Ashley Lauren Fisher (born February 23, 1975, Montville, New Jersey) is an American model, co-founder and chairwoman of Discovery Through Design,[1] a non-profit organization that creates awareness and raises funds for disabled women's health initiatives and spinal cord research,[2] and a former actress, and restaurateur.[3]

Ashley Lauren Fisher
Born (1975-02-23) February 23, 1975 (age 49)
Occupation(s)Model
Restaurateur
Years active1998–present

Background

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Fisher was born and raised in Montville, New Jersey, and was inducted into the Montville Township High School Hall of Fame in 2011.[4] She has performed in Carnegie Hall and Steinway Hall, on MTV, and modeled with NYC agencies.[5] Her mother is originally from England and her father from Jamaica; they met in London prior to their move to the U.S. Fisher has one brother.[6][7]

In 1998, she and her boyfriend Larry ran an upscale Italian restaurant in New Jersey called Pazzo Pazzo.[8]

On July 12, 1998, Fisher experienced a spinal cord injury after diving into shallow water near the Jersey Shore.[3] She became a tetraplegic.[8]

Philanthropy

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With other women, Fisher co-founded Discovery Through Design which has raised almost a million dollars for spinal cord research.[9][10][11] She is also an organizer of Rolling with Style, a fashion show for women with disabilities.[12]

The Morris County (New Jersey) Chamber of Commerce named Fisher "Female Legend of Morris County" in 2009.[13] She gave the keynote address at DiscoverAbility, the New Jersey Governor's Conference on Employment for People with Disabilities.[14]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Philanthropy: Marilyn Hamilton helped establish the nonprofit organization Discovery Through Design". marilynhamilton.com. Retrieved 4 May 2010.
  2. ^ a b "Discovery through Design's Rolling with Style Gala Adds a Whole New Spin to Fashion Week". National Spinal Cord Injury Association. February 15, 2007. Archived from the original on July 17, 2011. Retrieved May 4, 2010.
  3. ^ a b c Parker-Hope, Tara (March 26, 2009). "Voices of Spinal Cord Injury". The New York Times blog. Retrieved May 3, 2010.
  4. ^ "2011 MTHS Hall of Fame". Montville Township High School. Retrieved March 29, 2012.
  5. ^ a b Rouba, Kelly (2007). "New Jersey Governor's Conference on Employment for People with Disabilities". thisabled.com. Archived from the original on July 17, 2011. Retrieved May 4, 2010.
  6. ^ "Restaurateur decorates to amaze in 113-year-old Morristown home". nj.com. October 30, 2015. Retrieved April 14, 2020.
  7. ^ "Ashley Lauren Fisher: Full Force, Non-Stop". New Mobility. April 1, 2014. Retrieved April 14, 2020.
  8. ^ a b c Rubin, Nadine (June 1, 2006). "Overcoming the odds". Harpers Bazaar. Retrieved May 3, 2010.
  9. ^ a b Edelman, Adam (February 13, 2007). "Designers roll out their latest lines: Chic wheelchairs". USA Today. Retrieved May 4, 2010.
  10. ^ a b "Founders of Discovery Through Design". Sunrise Medical. Archived from the original on February 27, 2009. Retrieved May 4, 2010.
  11. ^ a b Rouba, Kelly. "Reinventing the Wheel with Style". United Spinal Association. Archived from the original on March 15, 2009. Retrieved May 4, 2010.
  12. ^ a b "'Rolling With Style' for a good cause". ABC Eyewitness News. February 5, 2007. Archived from the original on June 29, 2011. Retrieved May 3, 2010.
  13. ^ "Ashley". Ashley Lauren Fisher.
  14. ^ "First New Jersey Governor's Conference on Employment for People with Disabilities". Press release. New Jersey Business Leadership Network. Archived from the original on September 8, 2012. Retrieved March 29, 2012.
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