Volunteers With Disabilities

Kristina Liddle, a 21-year-old with Spina Bifida, volunteers for AFES

Kristina Liddle

At the age of 14, Kristina Liddle underwent a major surgery relating to her spina bifida and spent the next 2½ months at Broward General Medical Center. After fully recovering, she wanted to help other patients in similar circumstances. So, Liddle turned to the Broward County Chapter of the American Red Cross which arranged for Liddle to spend time with pediatrics patients at the same medical center. Now, at the age of 21, she continues to spend about eight hours each weekend playing with the children at the medical center and offering the same support that she had once received as a patient.

But, Liddle did not stop her volunteer work there nor did she let the fact that she uses a wheelchair get in the way. Since the tragedy of September 11, she has volunteered as a case worker for the chapter's Armed Forces Emergency Services (AFES) program. Nearly four hours each week, Liddle follows up on inquires from Americans who would like to relay information to service men and women who are stationed overseas. Sometimes the news is positive like the birth of a child, but oftentimes the messages are negative like the death of a grandparent. "It makes you feel so good to help someone at a time when life is so stressful," says Liddle.

A former Junior Miss Wheelchair of Florida, Liddle also donates numerous hours to the chapter helping them with mailings, data entries, and fundraising programs. "Never has there been a situation where my disability has been a problem," says Liddle. "If you are willing and have the heart, you can do just about anything." Liddle currently attends Broward Community College in Plantation, Florida.