Experienced in competitive ice-skating and in performing with the Ice Capades, Ms. O'Donnell launched a teaching career in 1973 and began directing recreational and figure skating programs throughout Western New York State. It was during this time that she saw the opportunity to use her gift for teaching to enable challenged individuals to achieve the same self-confidence other children did by learning to ice skate. Out of this idea to bring the joys of skating to "handi-capable" people, she originally founded an organization called "The Skating Association for the Blind and Handicapped, Inc." in 1977 in her hometown of Buffalo, New York.

Elizabeth established what is now known as Gliding Stars in 1994 in response to hundreds of people across the country expressing interest in starting a similar program in their own communities. Elizabeth is now devoting her full time to this nationwide expansion as the President of Gliding Stars.

The company that is now Gliding Stars Adaptive Products was formed soon after to create and market the skates, walkers and harness designs developed by Elizabeth, including several models of skates designed for people who wear ankle-foot orthosis (AFO), and for people who have Down's Syndrome or surgically corrected clubbed feet. She developed three models of on-ice walkers to assist skaters in maintaining balance and assuming proper skating posture; and five sizes of harnesses to provide support for skaters with limitations in their ability to bear weight on skates.

Elizabeth states, "Persons with disabilities are often excluded from mainstream activities and there is still a great deal of prejudice and fear that impacts their everyday lives. Our organization serves to include all in a sport that has tremendous benefits and is fun. Performing in a public ice show provides a venue to 'show off' their skills and be acknowledged by the community at large."

Gliding Stars has grown into the leading program of its kind in the United States. Elizabeth O'Donnell has worked tirelessly over the years to improve the quality of life for people challenged by physical, mental and emotional disabilities. She has taught nearly 15,000 persons with mental, physical, emotional and multiple challenges to ice skate, as well as more than 25,000 "normal" people! In addition, she has coached and trained hockey teams and individual players.

Elizabeth developed the original training materials used in the Gliding Stars program, and now oversees the training of Coordinators, Volunteers and Instructors throughout the programs in the Chapters.As its President, She guides and manages the organization's growth and development in cooperation with the Board of Directors and the Chapter Coordinators.
She has received many national honors, including the 133rd Daily Point of Light Award from the White House in 1990, Citizen of the Year from The Buffalo News, the Forty Under 40 Leadership Award from Business First of Buffalo, the Hometown Heroes Award from Nissan and the Children's Miracle Network, and inclusion in the Top 100 Irish Americans of 1998 from Irish America Magazine and the Irish Tourist Board, and three Honorary Doctorates.
In her spare time, Elizabeth gives motivational and informational speeches at commencements and national conferences on such topics as adaptive ice-skating, life-long learning, and community improvement. She enjoys gardening, yoga, sailing, water and snow skiing, hiking, kayaking, traveling, collecting art glass, and, of course, ice-skating!

You can contact Elizabeth in the following ways:

Elizabeth M. O'Donnell, Founder and President
Gliding Stars, Inc.
National Headquarters Office
1404 Sweet Home Road, Suite #7
Amherst, New York, 14228-2778 USA
TEL: 716-608-8345
FAX: 716-608-8346
Email: eodonnell@glidingstars.org