Hi, my name is Ed Penn and I have Spastic Quadriplegia Cerebral Palsy caused from a birth injury. I also have some other conditions that affect my CP as well. Dystonia, an involuntary movement disorder that causes me to have tremors and Recurvatum-(also called Back Knee) that affects the way that I walk.
Having these conditions has its challenges but I never allow them to get me down. Instead, I keep my spirits up by always having a positive attitude and finding a way around any obstacles that I face.
Yes, I truly have been blessed with a lot. Having a caring and supportive family has helped me to accomplish so many things. All of my Doctors, Teachers, Physical Therapist, Occupational Therapist, and Speech Therapist have had a major positive impact on my life as well. I've participated in swimming lessons for children living with disabilities, I've served on School Student Board Committees, participate in the LifeBridge Partnership's After School Program and Summer Camp, Therapeutic Horsemanship, DASA Sports-Disabled Athlete Sports Association of St. Louis, Competed in an indoor Rock Climbing Challenge, and I have been fortunate to have benefit from many other therapeutic/vocational programs that helped me to develop all of the skills that I needed to have a best quality of life.
However, the most meaningful goal of all that's mentioned above that has helped me the most is achieving my independence. Though this is still a work in progress, so far, I've been able to accomplish a lot. All the help has prepared me for this amazing life that I have now.
I really enjoy spending time with my dog EJ, my family, and my friends, and my favorite hobby to do is rock climbing.
Community involvement within the disability/special needs community is important to me. To be a part of an enchanting community that I personally relate to for better opportunities is really special to me.
From participating in events for children with disabilities to volunteering, I continue to do my part to serve and help push this community forward in a positive way in my hometown of St. Louis
I'm so thankful for all of the opportunities that I have been a part of within my community. However, it's always been a passion and a goal of mine to start a foundation of my own for children living with disabilities. I've always wanted to put my own blueprint in this community in an uplifting and exciting way but also make a statement at the same time.
I really enjoy spending time with my dog EJ, my family, and my friends, and my favorite hobby to do is rock climbing.
Community involvement within the disability/special needs community is important to me. To be a part of an enchanting community that I personally relate to for better opportunities is really special to me.
From participating in events for children with disabilities to volunteering, I continue to do my part to serve and help push this community forward in a positive way in my hometown of St. Louis
I'm so thankful for all of the opportunities that I have been a part of within my community. However, it's always been a passion and a goal of mine to start a foundation of my own for children living with disabilities. I've always wanted to put my own blueprint in this community in an uplifting and exciting way but also make a statement at the same time.
I AM SOMEBODY!
Empowering children with disabilities to follow their dreams and goals by, Going Beyond Our Disability to Reach Our ABILITIES!!!
It was a lot of hard work, but I didn't give up. The I AM SOMEBODY! Foundation is now an establish registered Nonprofit 501 (c)(3) Charitable Organization in the state of Missouri. With help from a team of people that believed in me and my want to help inspire my peers to follow their dreams/goals, I succeeded in getting this passion of mine started. Helping children in the disability/special needs community to reach their abilities through mentoring and putting a smile on their faces by providing special events, keeps me motivated every day to continue building my foundation to its highest potential and growing our community through awareness.
"Everyone has dreams, they should be given a chance to live out their dreams and achieve their goals no matter what challenges they may have".
Sincerely, Ed Penn
It was a lot of hard work, but I didn't give up. The I AM SOMEBODY! Foundation is now an establish registered Nonprofit 501 (c)(3) Charitable Organization in the state of Missouri. With help from a team of people that believed in me and my want to help inspire my peers to follow their dreams/goals, I succeeded in getting this passion of mine started. Helping children in the disability/special needs community to reach their abilities through mentoring and putting a smile on their faces by providing special events, keeps me motivated every day to continue building my foundation to its highest potential and growing our community through awareness.
"Everyone has dreams, they should be given a chance to live out their dreams and achieve their goals no matter what challenges they may have".
Sincerely, Ed Penn