Julie's Story

Board Member 

I was born and raised on the North side of Madison. I have a passion for helping people and have had the pleasure of working with our diverse community. I am the proud mom of two children, my daughter, Taylor and my son Jake. I am also the proud grandma to my amazing grandsons, Brayden, Hudson and Rhett. They all make every day a better day!
Shortly after my son got his driver’s license, he had a car accident, witnesses told police that it appeared he suffered a medical emergency. After almost four months of doctor’s appointments, he was diagnosed with Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy. I remember being so relieved that it was treatable. My son was devastated, he didn’t want anyone to know that he had Epilepsy because he didn’t want to be treated differently.

In 2016 my mom had a bleed on her spine that left her paralyzed from her breasts down. I quit my job and became her full-time caregiver, I had no idea what support or resources were available to her, suddenly just going to the doctor was a challenge and an all-day event.

I have worked in multiple caregiving positions, working with seniors and seniors with Schizophrenia, Alzheimer's, and Dementia. I also ran an adult family home for over a year as their Residential Care Coordinator. I find helping people very rewarding.

Currently I worked for an insurance company, for the past four years I have worked as an Identity Theft Specialist, it tears my heart out each and every time I speak to someone that has become a victim of fraud or a scam. Especially senior citizens who have worked so hard their entire life and in a matter of minutes have their life savings taken from them.
I would like to help remove the stigma that our society may have of people with disabilities.
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Outside of work, I like to hang out with my family, especially my grandsons, hang out with friends, go to concerts, cheer on the Badgers, Brewers and Packers, garden, read, and travel.
I am honored to serve on the Board of Directors at Access to Independence!