Born and raised in Brooklyn, Maryland, Jaylan is the youngest child of four. Although he had a fulfilling childhood of travel and play, Jaylan gained valuable perspective when he turned seven and began needing a series of extensive surgeries on his legs and spine. While recovering at the hospital, Jaylan would spend time with pediatric…

A LETTER FROM GABRIELLA (WIDOW OF SCALE MEMBER CARLTON) Dear Friend of The League, I want to share a story about my late husband, Carlton — a story about struggle, resilience, and the extraordinary impact of the SCALE Aphasia Program at The League for People with Disabilities. Carlton had a stroke in 2018. Like many…

Mrs. Karen is a Direct Support Professional with a deep love and understanding for people on the autism spectrum. At 64 years young, she has two superpowers that help her make a difference every day: hugs and listening. Since August of 2024, Mrs. Karen (a.k.a. “the Snack Lady”) has built relationships with the children in…

Sallie has been living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) longer than she has been living without it. Sallie received her formal diagnosis when she was a 20-year-old Sophomore pursuing her BA in Psychology at the University of North Carolina Greensboro. Intermittent, disconcerting symptoms such as double-vision, numbness in her feet, and frequent falling prompted her to…

“My wellness journey is all about strength and stability for my extra-flexible joints. When you’re hypermobile, your fitness goals can sometimes be the opposite of most gym users, and that makes finding the right one tough. Instead of trying to increase your mobility, you focus on learning and maintaining a normal range of motion. Instead…

Since 2013, Samera has been a vibrant and beloved member of The League for People with Disabilities community. For more than a decade, she has brought determination, warmth, and unmistakable joy to everyone around her. Samera first came to The League as a young woman eager to build connections, develop her independence, and explore new…

“Working at The League is more than just a job to me.” With a brother who has autism and more than 12 years of experience working with individuals with disabilities, Charnette is a stellar Independent Living Coach for The League’s Meaningful Day Program and a Counselor for the Camping & Recreation Program‘s respite services. Every…

With a heart of gold and a fun-loving sense of humor, Bridget brings light and joy to staff members, participants, and visitors at East Cold Spring Lane. In The League’s Adult Medical Program, she fills her daily schedule with opportunities to create art, sing songs, connect with friends, and enjoy the little things in life,…

Drop’s core group of friends (a.k.a. “the Amigos”) are certain that their pal has superpowers. While Drop may not be able to fly or shoot laser beams from his eyes, he has the amazing ability to make meaningful connections in a short period of time. At 44 years young, Drop has a passion for adventure,…

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month! National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) has its roots in 1945, when Congress declared the first week of October as “National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week.” At the time, the focus was primarily on veterans returning from World War II with injuries who were reentering the workforce. In…