2012 - 40th 40 years - how can it be? After graduating, went to Seton Hill College for 1 1/2 years; transferred to Duquesne University and graduated with a special education degree in Dec. 1975. First teaching jobs were at Allegheny Valley Junior School and with Project DART/Head Start with the Allegheny Intermediate Unit, day and evening jobs at the same time. In free time (????? - I never really slept back then!), I performed with the sign language troupe “BREAKTHROUGH” (singing in sign language) and was a regular guest on the “Pittsburgh 2Day” show as an educational consultant. Developed a workshop and wrote books called FUN FOR FREE, making toys and learning games from household trash (now known as recycling!) Was known as the “Trash Lady” for years in the tri-State area!! Served on the PA Board of the National Neurofibromatosis Foundation (NNFF) where I met my husband to be (NNFF President) at a Fundraiser. At the time, I was teaching a class of children with learning disabilities and we had written a book “L.D. Does NOT Mean Learning Dumb!” The book went international and we donated proceeds to the NNFF. My students gave me away at my wedding and at the end of the school year; I was off to New York with my new husband. We lived on Long Island and I commuted daily to New York City where I started a program for the learning disabled at Columbia Grammar and Prep School on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. Traveled the world giving workshops on learning disabilities and NF while trying to have a baby. After losing 6 babies, finally had our son Peter who is now 17, and a senior in high school. Peter has ADHD and assorted accompanying disabilities but he is a computer geek and is practically running the local CBS/FOX affiliate here in Sherman, Texas, where we now live. Have another son, (an immaculate conception!!!), Patrick, 15 1/2 years old, who was born 14 weeks premature. He is severely disabled, on a vent, feeding tube, brain destroyed by seizures, non-ambulatory, etc., etc. and has been on hospice since March of 2011. Hospice is giving him a very comfortable life. Living with 2 children with disabilities has made life interesting to say the least. But it has also made me a much better teacher when I went back to teaching 2 years ago. I cared for Patrick 24/7 until we moved to Texas 6 years ago. Here we were able to get some nursing care which allowed me to return to teaching (after an 18 year break) since I needed medical benefits for myself and Peter. I teach in a class of elementary age children with autism. Being the parent of special needs children, I am really able to help the families of the children I teach. This is the shortened version of my life the past 40 years. I feel so blessed to be Mom to Peter and Patrick! They are my greatest accomplishments and have taught me what is important in life. I especially treasure the many special people we have met because of their being disabled. I have really enjoyed this “cyber reunion” as someone called it in another bio. I do not travel more than a few miles from home now that Patrick is on Home Hospice. A seizure could take him at any time and I want to be with him in his final moments. Wish I could be at the reunion, I will be there in spirit, and I hope to hear from you all!!!