Reflections
As part of the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center's 50th anniversary celebration, families, researchers, staff, trainees, and others shared their reflections. View a sample below, and select "more" to view additional comments.
| A reflection from a family |
 | In 1969, our family moved to Nashville with our son who has an intellectual disability and cerebral palsy. The Vanderbilt Kennedy Center has been a source of vision, information, and support for our family. Belinda and Ron Butler - Parents See More... |
| A reflection from a professional |
| I was introduced to the Kennedy Center in 1975 when I was an undergraduate at Peabody College, now Vanderbilt University. It changed my life, and set me on my career path. I left as a graduate, and I came back for graduate studies. And I work in disability and I still count on the Kennedy Center every day. Carol Westlake - Tennessee Disability Public Policy Advocate See More... |
| A reflection from a researcher |
 | Stress and adversity place burdens on individuals and families throughout the life span. The study of coping with stress and adversity and the implications of stress for physical and mental health are best approached from a developmental perspective. Our lab is interested in identifying developmental differences in coping, and creating and testing interventions to help children, adolescents and families learn to cope more effectively with stress. The VKC offers extraordinary resources for developing and conducting psychological research. These range from outstanding resources for seeking and securing external funding for research, to resources to facilitate interdisciplinary research. The important questions we are faced with in mental health cannot be addressed by a single discipline. The important ideas and discoveries are going to come from the collective efforts of researchers from multiple perspectives and disciplines. The VKC provides a context to develop and foster these relationships. Bruce Compas, Ph.D. - Psychology and Pediatrics See More... |
| A reflection from a trainee |
| As a UCEDD trainee, the VKC has been very important to me. I have learned so much from contributing to many of its self-advocacy projects for people with disabilities, and I am proud to be a part of all they do in the Nashville community. As a graduate student in Peabody College, I feel that working with the VKC UCEDD has helped me to mature in ways that will make me a successful special education teacher. Carrie Glover - Graduate student in Special Education and VKC UCEDD Trainee See More... |
Submit your reflection here