Hope 4 Disabilities

 Kimberly was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 1996.  In 2003, she had to leave her career in marketing because her disabilities were advancing.  It was at this point that she realized  how little support is available to those living with disabilities.  She especially noticed a lack of of access to resources. 

This realization led her to found Hope 4 Disabilities, a non-profit organization whose vision is tremendously comprehensive.  Whose mission will be to reach to the disabled with resources and support.

H4D embraces a broad definition of “disabled” which includes both temporary and permanent mental, physical, and emotional disabilities.  Kimberly believes that disabilities exist as much in ones mind as they do in ones body—and that all “disabled” individuals should have ready access to resources and support.

She believes a centralized database, readily accessed and easily searched, is merely a place to begin.  She, along with her Board, are working with State officials and with other community organizations to provide the assistance and support that will allow disabled individuals to participate as equal members of our society.  Their dream is that, one day, society will “treat all people with disabilities as just people; where we don't see the disability, we see the person.” 

H4D is chartered to  1) improve the lives of all disabled people, from conception to natural death, through services, advocacy, and education; and to 2) provide services and education for parents who have children with a disability.  It has secured non-profit status.  Kimberly L Selden is the President, Heidi J Swenson is the Vice-President, and their Board is composed of both resource people and other disabled individuals or parents of disabled children.

More information about their work can be found at www.helpsfordisabilities.org www.kimberlyselden.com