Participants

In our latest Participant Spotlight, we chatted with Brandee Hicks. Brandee shared some of her favorite things from our programs, what brings her joy, and a little bit about her own work as a disability advocate.

Tell us about yourself.

I’ve lived in metro Atlanta for nearly 20 years, but I will always have a soft spot for my hometown of Detroit.

I am an experienced learning and public health researcher as well as a disability inclusion and accessibility advocate. And it is as an advocate that I use my public health experience and keen eye for identifying community needs that I started B. Out the Box. I launched B. Out the Box with the goal of changing the narrative around people with disabilities, exposing gaps in community accessibility, and celebrating innovative solutions for creating environments that are open to people of all abilities.

When did you connect with NCHPAD?

It was a few years ago when I was looking to build my network around disability advocacy work as well as possible job leads. A former colleague introduced me to Amy Rauworth with the Lakeshore Foundation. I met with her to talk about work within the disability space and building a network. She talked about NCHPAD and other avenues. I started doing some research and did a few NCHPAD exercise videos online here and there.

However, I learned about Movement-2-Music (M2M) through an Instagram ad! I saw a post about the program, so I reached out, and that’s what got the ball rolling over this past year. I did the screening for M2M, but my blood pressure was up so I couldn’t participate in that yet. Lori, who I talked to about M2M, told me about MENTOR, and I participated in the cohort that started in October 2022. I’m so grateful to Lori for telling me about the program!

What NCHPAD programs have you been part of?

MENTOR and NCHPAD Coffee Club.

What did you like about them?

Right away I noticed how comprehensive and well-planned MENTOR was – and that hooked me immediately. It’s hard to believe that all the knowledge, equipment, and time that I received was at no cost to me. The programs took away any barriers or excuses that I could make, and I appreciate that I could participate from home since I don’t drive.

I also liked having a schedule to get me into a routine and I had something to look forward to. It helped me feel like I “had a life” and had a group that I belonged to.

It’s difficult for me to identify which component in MENTOR I got the most out of because they were all so good! Mindfulness with Tara challenged me because this is an area where I struggle the most sometimes.

I would say that I was most surprised about what I learned from Lacey about nutrition because I tend to pay attention to my diet and read labels and thought that I had it covered. However, I learned so much about the types of fiber, the 5 areas to focus on when identifying a healthier option, and the safety tips and recipes were really helpful.

I also really enjoyed the coaching sessions with Carla. They helped reinforce everything and were a great way to cap off the week.

It was also good to have a time set aside during the day to get some exercise in, and I liked having access to John Ream’s videos.

In addition, I really appreciate that I still have access to all the resources plus some bonus information and exercises in Healthie. The instructors still respond if I ping them in the chat with a question or note!

Tell us why you would recommend a NCHPAD program or NCHPAD Connect to someone else.

I have told other people about NCHPAD, and I will continue to do so. There’s nothing to lose and so much to gain. It’s an opportunity to enhance key areas in their life (e.g., mindset, fitness, and connection) and they can do it all from the comfort of their own home. I’m not aware of anywhere else a person with a disability can go to access the quality or quantity of support and services that are available through NCHPAD.

What brings you joy?

I’m a research junkie so I get excited when I find or learn something new. I love reading, watching movies and ATL football with my husband, good food, and music.

I also enjoy engaging in activities where I can share my lived experience and insight to help underserved populations and improve healthcare experiences for all. I have done this as an activist involved in legislative and policy efforts, a patient family advisor, and a PCORI merit reviewer.

What else would you like us to know?

I’m sold on NCHPAD and look forward to all their programs because I know that it will be useful and engaging. I’m also currently in the UAB Arts in Medicine writing for healing program. I know that this is external to NCHPAD, but the impression is so strong that I knew that it would be worthwhile, and it has been a valuable experience and has helped me find another tool to use in my journey.

How has this impacted your life? Is there anything you’ve learned from NCHPAD that has impacted your life?

Besides the education and resources, I would say having a community or network has made these groups most meaningful for me. Although I may not talk much during the session or connect outside the group, it’s great to know that they’re there and that I’m adding to my support team.

Is there a particular person you’d like to give a shoutout, like an instructor, health coach, etc?

