ExceptionalNurse.com began in 2001 as a grassroots effort to address the needs of nursing students and nurses with disabilities. The non-profit organization was created by Donna Maheady, Ed.D., APRN. Dr. Maheady is a pediatric nurse practitioner and nursing educator. She has taught nursing for over 40 years and worked with nursing students with a wide range of disabilities. Her doctoral dissertation addressed the experiences of nursing students with disabilities. Currently, she is an adjunct faculty member at Utica College. Dr. Maheady has a daughter who is diagnosed with HNRNPU, a de novo genetic mutation, which includes epilepsy, limited speech, mental retardation and autistic characteristics.