meet the team

Originally from Alaska, where I spent my early years teaching art for five years, I moved to Bellingham, WA in 2008. Since then, I’ve dedicated myself to supporting children, families, and individuals through mental health challenges. For sixteen years, I worked as a therapist – seven years as a child and family therapist, and five years as a clinical supervisor at a Community Mental Health Agency, then four years in a group private practice. My own recent medical retirement has led to a new chapter, and I’m excited to focus more on supporting others when I’m able. Beyond therapy, I’m passionate about building community. I currently lead the “Yetis,” a support group for individuals with Ataxia in Northwest Washington. I’m also a member of the Mental Health Task Force at the NW Rare Disease Coalition, where we advocate for mental health resources for those living with rare conditions. You can learn more about their work at https://nwrare.org/. I believe in the power of creativity and connection to help us navigate life’s challenges. While my path has taken an unexpected turn, I’m excited to be here and share my experiences with y’all, particularly as they relate to mental health after medical retirement. You can learn more about me here.

Dawn Lentz is 44 years old and lives in Delaware. She enjoys going outside and listening to the wind talk to the trees. She has a rare condition called spinocerebellar ataxia 2 that affects her balance and fine motor skills. She lives where she is trying to learn how to do things in a new way.

Hi! My name is Ellie. I recently graduated from Southern Illinois University where I studied Communications with a minor in Rehabilitation Services. I have had Cerebellar Ataxia since birth. My favorite product that I use is a walking stick. I use it almost daily. It is very helpful when I walk on uneven surfaces or walk in the snow. I enjoy photography, art, swimming, hiking, and going biking. I go tandem biking with my mom and just got a recumbent bike so I can bike on my own. I am starting to take classes in Photography and Art. I participated in Special Olympics for swimming, track, basketball and rhythmic gymnastics. I am excited to join this team to help people with disabilities find products that make life easier!

Ericka is a very proud disabled queer woman. She works as an independent living specialist in Kansas and has been a longtime member of ADAPT. Previously, she has worked at independent living centers in New York and Vermont. She has two certificates in Web Design & Motion Graphics and Pet Grooming. Ericka is a wheelchair user with the disability Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus (fluid on the brain). In her spare time, she loves to visit new places on day trips, do puzzles and organize with other activists. She loves trying out new products that might make not only her life but others’ lives easier. Right now her favorite product is a toothpaste dispenser she found on Amazon. She lives in Rochester, NY with her two adult cats but hopes to soon live with her fiancé!

Hi, my name is Hannah. I have a condition called retinopathy of prematurity, which means that my retinas are detached because my eyes didn’t get enough time to develop. I only have light perception, (I can see whether a light is turned on or off, but not the direction that the light is coming from). I can’t see shadows, shapes, or colors either. I love going on walks, doing laundry, watching documentaries, and listening to podcasts. But most of all, I love hanging out with people and getting to know them. I have a Bachelor’s Degree in English, but I want to be able to work and to challenge myself, which is why I’m really glad that one of my friends told me about Day Undefined. I’m really excited to join the team, and become part of a community of people I can relate to!

I am Hannah, I am a member of Day Undefined. At Day Undefined, we are committed to offering products that can help anyone who needs daily living aids to cope with their environment and make their life easier and more convenient. As an Ataxia patient (Ataxia is a rare neurological disease. It is progressive and affecting a person’s ability to walk, talk and use fine motor skills…), my biggest dream is to be independent one day: to reach things I want and no longer spill water & food unintentionally. My dream inspired me to be part of Day Undefined, because in Day Undefined every item is tested by someone with a physical disability to make sure they are of great assistance and support. During my free time, I enjoy spending time with my husband and my son, to play board games or watch a family movie. We live in San Francisco Bay Area.

My name is Jessica. I am in a wheelchair, I have a degenerative disease called Ataxia. There are are many different categories and types of Ataxia, but I have an unknown type of Spinocerebellar Ataxia. I really enjoy being creative and making things with yarn for friends, family, or anyone who seems like they could use a smile! I enjoy watching TV and movies with my boyfriend and cat. Recently I got a product called the Fur-Zoff on Amazon. It is amazing. It has helped me removed so much cat hair around my apartment.

Hi! I’m Joni. I strive to be the epitome of “Midwest Nice.” I love to create and to have outdoor adventures. Whether my next project is animation, photography, sewing, or writing—and whether my next adventure is from a manual wheelchair, a recumbent tricycle, or an all-terrain wheelchair—I refuse to let my disability control me. I have Spinocerebellar Ataxia type 3, which is a neurological disorder that primarily impacts my balance, coordination, vision (I see double), fine motor skills, speech, and swallowing. Despite my many limitations, I try to live a limitless life with my partner, our dog, and our cat. I’m a bit of a technophile, so I am always looking for new assistive technology to make our home life a little more comfortable. This is why my favorite products are Philips Hue lighting and Kasa smart plugs. Both of these products have proven to be invaluable over the years and can be easily controlled using a smartphone.