I’ve been blessed to connect with an amazing group of people throughout these programs and it hasn’t even been a year yet. Everyone has been so awesome, and I appreciate all the staff, instructors, and coaches that I’ve met. I would love to highlight Stephanie Ward not only for her work with NCHPAD Coffee Club but also for her responsiveness and openness even outside of the club. She is a warm beam of light I’m grateful that we have connected.

In our latest Participant Spotlight, we chatted with Marie Granucci. Marie shared what it was like growing up in the 80s and 90s with cerebral palsy, how social media and NCHPAD programs have helped her find a community, and more!

Tell us about yourself. Where are you from, etc.

I’m from Branford, Connecticut, and I have cerebral palsy. I am very active on social media in the disability community. But about ten years ago, I felt lost and didn’t know what I would feel like as an adult with CP.

As a child and a teen, my parents were always supportive, so I was in the back seat while they took the lead in making sure I had the proper education and therapy to make sure I was as independent as I possibly could be.

When I became an adult, I felt lost. I turned to social media and United Cerebral Palsy (UPC) for help, and I have just blossomed since then. I went on Facebook and found that there are so many CP support groups on Facebook. I liked some of them, but I wanted to make them better, so I started my own CP support group on Facebook.

I also started a blog called “Work Out with Cerebral Palsy,” and I talked about working out in the gym or exercising related how it helps with the CP. All of a sudden people were commenting on my blogs about life with CP. So I took “Work Out with CP” and made it about my entire life – not just working out in the gym, but everything from getting up in the morning to going to bed.

Everything is a workout for us. It takes 3-5 times more energy to do things that are easy for a nondisabled person. Putting on socks is a great example. It’s so easy for nondisabled people to put socks and shoes on. They don’t have to think about it, but it takes me up to an hour to put socks and shoes on. This is where the whole concept of where my blog came from. Everything we do and the energy we’re consumed with to try to do the most mundane things. I even have it tattooed on my forearm. Now I have a blog called “6 Legs to Independence.”

When did you connect with NCHPAD?

About a year and a half ago, I was on another work site signing up for a Zoom to see RJ Mitte, the character from Breaking Bad who has CP. I found some MENTOR information, and I signed up. I loved it and just blossomed from it. I have a lot of my writing from MENTOR, and I want to put them on my blog, but I just have so many that I have to get organized!

What NCHPAD programs have you been part of?

Both MENTOR and Coffee Club.

What did you like about the programs?

I like how in Coffee Club we’re all from the US but from different parts. We all get to share how we look at our individual disabilities.

We have people who have had their disability from birth or people who have gotten their disabilities from accidents or different situations in life. It’s nice to connect with other people and see things from broad perspectives, like how different people look at different parts of disabilities. No one is “woe is me” or “what am I doing here?” Everyone wants to be there and learn from everyone else.

In MENTOR, liked every class, but I really like the journaling portion with my Health Coach.

Tell us why you would recommend a NCHPAD program or NCHPAD Connect to someone else.

NCHPAD programs make you grow as a person. It helps you understand that there are other disabilities besides yours – and it makes you get out of your comfort zone.

What brings you joy?

I like to get my hands dirty. I’m an artist. I love to write. I love to knit. I love to color. I love to work out and go for walks.

I love knowing I have my independence. It took me so long to be able to live on my own. A funny thing is that three months after the pandemic started, I got a letter saying that there was an apartment for me. I was finally living on my own but was locked in my bedroom for a year or two.

How has this impacted your life? Is there anything you’ve learned from NCHPAD that has impacted your life?

I’ve learned to look inside myself and not just look outside myself. This helps me understand what makes me tick and what I want to accomplish. All of the classes helped me accomplish this.

My family was very open with me about my disability. Growing up in the 80s and 90s, it was hard because I was 1 of 2 people with a disability in my school at the time. My family had to fight for accessibility in schools and the fact that teachers thought I was just taking up space and wasn’t capable of learning or graduating high school. I did graduate high school and I’ve graduated from college twice.

Is there a particular person you’d like to give a shoutout, like an instructor, health coach, etc?

Lacey, my dietitian in the MENTOR program helped me a lot along the way with my diet journey. Stephanie Ward, who runs Coffee Club, also has been great. Ingrid Pfau on the video team has been lots of fun to work with.

Curious how you can join one of our free health and wellness programs?

Give us a call! 866-866-8896