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Parent to
Parent of New York State
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This page last updated on
February 20, 2008
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Regional Coordinator
I’m the proud mother of 13 year old twins Danielle & Joseph, been married to my best friend Joe for 14 years and we have the most wonderful Black Labrador Retriever named Midnight. My son Joseph is diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy; he has mental retardation, speech, vision and orthopedic impairments. Danielle is an “A” typical young lady who is getting ready to become a full fledged teenager. When my twins were very young, I reached out to Parent to Parent New York, Inc. and spent three, yes, three hours on the phone with a parent of a child who had Cerebral Palsy. Little did I know how that phone call would change the course of mine and my children’s lives. Speaking to another parent who understood how difficult it was to have a multiply handicapped child was incredible; usually I would speak to other parents but through no fault of their own, they didn’t get it. After speaking to another parent of a child whose issues and concerns were like my son’s I didn’t feel so alone or as lost. After a while I began to be the person parents would call if they had a question or concern about their special needs child. I learned so much by attending many educational workshops and parent support group meetings. While on the “Special Education Meeting Circuit” I had the pleasure of meeting Ellen McHugh and Marybeth Fadelici of Parent to Parent of NYS. I quickly learned that Parent to Parent of NYS was a very large parent network that assisted parents throughout the entire State of NY. Upon hearing that Parent to Parent of NYS needed a Regional Coordinator on Staten Island; I decided it was time for me to return to the workforce and try to utilize all that I have learned and experienced in the past 13 years. I felt it was time for me to give back to the network that saved me all those years ago. Since the premature birth of my twins, I have been an active member of my community. I began with The March of Dimes as an assembly speaker educating school age children as to why we have a “Wonderwalk”. I’ve dedicated much of my time to helping others whether it is at a PTA meeting, Disability Council meeting, Legislative Forum or Educational Workshop. Over the years I have been recognized for my efforts and received a Proclamation from New York City Council presented by NYC Councilman Michael E. McMahon for my outstanding dedication and support to Public School 37. I was the recipient of Staten Island Borough Presidents Parent Volunteer Award in recognition for service to children with disabilities and was interviewed for “Assembly Update” Television Program by NY State Assemblyman John Lavelle -Addressing the concerns and needs of Special Education Students. The Council of School Supervisors and Administrators of the City of New York has also bestowed upon me The Parent Leadership Award in recognition of my leadership and devotion to the students of Public School 37. Currently I’m the Corresponding Secretary for the IS 24 PTA, a Member of the NY State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities Advisory Board; I’m also a member of The NY State Handicap Parking Task Force with Assemblyman Michael J. Cusick. In my spare time (Like I really have any) I enjoy going bowling with my family and friends, most of all I enjoy my “Happiness”.
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Copyright 2008 Parent to Parent of New York State. All Rights Reserved. Janice Fitzgerald -
Executive Director Parent to Parent of NYS - Statewide Office This website is hosted by |
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