Founder & leadership
Leadership starts with lived experience—and grows from there.
FLDI is still formalizing its initial board and leadership structure. Until additional roles are fully accepted and finalized, this page lists the founder only.
Founder
Ryan J. Russell, PhD
Ryan founded FLDI from both lived experience and a recurring gap he saw in disability support: there is often far more information about diagnosis, treatment, childhood, and survival than there is about building an adult life.
Ryan has Duchenne muscular dystrophy and uses a power wheelchair, respiratory support, and personal assistance. His adult life has included higher education, writing, coaching, work, relationships, disability advocacy, and navigating the systems that make self-directed life possible.
His background in psychology, education, training, writing, and disability advocacy informs FLDI's emphasis on practical tools, participant choice, adult relationships, meaningful work, independence, and community.
Current public role: Founder. Additional board and leadership roles will be added to this page after appointments and acceptances are formally finalized.