Monica J. Foster is an expert on the beauty each day holds. As the Chief Motivational Officer (CMO) of BUTTERFLYWHEELSM Motivation, Advocacy and Consulting, she has dedicated her life to showing those with disabilities and their loved ones that they can meet their challenges head on and live happy, fulfilling lives. Because Monica realizes what a gift life is, for her each day presents a new opportunity to do something she has never done and influence the life of someone she has never met. She uses her story of strength, courage and triumph to educate, entertain and encourage others to face their obstacles with success in mind. For her, there is truly life beyond your limitations.
The North Carolina native was born with spina bifida and has used a wheelchair for mobility the majority of her life. As a result of compromised circulation in her legs, Monica has also endured an ongoing battle with chronic illnesses and infections, which eventually led to the removal of her left leg in January of 2010. However, this community jewel will be the first to tell you that even as an amputee, she can still “kick butt” and plans to prove it when Monica competes in the 2010 Ms. Wheelchair North Carolina Pageant.
Monica exudes a “woman on wheels” vibrancy and as a certified life coach and peer mentor she shares her experiences with other people with disabilities in an effort to help them maximize their self-esteem, achieve greater independence and seek deeper intimate relationships. She combines her natural abilities with an extraordinary passion to motivate others through the various transitions of life, work and wellness. Many newly disabled veterans, chronic illness and accident injury survivors have found in her a friend, an empathizer and a cheerleader, whose exuberance has propelled them to see the glass as half full rather than half empty.
Monica is also a disabilities advocate. She has wheeled on Capitol Hill and in her home state of North Carolina for better civil rights and enforcement of accessibility laws. She also served as a two-term, Governor’s appointee to the North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities and continues to seek positions on boards and commissions that allow her to champion her cause. Her exceptional oral and written communication skills have opened doors for her to speak to individuals, corporations and diverse audiences about how to assist, understand and communicate more effectively with members of the community with disabilities.
Her past includes 14 years in journalism, where her articles graced the front pages of the Salisbury Post in Salisbury, NC and The Independent Tribune in Concord, NC. She has also contributed her talent and insight to Disabled Dealer Magazine and Parenting Special Needs Magazine and currently contributes weekly as the Disabilities Editor for BellaOnline.com.
Monica’s professional and advocacy organization involvement includes the International Coaching Federation, the International Coaching Federation (Charlotte Area Chapter), Amputee Coalition of America, World Association of People with Disabilities, American Association of People with Disabilities, National Council on Independent Living, Spina Bifida Association of America, TASH, North Carolina TASH, North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities, North Carolina Disability Action Network (Board Member) and The Power of the Dream (Board Member).
Two more of “The Life Beyond Limits Coach’s” greatest accomplishments are her roles as a loving wife and daughter. She attributes her father, Royce, with her lessons in patience and her mother, Gail, for her inability to accept injustice and the fire to fight for what’s right. Her wonderful husband, Bryan, has shown her the benefits of accepting what is, in order to discover what can be. Each of them has provided Monica with undying support and unconditional love, which she draws from for strength each day.
Do you need an amazing, unforgettable keynote speaker for your event? Consider having motivational speaker, life coach and disabilities awareness trainer Monica J. Foster roll in to educate and entertain your guests. She has spoken to diverse audiences of various sizes and disabilities — in person, via webinar and teleconference — and can tailor her awe-inspiring messages of life learning, strength, hope and triumph to accomplish your specific needs. Below is a detailed outline of some of her most popular messages.
General Audience Messages
“Living A Life Beyond Limits”
Monica uses her personal challenges to paint an inspirational picture of success for all. Life has limits, but adopting a positive attitude and setting attainable goals directly affects how successful one will be in overcoming their obstacles in order to have a more fulfilling life.
“My Life On Wheels”
Personal Q & A with youth in grades K -12. This candid and honest conversation gives young, inquisitive minds the opportunity to ask someone with disabilities all the questions they may have wanted to ask but were told not to. Monica’s message focuses on inclusive behaviors and emphasizes that although she may be different from others physically, inside she’s just like everybody else.
Corporate Messages
“Disability Sensitivity & ‘People First Language’ Training”
Monica loves to address Corporate America about how to create a workplace atmosphere of inclusion while respecting diversity. Her message embraces such topics as how to view those with disabilities as equals, when and how to offer help, how to voluntarily comply with the ADA and how to communicate using a “People First” Language and perspective–using terminology and thought based in human equity.
“ADA Compliance Can Be As Easy As 1-2-3”
The American Disabilities Act sets forth the minimum guidelines for accommodations in the workplace and community life. Monica can outline in easy to understand language how to reasonably and economically create an accessible workplace for people with disabilities in order to comply with those guidelines with respect and sensitivity. She will also explain tax incentives that are available for those who wish to go above and beyond the ADA’s call of duty.
Contact Monica at monicajfoster @ butterflywheel.com.
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