Ketrina Hazell was very shy growing up, and was not always confident in using her voice.

“I didn’t always see my value at the table, but now I am an advocate, author, motivational speaker, life coach, and aspiring coach in other specialty areas such as career coaching,” she said.

Born prematurely, Hazell spent two months in the hospital, and was diagnosed with cerebral palsy (CP) at nine months old. CP affects a person’s ability to move, as well as their balance and posture.

She was born in New York to parents from Bequia, in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, who she states as one of her biggest influences, along with encouragement from mentors and other supporters. Hazell said her heritage influenced her, giving her the ability to hear stories and understand the lifestyle of her family members many years ago, with many still facing hardships. This inspired her to work hard to follow her dreams.

“Many of my family may have never been given the opportunities within education, employment, community involvement, and leadership I have been given in life today, especially as a person with a disability, where disability is also part of my heritage that has influenced me,” she added.

Hazell spent K–12 in the NYC public school system, navigating the special education system as a student with a disability. “I was left out of being involved in my school community, from trips to in-school activities such as award ceremonies, despite working hard for my achievements and not just for recognizing me. I was that last thought of a student; I considered myself invisible,” she stated.

The idea of creating a mentor program started during her years in college. “I started to realize it was hard to relate to someone about my college days, course work, or just to simply say how your class was today or to even support you in navigating the campus,” she continued. As a result, she founded Disability Champion Mentoring Network, Inc. (DCMN).

DCMN aims to reduce the stigma that people with disabilities have one pathway to their future by promoting inclusion, self-advocacy, cultural competency, and the self-determination of outcomes so individuals can create the future they desire.

A short term goal Hazell has for DCMN: “to engage with more schools and youth (students) across New York City to engage with the work and support we provide at Disability Champions Mentoring Network, whether it’s in the classroom or 1 on 1 mentor-to-student champion support, and capture more voices of young people as well as stories of families with disabilities,” she stated.

Long-term, Hazell said, “I want to provide employment opportunities to young people, as many school leaders and providers are having trouble finding places to employ their young people,” she added.

Success stories Hazell has had with running DCMN include one of a high school graduate with cerebral palsy who was interested in going to college but was told she would not be able to do so.

“She was still determined when she and her mom were given no direction, and I hope I can begin to help them navigate the college process: from applying to college, to applying for financial aid and receiving the acceptance letter, to making sure accommodations are set up with the college by scheduling a meeting with the accessibility office and seeing the campus,” said Hazell.

For Hazell, running DCMN as a black disabled woman means she is raising the bar higher than ever. To the young people  in NYC with or without disabilities, Hazell wants you to know you can have a vision for your future, have conversations about your abilities, goals, dreams, and interests, and with the guidance of a mentor and network, it will help show the way and your dreams will become possible.

She wants people to know that DCMN “is one of a kind, geared towards helping children and their families who may not have the resources or ability.” It is also important to remember that each experience with a disability is different for each individual.

“As a disability community, we can make a difference,” she added.

To stay updated on the work of DCMN, visit the website: http://www.disabilitychampionsmentoringnetwork.org/.