Our Trainers

Anna Smith

I am 22 years old and live in Belleville, WV in Wood County. I try to always inspire others and show determination for disability advocacy programs and to tell my story.

I have presented my thoughts to state and federal legislators, led my own IEPs in high school, participated on self-advocacy webinars with the National Down Syndrome Congress, and assisted other elected officials at the Capital with projects, including WVABLE and Astrive Advocacy.

I hope that those who have met me realize that I do not allow my disability and many other health issues to define me. l look forward to being able to speak to others on the importance of being a self-advocate when they are developing their plans and the reason that they need work on person-directed planning.

I am excited to be part of Expectations Matter so others can be included in their community with the same opportunities as other youth and adults without disabilities.

Darla Ervin

Darla was born and raised in Morgantown, West Virginia. She has risen above many challenges. She first got into self-advocacy in 1997 after marrying her husband, who was the lead council for LiveAbility (formerly the Center for Independent Living) in West Virginia. Darla enjoys helping others, which is what keeps her involved in self-advocacy. She has received many awards and special recognition for starting the West Virginia Parent Empowerment Network. She is also involved with many boards and councils, including Livability through the West Virginia CFIL and DOC. She's traveled across the US to speak on her experiences with living independently along with a disability in hopes that her story can help others in a similar situation. In her free time, Darla enjoys reading and spending time with her grandchildren. Thrilled to be a part of Expectations Matter, she hopes to help those with disabilities build a future their own way!

Delmar Davis

My name is Delmar Davis. I am a senior citizen living in my own home with my cat on the West Side of Charleston, WV. I was born with cerebral palsy and require around-the-clock assistance in my daily life activities. My speech is compromised, so I require a translator. However, I love to talk to people, asking questions, learning and sharing our life experiences. I am very active in my church, work on several advocacy boards, enjoy writing songs, acrylic painting, learning new things from books and audio books, traveling and sight seeing around my state, and socializing with my friends and community. I've had a full life in my 86 years, doing things like selling religious magazines on the sidewalks of major metropolitan cities. I've lived in several places in Ohio and WV, both rural and urban. I love to travel, but don't get to do so as often I want. I have made it to Canada. I've worked hard as a self advocate, and have been recognized with several awards, including the People First of WV Lifetime Achievement Award in 2017. I am in the process of writing my autobiography. All that said, I am really just an old country boy from the hills of Wayne County, WV.

Grace Karolenko

Grace graduated from The Harbour School in Baltimore County Maryland where she completed the Performing Arts Academy requirements. She received a Certificate of Congressional Recognition Public Service Award from US Senator Chris Van Hollen for outstanding and invaluable community service. She was awarded the Baltimore County Award for Most Service-Learning Hours exceeding 720 hours during her high school career.

Grace has a love of helping others, learning, performing and presenting. She has been active in Special Olympics and Capernaum Young Life. She, along with her Mom and Airborne Church, started a group called Shining Stars for people with disabilities. Shining Stars is a group who shows Christ's love to individuals with special needs by providing them with food, a chance to have fun & a place to develop a relationship with Christ & lasting friendships with each other. This is a place where families, caregivers & our friends feel connected while being challenged to learn & grow. They, Grace and Rose, were able to bring the Tim Tebow Foundation, Night to Shine Prom to their local community.

She enjoys travel, theatre, karate, working with animals and being with friends and family.

Kevin Smith

Kevin Smith of Parkersburg, WV, was born July 2, 1953 in Pittsburgh, PA with cerebral palsy and cataracts. Kevin was abandoned at birth and his early years were lived between state hospitals and dysfunctional foster families.

Displaying independence and self-determination, Kevin was recruited by The Arc of Wood County to be WV's People First Coordinator. Kevin grew to representing people with disabilities on a national level and was a founding member of the National Council for Self-Advocacy through The Arc of the United States.

Having faced significant challenges, including 29 medical operations and (beating) esophageal cancer, it hasn't kept Kevin from holding jobs, getting married, living independently, and never letting himself be burdened by setbacks, choosing to view them as opportunities, has allowed him to spread the self-advocacy and self-determination message effectively, and to teach others the value of independence for more than 30 years. Kevin knows what people need to hear; and that what he has —freedom— can be theirs, too.

Kim Fortney

Kim Benson Fortney began learning about advocacy in 1998. Since then the path has taken her many places and meeting many influential people. The influential people in her life have included those with and without disabilities and they are her giants. ("If I have seen further (than others), it is by standing on the shoulders of giants." - Isaac Newton.) She has most recently completed Partners in Policymaking WV and being part of the core group creating a curriculum specifically for West Virginia Expectations Matter - My Life My Choice, My Plan.

Kim has taught high school for 27 years and is currently an elementary school teacher. She also works as an athletic trainer and for Ukeru Systems that teaches and trains trauma informed care and alternatives to restraints and seclusion.

Lynsay Frye

My name is Lynsay Frye, I am 35 years old and from Paden City WV. I am very passionate about disability advocacy. I have the pleasure of serving on the WV Developmental Disability Council as vice chair. I am currently the Chairman of the WV Olmstead Council. I am active with a number of other councils, networks and social organizations that are dedicated to empowering individuals with disabilities to live their best lives and participate in all aspects of community life. I love public speaking and have been honored to deliver numerous keynote speeches focused on empowerment and advocacy. In my spare time, I enjoy journaling, taking pictures of nature, and spending time with my family, especially my 3 year old niece Sylvie. My goal in life is to approach each challenge with enthusiasm and motivate others to strive for success in all aspects of life. There are always opportunities for growth and we must challenge ourselves to be the best we can be.

Rose Mooney

Rose became a disabilities advocate after the birth of her daughter, Grace. She soon realized that there were only a few resources available for people with disabilities and their families. She became active in her community and Grace's school Harbor School to open up social work and theatre experiences that had not existed before.

Rose worked with Young Life Capernanum, Airborne Church, Special Olympics, Tim Tebow Foundation - Night to Shine, and Christian Fashion Week organizations to bring enhanced social, learning, and job opportunities to the special needs community.

Rose is an engineer who works in aviation. She loves spending time with family and friends, traveling, theatre and performing arts, gardening, creating things and helping others.