"If Alex could have cartwheeled down the hallway after connecting with you, he would have," Terri Morse of Essex County (NY) Social Worker reported on the telephone. Alex made contact with me via email immediately after watching the video.
"He needs to see positive role models. He has a new enthusiasm about his education He was inspired by the video for he discovered that there are other People with Disabilities who live fulfilling lives and it was helpful for him to actually see someone in action who was living with a family, driving a car, having a successful career..."
I understand. My role models growing up were Bob Costas, Dick Stockton and Sean McDonough. I wanted to study broadcasting at Syracuse University. But what I didn't have, was an individual that with a disability I could look up to (I'm 3' 9"short -- pun intended). I also didn't have someone I could call or e-mail.
My mentors have come from my able-bodied friends. Dr. Russ Ouellette of Sojourn Partners is someone I've known since I was a teenager. Over the past 20 years, Russ and I have been able to brainstorm about ideas along the way.
The foundation of Our Ability, a mentoring website and web portal for people with disabilities, was built during our barbecues in the summertime while the kids were running around. I met Rob Sheffer, Regional General Manager - Northeast for Cargill, 10 years ago through our wives. They met at a newcomer's dinner and we were told to tag along. We have stayed great friends. Rob serves as a mentor as I build this mentoring business.
In the past three weeks since Our Ability launched, we have received numerous e-mails (Derek included), 25 unsolicited resumes and thousands of page views. There is an interest in seeking out similar stories from people with disabilities about successful People with Disabilities. I always knew there would be interest in viewing the stories, but I still underestimated the need for mentoring.
Recently, I had the opportunity to visit the White House in regard to the Start Up America Partnership initiative. Based on a blog I wrote about noticing a lack of mention of mentoring People with Disabilities, I was invited along with colleagues of mine from the Burton Blatt Institute at Syracuse University. We were given the opportunity to discuss mentoring opportunities for People with Disabilities. I was able to share my story, mentioning how important it is to mentor young People with Disabilities whether there will are looking for education, entrepreneurial opportunities or employment.
When I returned from Washington DC, I had hopes Our Ability would grow and support people looking for employment in entrepreneurial opportunities, but had no real knowledge of the power of connectivity. The first week I received two e-mails from individuals asking questions.
The first was from Sara Juedes, somebody that I've worked with in the past. She interned for me at our local television station where we produced a video together. Now, she is a senior at Siena College studying media. She noticed my connection with Syracuse University and contacted me to ask about its accessibility. She specifically asked if I thought she'd be able to maneuver throughout the campus with the hills and the snow. While Sara has known me for a little while, we have expanded our mentoring opportunity. She saw Syracuse University through a new light, as a campus interested in being a destination point for individuals with disabilities.
This is exactly what Syracuse University wants out of the partnership with Our Ability -- an opportunity for prospective students to look past "the exteriors" of a campus and see the beauty of the possibility of education. It's the same request we have as individuals with disabilities with employers. Please look at us for what we have to offer, not what we look like. This mentoring opportunity allows Sara to ask questions of someone who has gone through similar experiences.
My second e-mail was from a young woman early in her career in California. Becky is working for an employer in a high visibility job representing individuals, although her physical disability is presenting challenges to future employment and promotion. Becky reached out to me directly and we have started an ongoing conversation. This mentoring is important for Becky, for Our Ability to build mentor relationships and very important for me personally. I want to be able to give back to individuals sharing the same concerns I had about employment, education and entrepreneur prospects.
Our Ability is mentoring in this capacity for People with Disabilities across the United States. Within the next year, our goal is to be able to have 25 mentor relationships for young People with Disabilities. We want to be able to have the interaction of people on the telephone and/or email so individuals can find out how the people before them have achieved. Startup America is doing the same thing for small business on a general level. They are beginning to realize the value of mentoring, and hopefully, America will see the importance of not underestimating mentoring's potential.