When life gives you lemons, you're supposed to make lemonade, or so they say. In Cortez Range's world, those lemons kept on coming, with far too little sweet stuff to mix in. From an early age, Cortez dealt with a world that did not resemble the happy family units seen on TV. Having a disability only made it harder to come to terms with life's sometimes harsh twists and turns. Not one to back down from a good fight, however, Cortez did not accept that a life of pain and unhappiness was his fate. While it has not been easy, and Cortez has had his share of trouble, his experiences have helped form him into the person he is today.

Spending time with Cortez is like being in a classroom - there is always a takeaway - something you can learn about him, but oftentimes, something you can learn about yourself. Cortez's drive to question things that just don't make sense, and his passion for not just being heard but being understood, teach everyone around him valuable lessons about perseverance, forgiveness, and love.

Cortez works full-time as an automotive technician and lives in Hillsborough. He enjoys public speaking and advocacy work and is developing his voice so that he can help those who have been marginalized. He has presented twice at the APSE Facing the Future conference and was this year's keynote speaker for the NJ Youth in Transition conference. Cortez is truly an advocate—not for people with disabilities but for people.

SHOW NOTES

Email Cortez here:

Definitiondean@gmail.com

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Confessions from Disability Limbo

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