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Geri provided a straightforward, real-world perspective on what it is like to live with physical challenges to the after-school program children at our elementary schools. I believe the experience of meeting and talking with Geri is one that will have a lasting impact on these children. It will stay with them and hopefully influence the way they interact with all people so that they understand that every person deserves to be treated with respect.

It was a pleasure meeting you and hearing your inspirational story. Your courage and strength resonated with us all, especially the seniors who haven’t stopped talking about your message of accepting differences, courage and perseverance. It is my hope that we can have you back so that all of Valhalla Middle/High School can hear your message.

This was a superb lecture. You were very impressive. You managed to talk about such difficult and painful experiences in a way that is so helpful for listeners, and you were very credible and likable. I hope that more audiences will be opened up to you – people need to hear you.

Geri’s presentation was a critical lesson in the importance of developing patient advocacy skills. If we wanted to be the excellent healthcare providers that we dreamed of being, we would need to be patient-focused rather than case-focused, and we would need to see patients as human beings and provide care with that in mind. I bring that approach to my work as a critical care nurse today, and I know that my peers were also similarly deeply inspired by Geri.

Geri Mariano virtually visited grades K-7 at our Congregational School during JDAIM (Jewish Disabilities Awareness Acceptance and Inclusion Month). Her ability to keep learner’s attentions during the sessions and inspire dialogue at home was notably special. Geri personalized her presentation, quickly connected with our learners and was able to share the important message of acceptance.

It was an absolute pleasure to hear Geri share her motivating story. Geri connected with the audience and demonstrated that we all have abilities and, a place in the community. She taught everyone the value of relationships, and how with the right supports our futures are bright. She is a woman who is a true inspiration to everyone living with a disability. Her compassion, warmth, patience and humor serve her well in sharing her unyielding conviction to educate others.

Many teachers struggle with how best to develop a classroom of caring and compassionate students who are accepting of individual differences. Ms. Mariano allowed the children to see that, in many ways, she is just like the rest of us. Any school system with a disability awareness program will highly benefit from her program.

Geri spoke at my daughter’s school for our annual Sensitivity day. Her compassion, relatability and humor helped her to get through to the kids. She uses personal narrative and pictures to help the children to understand her journey and her messages of empathy, perseverance and courage helped the children to really understand the difference in us and to be there for others in need. She helps kids understand how to respond when they encounter someone with disabilities and used humor throughout. I cannot recommend Geri more. We have already signed her up for next year!!

But by far the most moving experience we had was listening to Geri Mariano, an inspirational speaker and inclusion consultant, on “Finding and Using Your Voice.” …hers was a powerful voice at a conference dedicated to helping women find and use theirs.