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"Many men with special needs children are discovering they don't need to be limited by the stereotypes of what they "should" be. They have gained increased understanding about the importance of bonding with their children, have accepted the realities of the problems at hand, and become active problem-solvers for their children's needs."
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Seven men from across the state provide effective and positive leadership as members of the Washington State Fathers Network Steering Committee. Contact them for resources and information in their region. Their commitment to serving men and their families is knowledgable, positive, and compassionate.
GREG SCHELL - WSFN DIRECTOR
Kindering Center
16120 N.E. Eighth Street
Bellevue, WA 98008-3937
(425) 653-4286
greg.schell@kindering.org
After the birth of my daughter, Christina, I was impressed with the quality of services my family received at the University of Washington. Their infant and toddler programs for children with disabilities were inspiring and incredibly helpful to Christina and our entire family. This experience was very valuable in defining a career path in special education and the accompanying work with families over many years. As a relatively new father, and with Dr. Rebecca Fewell and Don Meyer, I helped co-found the Dads Program, the forerunner of the Fathers Network in the early 1980's Although I stayed in close contact with the program, my formal career path has been as a teacher and principal in the Bellevue School District.
It truly is a privilege and honor to return to a program that has such a profound impact on men and families. Being able to support dads with valuable information and mutually understood dialogue about the many challenges of being a dad is high rewarding. There are many wonderful and amazing people in this world and I get to work with an inordinate share of them. The problem solving is challenging at times, but it is such good work to be focused on that it is rarely tiring. Special needs kids make their dads and moms have special needs also. Finding ways to cope with the extensive and tough issues is an ongoing battle for many parents. The Fathers Network makes life work for dads and families much better through enhanced relationships and improved resources.
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HUGH KELLY - STEERING COMMITTEE
South 4816 Magnolia
Spokane, WA 99223
(509) 939-6513 -- cell phone
E-mail: bikerider21@email.phoenix.edu
I was born in Brooklyn, New York on July 4, 1958. My father, a New York city fireman, fought the first fire in the World Trade Center on the 67th floor while the twin towers were under construction. I graduated from the University of San Francisco with a degree in philosophy and theology, and then attended Oxford University, England on scholarship and studied philosophy and English literature. After obtaining a law degree from Gonzaga, I practiced law for fifteen years. I then obtained my MIT and a teaching certificate from Gonzaga. Presently I am the outreach coordinator for the WSFN - a great honor. I work for Spokane Public Schools and will begin teaching for Phoenix University in August. I have been a foster parent for more than 20 years and probably fostered more than 30 kids... hard to keep track of them all. My former wife, Deborah, and I adopted six children... the best and goofiest kids in the world. Our son Joey passed away on July 1, 1993 and is survived by his sister Courtney. We have been blessed with tough good-hearted kids. Despite challenges, they have done well. Shad's a pianist, Michael throws a 50+ mph fast ball and Courtney, who will be a high school freshman this fall, is working at Sacred Heart Medical Center, and now she wants her first car... pray for us. Beyond words can express, I have been blessed with the privilege of family and good friends. There are so many challenges to having a family. Add to that a child with special health care needs and the burdens and challenges can easily spill over the top. The WSFN is one of the few concrete resources dads can turn to for support and understanding. The WSFN has provided me with friendship, support and healthy advice. I am a better father because of the Fathers Network and this has benefited my children.
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JOHN MAHANEY - STEERING COMMITTEE
1116 South 8th Avenue
Yakima, WA 98902
(509) 248-0843
E-mail: MahaneyJohn@aol.com
My name is John Mahaney and I have been part of the WSFN for over eight years. I have been a single parent for the past twelve years. I have two sons, Charles “Devon,” who is 21 and Mark, who is 24. Devon just returned from Iraq in January after a 15-month deployment with the Army (back in one piece, thank the Lord). Being the father of Mark, is how I happened to become involved with the WSFN. Mark was born at 28-weeks, and as a result of a few complications, developed several special health care needs. Mark is reliant on others for his everyday needs from diapering, dressing, bathing to getting placed into his wheelchair.
Mark has been a motivator for me as a parent, and as an advocate for others with special health care needs. When I became single, my life changed. After spending years as a union carpenter and working a production job, I had an unintended career change: I became Mark’s primary care provider. Mark has truly changed me as a man and parent. As parents, we all experience ups and downs, add a special care needs child into the mix-- and life changes. Single or married-life takes an unexpected tangent, resulting in parents learning a new language: DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES.
Today I am a full-time student, currently pursuing a counseling or therapy degree with hopes of using that “unexpected tangent” to help others. I would like to work with parents of children with special health care needs. Being a part of the WSFN has impacted me greatly. Being able to talk with other men paralleling similar doubts, concerns and solitude was an invaluable tool for me as a parent. I will ever be indebted to James May for founding the WSFN and Mark, who I have been blessed with, for reshaping my entire life.
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MIKE ETZELL - STEERING COMMITTEE
2640 Harbor Estates Rd.
Greenbank, WA 98253
(360) 678-0559
E-mail: MikeEt@co.island.wa.us
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PAUL BLAIR - COORDINATOR OF RESOURCES
15325 - 125th Place N.E.
Woodinville, WA 98072
(425) 488-8891 -- home
(425) 488-8891 (Fax - call beforehand)
E-mail: pbblair@comcast.net
My wife, Mary, and I are the proud parents of three beautiful daughters: Sarah, Rachel and Emily. Sarah, my oldest, was born with a disorder called Hypomelanosis of Ito, which resulted in her being profoundly disabled. Her infectious giggle and love for water, food and music are legendary among those who knew her. Sarah passed away in December of 1990. I love and miss her more than anyone can imagine.
I teach junior high health education in Redmond, Washington. My hobbies include cooking, reading, and visiting bookstores. For me, the WSFN has been a valuable source of support and friendship. I am fortunate to have been involved with the Network since its inception and currently serve as the program's Coordinator of Resources.
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ROY GONZÁLEZ - COORDINATOR OF CULTURAL DIVERSITY
3723 - B 42nd St. Ct. N.W.
Gig Harbor, WA 98335
(253) 219-8214 -- cell phone
E-mail: israel.gonzalez@comcast.net
Hello, my name is Roy Gonzalez. I live in Gig Harbor, Washington but was raised in the Yakima Valley on my family's farm. I am a single parent and the father to Eliseo, age 18 years old and a high school senior. My second son, Joel, is age 15 and a sophomore. Joel has Down syndrome and autism. He enjoys swimming and is part of the Gig Harbor Special Olympics team. He is a champion breast stroke swimmer and a co-insurer of Yoplait Yogurt. Recently we discovered that Joel has musical talent and enjoys showing up his older brother on the drums. His other talents are watching Disney movie trailers and listening to his favorite comedian, George Lopez, and Tejano music. Where did this kid come from?
I work in Olympia for the Washington State Department of Corrections as a Correctional Manager. My hobbies include playing drums and working out. But my greatest joy besides being my children's father is being part of the Washington State Fathers Network. For the past 12 years it has been a great inspiration and source of support for me and my family. I am blessed to have been part of such a great organization of caring and loving fathers who want nothing more than to be strong and provide for their families. The WSFN has brought us all together to be each other's voice, strength and encouragement.
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SPENCER HATTON - CENTRAL WASHINGTON COORDINATOR
606 Leann Place
Yakima, WA 98908
(509) 453-0310 -- home
(509) 480-SPEN -- cell phone
E-mail: hattons@charter.net
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