bio
Born and raised on a farm in the small town of Pleasant Valley, New York, I was exposed to a deeper connection with the world around me from a very early age. Working in the vegetable fields alongside my grandparents, I got to bear witness as the tiny seeds we planted grew, and the most beautiful crops began poking up from the dirt. Over the years, I realized that those crops served as a bit of a metaphor for my journey and all of our journeys through life. Some of the brightest moments in my life have grown out of the proverbial dirt. All of those moments of pain, fear, uncertainty and darkness led me to a pivotal decision to truly begin to nurture myself, and much like the crops, sprout from the dirt and grow upward.
Having been diagnosed with cerebral palsy at the age of eighteen months, my journey to that point of self-awakening was far from easy. However, very early on, my family instilled a sense of confidence in me, helping me understand that I, just like all people, was uniquely me and I should take immense pride in my cerebral palsy because I could achieve anything I set my mind to and live just as independently as anyone else.
At the age of eleven, I came upon the usual crossroads of early adolescence. But, for me this moment brought with it a great burden...the burden of silence. Here is where I first came to realize that I was gay. I accepted this within myself but didn't let the world in to see this aspect of my truth for almost ten years. Over those years, I began coaching baseball and continued my scholastic career all while carrying the indescribable weight of silence. I feared that if those around me found out, I'd lose everything. But, all of that changed during my sophomore year of college. On May, 23rd, 2014, I finally let the world in on my long held burden of silence and freed myself to continue to grow as a truly authentic person.
In May of 2016, I graduated magna cum laude from the University at Albany, SUNY with a baccalaureate degree in social welfare. Now, as a speaker, consultant and poet, I look to instill in every audience and individual that I interact with, both young and old, just how valuable they are. Because with everything I've been through, there is one lesson that looms large. Once you learn to explore, love and value every part of who you are, your true potential is limitless. I cannot wait to have you join me in the audience as I guide you on that journey together.
With Love,
Jon