Knight Writer

Two ‘Amazing’ Women Share Six Degrees of Separation

by Debbie | September 30, 2009

As Lynn gets set to formally recognize Disability Awareness Month for the first time, it reminds me of the awareness and exposure I had to a person with a disability (although I don’t think we used that word back then) at a very early age. My cousin Judy was born with a disease that made her bones extremely brittle – so any slight fall produced a broken bone. I have memories of her in a cast or a wheelchair more often than not. Today she is an amazing, independent young woman who has become a shining example of someone who has excelled against all odds. Earning an MA in rehabilitation counseling and as the director of the Initiative for Women with Disabilities at NYU Hospital for Joint Diseases, she is a true champion of disabilities. But of course she’ll always be my little cousin.

Fast forward to today on our Lynn campus and another amazing young woman, another advocate of disabilities and a fellow blogger – Stephanie Hammerman – who is spearheading the events for Disability Awareness Month starting Thursday. She’s only in her second year at Lynn, but has already made her mark. And would you believe that my cousin Judy and Steph know each other well and have been friends for years? I met Steph last year when she was in our offices “auditioning” for her blogging position and was blown away when I found that out. It is a small world after all…