Filomena Tripp was born in the Azores, and moved to the U.S. in 1968 (before the ADA!). She was tutored at home as the public schools were not accessible. She eventually lived on her own, in spite of advice from her parents and before the IL philosophy became accepted. In 2019, she loves her work helping people at the Southeast Center for Independent Living achieve their goals of independence.
Filomena has written a book, Invisible Courage, about her life. Visit Amazon.com to buy it.