Meet Leanna
We recently welcomed Leanna Namovic to our staff team as our new Programs Coordinator! We asked Leanna some questions this week to get to know her better.
Tell me a little about your background or what you were doing before this position.
I've always known that I want to work with fellow disabled people. I started out as an occupational therapist and have practiced in home health and in outpatient neurological rehab at various locations around the greater Seattle area. I absolutely loved all my patients but really struggled with insurance dictating who I could or couldn't see and for how long, without regard for the small wins and long amount of time that it might take someone to achieve a major goal. I am very excited for this new role of empowering individuals, where consumers, instead of insurance agencies, get to decide what goals they would like to achieve.
Why were you interested in joining Disability Empowerment Center?
In my first month of college I walked in on an affinity group called the Disability, Illness, and Difference Alliance, that was planning a disability inclusion panel to help teach other disabled students how to ask for accommodations. I didn't realize that Disability could be an identity and a source of culture and pride! Through that group I learned about the Center for Independent Living in Berkley, Calif., Ed Roberts and Judy Heumann, and the 504 sit-ins. While in school for my doctorate in occupational therapy, I joined a student clinic located in the St. Louis Center for Independent Living (Paraquad) and began to learn more about the independent living philosophy. I knew at some point in my career I would work at a center for independent living, and I am grateful that it happens to be now!
What do you like to do outside of work?
Crafting, knitting, and crocheting are my passions, but I also enjoy woodworking and renovating our house. I wouldn't be a true PNW transplant without also saying I enjoy camping and hiking.
Do you have any secret skills or something else to share that most people wouldn’t know about you?
I brew kombucha and have a new pet rabbit named Garbanzo Bean.