I have traveled around the world to speak at events, workshops, and on panels about disability inclusion, psychological wellness, and overcoming adversity. These days I speak virtually, in webinars and Zoom conferences.

As a licensed master social worker and media expert with a non-apparent disability (chronic anemia), I offer a unique blend of personal stories and educational lessons to improve the lives of others.

I’m able to speak on the following topics:

  • Overcoming adversity and finding resiliency.

  • Psychological wellness and mindfulness in times of chronic stress.

  • Ending bias, discrimination and bullying.

  • Non-apparent disabilities and disability inclusion in the workplace.

SOME PREVIOUS ENGAGEMENTS

Presenter: knowing disability, Its needs and its care

TIF | Hamburg, Germany

Teaching global patient representatives how to manage their care and advocate for themselves as they transition from pediatric to adult care.

For Thalassemia International Federation

Josephine with a panel of speakers

Panel discussion on patient advocacy

TIF | Hamburg, Germany

For Thalassemia International Federation

Josephine with two APHON nurses

Keynote speaker

APHON | New York City

APHON is the professional organization for pediatric hematology/oncology nurses and other pediatric hematology/oncology healthcare professionals.

As a keynote presenter, I shared lessons on stress regulation, mindfulness practice, and overcoming adversity.

For APHON

Poster for Workshop

Presenter: skills and strategies to stay emotionally fit

CAF | San Francisco, CA

Discussing methods to stay grounded, whole, and present when dealing with trauma.

For Cooley’s Anemia Foundation

Josephine speaking in the Maldives

Keynote speaker

MTS | Maldives

Keynote speaker and special guest focusing on breathing techniques and mindfulness strategies to reduce medical trauma; methods to overcome and find resilience in adversity; and techniques to advocate for one’s self when transitioning from pediatric to adult medical care.

For Maldivian Thalassaemia Society

Presenter: living well with chronic illness

TIF | Abu Dhabi, united arab emirates

Sharing stories of personal triumph and how to overcome adversity.

For Thalassemia International Federation

Josephine and Maria speaking to audience

Joint talk with co-speaker

CAF | Chicago, IL

Leading a presentation about overcoming adversity using positive psychology and with speaker Maria Hadjedemetriou.

For Cooley’s Anemia Foundation

Josephine with Gillian Laub, Christina Clusiau, and Shaul Schwarz

Disability mini-documentary film

BBB | New York, NY

Josephine with Gillian Laub, Christina Clusiau, and Shaul Schwarz filming a short documentary on Josephine’s life.

For BluebirdBio

Josephine with four women from Bold Lips for Sickle Cell

Panel discussion on living well with chronic illness

Novartis | Miami, FL

Discussing the differences in compliance, care, and wellness methods between thalassemia and sickle cell anemia.

For Novartis

Header photo of Josephine with children in a dojo after her talk on overcoming bullying.

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