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 |
 | For 50 years, the Center has searched for ways to improve the lives of people with disabilities and their families. One of those ways is sponsoring the Tennessee Adult Brothers and Sisters (TABS) sibling network….The VKC has many projects and programs that assist and empower our siblings, families, and us to provide the best life possible. John Donovan - Brother 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... |
| 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 researcher |
 | My father was a psychiatrist, and as a young child, I spent Saturdays at his clinic and so was accustomed to being with people with disabilities. Later, we lived on the grounds of a state mental health hospital, where I had many friends with different types of developmental and psychiatric difficulties. I wanted to better understand their lives and stories. At the Yale Child Study Center, my experiences with children with fragile X syndrome started me on the path of looking at other genetic syndromes, since they offer unique windows for understanding the connections among genes, brain, and behavior, as well as specific ways to optimize interventions with individuals and families. My husband and I moved to Vanderbilt because we wanted to be part of a community of researchers and others dedicated to understanding people with developmental disabilities on a number of different levels—genetics, brain science, treatments, supporting families, public policy, and advocacy. The VKC embodied all of that in one place. Elisabeth Dykens, Ph.D. - Psychology, Psychiatry, and Pediatrics See More... |
Submit your reflection here