Creators Sanctuary

Welcome to the Living with Disabilities Creators Sanctuary, a space where you can find other people with disabilities, view their work, and connect with them through their websites. What to expect from the Creators Sanctuary? Connect with entrepreneurs, authors, and many other talented individuals. 

Living with Disabilities, we want to introduce you to Tylia L. Flores. She was born with spastic cerebral palsy and has been learning what it means to persevere, rise, and push forward with a purpose bigger than herself. Tylia started her path in disability advocacy, fighting for representation and speaking out for accessibility, among other things. Tylia encourages others through her platforms and uses writing as a tool for empowerment.

Let's introduce you to Shameka Andrews. She is a community outreach coordinator for the Self Advocacy Association of SANYS and the founder of Disability Empowerment Consulting, where she gives disability workshops on self-care, self-advocacy, and disability awareness.

Shameka won the title of Ms. Wheelchair New York in 2006 and has been the coordinator of the program since 2013. Five years later, she wrote her first children's book, Butterfly on Wheels.

  The host, Katrina, had the pleasure of meeting our next Creator, Ms. Wheelchair New Jersey 2019, Milagro "Millie" Gonzalez (She/Her), through a virtual event.  She is the board chairwoman for the Spina Bifida Resource Network (SBRN) and vice board chairwoman for the Alliance Center for Independence (ACI). Millie has more titles under her belt; she is a communication strategist, writer, editor, and event planner with nearly 20 years of experience. She was on the steering committee that established ACI's annual NJ Disability Pride Parade and Celebration in 2011 and has served as the co-emcee of the event nearly every year since its inception. As a disability advocate, Millie established, organizes, and facilitates SBRN's annual Empowerment Retreat for Adults with Disabilities, age (21+), and the virtual component of SBRN's Empowerment series. A certified peer mentor with United Spinal Association and a member of the ADA Trainer Leadership Network, she has presented on a range of disability-related topics, including accessibility, emergency management, advocacy, and job readiness, to a variety of audiences.  Millie also is the lead organizer of the ReelAbilities: NJ Disabilities Film Festival at Kean University, which features disabled artists and speakers alongside award-winning international films by, about and/ or featuring individuals with disabilities. If you think that wraps up her titles, there's more! She is a member of ZCO/Dance Project and Shimmy Sisters, has studied with AXIS and Full Radius, and has performed with the physically integrated Heidi Latsky Dance Company. Lastly, Millie was nominated to Diversability's D-30 Disability Impact List.

Each story is based on one of the five themes of the acronym D.A.N.C.E. – Driven, Authentic, Nimble, Courageous, & Empowered, as quoted by The Rebel Ninja, Nick Smit, from South Africa. Having a love for interacting with people and a belief in teaching or training is what Nick feels is his calling. What sets him apart from many others is his physical disability. His disability resulted from a car accident at 6 months old, causing him to lose mobility in his left hand. What makes Nick stand out from the crowd? His power in teaching others around him; he is a motivational speaker, Disability Advocate, Presenter, corporate trainer, and facilitator.

The host had the honor of interviewing our next Creator, Author Jennifer Beilis. She has an Associate's degree in Social Sciences from Brookdale Community College in New Jersey, a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from Rowan University in New Jersey, and a Master's degree in Education and Deafness Rehabilitation, Sign Language Proficiency Interview (SCPI) from New York University in New York.

Jennifer is hard of hearing (HOH) and has Meniere's disease. She has published Hear I Am, based on her life experiences and education. She is a former college teacher, administrator, and tutor, and has many years of experience working with people with disabilities.