Hannah's Unexpected Full Circle Journey: Returning to LEAP

In 2012, Hannah Laudo began her journey with LEAP as a high school student through her district's partnership with LEAP. During the school year, Hannah met with a LEAP staff member for youth vocational services. Over the summer months, Hannah participated in LEAP's Summer Youth Work Experience. Through this experience, she worked in retail at T.J. Maxx and as an activities assistant for a nursing home.

Following high school, Hannah earned her degree in Social Work from The University of Akron. Although she did not pursue a career in Social Work, her commitment to supporting her community has remained steadfast.

Reconnecting and Rediscovering Community

Growing up, Hannah participated in Youth Challenge, an adaptive recreation program for individuals aged 4 to 18 years old with physical disabilities.

"I got to do a lot of things people say people with physical disabilities can't do," says Hannah.

She rode sleds, swam, played hockey, and even performed in Youth Challenges' annual holiday production. One day, she even met Noah Munck, the actor who played Gibby on iCarly, who happened to be a cousin of a participant. These experiences not only brought her immense joy and a sense of empowerment but also challenged the stereotypes about people with physical disabilities.

Although Hannah aged out at 18, she reconnected with the program during the pandemic through the Youth Challenge Alumni Program. This unexpected turn of events not only provided comfort and connection during a challenging time but also led her back to LEAP, demonstrating the power of community and belonging.

In the Fall of 2024, Hannah enrolled in the Living Well in the Community course offered at Youth Challenge. The course was taught by LEAP's Community Education and Activities Coordinator, Ted Sielski. During the course, Ted shared that the Quantum LEAP Recreation Program was searching for volunteers. Her immediate response? An enthusiastic "Yes!" This marked Hannah's return to LEAP, but this time as a volunteer.

During her time as a volunteer, Hannah also became a Peer Mentor for LEAP's Peer Mentoring Program in 2024 and is a member of LEAP's advocacy group, Disability Rising CLE.

Joining the Community Sign Choir

Through volunteering, Hannah also became a familiar face in LEAP's community beyond her volunteer work.

In 2025, Hannah joined the Cleveland Community Sign Choir through Quantum LEAP's partnership with the Cleveland Hearing and Speech Center. This group travels around Northeast Ohio performing songs in American Sign Language (ASL). Although Hannah took ASL in her senior year of high school, she saw this as an excellent opportunity to advance her ASL skills and deepen her understanding of Deaf culture.

"I feel like the Deaf community is an often overlooked part of the of the disability community," shared Hannah. She went on to explain that people often associate the disability community with individuals who use wheelchairs, like herself. Therefore, she wants to embrace inclusivity.

Hannah's Full-Circle Return to LEAP

After volunteering for nearly a year, Hannah saw a job opening for a PRN Activities Assistant for Quantum LEAP. Without hesitation, Hannah submitted her application and secured the role.

With Hannah's second Summer Youth Work Experience with LEAP as an Activities Assistant for a nursing home, Hannah is back to where her journey began, but this time as a LEAP employee. Her return as a staff member demonstrates her dedication and the impact of her journey.

As an Activities Assistant for LEAP, Hannah hopes to foster strong bonds among the Quantum LEAP community and introduce activities inspired by her interests.

Life Beyond LEAP: Books, Crafts, and Community

When Hannah is not at LEAP or Youth Challenge, she works as a Library Facilitator for the Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities. In this role, she is involved in the Next Chapter Book Club, a shared reading experience where books are read and discussed together, creating community and connection for individuals with disabilities at the Cuyahoga County Public Library Parma-Snow Branch. Her favorite books are cozy romance novels with a Hallmark feel.

Outside of work, Hannah enjoys attending craft fairs and occasionally making homemade bracelets at home.

Welcome to LEAP, Hannah!

We are incredibly grateful to have Hannah as part of our team at LEAP. Her dedication, enthusiasm, and unique perspective have already made a significant impact on our community.

We look forward to her continued contributions and the positive influence she will undoubtedly have on our programs and participants. Thank you, Hannah, for all that you do!