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 |
 | My family has been connected to the work of the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center for over 15 years, since my younger brother Evan, now 18, was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder at age 3. Evan has participated in countless educational programs, clinical services, research studies, and activities over the years. The Kennedy Center staff and programs have provided wonderful support to my parents. Especially important to me is the valuable supports that if has offered to young and adult siblings like myself of brothers and sisters with disabilities. Emma Shouse - Sibling See More... |
| A reflection from a professional |
 | Recently a mother shared with me that over four decades ago she gave birth to a baby girl with Down syndrome. The medical staff and others strongly encouraged her to give her daughter over to an institution as it was the best option at the time. While in the hospital a social worker from the Kennedy Center discussed services and resources available to her if she chose to keep her child in her care. As a result of their conversation she decided to raise her child with the support of her family and this Center. This family is currently thriving in their community. To work somewhere that touches people’s lives on such an incredible level is an experience I am very fortunate to be part of. Sarah Harvey - VKC Disability Professional 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 researcher |
 | I have been attracted to developmental disabilities research since graduate school, when I was involved in cloning the fragile X syndrome locus. I continued work to solve genetic puzzles related to developmental disabilities as a postdoctoral fellow studying Prader-Willi and Angelman syndrome. I have extended these efforts across the genome in collaborative efforts to discover the nature of genetic variation underlying autism. Studying how systems are affected by risk factors may ultimately lead to improved therapeutic options for vulnerable populations. The VKC is unique as a trans-institutional Center with activities spanning an extraordinary spectrum from community outreach and family support to basic research. It is this reach across so many disciplines, providing opportunities to bring different kinds of expertise and investigators together to attack the problem of diagnosing, treating, and deciphering the underlying biological basis of a developmental disorder that I find so compelling. James Sutcliffe, Ph.D. - Molecular Physiology & Biophysics See More... |
Submit your reflection here