• B.A., speech and communications, 1984, Concordia College, Moorhead, Minn.

• M.S., social work, 1987, University of Minnesota

• Social worker on the psychiatric and rehabilitation units, 1988-2000
  MeritCare Hospital, Fargo, N.D.

• Community Disability Specialist, 2001-present
  MeritCare, Fargo, N.D.

  • Develops community support programs for people with disabilities

  • Challenges and inspires others through motivational speaking

  • Consults with professionals on issues relating to disability

  • Provides support to individuals facing disability

World-class athletic competitions

• Competed in four events in the 2000 Paralympics in Sydney, Australia

• Competed in the Mexico City ParaPanam Games in November 1999, where she received two gold medals and a silver

• Competed in the 1998 World Games in Birmingham, England

• Competed in 3 events in the 1996 Paralympics in Atlanta

National record holder

• Holds national records in the 400, 800, 1500 and 5000-meter wheelchair racing events for quadriplegic women

• YWCA Woman of the Year in Community, 2002

• "2000 Female Athlete of the Year" by Wheelchair Track & Field USA

• Minnesota State High School League's Hall of Fame, 1999

• Heroes: Growing Up Female and Strong –
       KARE-11 TV, Minneapolis, 1993 Concordia

• Centennial Celebration – Centennial Medallion, 1991

• Rose and Jay Phillips Award for Career Achievements, 1991

• North Dakota's Outstanding Disabled Citizen, 1990

• Fargo's Outstanding Employed Disabled Citizen, 1989

• Evangelical Lutheran Church of America-- Jamestown Conference, Jamestown, ND

• Family Retreat Forum—Joni and Friends Ministry, Thousand Oaks, CA

• Fellowship of Christian Athletes Prayer Breakfast, State Basketball Tournament, Fargo, ND

• Heartland Prayer Breakfast, Fargo, ND

• Lutheran Brotherhood Annual Meeting, Valley City, ND

• MEGA Conference—The Ultimate Conference on Disabilities, Casper, WY

• National Marriage Encounter, Kenosha, WI

• Northwestern Minnesota Lutheran Synod Youth Convention, Winnipeg, Canada

• Lord of Life Lutheran Church, Maple Grove, MN