Erica Stross

Goal

I am part of a network of like-minded people who feel passionately about empowering individuals living with pain, stress, and chronic health conditions.

My group includes professionals working in the healthcare, education, academia, not-for-profit, and corporate sectors, as well as everyday people.

Everyone has a voice, a story to tell.

Our collective goal is to make people whole — to enable everyone to live life to the fullest!

Background

About a year ago, after raising my children, I started thinking about returning to my career. Like other mothers going back to work, I was anxious. Have I been away too long? Am I still relevant? Do I have anything to say?

I started looking around to see how the disability arena had changed. To my shock, I discovered that little has progressed. People are still suffering from discrimination and corporations continue to sleep-walk through diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. I felt crushed! Honestly, I despaired and thought about giving up.

It was only after a friend reminded me that I have been in a very fortunate position — to have the privilege to be able to help a large number of people and organizations over the years. I still have my network of friends and companies and the need is bigger than ever. What would it take to really help people? To get everyone to come together? To help individuals like me to make connections to amazing people and resources. What would that look like?

I am talking about ignoring the negative, and focusing on the positive. What can we do now, to make a difference? I want to build a collective of like-minded individuals and organizations who want to enthusiastically raise up and empower people with disabilities and chronic health conditions — to give them the tools and resources they need to live full, happy, whole lives.