Meet the ILWAD Army
Scott Sussman – ILWAD Co Founder
Scott Sussman was born on April 8th, 1985. As he was being born his umbilical became wrapped around his neck, cutting off oxygen from his brain, the doctor used a suction cup to get him out. After labor everything was normal, there were no immediate complications. Read More >
Ron Bercume – ILWAD Co Founder
Ronald was highly independent at an unusually young age, living on his own and working two jobs while attending high school. Despite his busy schedule as a kid, Ron performed at the top of his class, and he subsequently funded his college education through art scholarships and the NYS Higher Educational Opportunity Program. Read More >
Sarah Laugtug – Executive Editor
Sarah is thrilled to be a part of the ILWAD Army as a Disability News Editor. She understands what it is like growing up with disability because she has three hidden disabilities and is recovering from a stroke she had in 2007. Sarah comes to ILWAD with a strong disability background. Her master’s thesis focused on designing a… Read More >
Melisa E. Clifton – Assistant Editor
Melisa is very excited about her opportunity to serve as an assistant editor for the ILWAD Army. She understands the challenges and changes that occur with the onset of a disability, but know that these can be used as motivation for positive moves in our lives. In a freak accident in 2002, her hand was crushed in a vehicle door…. Read More >
Maureen Gazda – Assistant Editor & Journalist
Maureen lives her life by the age old mottos, “Everything happens for a reason” and “Live life to the fullest”. Her young life was changed in an instant when she dove into her friend’s backyard pool and suffered a devastating spinal cord injury. Read More >
Courtney Seen – Social Media Director, Contributing Writer & Community Leader
Courtney is our resident ‘Darling from Down Under’ and Social Media Director. She was diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome when she was 8 years old and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome at 18 years old which almost took her life in 2009. Read More >
Tamika Grant – Contributing Writer & Poet
Tamika Grant has been writing since she was nine years old. She started out writing poetry and the piece she wrote was praised by her teacher, she continued writing poetry and stories. Tamika enrolled in college and became the best student in her writing class. Read More >
James Medley – Contributing Writer & Community Leader
James Medley is a contributing writer for ilivewithadisability.com. James has been a sales and marketing professional for over 40 years, and recently went back to school and earned a degree in Computer Graphics Design and Multimedia. Read More >
Danny Housley – Contributing Writer & Community Leader
Danny is a proud member of the ILWAD army. He was diagnosed as being low vision around the time he could walk. The lack of vision, however, never stopped his love of reading and writing. Read More >
