When experts told Judith Creed that her son would never walk, talk, or live independently, she refused to accept that as his future. Instead, she turned one family's challenge into a movement that has transformed hundreds of lives.

In this episode of Founders' Forum, Judith Creed shares her remarkable journey from speech-language pathologist and entrepreneur to founding JCHAI, a nonprofit dedicated to helping adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities achieve meaningful, independent lives. Inspired by her father's entrepreneurial spirit and driven by her determination to create opportunities for her son Jonah, Judith challenged outdated beliefs, overcame community resistance, and built an organization that now serves more than 300 individuals while supporting countless families.

Judith also reflects on the entrepreneurial mindset that fueled her success. She explains why entrepreneurs must trust their instincts when others say "no" and continue finding better ways to serve people. Her story is a powerful reminder that lasting impact often begins with one person willing to challenge the status quo.

Key Takeaways:

• How one mother's determination became the foundation of a life-changing nonprofit
• Why entrepreneurs must learn to push past rejection and resistance
• The importance of creating opportunities instead of accepting limitations
• How independent living empowers adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities
• What it takes to build a mission-driven organization that creates lasting impact and legacy

About Judith Creed:

Judith was Director of Speech-Language Pathology at Moss/Magee Rehab Facility for many years until she left the field after having three children, one of whom was born with a serious developmental disability. The doctors told her to place Jonah in an institution because he was severely intellectually disabled and would never walk or talk. She didn't listen to them. Instead, she kept Jonah at home and, using her SLP skills, taught him herself.

Judith then started and ran her own film production company, DuPertuis-Creed Productions, which produced TV commercials and documentaries. After about 10 years, she returned to the field of speech-language pathology, where she combined her video expertise with her clinical background to develop and patent a video medical device that evaluated swallowing disorders at the bedside instead of using barium. Swallow Vision, Inc. was Judy's second business venture. She licensed her patent to Pentax Corporation, which then hired her to evaluate ENT and GI physicians' medical inventions, as well as sell medical equipment.

During this time, Judith was raising her children while also dedicating herself to volunteer philanthropy. She helped found the Linda Creed Breast Cancer Foundation, the Philadelphia chapter of Operation Smile, and what would become her lasting legacy, JCHAI.

Connect:

Website jchai.org; judithcreedart.com
LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/judith-creed-a85a7950/

Marc Bernstein's Founders' Forum is brought to you by March Forward, LLC, and this episode is sponsored by JCHAI, helping adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities envision and build meaningful, independent lives. Visit jchai.org to learn more.

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