Kerri Eaker on intellectual and developmental disability (IDD) support, connection, community, & joy

Read the article with additional photographs at https://rayhemachandra.com.

Kerri Eaker was a longtime advocate for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and serious physical, developmental, and mental-health conditions. She was the mother of two sons, Matthew and Dakota, including one with IDD. Professionally, Kerri worked with the NC Mental Health Association, the NC Exceptional Children's Assistance Center (ECAC), and, for many years, the Family Support Network of Western North Carolina.

Kerri chaired the NC Council on Developmental Disabilities, and she received the 2022 Jack B. Hefner Memorial Award for her work and leadership in disability advocacy.

Kerri died of cancer in June 2024. After her death, the Council established the annual Kerri Eaker Mountain Mover Award, which honors individuals whose unwavering commitment has driven transformative systems change.

Ray Hemachandra spoke with Kerri at her father's kitchen table for about 50 minutes just eight weeks before she died. Some highlights are presented here.

In this conversation, as in her entire professional life, Kerri championed the IDD population and the delivery of appropriate and needed supports—from organizations, from community, and from government—to help disabled and medically complex or fragile children and adults and their families have lives filled with possibility, ambition, connection, community, and joy.

Видео Kerri Eaker on intellectual and developmental disability (IDD) support, connection, community, & joy канала Ray Hemachandra