We are currently finalizing our speaker lineup. We are posting individual Speaker Bios as we receive them.
Lauren Lowery, KEYNOTE SPEAKER
HOST OF OVERCOME THE OVERWHELM FOR SPECIAL NEEDS MOMS PODCAST
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Our Keynote Speaker is Lauren Lowery. Lauren started her own journey as a special needs mom over 6 years ago when her son was diagnosed with Aicardi-Goutieres Syndrome.
Fast forward a few years, Lauren is now an International Coaching Federation certified and trauma-informed life coach, here to help families of children experiencing disabilities and medical issues get out of survival mode and start living a life that is even better than they imagined. She is also the host of the "Overcome the Overwhelm for Special Needs Moms" podcast. Drawing from her personal experiences as a special needs mom herself, Lauren brings a unique understanding and empathy to her coaching practice, creating a safe and supportive space for her clients while also helping them make significant, lasting changes. Lauren specializes in helping parents navigate the challenges of raising children with disabilities while juggling their own well-being. With a focus on burnout and stress management, she equips her clients with the tools and strategies needed to break free from survival mode and thrive in their roles as caregivers. As an International Coaching Federation (ICF) certified professional, Lauren's coaching approach is rooted in evidence-based techniques and a deep commitment to her clients' growth and fulfillment. Through her guidance, parents discover that they may not be able to control or change their circumstances, but they can choose how they respond and show up to them. Based in Oklahoma, Lauren finds inspiration from her close-knit family, which includes her two children, husband, and a menagerie of horses and cattle. She believes that by supporting mothers of children with special needs, she can create a positive ripple effect that extends far beyond individual families, fostering a community of resilience and hope. |
Rebecca Adams, Retired RN
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Rebecca Adams worked is a retired Registered Nurse, with a 41-year career spanning a variety of areas, including working in ICU's, Telemetry, and serving as a delegating RN.
She also served as an RN in a camp and in the corrections field, and did Special Needs Consulting for an educational system. She is mother of mother of 3 adult children. Her youngest son is a 30-year-old adult with cerebral palsy. She says, "Currently I am a goat farmer, a delegation RN (emeritus), and a Personal Support Worker (PSW). My son and I live in Pendleton ,Oregon." |
Josh Barbour, Transition Network Facilitator
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Josh Barbour is a Transition Network Facilitator who serves 30 school districts in Linn, Benton, Lincoln and Lane counties in Oregon.
Josh provides technical assistance and curricular supports, establishes relationships with school district and community partners, and provides training and professional development. Josh is also one of the hosts of the Oregon Transition Podcast. Prior to his role as a Transition Network Facilitator, Josh was a transition teacher in Eugene 4J School District for 11 years, working with 18-21 year old students who have graduated high schools with Modified Diplomas. For 10 years, Josh worked with middle schools students identified with emotional disturbance in Eugene 4J School District, Lane Educational Service District, and The Centennial School in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. |
Jeremy Bauer, MD
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Jeremy Bauer, MD is an associate professor at Oregon Health and Sciences University and practices at the Shriners Children’s - Portland.
His care focuses on children with cerebral palsy, hip dysplasia and sports injuries. He serves as the medical director of the motion analysis center as well as the fellowship director and site director for the OHSU orthopedic residency. He attended medical school at Drexel University and completed his orthopedic residency at the University of Washington. His pediatric orthopedic fellowship was at the Shriners Children’s – Portland. His research interests primarily center around the use of motion analysis in both cerebral palsy and sports. He has published multiple studies on outcomes and treatment of children with cerebral palsy and has co-authored a chapter on the orthopedic management of cerebral palsy. He was the scientific co-chair of the American Academy of Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine’s (AACPDM) 2020 annual meeting and was recently appointed to the AACPDM’s board of directors. |
MARIE BLANCHARD, artist
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Marie says, “I have been doing art my whole life. I was born with cerebral palsy, but that does not stop me from doing anything, including art. I have no limits in life. My art is enjoyment to me, and I have fun doing art. I create ceramic bowls, magnets, and wall hangings, and greeting cards and mugs from my paintings. I also make clay animal tiles glazed with bright colors. I published my second cookbook, Easy Cooking for Everyone. All my art is made in Portland, Oregon.”
Visit her webpage here. |
Noelle Birky, MS, CCC-SLP
AT Lab Assistant Director at Community Vision
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Noelle received her graduate degree in Speech-Language Pathology from California State University East Bay in 2013. Since then, she has worked in school-based settings serving individuals with complex communication, physical and behavioral needs. Noelle specializes in Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), developing communication systems that range from paper-based to high tech speech generating devices. She previously worked for Multnomah Education Service District as a speech language pathologist in their Functional Living Skills program.
