JENNIFER GREEN-Senior Editor
green1jn@uic.edu

Jenny is originally from Portage, MI and moved to Chicago two years ago to get her Master’s Degree in Clinical Exercise Physiology. She doesn’t just like studying about exercise, she loves being physically active and being outside. One of her favorite things about living in the city is utilizing the great outdoor spaces that Chicago has to offer, including the Lakefront path. She also enjoys participating in racing events. She completed her first marathon in 2009 and plans on competing in her first triathlon in 2011, you could call her a fitness junkie. Jenny is just now entering the blogging world, but is really looking forward to sharing news and information with all of you and even more excited about hearing all of your stories and comments!

MOHAN THIRUMALAI-Associate Editor
mthiru1@uic.edu

AMY RAUWORTH-Associate Editor
rauworth@uic.edu

CAROLYN LULLO-Senior Writer

Carolyn has lived most of her life in the Chicago area, other than the time she spent in school studying Kinesiology.  She is now back in Chicago and back in school, working on her PhD in Disability Studies.  Her love of physical activity started at a young age and has only grown since then.  She spent many years figure skating and had the privilege of competing all around the world.  Those are experiences she will never forget!  Now that she doesn’t spend as much time on the ice, Carolyn loves to teach and take spinning classes, spend time in the weight room, do anything that involves being outdoors, and try new activities.  One of her favorite things to do is educate others about inclusive physical activity.  She is looking forward to being a part of a blogging community that can encourage everyone to find ways to enjoy a healthy lifestyle.

BLYTHE HISS-Senior Writer

Blythe is a Southern implant, hailing from North Carolina in 2001 and successfully surviving, and even enjoying at times, the blustery Chicago winters (it’s true, tears really CAN freeze on your face in a matter of seconds).  Blythe, her husband and two young daughters love the urban Chicago lifestyle they have become accustomed to and enjoy exploring the city and its many opportunities for live music, sporting events, street festivals, and interesting food.  She enjoyed watching Atlanta Braves baseball with her dad as a kid and now loyally supports the Chicago Cubs (much to her father’s dismay) as well as puts in her own time on the field by playing co-ed softball with her husband and their team “Happy Hour”, who has come a long way since their first winless season in 2001.  Blythe is also admittedly obsessed with the Fox reality show So You Think You Can Dance.

Dr. TANYA WHITEHEAD-Senior Writer

Dr. Tanya Whitehead’s background includes 9 years in clinical practice of psychology, 15 years in higher education teaching, and 23 years in research. She has served as both a researcher and/or faculty member at the University of Kansas, School of Medicine, the University of Missouri- Kansas City and now as a Senior Research Scientist at the University of Illinois-Chicago in the National Center on Physical Activity and Disability. Her husband of 38 years is a musician and a cartoonist and together they have three grown children. Tanya currently lives on Chicago’s lakeshore where she and her husband enjoy the city’s great parks and scenery while biking 12 miles every day. Tanya not only enjoys spending time with her family and being active but she also has a green thumb! Her favorite past time is greenhouse gardening.

KERRY WILEY-Writer

Kerry Wiley earned a Masters of Social Work from the State University of New York at Albany and has worked in the disability field in research and program development for 15 years. Her interests include disability rights, inclusion advocacy, music, and creative and non-fiction writing. Kerry is a strong believer in the concept of systems change- or improving the capacity of the public health system to work with many sectors to improve the health status of all people. She has wanted to share her journey to walk-device free to demonstrate that there are a variety of non conventional ways to conquer obstacles. Through research and non-traditional partnerships, she is working toward a long desired goal.

BRANDON ANDREWS-Writer

Brandon is a therapeutic recreation specialist who graduated from the University of Indiana-Bloomington with a Masters degree. He is currently living in Janesville, WI where he loves to kayak the Rock river. When he’s not kayaking you can find Brandon cheering on the Minnesota Vikings (don’t tell his fellow Wisconsinites!). Brandon’s goal is to get all of his patients to overcome social, emotional, and environmental barriers so they can develop and maintain a fulfilling lifestyle.

SARAH WISE-Writer

Sarah escaped the cold harsh winters of the Midwest when she decided to become a southern bell and move to Tennessee where she graduated from the University of Memphis with a degree in Civil Engineering. Her focus is on designing and making parks and public recreation centers accessible for people of all abilities. Sarah is a proud pop culture and Google junkie and will probably admit to typing pretty much anything into the search bar.  She also is an animal lover who frequently volunteers at her local shelter.

JESSICA ANDERSON-Writer

Jessica attended the University of Wisconsin-Parkside and received a BS in Fitness management and received her Master’s in Clinical Exercise Physiology from Benedictine University in 2009. She is an ACSM registered personal trainer and registered clinical exercise physiologist. Jessica was diagnosed with Multiple sclerosis on April 29, 2008. However she is confident when saying her diagnosis does not define who she is today. She loves running, biking, camping, hiking, kayaking, and participating in competitive and recreational race but most of all spending time with her family and friends. Jessica believes the scariest thing about having MS is the unknown. She says when people find out she participates in a variety of events such as the MS 150, MS Mud Run, Century Rides, and attempting to run her first marathon they have a hard time understanding how or why she chooses to do such thing. Her answer is always, “The disease hasn’t taken me over yet! It might tomorrow, it might in 10 years, but it hasn’t yet.” She’s going to do EVERYTHING she can until it does. Jessica is excited to be a part of this blog to inspire those diagnosed, family members and close friends of the diagnosed, and anyone out there that has a hard time dealing with the unknown.  Her quotes to live by are “Do everything you can today. Don’t wait until tomorrow” and “Take advantage of the time you are given. Not the time that may be taken away.”

