The Viscardi Center

at The Viscardi Center

Providing a lifespan of programs and services that educate, employ and empower children and adults with disabilities.
An employer membership organization and comprehensive resource for disability employment best practices.

DONATE

Header Links

  • Login
  • Media Room
  • Contact Us

Share

  • facebook
  • twitter
  • linkedin
  • You Tube
  • Instagram
  • Home
  • Our Services
    • Abilities, Inc.
    • E-Learning
    • Henry Viscardi School
    • The Disability Entrepreneurship Institute
    • Nathaniel H. Kornreich Technology Center
    • Services by Type
    • Services by Age/Audience
    • Services for Businesses
    • How to Obtain Services
  • Our Stories
    • Adults
    • Businesses
    • Children
    • Donors
  • Get Involved
    • Ways to Give
    • Together We Soar Campaign
    • Advocacy
    • Volunteer
    • Share Your Story
    • Viscardi Alumni
  • News & Events
    • News
    • Blog
    • Events
    • Media Room
    • Viscardi Voice Newsletter
  • Digital Accessibility
    • Document Accessibility
    • Web Accessibility
    • Captioning & CART Services
    • Audio Description
    • ADA Bundle
    • Viscardi Multimedia Learning Center
  • About
    • History
    • Staff Leadership and Boards of Directors
    • Henry Viscardi Achievement Awards
    • Sunny
    • FAQs
    • Careers
    • Financials
    • Contact Us
www.viscardicenter.org > News & Events > News > President & CEO John D. Kemp’s Message to Class of 2013

President & CEO John D. Kemp’s Message to Class of 2013

June 20, 2013 by imc_admin

  • A A A
June 20, 2013

In his yearbook message to the 2013 graduating class of the Henry Viscardi School, John D. Kemp, President & CEO of The Viscardi Center, offered the seniors some advice on how to live based on his own life’s lessons. There is something to be learned from his “parting lesson” – even for those not graduating from the School this evening…

“When I was a young boy, my father and I met Dr. Viscardi and he confirmed for us that not only could I – but why shouldn’t I – be employed, self-sufficient and productive, and have a career and family. I never forgot that meeting, or his words, and set off on building the life I expected.

rsz_publication1

Today, having watched each of you grow the past two years and prepare for your graduation from the Henry Viscardi School at The Viscardi Center, I offer you some advice that I hope you’ll remember. One more lesson. A lesson on how to live based on my own life’s lessons.

  • Laugh.
  • Be proud of your disability and advocate for yourself.
  • Help someone. Offer and give others what you have as you get more satisfaction from helping others than from things you possess.
  • Devote yourself to something that gives you purpose and meaning – your family, friends, community.
  • Lead, in any way that you’re comfortable, but lead.
  • Make good decisions because each one has a consequence.
  • Impart wisdom. Share your knowledge and life experiences. Teach by example.
  • Have an open mind. Appreciate differences in each other, an opinion, a discussion.
  • Scare yourself. Don’t be afraid to take chances, or even to fail.
  • Be a problem solver. Find a way to work around and through issues, challenges and the unexpected.
  • Say thank you.
  • Elevate your expectations. Expect a good life and pursue it.

Go on… become that chairman of the Board or its CEO; business owner; politician; wife, husband, mom or dad; anything you dream of.”


Topics

[php snippet=3]


Media Contact

Kim Brussell
Associate Vice President,
Development & External Relations
516-465-1608
kbrussell@viscardicenter.org

Filed Under: News

News & Events

  • News

    >

  • Blog

    >

  • Events

    >

  • Media Room

    >

  • Viscardi Voice Newsletter

    >

Explore News

Events

Hands over a keyboard

Webinar on Digital Accessibility Fundamentals

[php snippet=2]

NY Islanders defensemen Scott Mayfield and Ryan Pulock and actor Kevin James standing behind Viscardi CEO Dr. Chris Rosa and two Henry Viscardi School male students

Celebrity Sports Night

[php snippet=2]

View All Events

Recent News

View All >
  • Get Your Wheels on Fire Socks Today!

    March 21, 2023 The Viscardi Center is partnering with John’s Crazy Socks’ to bring you our latest Wheels on Fire Socks. Purchase your pair today! Read More...
  • The Passing of Judy Heumann, Disability Rights Advocate

    March 4, 2023 Dr. Chris Rosa, President & CEO of The Viscardi Center, releases a statement on the passing of disability rights advocate Judy Heumann. Read More...
  • 2022 Henry Viscardi Achievement Awards Bestowed

    December 2, 2022 The Viscardi Center, a renowned non-profit organization that educates, employs, and empowers people with disabilities, announced six distinguished recipients of the 2022 Henry Viscardi Achievement Awards. Read More...
  • Reach for a Star 40th Anniversary Receives Rave Reviews!

    November 29, 2022 The Reach for a Star 40th Anniversary Luncheon which featured a performance by Chilina Kennedy, the longest-running "Carole" in the history of Broadway’s Beautiful - The Carole King Musical, was a smashing success. Read More...
  • Viscardi Announces John J. Gutleber Aquatic Center

    September 2, 2022 The newly renovated facility will provide an accessible range of aquatic exercise and therapies for students with disabilities. Read More...
  • Announcing Roy Danis as Board Chair

    July 19, 2022 Roy Danis, President & CEO of Conecuh Brands, assumed the role of Chair of The Viscardi Center Board of Directors on July 1, 2022 Read More...

Contact Us

The Viscardi Center
National Business & Disability Council at The Viscardi Center
201 I.U. Willets Road
Albertson, NY 11507
516.465.1400
info@viscardicenter.org
Careers at the Viscardi Center | Staff Log in
Accessibility | Privacy | Site Map

Sign up For Enews

The Viscardi Center is a 501(c)(3)
non-profit recognized by the IRS.

Connect With Us

  • facebook
  • twitter
  • linkedin
  • You Tube
  • Instagram

© 2023 The Viscardi Center. All rights reserved. | Designed & Developed by Infinite Media Corp.