I desired. Even though I was young, I was inspired by her, she planted a seed in me to become a para professional and to start building on my legacy.  

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My teacher in elementary school was Ms. Barnswell helped to lay my foundation of what I call a meaningful educator in my environment. No one was left behind. She has had the opportunity to watch me grow academically. She had no idea how her work in my alma public school, an underserved community in East New York, Brooklyn  was what shaped the work I do now as a leader in educational space and in my future college studies. Her classroom environment felt calm, safe to participate in and easy to ask for support. Students bonded with me without seeing any difference in me. I never had to question my social life as I do now. She knew I had a voice but had no idea of its strength (because I hid it from society for many reasons) till after giving a graduation keynote speech at the school as Ms Wheelchair NYS 2018, she was amazed! From time to time she would call or text to give me motivation when I needed it the most; because of her, my future plans to own a school to help the underserved, those students that face struggles and have unique abilities is so tangible to me. I'm very grateful to her for that. 

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The next para professional was from my High School, Ms. Rosado. While being a para professional, Ms. Rosado was there to become a teacher (which she eventually became) and she advocated for students like me with disabilities or kids who were labeled with behavioral needs. She often recognized the needs of her students that the school system would miss seeing in them and would encourage us to do better so that we can see a bright future in ourselves. Although I found my journey to be discouraging at times, she was always by my side to encourage me by simplifying how the teachers were teaching me to understand things better as well as keeping me up with my assignments. She also advocated for my physical, occupational services and after school activities. When it was time to start planning my future after H.S., many of the teachers and administrators believed that I could only achieve basic levels of education due to my high needs of support but her view for my future was always different. She saw my potential, my voice and pressed on with me. We began searching for my interests in colleges till I found the right fit for me. Once I graduated from H.S., she told me to make sure I do something with my diploma because she knew how hard I worked for it. She said to take on college even if it’s one class at a time. Until this day I call her my school mom because she made me feel good and proud of myself, she saw me for who I was beyond my limitations… beyond my wheelchair.

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To Dr. Nelle, my godmother and my mentor till this day. She inspires the vision of my journey, my life and my mission to create the Disability Champions Mentoring Network (DCMN). She is a Pastor, a woman of faith and she showed me how to use mine. We often converse about empowerment and mental health for ALL. She also gave me ways to tell my story and how to be ok with the challenges that I face. I learned how to find my purpose through all that she taught me. She told me since I was a child that I am not allowed to make my disability an excuse!  

Since I was 17 years old, I was called to share my story and created a mission to help others. As a Black woman with a purpose, a leader and a motivational speaker like Shirley Chisholm and Michelle Obama, on different levels, it's been and will always be a tough road to navigate. I often ask myself, am I too ambitious? Most times I keep my vision to myself because most people do not agree or have the same vision as I do. At times I overthink or want to shrink myself but I wonder if Shirley, Michelle or any of the wonderful women who inspired me did that, would they have accomplished as much as they did? I highly doubt it! So I know it’s gonna be hard at times for us women as it always has, but the reward to inspire other women and the future generation of women is truly worth it!

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Annmarie, Dr. Nelle, Liz, Emily, and Me

Mom and Me

Wani, his mom Gracie, and Me

With all that being said, I want to shout out Dr. Tammy who in 2020 heard my call to action for a mentor program for students with disabilities during a panel at the Equality and Transition Summit. She was ready to support me in bringing my mission to reality. Also, to all the women in my life that have always embraced me, mentored me, coached me and counseled me in different moments in my life then and now. The Super Moms on this journey of caregiving for their children with disabilities like Gracie who is an entrepreneur, inspires me to continue being that entrepreneur and advocate to help families in our same world. Lastly to the women, the goat, the one who taught me how to spread my wings far and wide: My Mother. I don’t think she knows how much I observed her and how I watched every moment of how she navigated our lives to give me the best of everything I needed. The strength she carried as she became not only my caregiver but my advocate and protector. She set the bar high as well as the blueprint that I carry into who I am today. She is the reason why I have accomplished so much. She will forever be a recognition of mine for Women’s History.



Author: Ketrina Hazell, Executive Director, Founder Disability Champions Mentoring Network
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