Leahys Reflect on 24 Years of the Annual U.S. Conference on Disability

Patricia Leahy recently reflected upon a famous quote, often attributed to former U.S. President John Quincy Adams: If your actions inspire others to dream more, to do more, to learn more and become more, you are a leader.

Then there's no doubt Edward R. Leahy, Jr., the late son of Patricia and Edward Leahy '68 H'01, was a leader as reflected to this day in his parents' and others' actions.

The inspiring boy, born in 1984 with multiple disabilities who passed away just before his ninth birthday, initiated in his parents the drive to create the Annual U.S. Conference on Disability.

"In honor of Edward's life and legacy, circa 2000, my husband generated the idea that we probably should look at having an annual disability conference," Patricia Leahy said. "Over the years, this conference has attracted some of the many luminaries in the disability community from the U.S. House of Representatives, where I spent 18 years; the U.S. Senate, the U.S. Department of Education; and many pioneers in our community."

This year's conference on Wednesday, Oct. 8 - it is free to attend and online registration is open - features several guest speakers, including the University's Leahy Distinguished Fellow in Public Service and former U.S. Sen. Bob Casey and popular author Tiffany Yu.

"We are never turned away when we ask people to come to Scranton," said Edward Leahy. "Unless it's physically impossible for them to get there … they answer the call. I've been seriously impressed by that over the course of 24 years."

The U.S. Conference on Disability has attracted as many as 1,500 attendees, back when it was held in an online format during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This year's crowd is expected to feature guests from numerous states and occupations, including professionals in education, physical and occupational therapy and various healthcare fields.

"Also people in state and local government who are responsible for the education and the practical assistance of people with disabilities," Edward Leahy added.

The Leahys feel they are forever indebted to the professionals who cared for their son.

"I remember during one PT session, they were working with Edward to try to get the peg in the hole," Patricia Leahy recalled. "Now, that's very difficult for a child with significant disabilities, including cortical blindness. After the PTs worked with him - and it took a little while - he did it. I have never seen such a celebration in my home - and we've entertained a lot.

"It made my day. It made my year. It made my life. We are just so grateful … to the disability community, the PTs, OTs, health science people and nurses who are just absolutely amazing and we want to continue to honor them."

It continues with education, advocacy, innovation, networking and hands-on demonstrations - the type of programming that happens every year at the U.S. Conference on Disability.

"This shouldn't be just an academic exercise," Edward Leahy said. "This should be the kind of platform where people can see results of how people with disabilities can be assisted by whatever means. And this year, one of the things we're going to highlight is how artificial intelligence might be able to assist in the rehabilitation of people with disabilities."

For more information and to register, please visit the U.S. Disability of Conference webpage.