Hello! I’m Karen. The basics: happily married 33 years, 2 adult sons, and 2 adopted dogs (now 12 & 13); retired (twice) as an Operations Manager for a giant telecom company; post 2nd retirement went on to teach middle school Special Education (loved it) until my diagnosis with SCA III around 2009. I love just learning and all things creative. My hobbies include photography, furniture & decor up-cycling, gardening, dog behavior-modification training and genealogy. An absolute favorite item I hope to review is the Aerogarden indoor hydroponic gardening unit, which makes growing anything indoors from seed, flowers to salad greens & tomatoes, a breeze! My mantras: Someone said, “I don’t know how you do it.” I said, “I wasn’t given a choice.” And from poet Mary Oliver, “Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?”

My name is Lisa, I am 56 years old. I was born on the east coast of Canada and grew up most of my life, even until now, not too far outside Toronto in different locations. I’m a proud Canadian! I have spinocerebellar ataxia. There are a number of different symptoms with this progressive genetic neuromuscular condition. But by far the most pervasive symptom is gradually losing my balance. I’ve been using a wheelchair for almost 2 years full time now. And that helps a lot. I can still stand and use my legs but only if I am holding on to something stable or being supported by preferably 2 people. If I try and take one or two steps on my own, I’m on the floor. I am married to my wonderful husband for almost 33 years, who helps me with tasks without a word or a sigh. He’s wonderful. Our 30 year old daughter is married and has a seven month old daughter. That makes me a grandmother! Our youngest daughter, 28, lives quite close to us. Her little dog is often here four of seven days per week. My favorite product that I have is the vinyl coated wire dish rack. It holds all of our plates, big and small, and bowls in one corner of the bottom shelf of our kitchen cupboard and is wonderfully accessible to me. I have always loved to read, but in recent years I tend to listen to audiobooks and podcasts. I actually spent 3 years in Australia from age 10 to 13. My dad got a job transfer. What a job transfer, eh? And so our family of five moved to the suburbs of Sydney, Australia for 3 years. I would love to go back because Australia is so beautiful.

I’m Mary and this is my service dog wonderpup Amara. I have nemaline myopathy, a form of muscular dystrophy that causes weakness in my skeletal muscles. I grew up in upstate New York and lived in Colorado for a couple years before moving to Oregon, where I currently live and love to hike, camp, and appreciate trees, and frequently get lost. One of my favorite outdoor products is my Jetboil stove. I’m committed to helping create social and physical environments that support the widest spectrum of human variation possible. Finding an outlet for my many unsolicited opinions about accessibility and product design in Day Undefined has been both a thrill and relief!

My name is Mike, and I’m a ‘retired’ financial advisor, a health and wellness advocate, and a lived-and-learned Ataxia educator who enjoys every moment of helping others unlock quality of life potential. As someone diagnosed with Ataxia when I was 28, I bring an all too familiar understanding of the asynchronous challenges that come with that. A little about myself, I was born in North Dakota, went to college in Minnesota as well as resided there for a few years, and have called CO home since 2019 after some location hopping in New Mexico and San Diego. During this time, I spent most of my professional life in the finance industry – building lifelong client relationships within a fully licensed advisory practice. Now, the answer is no; Ataxia was not why I decided to leave finance behind. It stems from career situational changes, a desire to be and do more, and an ambition to use my conditions and experiences to help others improve their lives.

Hi, I’m Rachel. I have a Bachelors in Public Health and I’m currently working on my Masters in Public Health at Georgia State University. My dream job is to combine Public Health with Disability Advocacy. My hobbies include rock climbing, biking, and knitting. I have Cerebral Palsy which causes me fatigue, muscular impairment, poor coordination, and speech difficulties. I am the founder and group leader of ATL ABL. ATL ABL is a social group (on Facebook) for adults with physical disabilities in Atlanta. I’m excited to be a part of the Day Undefined Team!

Sarah is a journalist based in Minnesota. She writes stories and produces radio programs about everything from wildfires and wildlife to public schools, sickle cell disease, climate change, and housing. Previously, she worked in medical and public health research on the East Coast, and at a nonprofit in Cambodia. She has cerebral palsy, which affects her mobility and balance. She travels often and appreciates the practical solutions that make it easier to cross ice and snow-covered walkways, or to carry her camera, heavy recording gear, notebook and computer to reporting assignments.

Guy Anthony Brooks, from Ghana. Lived in the Middle East, London, Kuwait, Germany, travelled a lot. Profession: Auto Mechanic, Disabled, Advocate For Accessibility, in Homes, in Communities, in Health, Young To Aged, living in West Philadelphia.