HOF 2008 Nominees > Disability Educator
ShareMichelle White
Life can change in a minute, but it’s what you do with the following minutes, hours and days that make that change an opportunity. To educate others about disability, one must understand her own battle with disability. Shelly White explains, “I have always wanted to write a book and do some speaking. An unfortunate experience, like my accident, has created many new paths and helped me to meet many goals. It seems so hard for many people to understand that, but it is very true. Things do happen for a reason.” Shelly demonstrates the definition of disability educator everyday.
For seven years, Shelly’s been demonstrating the strength and determination to overcome disability and return to life, while inspiring others to do the same.
Publishing a children’s book, New Opportunities, has been the ticket for Shelly to perform school assemblies and guest speaker to groups in Pennsylvania. White was featured in Cool Schools, a segment, on WITFTV, Harrisburg, sponsored by Capital Blue Cross, among other appearances. An active member of her local Hershey, PA SCI support group, Shelly created www.centralpasci.com. “…some people who needed support, but could not make a meeting or didn't know how to get in touch or reach out …through our networking website our group was able to communicate and lend a hand to others through the click of a button.”
It is hard for most able bodied people to keep up with Shelly, which is what makes her stand out. Teaching 4th grade, teaching a class at Lebanon Valley College on exceptional children, managing a website, writing children’s books, performing assemblies, public speaking, tutoring, and inspiring others. “Shelly White's message of perseverance will motivate anyone who hears it. Through her book character, Spiney, Shelly shows what it really means not to give up. She is a role model for anyone who has ever encountered a difficult situation." - John Mohn, CLSD This spring she began her journey toward her PhD.
September 2001, Shelly was injured at the C5 level, in a powered parachuting accident. Everyday, she is dependent on caregivers to get her out of bed, showered, dressed and drives her to work. Giving up so much independence has been her biggest challenge, but she handles it amazingly.
Shelly showed me that you never have to live within boundaries; you make your own limits. Physical disability does not keep you from living life. Hanging on her wall is a quote from an anonymous author, “just when the caterpillar thought the world was over, it became a butterfly”. That is just the way she lives each day, a beautiful, confident, butterfly and that is exactly what attracted me to her. When you meet her, you don’t see a wheelchair or a disability; you see her and her inner beauty that will inspire you. A true disability educator!