ESU to Host Through Their Eyes Conference, April 21

East Stroudsburg University will welcome Hunter Steinitz, Robin Gow, and Mikayla Forsey as speakers at the 24^th Annual Through Their Eyes conference on Friday, April 21. The conference speakers will share rich experiences in overcoming attitudinal, physical, and cultural barriers.

“This year’s speakers will carry on the tradition of delivering messages of hope and inspiration about life and the path to success and achievement in society,” said Domenico Cavaiuolo, Ph.D., professor of special education and rehabilitation.

The conference, which will be held at the University’s Innovation Center from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., aims to give those in attendance a personal perspective from people with disabilities that is unique, according to Dr. Cavaiuolo.

Hunter Steinitz was born with Harlequin Ichthyosis, an extremely rare genetic skin disorder. She is a native of Pittsburgh, Pa. and graduated from Westminster College in 2018 and completed her Masters of Divinity from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary in 2022. She is an elder and candidate for ordination in the Presbyterian Church USA. Steinitz serves on Presbyterians for Disability Concerns and has written and spoken about the experience of living with a visible disability. Steinitz also works as a youth leadership and training coordinator for the PEAL Center.

Robin Gow is a proud autistic trans writer and advocate. They earned an MFA in Creative Writing from Adelphi University where they also taught for two years as an adjunct professor of English. At Ursinus College, Gow served as the president of the Gender and Sexuality Alliance and the Coordinator of the Rainbow Resource Center, developing events and support services for LGBTQIA+ students and advocating for more inclusive policies. Gow has given trainings on creating more inclusive spaces for autistic and/or trans people to colleges, healthcare networks, and schools across the country. They are the author of three poetry collections, an essay collection, young adult and middle-grade novels.

Mikayla Forsey, of North Tonawanda, N.Y., never lets her visual impairment stop her from accomplishing her goals. Forsey was born with congenital blindness and organ anomaly’s which led to weeks in the hospital, being vent dependent and enduring multiple surgeries. She continues to persevere through developmental delays with attention to gross and fine motor skills. Forsey has been taking art classes from Barb Gray for 15 months in which she has grown tremendously in skill and confidence. All of her pieces are tactile/mixed media. She held her first successful Artist Reception in August 2022 as a part on the Perceptions Exhibit in Kudela Gallery at The Niagara Arts & Cultural Center.

“The Through Their Eyes conference is intended to provide the audience with an understanding that people with disabilities can accomplish great things despite their challenges,” Cavaiuolo said.

The conference is open to the public and it is free of charge. For more information contact Dr. Cavaiuolo at (570) 422-3893, or dcavaiuolo@esu.edu.

Search

Recent Posts