Diagnosed with ALS in 2007
Founded "Corey's Crusade" to give voice to ALS sufferers
Diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 2001
Became national speaker & trainer for The National Alliance on Mental Illness
Their stories of turning adversity
into advocacy will inspire you!
Browse through our collection of inspiring stories from our incredible advocates.
Liz McIngvale
Feb 9, 2024 | Advocate, New OCD, OCD
Liz McIngvale Adversity: Diagnosed with severe OCD in her teens Advocacy: Created Peace of Mind Foundation to support others with OCD ...
Clint Malarchuk
Jan 27, 2024 | Advocate, Depression, PTSD
Clint Malarchuk Adversity: Diagnoses of depression and PTSD Advocacy: Working to eliminate the stigma of mental illness. "Speaking honestly about my battles is almost like a nationwide support group for me. It gives me fuel to keep moving forward and to...
The Sugermans
Aug 10, 2022 | Advocate, Paralysis
Mike & Janice Sugerman Adversity: Paralysis Advocacy: Sharing their stories to help other families "We didn’t choose advocacy. Advocacy chose us. We wrote a Facebook entry about Mike’s recent paralysis and got 500 responses about how brave we were to...
Dr. Zachary Burton
Mar 10, 2021 | Advocate, Bipolar Disorder
Dr. Zachary Burton Adversity: Diagnosed with bipolar I disorder with psychosis Advocacy: Co-founded and leads The Manic Monologues to disrupt stigma; serves with various mental health nonprofits "We lean on the brutally and beautifully unashamed, raw power...
Chrissie Hodges
Feb 8, 2018 | Advocate, New OCD, OCD
Chrissie Hodges Adversity: Undiagnosed OCD Advocacy: Pure OCD Advocate "I started my advocacy to help others know they are not alone and recovery is possible for Pure OCD. Little did I know by hearing other's stories, struggles, and seeing their resiliency...
Leeza Gibbons
Oct 31, 2016 | Advocate, Alzheimers
Leeza Gibbons Adversity: Lost her mother and grandmother to Alzheimer's disease Advocacy: Has become a leading voice in the movement to create a world without Alzheimer's "I got drafted into serving on the front lines of Alzheimer's advocacy, but now I see...
Ann Graham
Aug 14, 2016 | Advocate, Cancer
Ann Graham Adversity: Cancer diagnosis Advocacy: Founded a nonprofit to serve pediatric cancer patients "I used to think that everything happens for a reason, until I saw children dying of cancer. Cancer was my best teacher and ultimately, a saving grace. I...
Chris Downey
Jun 24, 2016 | Advocate, Blindness
Chris Downey Adversity: Lost his sight due to a brain tumor Advocacy: Became an accessibility design expert and advocate for the blind "As an architect without sight, I endeavor to build bridges across the visual divide while removing ill-conceived walls...
Stephanie Snow Gebel
May 5, 2016 | Advocate, Wolfram syndrome
Stephanie Snow Gebel Adversity: Daughter diagnosed with Wolfram syndrome Advocacy: Founded The Snow Foundation to fund trials, provide support and resources "My greatest priority is to be a strong voice for rare disease and to provide hope for my daughter,...
Barbara Claypole White
Mar 18, 2016 | Advocate, New OCD, OCD
Barbara Claypole White Adversity: Son diagnosed with OCD at age 8 Advocacy: Uses fiction writing and blogging to provide hope to those with OCD "Readers often say, ‘I’ve never told anyone this before…’ And the book clubs I visit turn into therapy. People...
Brad Bulla
Mar 18, 2016 | Advocate, Grief & Loss
Brad Bulla Adversity: Son died in a drunk driving accident where he was the passenger Educates others about drunk driving and advocates for violent crime victims "By sharing my story, perhaps I can make a statistic come to life and touch someone’s heart. If...
Kelly Brush
Nov 6, 2015 | Advocate, Paralysis
Kelly Brush Adversity: Paralysis Advocacy: Started a foundation to provide adaptive sports equipment and increase safety in ski racing, the sport in which she was injured "Through participating in adaptive sports after my injury, I proved to myself that...