ELIZABETH TOUMAJIAN-Writer

Elizabeth is a native to Southern California and enjoys being near the beach and in the sun.  She has been immersed in the field of exercise and disability for over 15 years, and has enjoyed the challenges of everything from personal training to designing and creating a 12,000 square foot fitness center for people with disabilities.  Elizabeth has a B.S. degree in Psychology from Cal Poly State University San Luis Obispo and a M.S. degree in Kinesiology from Cal State University Long Beach. Living with Type 1 Diabetes for over 30 years herself, Elizabeth understands first hand the critical importance of exercise and the role it can play in maintaining a positive and healthy quality of life. She feels that the personal rewards of working with such a dedicated population can be very gratifying as the people themselves experienced significant physical changes in their independence, mobility and pain tolerance levels. Today, Elizabeth manages a fitness center with over 300 members all of whom have a physical disability or chronic illness. In her free time, Elizabeth enjoys the company of her family and friends – especially her 2 1/2 year old niece.  Elizabeth also is a big fan of yoga and riding her bicycle along the Southern California coast.

SUZANNE GRAY-Writer

Suzanne Moore Gray grew up in Bridgeville, Pennsylvania with four sisters, dogs, cats, fish, birds, turtles and a deep love for horses. Her story begins in try-outs for the seventh grade track team. With mediocre athletic skills and a self-coached background, Suzanne was obviously in for a real challenge but sheer determination and dedication paid off. Suzanne became the fourth female finisher in Chicago’s Marathon, introduced the Magnificent Workout Team and Academy Dancers to Chicago Public Schools and to Chairman of the President’s Council on Physical Fitness Arnold Schwarzenegger in 1994. Suzanne attended Slippery Rock University to pursue a career in Health and Physical Education.  College cheerleading and extra-curricular activities gave her opportunities to travel and perform for the NBA Chicago Luvabulls. Earning a Masters Degree from Western Illinois University would provide the chance to “chase” more dreams to present at conventions, direct the Elizabeth Arden Salon fitness program and meet many talented people. Suzanne’s four sons were the inspiration to re-energize, teach, and share “hands-on” experiences in her career devoted to fitness and well being.  Staying active in the community and the dream of starting a fitness company that specialized in helping adults and youth with special needs became a reality. Right Fit Sport Fitness Wellness L.L.C. was founded in 2004 and is an all inclusive fitness facility offering fitness programs to all populations. Suzanne hopes that her passion is contagious and invites you to join her on this journey to bring the benefits of fitness and disability together.

TESSA-Writer

Tessa is a mom, freelance writer and reporter. She has a special understanding of the challenges facing persons with disabilities. It’s her desire to help “disabled” people be participants that can do anything, instead of being spectators that only watch from the sidelines. As much as she enjoys writing uplifting articles, she dislikes injustice and is as likely to write about that. A person can go through life without ever realizing the every day challenges, or victories, for people with a handicap until it personally touches you or someone in your life.

CARY WING, EdD-Writer

Dr. Cary Wing is an advocate of an active lifestyle and practices what she preaches.  She runs daily, strength trains, bikes when she can, and kayaks as often as possible on the Chesapeake Bay in VA and Pamlico Sound in NC.  In her spare time, she writes on a variety of topics, and creates pendant necklaces from shells collected from the shores of Avon, NC.  Cary has been an advocate for individuals with mixed abilities for many years and a portion of the proceeds from the sale of the necklaces are donated to research so that “we may all walk on the beach one day.”  She is the proud mother of two daughters and the grandmother of three very active kids.  Cary received her doctoral degree in applied physiology from Columbia University and a Master’s degree in Fitness Management from New York University.  Her background spans more than 25 years in the health and wellness field, and she has been directly involved in the development and management of medically integrated health/fitness centers. She is a frequent speaker on women’s health issues and has lectured and written extensively on the medical fitness industry, the medical fitness model, and the benefits of a healthy lifestyle.

MELISSA McCALL-Writer

Melissa McCall is originally from Chicago, Illinois and has a master’s degree in architecture from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Her interests include disability rights issues, graphic design, music, shopping, drawing, and architectural/interior design. She takes daily walks just to “smell the roses”. She finds that activity must be enjoyed no matter the intensity. So whether it’s a day she walks 1 block or 2 miles, Melissa tries her best to find and enjoy the beauty around her.

Jenny Carlton-Writer

Jenny originally from Ohio (the buckeye state) moved to the Chicago over 2 years ago. She has adjusted well in the big city and doesn’t even mind the cold winters, since the weather in  Cleveland is pretty much the same, maybe more snow. She is an active, adventurous person, who loves to travel, participate in outdoor activities, and try new things. One thing on her to do list is to going skydiving – “jumping out of plane would be amazing!” When she’s not thinking of new adventures, Jenny loves to keep in touch with her family via Skype, especially with her young nieces and nephews. She lives by the motto “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger”.