Noelle is passionate about access to literacy instruction for people of all abilities. In her free time, Noelle enjoys spending time with friends, hiking, and finding the best places to get tacos in Portland. |
Dr. Jeremy BaueR, MD
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Dr. Jeremy Bauer, MD is a pediatric orthopedic surgery specialist in Portland, Oregon and has over 17 years of experience in the medical field. He graduated from Drexel University College of Medicine in 2005. His services include Internal Derangement of Knee Cartilage, Internal Derangement of Knee, Fractures, Dislocations, Derangement, and Sprains.
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Nikki Donnelly
co-founder of the Oregon Sibling Leadership Network, and autism consultant
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Nikki is co-founder of the Oregon Sibling Leadership Network. She is one of three children in her family, with the youngest sibling being autistic. Her brother, Robby, has guided her career path in special education and her passion for advocacy for people with diverse needs. Watching her brother grow from a non-verbal, self-injurious child to a well-functioning adult inspires her to help other families.
She currently serves as an Autism Consultant in Southern Oregon and is pursuing her Doctorate degree in Education with a focus on inclusive practices. She was previously a special education teacher and administrator in California. She still sits on the Board of Directors for the California Sibling Leadership Network, and also is a Board Member for the national Sibling Leadership Network and the Advisory Council for The Natalie Project. She also serves in Adjunct Faculty roles at Portland State University, Fresno Pacific University, and the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign. In her leisure time, Nikki enjoys fly-fishing, snowboarding, hiking and backpacking. Learn more about her here. |
Allen Hines
Housing Access Director at Community Vision
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Allen Hines is the Housing Access Director at Community Vision.
He and his team support people with disabilities to find housing in the community. He has worked in disability services and disability advocacy for many years. Allen is a person with developmental disabilities with deep connections to the community and big plans for tackling important issues. |
JENNY ECKART HOYT
UCP OREGON BOARD MEMBER
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Jenny Eckart Hoyt is the proud mother of Winnie (7) who has cerebral palsy and Emmett (5).
Jenny has found her passion in advocating for parents to be allowed to be their minor child's paid caregiver in Oregon and beyond. Jenny also brings her perspective as a parent of a disabled child while serving on the project advisory committee for the upcoming North Portland Aquatic Center, and while serving on UCP's Board of Directors and a UCP Task Force. |
Kaeleen Kirkpatrick, Ed.S.
Nationally Certified School Psychologist
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Kaeleen Kirkpatrick, Ed.S. is a Nationally Certified School Psychologist and has been working in public education for the last 14 years. Kaeleen attended University of Portland for her Bachelor's of Science, and Lewis and Clark College for her Educational Specialist Degree in School Psychology.
Kaeleen is an expert in IDEA 2004 (Individuals with Disabilities Act, 2004) psychoeducational evaluations, writing legally defensible Individual Education Plans, and advocating for students. She is passionate about family partnership and making sure parents feel like they are leading their school team. Kaeleen is currently a school psychologist in Tigard-Tualatin School District and does advocacy work with parents in her free time. When not working, Kaeleen enjoys camping with her many children, running with her two big dogs, and reading--preferably on a warm beach somewhere. |
Jennifer Knapp
Executive Director of Community Vision
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Jennifer Knapp has 20 years of experience in the disability service field.
She is the Executive Director at Community Vision, a disability provider agency in Portland, Oregon that is an industry leader in offering supported living, affordable housing, assistive technology, and employment services. Prior to moving to Oregon, Jennifer served as founder and Executive Director of Community Choices, a cooperative in Illinois offering innovative services to support people with disabilities live on their own. She also consulted with family groups to create housing options and brought advocates together to shift the Illinois disability system from institutional models to community services. She holds a bachelor's and master's degree from the University of Illinois. |
Alisha Langford, ChSNC
Managing Partner, Abeona Group
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Alisha was born and raised in Southern Oregon and has called Portland, Oregon, home since 2002.
She is a graduate of Portland State University, has earned a Chartered Special Needs Consultant designation from the American College of Financial Services, and currently lives in Southeast Portland with her two daughters, Lily and Ashlynn, who has a Quadriplegic Cerebral Palsy diagnosis. Alisha’s 20+ years of experiences as a parent of a special needs child drive her passion to advocate for families with special needs children. As Managing Partner at Abeona Group, she is able to focus completely on helping clients navigate the complex process of holistic special needs planning, easing parent fears of how their loved one will be supported in the future. |
DJ LAMAR
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DJ Lamar says, “I have been a DJ for 28 years. I throw an accessible monthly dance called the Last Chance Friday Dance.
