Our Team-
English Harper
Vice Chair of Committee
English Harper has been a part of the disability community since 2013, when he was in a motor vehicle accident that resulted in a cervical spinal cord injury. He has humble beginnings, starting as a Peer Mentor with University of Maryland Orthopedics and Rehabilitation, where he has been able to connect with new patients and talk about his personal experiences, bringing attention to new opportunities, and highlighting what patients may come to expect as they adjust to their “new normal.” English realized he could potentially do more when a colleague he met while networking at the hospital talked with him about an opening at a local Center for Independent Living. In this faithful meeting, he spoke about the CIL’s advocacy and how many more consumers English may be able to reach with his message, and suggested applying for the position. While intimidating at first, English ultimately decided to take the plunge back into the workforce, quickly adjusting to his own “new normal” of employment following a lifelong disability. English was given an opportunity to work with Accessible Resources for Independence, meeting with consumers in nursing facilities to talk about the possibilities of transitioning out with services in place and working with the local Maryland Access Point to provide information and referral services to consumers in Anne Arundel County. English now works with county government, continuing to provide information and referral services as well as short term case management to consumers and their families, and he has not forgotten where he came from and the communities he wishes to serve.