Beyond the Waves Julia Toronczak

Elizabeth Galt is 27 year’s old and lives in Farmington Missouri. Liz has autism, and was diagnosed when she was 2 year’s old and didn't speak until she was 6 years old. Liz describes not being able to talk like being trapped in a duct tape maze, and having to pass levels of a video game to find her voice.

She has since found her voice and is a motivational speaker for autism. She speaks at school’s, colleges, conventions, conferences, and universities to educate others about autism and also share about sensory toys and sensory products.

Liz has her own nonprofit - iPads for Autism, which provides iPads and The Proloquo app too to kids and adults living with a nonverbal disability - so far she has given away 20 iPads.


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Hi everyone – this is Caleb! He’s an energetic 13-year-old living in Florida, USA. Always on the move, he is a student, an athlete, a cook, model, dancer, and most importantly, a loved family member. Caleb is in 8th grade at his school and he participates in clubs and after-school events, including Special Olympics.

Caleb loves to cook! and can be found most evenings helping Dad out in the kitchen at home, or helping Mom learn how to cook. He does a FB Live each Friday on his Page where we make fun and easy recipes. He has been on the Cooking Stage at the Southern Women’s Show with Dad – “Cooking with Caleb” and was on the Today Show (Jan 2020) featuring the cooking kit program Raddish Kids. He also has his own You Tube. Since COVID, he’s led a number of groups in cooking events via Zoom.

Caleb enjoys modeling and traveling. He loves his family and is passionate about giving back to his church and community. “Let’s Do It” is his motto, and not much stands in his way! Follow his journey below!

Karen McConeghy Prewitt

Karen is a long-time resident of Jacksonville, FL, spouse, parent of two children, and advocate for those with Unique Needs. After the arrival of her son Caleb in 2007, who was diagnosed with Down syndrome at birth, she has embraced the special needs community. She has spent the past twelve years working with a number of disability-related organizations locally, statewide and nationally. Her passion is making sure parents have information and resources.

Karen attended school in DeKalb IL, and graduated with a BS ED in Physical Education, minor in Business Administration, from Northern Illinois University. Currently a community volunteer, she has been awarded “Community Builder of the Year” from United Way of NEFL and the “Mr. George Community Service Award” from Publix Super Markets Inc.


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Ruben is a 17 year veteran of the commercial real estate industry currently working for the largest owner/developer in Orange County.  He is a member of the Building Owner's & Managers Association of Orange County including its Governmental Affairs and Political Action Committee Board.

10 years ago, Ruben and his wife Wendy welcomed the birth of their beautiful daughter with Down syndrome, Kaelyn, and since then he has further dedicated his life to advocacy at both the local and national level.  Ruben has been on the Board for the Down Syndrome Association of Orange County for the past 9 years and has been the Executive Board President for the past 3 years, he is an Athlete Ambassador for the National Down Syndrome Society, and oversees Down Syndrome United, a personal grassroots project through LinkedIn which helps advise and coach Down syndrome associations and nonprofit leadership.


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Thank you for listening to our podcast - in this episode we dive into the biggest themes that came up during the BLM interviews. 


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Firefighter and healthcare worker, Gregory Hudgens is the former chief of the Center Groton Volunteer Fire Department in Groton, Connecticut and currently works for Merakey, Inc as a Direct Support Professional. Along with more than 10 years as a fire and damage control trainer for the United States Navy Submarine Force, Greg brings a host of training and experience in emergency and medical response.

In his current role at Merakey, he supports individuals in a group home situation to live more independently and manage behaviors. Greg has been recognized by the fire service for several awards over his career and is a recipient of the 2012 First 100 Plus award from the Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence for championing the cause for victims of domestic violence.


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Raised in San Diego, CA, Victoria moved to Los Angeles to attend Cal State University, Northridge where she started out her academic career as a Deaf Studies major where she planned to become a American Sign Language interpreter. Shortly into her studies, Victoria changed her major and eventually earned both her BA and MA in Linguistics. While in her undergraduate program, she also completed a 200 hour yoga certification.

Once Victoria graduated, she started teaching yoga and working within education. She started as a TA in special education department, worked at a private high school to help build their international student program and eventually led her where she is now: an adjunct professor in the humanities department and a cross country coach at a title I school.

In her free time, she is an avid runner and a part of a few (virtual) run clubs.


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