By Rick Rader, MD Helen Journal Editor-in-Chief

“Society is built by determination, not designation.” - Abhijit Naskar

Growing up in Brooklyn, I had two sets of friends. One group had guys my age. We loved playing cops and robbers and took turns choosing who we’d be. The other guys were a few years older and more sophisticated.

Get to know the board members who keep the AADMD going.

In the spotlight: Seth M Keller, MD

Occupation: Neurologist

Board Position: National Task Group Aging and Dementia Liaison

By Sean G. Boynes, DMD, MS; Board of Directors, Harmony Health Foundation, Tina Saw, DDS; CEO, Oral Genome

Significant health care changes often come from deeply human moments. These moments happen when we prioritize empathy, personalized care, and the specific needs of people. This story takes a journey towards sparking such transformative change in oral health care, with a focus on people with disabilities.

By Thomas F. Coleman

Peter Brumlik, a young man on the autism spectrum, is no stranger to health care providers. During his childhood, a family court judge gave Peter’s mother authority over his medical care. He recalls that she took him to nearly 75 primary care doctors, specialists, dentists, psychiatrists, and psychologists. And he believes he had about 300 medical visits, just during the years 2017 through 2020.

by Andrea Beenham

Eddie Tuduri woke up in the ICU after a six-hour-and-a-half spinal cord operation following a horrendous surfing accident. But Tuduri felt no trepidation, anxiety, or depression, even though he was now paralyzed from his neck down.

By Stacy L. Nonnemacher, Ph.D

“Persons with disabilities die earlier, have poorer health, and experience more limitations in everyday functioning than others.” World Health Organization

Health inequities for people with disabilities are a call to action for resources, tools, and information for supporters and systemic change. This need starts with an understanding of these adverse conditions and experiences of people with disabilities.