Collette was determined to open her own business and try to earn a living on her own. Collette, a very tenacious young woman, despite any disability, was off to show people how able she is and how other’s like herself can be of great value to their community. Collette has created a global movement (check out her In The News Page) and is known by many throughout the world.

Her response to all this new unintentional fame is, “why are people so surprised”.  Collette travels around the country to share her inspiring story, and constantly encourage people to focus on their abilities rather than what they can’t do.

She speaks to audiences of hundreds to thousands and has decided she needs to use her platform to create change and to help the non-disabled population see abilities and start including and employing people with disabilities more and more. It pains Collette to know 82% of people with a disability, that are capable of work, cannot find paying jobs…which means they cannot live independently. 

With every cookie sale Collettey’s has, Collette is one step closer to offering yet another employment opportunity in her company.  And with every cookie sale Collettey’s has, Collette is also one step closer to her “Call to Action” plan that she insists on leading.

This plan is to represent her community in Washington, D.C. with a written employment incentive policy for adoption, and to request the elimination of the sub minimum wage. She has been referred to as “One smart cookie” and “One tough cookie”.