Cerebral Palsy Strong — We are #CPstrong

Katy brings over a decade of community engagement experience to Cerebral Palsy Strong. She believes in the importance of using lived experience and collective storytelling to fuel social change and a sense of belonging.
She knows what it’s like to navigate the murky waters of disability beyond childhood, which inspires her to work toward new levels of community impact and elevate the needs of her peers.
Before founding CPstrong, she spent the last five years working in both for-profit and non-profit spaces, developing brand strategy and marketing communications. Katy holds a BA in Liberal Arts from Soka University of America as well as an MA in Media and Public Engagement from University of Colorado, Boulder.
She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, Joshua and their dog, Beck.
- Katy is an identical twin to Sara, who does not have CP. They were born at 27 weeks weighing only 2lbs each.
- She has left spastic hemiplegic cerebral palsy and was diagnosed at three years old.
- She has worn the ExoSym device since November 2017 which has helped to reduce bone pain, fatigue, and fall-risk as well as improve alignment, walking speed, stability, and more.
- She camped and drove the length of South America in 2017 in a Toyota Land Cruiser with her then-boyfriend, now-husband, Joshua.
- They adopted a dog named Beck in February 2020 and he’s kept them active ever since.

Dominique is a seasoned event planner specializing in accessibility for people with disabilities.
She works for the largest veteran service organization (VSO) in the US and understands the power of advocacy. She’s represented her VSO at the White House when Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Senator Tammy Duckworth announced proposals to make air travel more accessible. She has been tapped as a resource to submit comments to DOT to further enhance these laws and was also was selected to present at the National ADA Symposium on accessibility at events.
She holds a BS in Event Management from University of Central Florida and a Masters in Public Health from Liberty University.
Dominique is excited to bring her non-profit, event, and accessibility experience to help Cerebral Palsy Strong serve the CP community.
- Dominique was born with amniotic band syndrome (ABS) affecting mobility in both legs. This disability presents itself very similarly to CP.
- She is a triplet! Her other siblings were not affected in the womb with ABS.
- Both her parents are disabled. Her dad has CP and her mom is an incomplete quadriplegic from a diving accident as a teen.
- Dominique also wears the ExoSym and met Katy through this incredible device. It has been life changing for her and was the first experience of connecting with others through social media.
- She has two beautiful children (1 and 3) and recently celebrated 10 years of marriage to her husband Aaron.

Elizabeth has cerebral palsy, and while it is a huge positive aspect in her life, it's the least interesting thing about her. With eight years in the higher education industry, Elizabeth brings her skills as an academic advisor and a career coach to the disability social justice movement in hopes to help others navigate college and the working world as a disabled person. She has hosted panel discussions, workshops, and co-facilitated an awareness week centered on disability in her role at Pepperdine Graziadio Business School.
Additionally, she is a leading member of the Santa Barbara Volunteer Chapter for Canine Companions, a non-profit from whom she received her service dog in 2022.
She holds BAs in Literature and Writing from Point Loma Nazarene University and an MA in Educational Leadership from California State University Channel Islands.
- She was diagnosed with cerebral palsy (spastic diplegia) at 6 months old and has used a walker since she was 15.
- Since she is the only person in her family with a disability, she began to connect to others with CP online in high school, which is how she met Katy and learned about Cerebral Palsy Strong.
- She loves to travel and has been to 10 states and 5 countries, with Greece, Croatia, and Portugal being next on her bucket list.
- Elizabeth lives in Camarillo, CA with her service dog, Edge, and her cat, Binx.
- She loves spending time at the beach, farmers market, and wineries with her friends, family, and her boyfriend

Cassidy is Head Content Writer at The Disability Download for Cerebral Palsy Strong, and loves any opportunity to share her own stories, and tips and tricks she’s learned about making life with cerebral palsy easier.
She is passionate about sharing her own experiences, and obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Therapeutic Recreation from the University of Iowa in 2022. Her experience of studying a variety of conditions and adaptive life hacks, combined with her own CP diagnosis gives her a unique perspective on living with a disability.
Cassidy grew up in Southern California, and currently lives with her family just outside of Nashville, Tennessee.
- Cassidy is a twin, but her brother, Tyler, does not have CP. They were born on the first day of the 26th week and spent 3 months in the NICU
- She has right spastic hemiplegic cerebral palsy and was diagnosed at 13 months
- Along with her CP, Cassidy has hydrocephalus and has had three brain surgeries
- She is a Christian and is very passionate about her faith
- She loves dogs, and has two Lab/German Shepherd mixes, Scout and Sadie