Meet Cheryl. Not only is she a phenomenal photographer, she’s also a best-selling author. When she started working with people with disabilities, she didn’t realize that those experiences would help her through her own journey. She learned that self-determination is the key to creating life just as one wants it to be. We’re so fortunate to have her as a member of the Network.

What's your story?  Tell us a little bit about yourself.

Cheryl lived on a farm until she was in fourth grade when they moved to Cambridge WI.  She graduated from high school there and went on to begin her journey of volunteering, supporting, caring for, admiring, and becoming friends with people with disabilities.  “I’m grateful for these experiences for when I was introduced to disability myself, those experiences helped me make it through it all,” she shares.  In 2008, she graduated from the UW-Madison with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Rehabilitation.  She has enjoyed working with DVR, BPDD, Independent Living Council, AchieveAbilities, and the Employability Project.  She also served on the Board of Directors for Access to Independence and Movin’ Out for many years.  “I retired last year and I’m enjoying every moment of every day,” she says.

How are you involved with self-determination? Why did you join the SD Network?

“Through what I call seeing into the inside of disability, I saw how self-determination is the key to creating a life just as one wants it to be,“ Cheryl says.  She explains that having met the amazing individuals she has, and to have been a part of their amazing journeys, is the most exciting thing she has had the honor to witness.

Having been introduced to disability herself in 1997, she had to speak up to gain what she needed to become what she now and to what she has yet to accomplish.  When she saw how the SD Network encourages, guides, supports, and celebrates self-determination, she had to join.

Tell us some good news - what's the most exciting thing happening for you (or in Wisconsin) in terms of self-determination?

Recent very exciting news for Cheryl is that she wrote and recently published an Amazon best-seller “Silencing the Noise of Disability”.  The book covers her experiences after being introduced to disability and how she healed.

“It took a lot of work and a lot of support to accomplish this, but practicing self-determination made my dream come true,” she says.

What tip or resource would you like to share with people who want to be more self-determined?

“When it comes to how we want to live our lives, we are the ones who know exactly what we need to do it.  We know what works, and what doesn’t, we are the experts of our lives.  So, don’t give up looking for and getting what you need to be all you can be.  It’s your life and you have every right to find the perfect fit,” Cheryl tells us. 

She thinks that one of our greatest resources are those we know.  She explains that those who have been with us and for us can support, guide, and fight alongside of you.

What are some of your hobbies?

Cheryl is an avid photographer and rarely does her camera leave her side.  Anything outdoors in any season, is my greatest joy.

She loves road trips with friends, or just by myself, as they always lead to amazing experiences.

When it comes to hobbies, I like to say, life is one of mine.  I get to form it, build it, play with it, share it, and experience it with pride, joy, and a whole lot of happiness,” she says!

***We love hearing the views and opinions of Network members. We need to mention that the views and opinions expressed on this site are those of the person who is sharing them. They do not necessarily reflect InControl Wisconsin or any of our supporters and funders.