Barton and Megan met while training in martial arts in 2003, and since that time have discovered at the heart of their relationship, the power of perseverance throughout every aspect of their lives.
Barton, who has spastic Cerebral Palsy, left his hometown of Chicago to attend The University of Arizona in Tucson and discovered along the way what it meant to create a life of independence and full inclusion; one that knew no barriers as he began training in the martial arts and leaving behind the life of parties and bachelorhood to seek a deeper knowledge of himself and the beginnings of adulthood.
Megan worked in the corporate arena in Tuscaloosa, AL, organizing trade shows before the death of her mother lead her to the martial arts, a practice that enhanced internal focus even with the external chaos of loss.
Through a chance meeting at a friend’s house in Tucson, Barton knew right away Megan was the woman he wanted for him. They began an eight-month long distance courtship, emailing poetry and short stories back and forth to each other.
“Over Thanksgiving weekend, Megan came to visit me. She had no idea that by that point, there was no doubt that she was the one. I had already bought a ring, and while my original plan was to wait until New Years to propose, I couldn’t help myself and during a late night conversation, I sent her to find the Norton Anthology of Modern Poetry,” Barton comments.
Megan jumps in, “I came back with the anthology in hand, and Barton just laughed. I knew I had missed something, and he sent me back to find the engagement ring hidden behind the book of poetry. Yes, I had missed it!”
When Barton graduated in May in 2004 he moved to Tuscaloosa to be with Megan, but they found that a small southern town was unable to provide job opportunities and accessibility that Barton would need to sustain their family. They soon had their wedding in November, which brought together many of their friends and family from all over the US.
Barton comments, “In a culture where people with disabilities are so often discouraged from marriage because of the lack of opportunity to meet others, taboos around relationships, and the disincentives such as the loss of government supported benefits and services, having the faith and courage to follow our
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personal dreams set an example for others that the greatest successes come from breaking with convention and forging one’s own path.”
After their wedding, they relocated to Raleigh, NC. Amazingly, this was just after Katrina – another adventure. They began offering writing, editing and public relations services to other small businesses and organizations in the area. At the same time, Barton spearheaded a youth leadership program through UCP. It was not long before both Barton and Megan began to realize that they were uniquely positioned to offer support, hope and empowerment to other youth and individuals with disabilities and their families.
Megan explains, “During a conference that Barton organized for youth with disabilities interested in higher education, Barton called me over to a family he was speaking with. He introduced me as his wife, and the mother’s eyes filled with tears. She realized that her son could go to college and have a normal life, and some of the fears about her son who had a disability began to melt away. This was the first time I realized what impact we had on other families with disabilities.”
As a result, Barton found a natural draw toward life and business coaching through the Coaches Training Institute, and Megan discovered how creative writing and expression could enhance self-expression, inclusion within the community and personal empowerment. They began incorporating their own expertise into a shared vision that builds upon one another to offer a unique avenue for empowering others. In addition, they speak and write on issues surrounding disabilities and relationships, creating healthy relationships, safety and emergency preparedness.
Today, Barton and Megan run Cutter’s Edge Consulting, through which they are dedicated to empowering youth and families with the skills and perspective necessary to create lives that are filled with passion and a vision for what is possible when looking beyond this disability to see the essence of who a person is.
They agree that, “We are just like every other couple, and we work hard to balance all of the components of life.”
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