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 |
 | We have a son with autism who is now 19, and our personal connection with the VKC goes back almost 16 years. We have come to know the VKC as a trusted partner, an invaluable resource, and a source of encouragement for ourselves and others in Tennessee and our region. John and Janet Shouse - Parents and Disability Advocates See More... |
| A reflection from a trainee |
 | The VKC has become a home to my family in the few short years since my daughter’s birth. We’ve benefited in countless ways from its research, professional training (I was a LEND Family Trainee), workshops, and other community programs. I also have the opportunity to learn and give back to the Center as part of the Community Advisory Council and the Public Policy Committee. The VKC has been an incredible resource to me as a parent but has also been critical in my development as a professional, helping me to become a voice for other families through special education advocacy. From both perspectives, I cannot overstate the importance of the Center’s role in creating more meaningful and productive lives for people like my daughter, and I am proud to be part of an organization that continues to lead this charge both locally and nationally. Christine Sartain - Parent, LEND Trainee, and Disability Advocate 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 |
 | We study the neural bases of cognitive and social impairments in persons with schizophrenia, but to determine the etiology of these problems, it is abundantly clear that we must look at developmental antecedents. Neurocognitive and social changes during adolescence are crucial because this is the period during which the behavioral signs of psychosis emerge, and this is when we can intervene with a maximal impact. We also are aware that many developmental disabilities lead to psychiatric problems in adulthood, but that these difficulties are not yet adequately addressed. The VKC is a truly unique and rich source of research support and information, and also of ideas and inspiration. The network of research and clinical labs connected with the Center has provided us with opportunities for new innovative collaborations with broader societal impact. For example, we have successfully implemented a computerized brain training program for pediatric cancer survivors with the Compas lab. We are currently implementing a novel virtual reality intervention with the Sarkar Lab, and we are in our third year of examining the cognitive consequences of music training in 'at-risk' children with colleagues at Peabody Research Institute, Chapman and Morrison. Sohee Park, Ph.D. - Psychology and Psychiatry See More... |
Submit your reflection here