Celebrating 25 Years of Transforming Lives with DDD
Leah Gibbs and her family received dire warnings when they moved from California to Arizona in 1992 for her husband’s job. They had heard about challenges accessing services for her medically complex son in a new state, but those warnings only fueled Leah’s determination to seek support.
With a background as a funeral director, Leah was no stranger to helping families navigate difficult times. When her son was born with medical conditions, she joined a support group for parents of children with similar needs. In that group, she supported families who experienced the loss of their children.
One of Leah’s sons has multiple disabilities, including cerebral palsy, spina bifida, intellectual disabilities, visual and hearing impairments, and a chronic respiratory condition. At age 4, he was diagnosed with brain stem atrophy, and the family was advised to plan his funeral.
“I told the doctor that my son didn’t read that book,” Leah said. “Instead of planning his funeral, we planned his future.”
This determination led Leah to volunteer with the Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) when her family arrived in Arizona. DDD provides support to individuals with specific diagnoses and medical conditions. After seven years as a volunteer, Leah joined DDD as a staff member, serving 25 years in various roles. She is set to retire at the end of 2024 and will be deeply missed.
As a volunteer, Leah trained support coordinators and direct care workers. In 1999, when her son’s health stabilized, Leah decided to return to work. When she resigned her volunteer role, she was offered a staff position with DDD. Over the years, she worked in training support coordinators, assisting with residential services, and managing state contracts with DDD-licensed therapy providers.
In 2018, Leah took a leadership role in the Office of Individual and Family Affairs (OIFA), where she oversaw customer service, outreach, and communication. She also served as a liaison to the justice system, supported incarcerated DDD members, and helped develop affordable housing opportunities. Her role later evolved into bureau chief of the CARES (Communication, Advocacy, Resolution, Engagement, and Support) Administration for DDD, where she oversaw communication efforts and launched key projects.
Among her favorite initiatives was developing DDD’s “Self-Care for Caregivers” conference to support families. She also helped create an online resource library for DDD members and families, incorporating input from subject-matter experts and community members. Another project close to her heart was building a curriculum for Positive Behavior Support classes in partnership with DDD and Raising Special Kids, training over 10,000 individuals.
Leah enjoys painting, sewing, and reading, but she isn’t sure if she’ll fully retire. She may continue working part-time or volunteering in the disability community.