Gabe- Voice for America's Bullied
Donation protected
Gabe and her family need our help. Gabe was in an accident and broke her leg and ankle in 8 places. She will be having multiple surgeries and needs our help with the mounting medical and living expenses.
AMERICA'S VOICE FOR THE BULLIED
www.gabeandizzy.com
Gabrielle Ford's Bio
Gabrielle Ford never dreamed that a long-eared coonhound could change her life. But that's just what happened when she cared for her ailing pet Izzy and found the voice to help others in need as a nationally-known motivational speaker. Today Gabe's incredible story has drawn media attention from The Today Show, Cosmopolitan Magazine and Animal Planet, among others. Her 2009 autobiography Still Dancing shares even more of the inspirational details from her life as a way to encourage others that anything is possible.
As a child, Gabrielle loved dance and dreamed of becoming a prima ballerina. That dream was shattered by a rare genetic neuromuscular disease, Friedreich's Ataxia, that would eventually place her in a wheelchair. Gabe not only struggled with the devastation of the illness, but also endured constant and cruel bullying from classmates. The constant torment took her on a path of depression and isolation.
That all changed when Izzy, a long-eared coonhound pup, entered Gabe's life and landed them on Animal Planet TV. Izzy became Gabe's best friend and constant companion. When this special friend mysteriously developed a condition mirroring Gabe's, Gabe re-entered the world to get Izzy the best treatment available.
Speaking out for the voiceless Izzy gave her the courage to speak out for another voiceless group: the thousands of children bullied in American schools every day. Through countless personal trials, Gabe found her way back to the stage as an outspoken advocate against school bullying. In addition to her countless school visits, she has also been a keynote speaker at various conferences and conventions. Her dedication even earned her the USA TV Network Characters Unite Award 2012, Delta Kappa Gamma State of MI 2012 Distinguished Service Award, 2011 Toastmasters International Communications & Leadership Award, 2011 Peace Maker of The Year Award (Genesee County MI Gandhi Award), the Community Hero Award 2008 (Fenton Regional Chamber of Commerce) as well as the Human Animal Bond Award 2006.
Where her story has appeared:
"¢ Animal Planet's A Pet Story (aired 84 times over 5 years)
"¢ Cosmopolitan Magazine
"¢ The Today Show
"¢ Guideposts Magazine
"¢ Still Dancing "“ IBP Award / INDIE Book Award
"¢ MDA's Quest Magazine (front cover)
"¢ Seoul Korea, 1013 Main Street (interview from the US)
http://tbsefm.seoul.kr/efm/1013MainStreet / 2012
"¢ US Senator Bill Bradley American Voices Sirius XM Satelite Radio
Selected appearances:
"¢ Michigan Reading Association's Annual Convention, Grand Rapids,
Michigan, March 2011
"¢ Michigan US Senate Judiciary Hearing Committee 2011
"¢ 2011 Michigan Civil Rights Anti-Bullying Forum
"¢ International Reading Association's Annual Convention, Phoenix
Arizona, 2009
"¢ National Ataxia Foundation Association (NAFA) 2006
"¢ 2012 Delta Kappa Gamma International Society State of Oregon
Convention
"¢ 2012 Delta Kappa Gamma MI State Award "“ Distinguished Service of
The Year Award (State of MI Award) State Convention
"¢ 2012 USA TV Network Characters Unite Award 2012 Winner
features Gabe & Izzy.
"¢ 2012 Featured in Huffington Post "“ Gabrielle Ford Throws First at the
"¢ 2012 Huffington Post new IPad Magazine
"¢ Washington Nationals MLB vs. Atlanta Braves
Upcoming Events:
"¢ 2013 Woman World Magazine story
"¢ Generations Magazine
"¢ 2013 National Geographic launches book on dogs "“ features Gabe & Izzy
"¢ 2013 Penguin Publishing release of Gabe & Izzy's Youth book ( Second
largest trade book publisher in the world)
"¢ Queen's College, Flushing NY
"¢ Spacecoast Living Magazine, Viera, FL
To contact Gabe: Gabe resides in Viera, Florida with her family, canine friends Lindsey Bell and Dominic and feline friends Sweetie and Bob. For more information on Gabe, to book an appearance, or to purchase her book, please visit www.gabeandizzy.com.
