SHOWAbility Monthly Virtual Arts Masterclass Continues in May

SHOWAbility, a 501c3 nonprofit organization which leverages arts and entertainment to bring visibility and awareness to break down barriers for people with disabilities, particularly performing artists with disabilities, is continuing its monthly Virtual Arts Series. This month’s virtual arts masterclass will focus on the art of parenting children with special needs without losing your own individuality and potential with Norma Stanley, the parent of an adult dependent daughter with developmental disabilities.

The founder of E.E.E. Marketing Group, where she serves as public relations consultant, as well as a speaker and trainer on Disability Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Stanley combines her personal and professional expertise to educate and enlighten corporations on the underserved but economically significant disability community.

“As an accomplished professional and board member of SHOWAbility, Norma’s personal and professional experience has been very helpful to our organization’s mission,” says Myrna Clayton, the founder and executive director of SHOWAbility. “We are excited for her to share some of insights with those who may be interested in learning how to successfully navigate the challenges of raising a child with developmental disabilities through the ‘Parenting Special Needs Child and Still Achieving Your Dreams’ masterclass.”

A multi-faceted professional, Norma has received numerous awards for her work, including a Lifetime Achievement Award for her disability community service work from President Barack Obama. She is also the author of “The Elected Lady--Finding Victory in the Challenge (Words of Reflection and Inspiration for Mothers of Children with Special Needs and Other Moms); “The Resistance -- Fighting the Enemy Within” and will release her third book, “Just Do It! 10 Keys to Avoiding the Dream Stealing Trap of Procrastination,” this summer.

In addition, she is the host/producer of the annual Exceptional Parents Celebration, an event for parents of children/adults with disabilities, whose children don’t comprehend the significance of Mothers and Father’s Day; Disability World TV on the streaming PG Network on XOD TV and co-host of Disabled Lives Matter Podcast. She is also host/producer of entertainment and lifestyle-focused Nella-Joi Nation Radio Show on BTalk100.com and publisher/editor of Nella-Joi Nation Magazine on Medium.com.

On her more creative side, Norma is also a singer/songwriter and independent recording artist known as Nella-Joi, who released her first CD project in November 2019. She is also a member of the SHOWAbility INCLUSIVE CHORUS.

“There was a long period of time while raising my now 32-year-old daughter, where I focused all my energies on helping her to maximize her potential, losing a bit of myself, my identity and faith in my abilities and I didn’t even realize it,” says Stanley. “When I came to the realization that I couldn’t give my daughter the best life possible as her primary caregiver, if I didn’t have the best life possible, I decided to shake off the depression I was feeling and go after some dreams I had all but given up on,” she continued. “I look forward to sharing some of that process and how I was able to turn my life around as a result, and possibly assist others who may find themselves in the same space.,” she said.

Anyone interested in learning about the “Parenting Special Needs Child and Still Achieving Your Dreams” Masterclass is welcome to attend. The virtual event is free of charge and will take place on Sunday, May 30 at 4:00p.m. Interested participants can go to:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/inclusive-arts-parenting-special-needs-and-still-achieving-your-dreams-tickets-153379487175" class="redactor-linkify-object">https://www.eventbrite.com/e/i...

For information on SHOWAbility, go to showability.org. For information on Norma Stanley, go to normastanley.com.

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