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Enhancing Relationships Between Individuals with Disabilities and the People They Interact With

I am committed to enhancing communication and fostering more effective relationships between employers and their staff, companies and their customers, medical professionals and patients/families, parents and their children, spouses, and members of the community.

Ways I can work with you…

Speaking on a wide range of disability related topics.  I give my audiences new insights, and inspire them to act with more courage and compassion.

Consulting & Training tailored to meet your organizations specific needs for:

  • Corporate organizations to be more culturally competent, improve morale, and increase worker productivity.
  • Healthcare institutions to increase health care quality and patient satisfaction for consumers with a disability.

Individual Life Coaching to support the unique needs and stresses of:

Within our workplaces, healthcare institutions, and communities there are individuals living with a disability or illness, parenting a child with special needs, or caregiving to a loved one. Although these are common life experiences, it’s not always easy to talk openly, ask questions, and offer help to people who are in the middle of such challenges.

For the individual whose life is touched by disability or illness — it is also difficult to talk openly about this part of their lives or know how to make requests for the type of support they really need.

In our society, talking openly about disability or illness is something we’ve never been taught and we’re uncomfortable with it.

We don’t know what the “acceptable” thing is to say or do

We don’t want to offend someone

We don’t want to be a burden on others

We want to belong and be included

As a result of our discomfort, we often remain disconnected and keep a part of our true selves hidden. If only we knew how to be open, direct and curious with ourselves and others about disability and illness.

My name is Marianne DiBlasi, and I speak the languages and know the cultures of two different worlds; individuals who are able-bodied and those whose lives are touched by disability or illness.

I learned the world of the “able-bodied” growing up as a child with a disability, trying to fit in and be normal just like everyone else.

I learned the world of “disability” in later years, as an adult coming to terms with difference, diversity and my own disability.

I offer the perspective of one who is living with disability, and someone who also understands the discomfort of the “able-bodied” who fear making a mistake or offending someone. Learning to be real and speak more easily to people whose lives are touched by disability or illness, is a topic near and dear to my heart, as it can open the channel for important and heart-felt exchanges between people who were once separated by something as simple as a crutch.

With awareness we can welcome differences and assure inclusion.

With patience and understanding, our true selves can be revealed,
valued and celebrated.

I use my life experiences, skills and expertise to act as a bridge between the able-bodied and disabled worlds, and to support those whose lives are touched by disability.  

The wisdom I share is from the perspective of someone who:

  • Gets the world of disability, physical challenges & loss, knows about being different, and what it takes to care for a loved one with special needs.
  • Knows the business world from working in corporations for 22 years in a variety of human resources, sales and marketing positions.
  • Knows the healthcare world from being both a patient with a disability and as a family member caregiver for my elderly mom.
  • Has honed her abilities as a professionally certified life coach to support members of healthcare facilities, organizations, individuals and their caregivers to be in relationship with disability in a more positive and empowering way.

I create a warm and welcoming space that encourages open and direct conversations with individuals and groups.