IM ABLE founder, Berks alumnus to discuss success in the face of adversity

READING, Pa. — Chris Kaag, founder of the IM ABLE Foundation, will give a presentation titled “Becoming an Advocate for People with Disabilities” at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 1, in the Perkins Student Center Multipurpose Room at Penn State Berks.

Kaag is a Penn State Berks alumnus and retired Marine Corps sergeant. During his second tour in Aviano, Italy, in 1997, a duty-related concussion led to the onset of a rare genetic neuro-degenerative condition and his military career came to an end.

In 2007, Kaag established the nonprofit IM ABLE Foundation to help individuals with disabilities to build and support active lifestyles. The mission of the foundation is to help all individuals realize their potential to go further and push harder than their preconceived limits. Through his choice to view his own disability as a personal stepping-stone and not as a crutch, Kaag hopes to motivate others — both disabled and able-bodied — to redefine the way they view their own personal challenges. According to Kaag, everyone has obstacles, but it is up to the individual to take that next step.

Penn State Berks reserves the right to limit the photography and/or recording of any program. The permitted or prohibited activities during a particular program will be announced at the beginning of the event and/or included in the printed program. All media requesting interviews and/or access to photograph and/or tape any program must contact the Office of Strategic Communications at 610-396-6053.

This event is sponsored by the Penn State Berks Arts and Lecture series. For more information, contact the Office of Campus Life at 610-396-6076.