Linda Priest, Guest Speaker

Linda Priest, CRTS, Studied at University of Illinois, Graduated Georgia State University, with degree in Therapeutic Recreation.

1) Worked as a therapist in several recreation hospitals in the Atlanta area including both Shepherd Spinal Center and Emory Rehabilitation.

2) Training Director for Regional Americans with Disabilities Act Center.

3) Retired State of Georgia Americans with Disabilities Act Coordinator

4) Founder and President of the Atlanta Post Polio Association 1985.

Note: The achievement Linda most enjoys bragging about is her competitive nature and the opportunities she had competing in wheelchair sports, helping to found the Dixie Wheelchair Athletic Association and competing for many years in wheelchair basketball and being the first female to finish the Peachtree Road Race in a wheelchair.

Linda was born in the small south GA town of Nashville. She Contracted polio at age two and was the only person in that little town who was in a wheelchair. This was long before the Americans with Disability Act, Rehab Act or any accessibility laws. Upon graduation from High School there were no colleges in the state of Georgia that were open to her. She was fortunate to get a scholarship to the University of Illinois where people with disabilities were welcomed. Linda has led a full and active life as evidenced by her bio including marrying and having two beautiful children and two beautiful grandchildren. Unfortunately, the story doesn't end there. Linda was involved in a terrible, life changing automobile accident about a year ago and is here to discuss her journey back and her experience in nursing homes and the state of nursing homes in America today.

There will be no APPA meeting in July.

The public is invited to attend the meeting.  For more information or to obtain the link to the meeting call (404)350-7631 or consult the website at http://www.atlantapostpolio.com.