Overcoming Challenges, Working for Inclusion: Meet Melissa Milinovich, Activist and Mom

Recently our founder, Jason Harris, spoke with Melissa Milinovich, who was diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy at the age of 2. She is a career woman and a mom. She also serves on the National Board of Directors for Cure SMA, speaks at many events to advocate for the rights of people with disabilities, and is the board chairman of the Accommodations Committeefor the 2017 ReelAbilities Film Festival.

In this insightful interview, Ms. Milinovich discusses how she has overcome challenges, and the importance of inclusion.

MELISSA MILINOVICH is from Amelia, Ohio and was diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy at the age of 2 (strong type I / weak type II) after several misdiagnoses; however, she has never let that stop her. She graduated with honors from Wright State University with a Bachelor’s of Science in Business in 2000 and graduated this year from University of Phoenix with Master’s of Information Systems.From being a career woman with Hewlett Packard Enterprises as an Asset Manager in the USPS Division to a single mother of her daughter, Claudia, Melissa strives to reach the high goals she has set for herself. She never allows anyone to tell her she “can’t” do something; she figures out how to achieve it.; Despite using a wheelchair for full-time for mobility, she lives a very fulfilling life and encourages others to do the same.  In her free time, she serves on the National Board of Directors for Cure SMA, assists her daughter’s school with administrative and fundraising tasks, assists her MDA office with Summer Camp, speaks at many events to advocate for the rights of people with disabilities, and is the board chairman of the Accommodations Committee for the 2017 ReelAbilities Film Festival.

For more information on SMA, please visit: http://www.curesma.org/

For more information on the ReelAbilities Film Festival, please visit: http://reelabilities.org/

For a downloadable podcast of this interview, please visit: http://jasonsconnection.podbean.com/e/overcoming-challenges-working-for-inclusion-meet-melissa-milinovich-activist-and-mom/?token=e84dc4babc49f5f42309534fdd512e60