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Kelly A. Simpson - Community Resource Advocate, Huntington Office

As a Community Resource Advocate for more than five years, I enjoy being a member of a community to help people to become independent.

I am married and the mother of three children, two of which are legally blind with an eye condition known as Leber's Congenital Amourosis. All of my children are adults now and my two younger children are both students at Marshall University.

I am the mother of a 17 year old step son who happens to have ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder). My experiences with my children have given me the opportunity to offer personal insight into the needs and abilities of people who are blind and the needs of young adults with ADHD. I also have hidden disabilities, chronic asthma and arthritis, and I understand the challenges of living with a disability on a daily basis myself.

Part of my responsibilities at Mountain State is independent Living Skills training classes. The classes cover life skills such as cooking, budgeting, bill paying, self-esteem, dating and relationships, social skills, manners and parenting. I help consumers find home equipment such as lift chairs, walkers and wheelchairs. We also offer assistance in getting help with home and bathroom modifications and ramps and lifts for cars and vans. I help people find accessible housing in both Cabell and Wayne counties and in finding personal assistance services if needed. I am also responsible for conducting public awareness activities including the KIDS ADA presentations in local elementary and middle schools, and visiting other agencies and local high schools to help provide disability awareness in the community.

I serve as a board member and secretary for the Statewide Independent Living Council, as a board member for the Fair Shake Network and as a member of the Tuebert Interagency Council for the Blind and Visually Impaired. I have been active with Cabell Wayne Association for the Blind for over 20 years and was a parent support group leader for more than 10 years. I have been active as a volunteer in Cabell County schools for over 25 years. I attend the WV Legislature as an advocate for the center and monitor and support legislation that affects people with disabilities.

If you are interested in attending independent living skills training classes at Mountain State or learning how to become independent and live on your own in the community, need help in obtaining home equipment or modifications for your home, or if you'd like to learn more about disability awareness, please give me a call.

You can reach me in the Huntington office at 304-525-3324 from 8:00 am to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, or send me an email (ksimpson@mtstcil.org).