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 |
 | I’ve been able to see my daughter Morgan and other young adults with disabilities achieve new goals, helping them find their purpose. VKC believes in our children’s abilities, and they are always seeking new ways to raise that bar of belief in our community. Tammy Vice - Parent 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 |
| I am the proud parent of four young children, one of whom has Down syndrome. Besides benefiting from their vast array of supports and services, I am currently receiving valuable research experience as a doctoral student in special education and receiving specialized disability-specific training through the VKC. Thomas Boehm - Parent, Doctoral Student in Special Education, and VKC UCEDD Trainee See More... |
| A reflection from a professional |
 | In my role, I assist families who have children with autism spectrum disorder. I have the opportunity each day to hear directly from families about their struggles and triumphs. Even the simplest of daily routines can be difficult for families who have children with autism. I feel lucky that families choose to share their stories with me. I also feel extremely lucky to be a part of the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center where many talented researchers are trying to determine the best interventions and treatments for the families I speak with. Daily, I listen to families, validate their concerns and feelings, and hopefully offer them a service or resources to address their needs. The Vanderbilt Kennedy Center is a true asset to these families as well as to the University, the greater Nashville community, and others who are much farther away. Nina Harris - VKC Disability Professional See More... |
Submit your reflection here