I have performed for the Portland-area Brewfests; the APSE Association of People Supporting Employment First (APSE) National Conference; and People First Conference Convention. I have also DJ’ed for PHame; the ARC; OSAC; SATA, and many parties, dances and receptions. I am one of Portland's premiere DJs. I can get a crowd moving with over a half a century of hits.” |
Carrie Luse, MSR, OT/L, ATP
AT Lab Director at Community Vision
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Carrie graduated from the Medical University of South Carolina in 2001 with a Masters in Occupational Therapy. Her education was primarily interdisciplinary, learning alongside physical therapy and speech language pathology students.
Carrie has been a certified Assistive Technology Professional (ATP) since 2007. Her true passion is working with and learning from people with complex communication, mobility, and medical needs. She worked for almost ten years at Legacy Randall Children’s Hospital in Portland, Oregon and was part of multiple interdisciplinary clinic teams. Carrie has served children and adults through her private practice at Assistive Technology NW, as well as consulting at the Providence Neurodevelopmental Center for Children and The Child Center. She has been an adjunct teacher at Pacific University for an AT course. She presents regionally and nationally on a variety of topics. Carrie lives in Portland with her husband, two daughters, and two little dogs. |
Rosanne Marmor, LCSW
FOUNDER and CEO of Pulse Wellness Cooperative
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Rosanne Marmor is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and the founder and CEO of Pulse Wellness Cooperative. Rosanne worked as a social worker in the field of housing and services for over 25 years and uses the anti-poverty and harm reduction lenses in her work as a therapist and CEO of Pulse. Her group practice serves the LGBTQIA2+ community, elders, people with differing abilities, and immigrants, along with the general population.
Rosanne has dedicated her life to serving young people and the elderly. She has worked in housing organizations, gang prevention, and public schools as well as in community spaces and places for young people and their families. Rosanne also does trainings and consulting for organizations on trauma informed practice, de-escalation techniques and radical self-care. |
Dr. Christine Macfarlane
Professor Emeritus, Pacific University
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Dr. Christine Macfarlane, Professor Emeritus, Pacific University, although officially retired, continues to teach as an adjunct professor, supervise student teachers, and remain somewhat active in the field of special education. It’s hard to give up a 40 plus year career.
However, you’ll find her traveling and camping with her husband and spending time with her family… 4 children and 10 grandchildren! Chris loves to knit, crochet, do crossword puzzles, cook, and be creative. Grief has been a topic that has threaded its way through her professional and personal life. As a teacher and special educator, she specialized in severe, multiple disabilities, alternative communication, and behavior. She’s also spent time in China and Slovakia, working with orphans and providing technical assistance to colleges and universities. |
Beverly AND STAN McNutt
PARENTS, AND TUBE FEEDING EXPERTS
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Beverly McNutt is the mother of a 19-year-old daughter who experiences arthrogryposis, an umbrella term for conditions involving multiple contractures and weak muscles.
Her daughter is unable to swallow due to those weak muscles and jaw contractures, necessitating a g-tube for meals. Beverly says, "I’m a mom who wants her daughter to eat real food, with 19 years of experience tube feeding real food. Stan is a stepdad who jumped in to help; he now does most of the blending. We do what works for us. I'm presenting because other families have benefited from seeing us use real food. Our 'tubie' is 19 years old, and is still 100% tube dependent." |
Susana RAMIREZ
WISCARSON LAW
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Susana is first, mother to her three sons, one a young man with autism.
Originally from Mexico City, she immigrated to the San Francisco Bay Area to join a ballet troupe. After years of being a ballerina, her life changed direction when her son Kevin was born 36 years ago — becoming his long life advocate, even though she didn’t know it at that time. Since then, Susana has dedicated her career as a community organizer and advocate for the fundamental right to an education for children with disabilities. Susana worked at Disability Rights Oregon as a Special Education Advocate for eighteen years, prior to joining Wiscarson Law in January 2020 to continue providing guidance to families in the role of advocate. Susana’s experience is invaluable having worked in the area of disability policy, public speaking, and parental empowerment, focusing on culturally responsive practices in the special education system. She has participated in numerous federal and state committees. After she became a naturalized citizen in 2011 she was appointed as a Citizen Member of President’s Obama's Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities (PCPID) through 2015. Susana’s most satisfying endeavor has been founding and directing a non-profit to support and mentor Spanish speaking parents about their rights and their children’s rights to become valued members of their communities and living a self-determined life. In her spare time Susana spends time with her parent network and family, community organizing through education rights workshops, meditating, playing the piano, taking ballet classes, exercising, and traveling. |
Beowulf Rochlen
parent, and founder and COO of Two Squared Media Productions
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Beowulf Rochlen is the founder and COO of Two Squared Media Productions, a boutique podcast production company he created with his wife, Lisa Tschudi.
