Melissa Schenkel, Author at ConnectCenter

Peter’s Tale of Triumph and Batten Disease

Posted on June 11, 2024 - 10:46 am by Melissa Schenkel

Peter holding the book, "Marshmallow and Peter"

Beth’s world shifted dramatically when her son, Peter, at just six years old, was diagnosed with Batten disease. “Honestly, I was overwhelmed learning that there was no treatment or cure. My sweet boy would slowly lose all of his abilities,” Beth recounts. The diagnosis was much to digest. However, instead of succumbing to despair, Beth […]

Rosie the Resilient

Posted on December 4, 2023 - 4:12 pm by Melissa Schenkel

Child holds a Curious George stuffed animal in an eyeglass shop.

At just five days old, Rosemary faced a daunting battle when she contracted bacterial meningitis. Her grandmother, Angela, recounted their harrowing experience, “She went to the pediatric ICU, where she nearly died and had to undergo a bilateral craniotomy to treat the infection that had walled itself off in her brain.” Rosemary’s odds were grim […]

Strength After Domestic Abuse — Never Losing Sight of Who Matters

Posted on September 25, 2023 - 8:08 am by Melissa Schenkel

Mother and child embrace; adult has a light forehead scar.

“I went blind in 2016 when I was two months pregnant,” says Stacie. She shares her ex abused her, injuring her neck and head. “I lost my vision — leading to two unsuccessful eye surgeries. I am now blind; I have no light perception.” Adapting Stacie had to learn to deal with her new circumstances […]

APH Huntington Partners to Host Transition-Age Technology Camp

Posted on September 11, 2023 - 8:35 am by Melissa Schenkel

APH Huntington partnered with the West Virginia Children’s Vision Rehabilitation Program (CVRP) to present a Technology Camp in Charleston, West Virginia. Principally centered upon technology instruction and enriched by opportunities to address orientation and mobility, independent living, self-help, socialization, and transition issues, this three-day educational experience served 30 blind and low-vision students from across West […]

Building Inclusivity from the Ground Up

Posted on August 22, 2023 - 6:59 am by Melissa Schenkel

Person walking up building steps using a white cane and dog guide

The AWS Foundation, founded in 1989, is a Northeast Indiana-focused grant-making nonprofit organization. Its mission is to financially assist organizations working with children and adults with intellectual, developmental, and physical disabilities to live as independently as they want, be included in the community, and function at their highest potential. It has grown from one employee […]

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