AMERICA'S VOICE FOR THE BULLIED
www.gabeandizzy.com
Gabrielle Ford's Bio
Gabrielle Ford never dreamed that a long-eared coonhound could change her life. But that's just what happened when she cared for her ailing pet Izzy and found the voice to help others in need as a nationally-known motivational speaker. Today Gabe's incredible story has drawn media attention from The Today Show, Cosmopolitan Magazine and Animal Planet, among others. Her 2009 autobiography Still Dancing shares even more of the inspirational details from her life as a way to encourage others that anything is possible.
As a child, Gabrielle loved dance and dreamed of becoming a prima ballerina. That dream was shattered by a rare genetic neuromuscular disease, Friedreich's Ataxia, that would eventually place her in a wheelchair. Gabe not only struggled with the devastation of the illness, but also endured constant and cruel bullying from classmates. The constant torment took her on a path of depression and isolation.
That all changed when Izzy, a long-eared coonhound pup, entered Gabe's life and landed them on Animal Planet TV. Izzy became Gabe's best friend and constant companion. When this special friend mysteriously developed a condition mirroring Gabe's, Gabe re-entered the world to get Izzy the best treatment available.
Speaking out for the voiceless Izzy gave her the courage to speak out for another voiceless group: the thousands of children bullied in American schools every day. Through countless personal trials, Gabe found her way back to the stage as an outspoken advocate against school bullying. In addition to her countless school visits, she has also been a keynote speaker at various conferences and conventions. Her dedication even earned her the USA TV Network Characters Unite Award 2012, Delta Kappa Gamma State of MI 2012 Distinguished Service Award, 2011 Toastmasters International Communications & Leadership Award, 2011 Peace Maker of The Year Award (Genesee County MI Gandhi Award), the Community Hero Award 2008 (Fenton Regional Chamber of Commerce) as well as the Human Animal Bond Award 2006.
Where her story has appeared:
"¢ Animal Planet's A Pet Story (aired 84 times over 5 years)
"¢ Cosmopolitan Magazine
"¢ The Today Show
"¢ Guideposts Magazine
"¢ Still Dancing "“ IBP Award / INDIE Book Award
"¢ MDA's Quest Magazine (front cover)
"¢ Seoul Korea, 1013 Main Street (interview from the US)
http://tbsefm.seoul.kr/efm/
"¢ US Senator Bill Bradley American Voices Sirius XM Satelite Radio
Selected appearances:
"¢ Michigan Reading Association's Annual Convention, Grand Rapids,
Michigan, March 2011
"¢ Michigan US Senate Judiciary Hearing Committee 2011
"¢ 2011 Michigan Civil Rights Anti-Bullying Forum
"¢ International Reading Association's Annual Convention, Phoenix
Arizona, 2009
"¢ National Ataxia Foundation Association (NAFA) 2006
"¢ 2012 Delta Kappa Gamma International Society State of Oregon
Convention
"¢ 2012 Delta Kappa Gamma MI State Award "“ Distinguished Service of
The Year Award (State of MI Award) State Convention
"¢ 2012 USA TV Network Characters Unite Award 2012 Winner
features Gabe & Izzy.
"¢ 2012 Featured in Huffington Post "“ Gabrielle Ford Throws First at the
"¢ 2012 Huffington Post new IPad Magazine
"¢ Washington Nationals MLB vs. Atlanta Braves
Upcoming Events:
"¢ 2013 Woman World Magazine story
"¢ Generations Magazine
"¢ 2013 National Geographic launches book on dogs "“ features Gabe & Izzy
"¢ 2013 Penguin Publishing release of Gabe & Izzy's Youth book ( Second
largest trade book publisher in the world)
"¢ Queen's College, Flushing NY
"¢ Spacecoast Living Magazine, Viera, FL
To contact Gabe: Gabe resides in Viera, Florida with her family, canine friends Lindsey Bell and Dominic and feline friends Sweetie and Bob. For more information on Gabe, to book an appearance, or to purchase her book, please visit www.gabeandizzy.com.
Organizer
Mary Carsten Rockafellow
Organizer
Clio, MI
