STOMP - Specialized Training Of Military Parents

STOMP Information:
[ Home ][ About STOMP ][ Mission ][ Philosophy ][ STOMP Staff ][ Services ][ Location ][ STOMP News ]
Resources & Services:
[ Events ][ Laws ][ Publications ][ Links ][ Questions & Answers ][ Information In Your Area ][ Join Our ListServ ][ Be a Volunteer ]

Meet Our Staff

Heather Hebdon-Founder and Director of STOMP The mother of 3 children, all of whom were enrolled in the Exceptional Family Member Program, during her husband's 22-year military career, she has a strong commitment to working with other military families. Ms. Hebdon's oldest son has Down Syndrome, lives and works in his community, and continues to be a source of inspiration and exasperation to his mother, as do her other two children.

Heather is located at the Headquarters office, when she isn't traveling, and welcomes calls from families and providers.

Ronda Fullerton - Assistant Director Ronda Fullerton is the wife of a Retired Navy Sailor and mother of three beautiful children. After PCSing to San Diego four years ago she returned to the beautiful northwest but her oldest daughter remained in San Diego to attend college. Her second daughter is an awesome teenager who loves playing volleyball and baseball and attends a local high school. Her youngest and only son has multiple disorders and is enrolled in EFMP. Now that Dad is retired, he loves fishing and playing outdoor sports with him!

Before joining STOMP, Ronda has been instrumental in her advocacy for her son and dealing with numerous military experiences. Ronda feels that "one voice can make a difference, BE THAT VOICE, until your child(ren) can voice for themselves". Working for STOMP provides Ronda with the wonderful opportunity to assist others in a way that can broaden the scope of outreach, not just in the Navy community.

Cristina Pippin-Parent Education Coordinator Cristina Pippin is an Air Force wife and mother of three children; one who is enrolled in EFMP and twins. Cristina is Italian and understands what it means to move away from the extended family and learn a new way of life in another place.

Among many other interests, she loves playing with her children and teaching them new things. Cristina is actively involved into her children's lives and their education: "I have learnt so much from them! Sometime I feel they are

She enjoys working for STOMP, because it has given her the opportunity to help others: "I believe all parents can do what I have done and maybe more, once they are given a chance to challenge their own abilities. I know that challenges have been put on my path so I could grow stronger and make a difference in someone's life, just like that special someone, has made a difference in mine."

Her wish for any parent is to learn to see things in a different perspective, viewing them from a different angle.

Luz Adriana Martinez - Parent Education Coordinator Luz Adriana Martinez is a native of Colombia, South America. She holds a BA from the Interamerican University of Puerto Rico and for the past 14 years has been working in the field of advocacy for children with disabilities.

She has also finds time to work as a volunteer for different groups such as: the Red Cross, Army Community Services, Army Family Team Building, Army Family Action Plan and the Girl Scouts.

Currently you can find her in the STOMP Central Regional Office in sunny Sierra Vista, AZ. Adriana attended the Parent Professional Team Workshop (PPTW) in 1993 and has been part of their network ever since.

She has been a military wife since 1986 when she married her husband, Erasmo (Tito) Martinez. The Martinez's have two girls Adriana 14 (Down's syndrome, diabetes, visual impairment and thyroid disorder), and Brenda 11 (preemie twin).

Valerie Patterson - Parent Education Coordinator Valerie Patterson is an Army wife and mother of five children, four of which are enrolled in Exceptional Family Member Program. Jennifer (16) is deaf and attends Eastern Carolina School for the Deaf; Kimberly (15) is your typical teenager; Jeffery (13) is ADD and has learning disabilities; Amanda (11) is ADD, Mild metal retardation and has learning disabilities, asthma; and, Matthew (8) has serve asthma as well as learning disabilities.

She volunteers in many different groups. She has worked as an assistant with the Exceptional Family Member Program for the last eight years. For the last two years she was Mayor / Activities Coordinator for her housing area on Post.

I believe as a parent we need to hold active roles in our children's lives. I have told my children just because it may take them longer to do something never let that stop them for going after their dreams, "One Person Can Make a Difference".

Sandra "Sandy" Trujillo-Administrative Assistant Sandy has worked for Washington PAVE/STOMP since 1986 with a year and a half away in the DC area where she worked for the National Parent Network on Disabilities. She heard about STOMP through a former STOMP employee, and the rest is history. She says, "I've enjoyed working with all the staff and have learned so much."

Sandy's family enjoyed 20 years of military life. Her husband is now retired from the Army and works for the City of Tacoma. "We still have those "oh it is time to move," urges. But they quickly subside when we think of all the work involved and leaving our family here in Tacoma."

Sandy has 3 wonderful children with 3 terrific significant others and 2 grandchildren who are the light of her life. She became involved in the disability field because her daughter had meningitis while the family was stationed in Germany, which left her with a profound hearing loss. "We are proud of all our children but especially proud of Heather and the goals she has reached. She graduated from Galluadet University and is now working with a young girl with multiple disabilities. Heather is teaching her sign language and she has made significant progress. Her advice to parents, "don't ever let anyone tell you your child with a disability can't do something - let the child tell you by action or word."