Spotlight: Ryan Niemiller

Ryan Niemiller is a stand-up comic who was born with short arms and deformed hands. Referring to himself as the "Cripple Threat of Comedy," Niemiller, who's from Indiana, did theater before switching to comedy. As a person with a disability, he tells jokes from a different perspective about topics such as looking for a job and dating. He was interviewed on Hangin with Web Show earlier this year. (I made an appearance on this show to promote my book UnabASHed by Disability: An Autobiography in 2015.) Niemiller is on tour with stops at clubs and colleges all over the country. He'll perform in Florida later this year (Back Porch in Pensacola on November 16 and Mosey's in Panama City on November 17). Niemiller warns everyone he may be unarmed, but he is dangerous. To see samples of his comedy, look for his videos on YouTube. For the latest information, go to his Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/cripplethreat8/.

Ryan Niemiller

(image via fortwaynecomedyclub.com)

Spotlight: Kirstie Ennis

Kirstie Ennis (who joined the Marine Corps at age 17 in Pensacola, Florida) was seriously injured in a helicopter crash while serving as a door gunner during her last deployment in Afghanistan in 2012. She has undergone almost 45 surgeries, including an above-the-knee amputation of her left leg. Nevertheless, Ennis has stayed active as a rock climber, snowboarder, swimmer, and stuntwoman in movies. She started the Kirstie Ennis Foundation and is a spokesperson for Building Homes for Heroes. A goal for Ennis (who's working on her third master's degree) is to climb the highest mountain on all seven continents. She is preparing to climb Russia's Mount Elbrus, the highest mountain in Europe. To learn more about Ennis, go to https://kirstieennisfoundation.com/.

Kirstie Ennis

(image via twitter.com)

Spotlight: Isaac Lidsky

Actor-turned-entrepreneur Isaac Lidsky was born with retinitis pigmentosa, which caused him to be completely blind by age 25. He starred as high school student Barton "Weasel" Wyzell during the first season of Saved by the Bell: The New Class in 1993. (I realize I'm dating myself here, but I remember Lidsky as Weasel.) He graduated from Harvard with an honors degree in mathematics and computer science at age 19 and then from Harvard Law School magna cum laude. Lidsky is the only blind person to be a Supreme Court clerk; he was also an undefeated U.S. Justice Department lawyer. He founded an Internet technology startup he eventually sold for $230 million as well as Hope for Vision, a nonprofit for the treatment of blinding diseases. In 2011, Lidsky became the CEO of central Florida-based ODC Construction, which he expanded into a $150 million company. He published his first book Eyes Wide Open last year and is a corporate speaker. Lidsky, who recently turned 39, lives with his wife and four children in Windermere, Florida. He's come a long way from his Weasel days. To learn more about this accomplished individual, go to http://www.lidsky.com/.

Isaac Lidsky then and now

(image via cookiesandsangria.com)

Website Spotlight: Understood

Brevard County K-12 students go back to school on Friday, August 10. This is an excellent time to consider learning and attention issues that affect some children's ability to read, write, and/or do math. If these issues are ignored, students will struggle to learn, leading to frustration, stress, and unhappiness. Fortunately, there is a useful website for these students' parents. Founded through a partnership of 15 nonprofits, Understood contains numerous articles and other resources such as quizzes, slideshows, and decision guides. Also on the website are tools like Parenting Coach and Tech Finder and groups in which parents can communicate with each other and experts. Understood aims to help parents understand their children's learning disabilities and obtain information they need to improve the children's educational experience. To access these learning resources, go to https://www.understood.org/en. I wish everyone in education a safe and successful school year!

Understood logo

(image via understood.org)