April 2024 Special Needs Living Magazine

Defying Limits

Cori Muntean’s journey to empowerment and advocacy

BY ANDREA HURR PHOTOS BY JULIAN CURET

“Never give up, do what you want to do, and prove everyone wrong.” These words spoken by Cori Muntean’s Poppie (Grandfather) have stayed with her for her entire life. Sadly, Poppie died in 1996 when Cori was 14, but his impact on her life has never dwindled. “What I want to share with everyone is to never give up and keep going!” says Cori.

Born in 1983, Cori was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy at age 2 ½. She has right-sided paralysis which limits her movement on that side.

The CP also affects her speech and swallowing. Mom Jade says that they had many challenges with trying to communicate and with walking. Jade says, “With the help of her physician, Dr. Cugino ordering medication to dry up her secretions and a lifetime of surgeries and therapies (including having both Achilles tendons cut and stretched at the same time), she is able to walk and talk, nothing will stop her from keeping up with the challenges that we face in everyday life!”

Cori says that it can be difficult for her because people don’t understand that her disability is only physical, her ability to learn is not impacted. Her speech can make it hard for people to understand her, but she always has support from her family. Jade, who is a business owner, has brought Cori in as a volunteer for many years now. “My mom has always been a business owner and has given me the encouragement and knowledge that I needed to hear,” says Cori. Some of Cori’s frustrations in life have led her and her mother to start ANS Day Services. Cori felt like she didn’t fit in at a lot of Day Service programs because she felt unheard.

Jade is an RN and Cori always wanted to follow in her footsteps but knew that was impossible for her. She still wanted to do something to help individuals like herself, making things different and more individualized. She wanted to help people with developmental disabilities find their good qualities and focus more attention where it is needed. “Since my mom is a business woman and I was always with her, I created a business plan and we started the process of getting final approval through the state of Ohio. I can’t be a nurse, but I sure can listen and help others with techniques that have helped me, “says Cori.

Never give up, do what you want to do, and prove everyone wrong.

In her spare time, this pizza-loving lady loves to listen to country music and spend time with her mom shopping and going to the movies with her dad, Ted. Once a week when her brother has off work they go out to eat and to the arcade Rack It Up. Cori loves shopping on Amazon and she really enjoys going to church with her parents. She wants everyone to know, “I just wanted to make a difference and to help others with Cerebral Palsy and other developmental disabilities. I want everyone to know that there is always something special about everyone.” She credits her parents, especially her dad for his patience for her positive outlook on life. Her Poppies’ words of wisdom have helped her get through her life and keep motivated. “If it weren’t for him, I would have given up.”