Happy holidays! Like many, the holidays are a time for me to reflect on the past year and to look forward to the new opportunities ahead. Over the past year, I spoke to church groups, high schools and businesses from Seattle, Washington to Charlotte, North Carolina. I'm so impressed by the spirit of the people in this country who are interested in getting past any obstacles that stand in their own way. I'm proud to be able to share my story.
I saw a common theme within each and every group. Many people with disabilities are not only looking to thrive themselves, they also seek to make the world around them a better place. It has inspired me to do likewise in 2011. There are many people with disabilities that are combining their entrepreneurial spirit with their philanthropic efforts. Many people with disabilities are sharing their personal journey. I have been inspired to do both and begin a new journey.
This past summer, I reached out to a few friends of mine and asked them if they would like to be involved with a new nonprofit. Our mission is to educate people about people with disabilities. That mission statement is open-ended on purpose. My hope is to be able to get more people with disabilities into high schools as speakers.
I am always amazed at how few students have stories about other people's disabilities. We are moving into a time when there are more children struggling with autism and soldiers coming home with injuries. This is the time to have these stories shared within our schools.
I asked several of my friends to be part of the Board of Directors of this organization -- Disability Education Forum of New York (DEFNY). DEFNY was incorporated in New York State in June of this year and has recently received permission from the IRS to become a 501(C)3. We have received our first corporate support grant from our friends at First Niagara. We have received a donation from the members of Delmar Full Gospel.
Now is the time to tell as many people about DEFNY as we possibly can. In the next three months, our goal is to be able to give five speeches within high schools in New York. We look forward to be able to adding speakers with disabilities and raise further funds to be able to continue this speaker's bureau for years to come.
According to the 2009 New York State Education Department report card, the graduation rate for students is reported to be 74 percent. The graduation rate of those identifying themselves as having a disability is at a staggering 45 percent. If DEFNY cannot educate the general population about the abilities of people with differing disabilities, it certainly can serve as inspiration for those students with disabilities.
At this time of year, we are all asked to give so much. I ask you to join me in telling as many people as you can about our mission with DEFNY to educate people about people with disabilities.