Diana Garmen, left, helps children with a craft at Lifesteps. Garmen’s inspirational journey with Lifesteps began in 1962 at age 3. She received the Lifesteps Star Award in 2013. Submitted photo

Diana Garmen’s inspirational journey of more than 50 years with Lifesteps began in 1962 at age 3.

After she was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, her parents brought her to the Easter Seals program in Beaver County for therapy, where she did remarkably well.

In 1978, Garmen was hired as an assistant group supervisor at the Beaver Early Education Center. During the next 35 years, she used her personal stories of living with a disability to connect with children and adults.

It was important to Garmen that each child learn a valuable lesson — to accept and respect each other in spite of the different abilities one may have.

In 2013, when Garmen received the Lifesteps Star Award, she shared, “It is not every day a person gets recognized for doing something so simple as being herself, and loves doing her calling at work, play and everyday living.”

Garmen has been a role model, making a difference for so many.

Diana Garmen’s inspirational journey of more than 50 years with Lifesteps began in 1962 at age 3. She received the Lifesteps Star Award in 2013. submitted photo