You Should Run Nicki Vander Meulen

“I knew the law at a very young age because I had to,” she said. “I knew that (the law) had a voice, that it had power, and that it could protect me.”

That's a quote from Nicki Vander Meulen, school board member in Madison, Wisconsin. Her knowledge of the law, and her experiences in public schools and as a person with a disability, makes her's the most incredible story yet on the You Should Run Podcast. 

Nicki has been an advocate for people with disabilities since she was just 7 years old. As a person with Asperger's syndrome and cerebral palsy, Nicki faced many challenges as a student in Wisconsin. Many years later, she faced challenges as a candidate. 

 

In this podcast, Nicki talks about why we need more people with disabilities to run for office, the many difficulties with special education and opportunities for people with disabilities in schools and law and life, and what motivated her to run herself. She talks about bad experiences in school but also how positive interactions with a teacher as a kid served as motivation throughout her life.

 

Listen, subscribe, and share Nicki's story now on the You Should Run Podcast.