Celebrating 55 Years of Independence, Advocacy, and Community

In 2025, Paraquad proudly celebrated 55 years of advancing equity, independence, and opportunity for people with disabilities. Founded in 1970 by disability rights pioneer Max Starkloff, Paraquad began as a grassroots effort and has grown into a foundation of the St. Louis disability community.

Throughout our anniversary year, we reflected on the progress made together, from early victories like curb cuts and accessible transit to today’s life-changing services, peer support, and adaptive fitness opportunities at the Stephen A. Orthwein Center. Our 55th Anniversary Celebration in November brought our community together to honor lived experiences, share stories of resilience, and celebrate how far we’ve come.

This milestone year also marked an exciting new chapter as we welcomed Latosha Fowlkes as Paraquad’s new Chief Executive Officer. Her leadership builds on our strong foundation while helping guide Paraquad toward an even more inclusive future. As we look ahead, our promise remains the same: to champion choice, dignity, and independence, led by and for people with disabilities.

Thank you to our participants, donors, staff, and partners who made our 55th year meaningful and impactful. Together, we are shaping the next generation of disability leadership and advocacy.