What People Say

An excellent resource to encourage self-awareness, reflection, and acceptance

This is an excellent resource to encourage self-awareness, reflection, and acceptance. The activities promote recognition of each individual’s positive traits and reflections on the core traits needed to develop a compatible fulfilling relationship.

Maureen Blake-Cooper
Special Education Teacher
Syracuse City School District

Kathy has gone through it, firsthand, so she is a very good resource

I first heard about Kathy O’ Connell through a Facebook live video. I can relate to her because she has Cerebral Palsy just like me and she talks about having a disability and being confident in dating and relationships and I don’t think this topic is talked about enough and Kathy has gone through it, firsthand, so she is a very good resource.

Sarah

[Kathy’s work] has empowered me

[Kathy’s work] has empowered me to take control of my dating life, to have confidence and to be successful, not only in my dating relationships, but in all areas of life!

Gift Nleko

The first step to dating is loving yourself

[Kathy’s work] focuses on self acceptance and self love. For me, that is the best lesson anyone can learn. The first step to dating is loving yourself.

Jessica Kramer

This course was extremely beneficial

This course was extremely beneficial and has perpetuated measurable progress for a client who has participated. This course involves audio, visual, behavioral action steps, and resources that allow a person to be completely immersed in increasing and improving social interactions with an ultimate goal of finding a successful and healthy relationship.

Amanda Burton
Traumatic Brain Injury Community Integration Counselor
New York State Department of Health

A positive, upbeat and informative class

I am a mentor for a 20 year old autistic young man. We attended Kathy’s Dating, Relationship and Sexuality course. It was such a positive, upbeat and informative class. We focused on being our best self, concentrating on our personal core beliefs and searching for a partner who is compatible to ourselves. As a married woman of 38 years, I also found this course an enriching experience for my relationship.

B.T.

I don’t think this is a topic talked about enough

S.

I am now able to boldly and confidently put myself out there

As a Nigerian-American student in Syracuse University’s Dual Master’s Program in Social Work and Marriage and Family Therapy, I became a student of Kathy’s because she knows the struggles of dating with a disability firsthand and now she is even happily married. Before I met Kathy, I thought I was flawed, broken and there was something wrong with me because of my physical disability, Post-Poliomyelitis. I felt like an incomplete woman because I couldn’t wear normal clothes or high heels like other girls. But I’ve realized that there is nothing wrong with me, and THAT I am a complete and whole woman in God’s eyes. This whole time what’s been missing is any sense of value, self-confidence, and freedom to be myself. Today, I can walk and I can wear medium high heels; I am more confident, expressive, living fully and freely, and engaging in the activities I love.

Since taking Dating, Relationships, and Disability course, I am now able to boldly and confidently put myself out there and am meeting nice, quality and respectful men. Now, I get to pick and determine if this is the type of quality man that I want in my life. Now I can’t keep men away and I’m receiving a lot of attention from men, who actively approach and show interest in dating me. Meeting Kathy and taking the Confidently Dating with a Disability program has empowered me to take control of my dating life, to have confidence and to be successful, not only in my dating relationships, but in all areas of life!

G.N.

The focus on being introspective and optimistic has really been a benefit

I have noticed that J.’s self-esteem seems to have improved. I think the focus on being introspective and optimistic has really been a benefit to her.

Nicole Felix
Former Program Director - David Clarke Learning Center
AcessCNY
Syracuse, New York

Your course helped my confidence and I thank you for that

I have noticed that J.’s self-esteem seems to have improved. I think the focus on being introspective and optimistic has really been a benefit to her.

J.K.

Kathy’s strategies and tips are very applicable to building healthy dating relationships

Kathy is the quintessential professional. Her strategies and tips for folks in the intellectual and developmental disability community regarding dating are very applicable to building healthy dating relationships. Kathy’s themes and principles are very universal making it easy for family members to support those in need and also challenge themselves to look inward when guiding someone into dating. When searching for a comprehensive tool kit or simply receiving counseling relating to dating in the I/DD field, Kathy O’Connell is a vital source for providing a trustworthy and safe environment for learning about the journey of dating. Working with Kathy has truly been rewarding.

Tim Ferguson
Director of Special Projects & Online Learning
Cerebral Palsy Associations of New York State, Inc.
Cohoes, New York

Kathy left a lifelong impact on this class and their families

I’ve had the pleasure to attend two events where Kathy O’Connell was a guest speaker for The Arc Oneida-Lewis Chapter. The first time I heard Kathy speak was at our Care Giver Retreat and it made a lasting impression on me.

Years later, amid planning another event, I had Kathy in mind to speak until the Covid Pandemic hit and the event was canceled. Kathy’s initial impact never left me so I was extremely excited when she agreed to speak this year to the students at our College Works Graduation Ceremony at Utica MVCC. The target audience was a bit different each time I heard her story, but her testimony on her own life’s journey truly hit the hearts of the students, families, providers, and several political dignitaries in attendance.

The following days after graduation, I continually heard from Arc Administration, students, families and MVCC staff how emotional her speech was. Several parents of the graduates have contacted or commented on our social media page how they felt Kathy was not just speaking about herself, but on behalf of their own child’s journey.

I have attended every graduation since College Work’s inception and witnessed many guest speakers. Kathy left a lifelong impact on this class and their families.

Jerry Switzer
Vice President of Programs
Arc Oneida Lewis Chapter

Everyone loved her - parents told us she gave them hope...

Kathy O'Connell came to Texas to be the keynote speaker at our annual parent conference in 2013. Everyone loved her - parents told us she gave them hope, started our conference on a positive note, and shared 'user-friendly' ideas for helping your child envision the future. I wasn't sure how the parents would react to her as the keynote but we are so glad we brought her to Texas!

Laura Warren
Executive Director
Texas Parent to Parent

For the first time in two years, I felt like a 'normal adult.'

For the first time in two years, I felt like a "normal adult." Your explanation of shame, the Victim Triangle, and your explanation of how our visions may differ from our parents' visions when we get older helped me to understand the emotions I have been battling. Kathy is an excellent speaker.

Person with a disability

Know have a beautiful, kind and smart woman to share my life with

I wanted to take the time to tell my story. I was born with Spastic Diplegia Cerebral Palsy. I am forced to wear leg braces and walk with crutches. I had always struggled with dating and approaching women. I’m 28 years old and until recently never had a girlfriend. Talking to Kathy I gained confidence and I am proud to say that I now have a beautiful, kind and smart woman to share my life with. It’s possible to find love! I know the struggle but please don’t give up.

You had given me the confidence and I appreciate that.

C.R.

It is absolutely amazing to have someone like Kathy to talk to

S.B.

Kathy graciously encourages me to explore my own self-imposed limitations

C.C.