Wendy grew up on Long Island with a loving supportive family. She minstreamed into high school, obtained an AA in Liberal Arts from Nassau Community College, a BA in Speech Pathology with a minor in Psychology and Drama, and a Masters Degree in Speech Pathology from Hofstra University. Wendy woked as Speech Therapist in various professional positions on Long Island, in Mexico, and in Arizona. In addition to working many years as a Speech Pathologist, she has always been a strong advocate in the disabled community. She got married in 1976 to a Viet Nam veteran who was a paraplegic, and together they co-founded Metro Independent Living Center, Arizona?s first independent living center, now known as DIRECT. They adopted two special needs foreign born children prior to divorcing in 1986. Wendy subsequently raised the children as a single mother.

After divorcing, she had a career as a Voice-Over Talent, and obtained a Silver Mike Award for playing a termite in a radio commercial. In 1993 Wendy created D.A.W.N., Differently Abled Winner?s Network, a unique introduction service for people with disabilities. Today D.A.W.N. is responsible for dozens of marriages and hundreds of committed relationships.

She states that DAWN is one of her passions, helping to bring love into the lives of others. Wendy is also working part time at University Medical Center?s Standardized Patient Program. She still pursues her work as a Voice-Over Talent and occasionally does some photographic modeling. In 2006 Wendy had the honor of becoming Ms. Wheelchair AZ 2006. Her platform was ?Breaking down the walls of social and attitudinal barriers.? At the 2007 Ms. Wheelchair American Pageant she won the prestigious Nicky Arde Award for lifetime achievements.

This last year (2008-2009) her latest journey has been the challenge of being diagnosed with breast cancer. She has triumphed and is, one year and counting, a breast cancer survivor.