Katrina Ford was born on the South Side of Chicago, IL in 1970. She graduated from high school in 1988 and attended Chicago State University from 1989-1994 to become a Registered Nurse. Katrina had the opportunity to experience many different aspects of nursing throughout her 25 years of practice. She has always had jobs, even outside of nursing, where she could help others.
Katrina suffered 2 strokes and a near death internal bleed in 2017, and she became disabled and had to learn how to live in new ways. It was a long, hard journey of needing help from others and not knowing how to manage her disabilities. The mental challenges and pain become too much. This is when the Center for Accessible Living (CAL) came into her life. Katrina had the chance to work with a peer counselor that made a world of difference in her life. Katrina learned how to become more independent, more empowered, and learned new skills that helped her find the joy in life again. Katrina had been searching for help for 3-4 years before finding CAL. She continued working with her peer counselor on job searching, self-advocacy, interview skills, and recognizing her own strengths and abilities. Through this process, Katrina decided to become a volunteer at CAL. This volunteering opportunity has given Katrina the chance to work in a place where her disability is understood. But most importantly, Katrina is able to help others and give back what was so kindly and generously given to her.