Biography

Your today does not have to equal your tomorroew.  Disabled since childhood, speaker/author Denedria Banks lives in two worlds: patient and service provider.  It's this unique perspective that allows her to offer  a fresh point of view on living with disability or chronic illness.  Speaking to groups since age six, Denedria instills in audiences from all walks of life the courage to seek out a better tomorow.

Diagnosed at the age of nine, she has watched her body and physical function deteriorate over the years but has maintained that she would not allow her disease to control her life. In 2002, Denedria suffered from a left hip fracture, making her ask, "Why me?” Ultimately, Denedria realized that she wanted to educate and motivate people on living/working with persons with a chronic illness.  From her unique, dual perspective, Denedria now offers valuable insight to people living with disabilities as well as those providing services to the disabled community. "Life is an adventure," says Denedria. " "You just have to be willing to take the ride."

Denedria is the author of Melodies of My Life, a funny, deeply moving and insightful coming-of-age portrait of a young black woman growing up in Los Angeles with an inherited debilitating disease.  You'll leave her talk with a fresh perspective of living with disability or illness, challenged to think outside the box, push against the grain, and find the gem within.

What People Are Saying...

"Thank you for your participation in our Annual Meeting & Clinical Care Conference held in Kansas City, MO.  Your presentation of "Chronic Illness and The Dialysis Patient: An African-American Perspective" was a true success."

-Katrina M. Dinkel, MA, Meetings and Special Projects

"Congratulations on a spectacular job hosting our 9th Annual Fashion Show at Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center which showcased patients from our Adult Brain Injury and Neurology Services!"

-Christina Webster, CTRS

Ms. Denedria Banks has a bachelor’s degree in Child Development from California State University, Northridge and has a Master’s degree in Social Work from California State University, Sacramento. She has worked in the area of social services for ten years, she serves on the Board of Directors for Westside Center for Independent Living, Los Angeles, CA, and is a member of Southern California Chapter of the Muscular Dystrophy Association.  She is also associated with the Rancho Los Amigos Performing Arts Program.