Extending the Legacy

NDAD empowers UND’s future special education teachers.

Balancing lesson plans, graduate coursework, and parenting two sons with autism, Anna Bellon has built her life around possibility rather than limits.

With support from the North Dakota Association for the Disabled (NDAD), she’s pursuing her master’s degree in special education at UND — showing her children, and her students, that perseverance can open doors at any age.

Anna has been awarded the NDAD Gibbens Memorial Scholarship twice. As an early childhood special education teacher in Grand Forks, she says the assistance has been a lifeline. “The fact that people look out for other people gives me hope,” she said. “It’s important for me to show my children that you can accomplish anything at any age, regardless of circumstances.”

Her children see her studying, and they encourage her. Her oldest has even started talking about college — a remarkable shift from just a year ago.

A Mission That Began With One Family

NDAD traces its roots to 1967, when Ron Gibbens, ’64, a 20-year UND employee, and his wife, Faye (Lysne), ’73, a teacher, formed a support group for parents after their son Mike was born with cerebral palsy. In 1975, the small group became NDAD, a nonprofit dedicated to helping people with disabilities and health challenges.

Fifty years later, NDAD operates in six cities across the state, supporting those who often do not qualify for other services. Recently, the organization began supporting and recognizing educators like Anna who embody the Gibbens’ philosophy.

Meeting Needs Across the State 

Grounded in its motto, “Helping others to help themselves,” NDAD provides financial assistance for medical travel, prescriptions, paratransit support, adaptive recreation, and autism services. Grants have funded accessible playgrounds, classroom equipment, and equine therapy programs.

“The staff all work toward the same goal,” said Chief Program Officer Leslie (Anderson) Stastny, ’92, who has been with NDAD for 29 years. “We really just want to help. We see people from all walks of life, from those with very low income to others who may be doing fine financially but have had something happen and suddenly need support.”

NDAD Marketing Director DeAnn Burckhard, ’03, agreed. “We all truly care about making sure people with health challenges receive what they need to live more easily. If we can’t help directly, we’ll find someone who can.”

NDAD continues to expand. “The further west in the state you go, the more rural it becomes and harder it is to access services,” DeAnn said, adding that the group recently opened an office in Dickinson. “The types of services we provide will ebb and flow, but the reasons stay the same: Make sure people have access to what they need so they can live better lives.”

Looking Forward

In the 1980s, NDAD had to innovate to stay afloat, introducing charitable gaming as a funding source. By 1985, bingo halls were operating in Minot, Grand Forks, Fargo, and Williston. Gaming revenue remains a key source of support today.

“A few years ago, we started talking about doing an endowment,” Leslie said. “Because of Ron’s connection to UND and Faye’s teaching background, we decided to go through the special education department.”

They established the NDAD Gibbens Memorial Scholarship Endowment to provide financial support for UND students studying special education, with priority for those from North Dakota or planning to work in the state.

Shauna Fetch, ’25, a special education teacher in the New Rockford-Sheyenne (N.D.) School District, was an early scholarship recipient. “I want to help students with mental disabilities to learn the best way they can. I want to prepare them for the real world. Even those students with very mild disabilities need someone to believe in them. That is my goal — to make each student feel important and valued.”

Celebrating Teachers 

This fall, NDAD celebrated North Dakota teachers at UND athletic events and invited communities statewide to nominate their heroes in education.
“I felt proud to be recognized as an educator during a large event at my alma mater,” said Bonnie (Helt) Howatt, ’86, a special education teacher for 40 years, the last 13 with the Life Centered Career Education program at Devils Lake High School.

Bonnie believes the recognition is timely. “Over 40 years of teaching, I feel the respect for education has greatly declined,” she said. “Finding positive ways to promote teaching will help people see the joys, rewards, and accomplishments the profession offers.”

NDAD aims to be part of that encouragement.

“We’re proud to sponsor these events that bring our community together and shine a light on teachers,” DeAnn said. Since joining NDAD, her goal has been to help people more easily connect with the organization’s resources. NDAD’s marketing, she explained, isn’t “completely traditional.” She’s working to expand the nonprofit’s digital presence and build relationships that lead to referrals.

Leslie and many other long-tenured NDAD employees are simply proud to be part of the work. “I don't know of another organization that makes an impact like NDAD,” Leslie said. “To see someone no longer have to choose between groceries and prescriptions — and know that’s because of NDAD — is incredible.”

Leslie’s sentiment echoes what Anna sees in her classroom and in her own life: NDAD looks out for people. And that gives people hope.

Impact in Action

Twice a year, the NDAD Gibbens Memorial Grant provides funds to organizations working to improve health, education, and access for at-risk populations. UND has benefited.

One recent recipient, the UND School of Medicine & Health Sciences in collaboration with students from the UND College of Education & Human Development, hosted a summer sports camp for children ages 8-12 with developmental disabilities and their peers. The goal is to improve participants’ gross motor skills through physical activity education, enhance social-emotional learning and well-being by making meaningful connections, and promote physical fitness and health by engaging in sports and sport-related activities.

Through another NDAD Gibbens Memorial Grant, UND’s Communication Sciences and Disorders Department purchased advanced screening equipment to help identify potential hearing concerns. Early detection can improve speech and language development, social interaction, and academic success. The instrument is now used during preschool hearing screenings throughout the Grand Forks area.