About Chad

Chad is a 25 year old young man who lives with Cerebral Palsy and is a very active wheelchair user. He graduated from Milwaukee Area Technical College in the spring of 2006 with an Associate Degree in the Visual Communications Program, (Web Site Design & Computer Graphics). His dream job is to work for a pro sports team in the website and/or graphics department because he loves working with computers and sports of any kind so much.

Chad has spoken at numerous state and national disability related conferences about his transition experience from high school to college and now college to the working world. He is a consultant for Kids As Self Advocates (KASA), a national grassroots youth disability organization.  He sits on the Wisconsin State Transition Initiative Youth Leadership Council and is also the Youth Coordinator for the Wisconsin Youth Information Training and Resource Center.

In his free time Chad enjoys attending sporting events, (cheering for the real America's team the Green Bay Packers!), working with computers, adaptive water skiing, and hanging out with his friends. Chad lives an assisted living apartment in Waukesha.

Chad’s wheelchair, which allows him to remain active and independent, is 9 years old and has fallen into disrepair. Many parts of it are being held together with duct tape and bungee cords.  The manufacturer no longer makes some of the needed parts to fix it.  So, with the help of many friends, Chad is attempting to raise the $42,000 needed for a new motorized wheelchair.  This new wheelchair will afford Chad with greater independence to pursue his career as a website designer and to continue in his role as a nationally-known speaker who advocates for children and teens with disabilities as they transition to adulthood and greater independence. 

THANK YOU for your support at this and other fundraisers for Chad’s new wheelchair.  He is grateful beyond words!