S4: Episode 129 - Learning from a caregiver mom who has navigated the world of autism (& paved the way for the rest of us) for 40+ years

Dr. Karen Kelly is a graduate of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) where she earned her BS and MS in nursing and a doctoral degree in education. She is a retired associate professor in the School of Nursing at SIUE. She taught leadership, health policy, and health care finance at both the graduate level and doctoral level. Karen is active in several nursing organizations at the local, state, and national level. She is the founding president of ANA-Illinois and past president of the Illinois Nurses Association. She has held elected and appointed positions in these and other nursing organizations at the state and national level.

She has published multiple book chapters and peer reviewed articles, in addition to other publications, including op-ed pieces on health policy issues. She has given presentations in over 70 local, regional, and national educational programs. She has provided expert testimony on the needs of developmentally disabled persons in Illinois to committees of the Illinois General Assembly, hearings by legislators and state agencies, and in federal court as a member of a class action lawsuit against the Illinois Department of Human Services.

Karen is the mother and guardian of Eric Adam, the Big Dude, and author of the blog on Facebook---The Big Dude: Life With Autism After 40. She is a volunteer advocate for those with autism and other disabilities. She shares life with the Big Dude with his amazing stepfather, better known as Dad in their blog.

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To purchase my book “Welcome to My Life – A Personal Parenting Journey Through Autism” click HERE or visit Amazon.com!

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