Wanda Austin

Wanda Austin

Petite and poised, Wanda Austin may seem unassuming on the outside, but on the inside she is a tenacious lioness who is willing to stand in the gap and be an advocate for those who are disabled not only physically, but emotionally as well. Wanda lost her vision over 20 years ago due to a disease called retinitis pigmentosa which is a disease where the retina deteriorates over a gradual period of time. 

Many years ago, during an election, she became disgusted that she lost her right to vote privately, as she had to rely on someone else to cast her particular choice. When she got home she thought that someone had to do something about this and that someone was her. She worked with the Supervisor of Elections to come up with a new system so everyone can have a private right to vote. 

Last year in the 2010 elections, her hard work came to pass. She got to cast her first private vote in years on the new system called Automark. Voters are able to listen to the ballot and can select their choice by simple levers. She also helped create an instructional video to teach poll workers how to handle those with disabilities. This video is now shown across the Pinellas County and discusses wheelchairs, seeing-eye dogs, canes, and other aids. 

Wanda decided a long time ago to not let life pass her by. She pursued a Masters Degree and opened her own practice to be an advocate for those emotionally disabled. She graduated with high honors and then served as President of Tampa Chapter, Chi Sigma Iota. 

She has had a few more bumps in the road; beating cancer and going through a divorce after a 39 year marriage, but she attributes her faith - giving her the perseverance to keep going. Wanda encourages those who are hurting and facing their darkest hours, by giving them hope and life skills to manage their difficult situations, both in her private therapy sessions and speaking publicly. She has won numerous awards and hopes to become a published author sometime in the future. 

Wanda Austin is an inspiration for everyone who thinks that their life is over. She is a shining example of the definition of perseverance and I proudly call her Mother.