Valerie Goldstein is a Stony Brook Alumni, who has touched the community with her civil service and activism. Valerie is a social worker, children’s book author, writer, wife, and mother of three children.
In the year 2000, Valerie was a passenger in a motor vehicle accident, leaving her an incomplete quadriplegic. She attended Stony Brook for her undergraduate degree and majored in Psychology and minored in English. She then continued on to obtain her MSW at the School of Social Welfare, and continued on to get her license as an LMSW. Between creative writing in Valerie's English classes, and doing research in the psychology laboratory for Dr. Marci Lobel, she found her love and niche for writing.
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"Being a part of Stony Brook's School of Social Welfare has also paved this wonderful path for me that instilled social awareness and diversity upon me." After Valerie had her three children, she wrote various works for Woman's Day, Long Island Parent Magazine, Scary Mommy, and ADVANCE Healthcare Network for Occupational Therapy Practitioners. "I wanted to shed light on mothers with different abilities being handicapable instead of handicapped. In addition, Valerie took part in public speaking engagements such as presentations for colleges on different abilities, as well as delivering the keynote address for several high school graduations.
When Valerie would drop her three children off at school, children would inquire about her different ability. They had so many questions about her forearm crutches, brace, why she had a different ability, and what happened to her. "They had so many questions and truly wanted to learn. Their empathetic little selves made me start a program for children; educating them on varying abilities. I would bring dolls with miniature wheelchairs, crutches, hearing aids, plush guide dogs etc. and bring about discussions on acceptance and diversity. The same core values Stony Brook's School of Social Welfare instilled upon me." The children's book Valerie would bring to her presentations did not suit her message, and it pointed out children's differences when they had a disability. "I wanted to share a story that valued someone's difference, and showed that even though one of our friends may do something differently, they can do and enjoy the same things as us, but in a different way. That is how Violet's Victory came to fruition!"
"In addition to Stony Brook's School of Social Welfare promoting social awareness and diversity, they also gave me the foundation to find my voice, so I can educate others about varying abilities. Individuals with different abilities are a marginalized group, so I yearned to go out into the world and illuminate discussions on diversity and equality which is so dire right now." Social justice is a big part of Stony Brook's mission statement, so it is no surprise how Valerie took these crucial lessons and words with her.
"Violet's Victory will fill the void of books representing children with varying abilities and adaptive equipment. My wish is for children reading my story to feel represented, because Stony Brook has taught me that representation and words matter. This school has taught me to take a stance and pave the way for new discussions, so I hope that Violet's Victory not only acts as a tool of empowerment, but it also raises awareness so people embody acceptance."