Beowulf has worked in radio and podcast production for over twenty years and has worked with many of America's top-rated shows and best known talent. His daughter, Oriana, is 21 and has cerebral palsy, epilepsy, and IDD. She has acted with the Oregon Shakespeare Festival and lives with her family in Talent, Oregon. |
LES ROGERS
DOUGLAS, COOS, AND CURRY COUNTY TRANSITION NETWORK FACILITATOR
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Les Rogers is the Douglas, Coos, and Curry County Transition Network Facilitator.
He has been a high school teacher and football coach at an inclusive early college high school for a decade. He has worked as a community college Accessibility Services Coordinator responsible for ADA and 504 accommodations implementation. Les has also directed a college level Federal TRIO grant supporting low income, first generation, and students experiencing disabilities. Additionally, Les serves on the SICC State Special Education Council; was appointed by the governor to the state Universal Healthcare Taskforce; has served as a Board Member for a rare disease non-profit; and has been integrally involved in disability services policy in Oregon. Les holds a teaching license in Oregon and California, a BA in Economics, and a Master of Public Administration degree. Les also has lived experience as the parent of a daughter who experiences cerebral palsy. She is tube fed and suction dependent. She receives services through Children’s Intensive In-Home Services. |
Sylvia Triplett
MOTHER OF A CHILD WITH CEREBRAL PALSY
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I'm a mom to three kids- Oscar (11), Lucy (7), and Joey (4). Along with their dad, Gabe, we live in rural Clackamas County.
Oscar has cerebral palsy among other disabilities and medical complexities. We love spending time together as a family, having fun and creating an inclusive and accessible life for us all! I look forward to sharing some of my experiences from raising a child with CP, and helping facilitate an engaging and enriching conversation with all the panel participants. |
DR. Jenny Wilson, MD
Associate Professor, Pediatric Neurology
Pediatric Neurology Residency Program
Director Doernbecher Children’s Hospital
regon Health & Science University
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Jenny Wilson is an associate professor of pediatric neurology at Oregon Health & Science University.
She cares for children with neurodevelopmental disabilities, cerebral palsy, movement disorders, and pediatric stroke. She sees children for treatment of tight muscles at Shriner’s Hospital for Children in Portland. |
DIANE Wiscarson
WISCARSON Law
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Diane’s passion for special education law stems from her own frustrating experience with the IEP process. Diane is the parent of three boys, one of whom required an IEP through all of his years in public school. While attending law school, Diane was also trying to figure out how to get her son’s educational needs met, with little success. After learning from a law professor that there were laws and legally defined educational rights, Diane knew she would spend her legal career helping families with disability-related needs.
Diane graduated from Lewis & Clark Law School in 1996. Since that time, Diane has relentlessly advocated for students with special needs. She is licensed in both Oregon and Washington and actively represents clients throughout both states at the local, regional, state, and federal levels. Diane is also admitted to practice law in the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, the United States District Courts for the Eastern and Western Districts of Washington, and the United States District Court for the District of Oregon. As a special education lawyer, Diane has been most fortunate to have the opportunity to serve on numerous boards and committees. Diane currently serves on the Dispute Resolution Committee, an Oregon Department of Education work group. Diane is also a frequent speaker at various local, state, regional, and national meetings and conferences. Diane’s legal prowess and outstanding ethical practices have been recognized by various awards from the professional community. These awards include the BV Distinguished Very High Rating in Both Legal Ability & Ethical Standards from LexisNexis and Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review, the Pro Bono Publico Service Commendation from the Washington State Bar Association, Honorable Mention in the Oregon State Bar Pro Bono Challenge, and Arbitrator of the year from the Better Business Bureau of Oregon. Diane’s interests beyond her passion for disability advocacy include spending time with her husband and family, unlocking the mysteries of her family’s genealogy, scouring auctions, flea markets, and garage sales for antiques, crocheting, and playing with her adorable dogs, Priscilla, Nash, and Orly. |
