Today’s Amazing guest on Ability Beast Talk Mark Hemry! First guest of 2024! Mark Hemry has lived a life full of inspiration, positivity, and resilience. He faces adversity and obstacles daily with a glass-half-full mentality, always moving forward no matter what. As an autistic individual, Mark remains optimistic and believes in himself, largely thanks to his great support system. One of his biggest supporters throughout his life was his mother, Kathleen, who sadly passed away in 2020. This podcast interview with Mark is dedicated to her and the extraordinary life she led. Kathleen was born in Colton, California, and grew up mainly in Riverside. She graduated from Riverside Poly High in 1948 and married Alfred Albertus Hemry in 1951. During Alfred's service in the U.S. Air Force, the couple lived in various regions across the United States. They later settled in Denver, Colorado, as civilians, and returned to Southern California in 1959. Moving to Whittier, they focused on raising their only son, Mark. In 1978, Kathy began working for Rio Hondo Community College as a secretary for psychologist Robert Itatani, Ph.D., until her retirement in 1993. Post-retirement, she returned to the Inland Empire area, residing in Riverside, Yucaipa, and Loma Linda. Kathy had a lifelong interest in autism causes and actively participated in numerous early autism organizations. Later in life, she served on the Parent Steering Committee and the Board of Trustees at the Inland Regional Center for the Developmentally Disabled in San Bernardino. Without further ado, ladies and gentlemen, it's my pleasure to introduce today's wonderful guest on Ability Beast Talk—Mark Hemry!