Photo is from the Chicago Historical Society archives.

This photo is from a personal scrapbook, which is located at the Chicago Historical Society.

Leah is second from the right, face partly hidden. Her sister Katharine is sitting to her left. I am inspired by Leah’s lifelong devotion to social work, which started here on Union Street in Chicago.

People like me, and like the kid I was, have a right to an education, a career, and a happy life (within reason). So think of me when you dismiss the Trump administration’s threats to close the Department of Education. #nvld #iep #disabilityrights

Special ed programs and later college disability services supported me with things like extra time, testing accommodations and tutoring. I got a master’s degree. Today, I rely on workplace accommodations mainly so that, as a neurodivergent person, I won’t burn out.

These photos are from the Leah’s personal scrapbooks in theChicago Historical society archives. The first, children in the neighborhood. Second, the Chicago Commons Settlement House. Third, Leah and friends fourth, more neighborhood kids.

My great great grandmother lived a difficult life, full of family dysfunction and poverty, finally becoming naturalized years after my grandfather was born in 1918. Like many other people, they escaped terrible violence and trauma. My family is no different than any other American immigrant family.

When they arrived, he had literally nothing. They were jailed onboard the ship while they underwent a trial to determine whether they could stay in the U.S. Ultimately, he went back alone and left the children in Pittsburgh. He came back a few months later under an assumed name.