b'40ndySilvermanColleague,InternationalCenterforDisabled,Friend40+yearsWeThefirstdayImetDianneC.Slavinwasinthefallof1983foraninterviewattheInternationalCenterfortheDisabled(ICD),whereshewasdirectorofthespeech-language-hearingclinic.Iwas25yearsoldandlookingforanewopportunitytocollaboratewithadultclientsinManhattan.Itwasanearlymorningappointment.Theinterviewwasbrief.Diannewalkedintotheofficedrowsy(itwasmorning!)withaplateofhomefriesforbreakfastandwejusthadaconversationaboutwhatIhadbeendoingwithclients,myclinicalinterests,etc.ShehadabigwarmsmileandIfeltextremelycomfortable.Ireallyhadnoideahowitwent!Afewdayslater,Ireceivedanoffer.Iacceptedonthespot.Thiswasthebeginningofyearsworkingatthebestplaceonearthandfindingalifelongfaithfulfriendandmentorfortherestofmyprofessionalcareer.SomanymemoriesfromthedaysatICD!Diannementoredmeprofessionallyandpersonally.Mostlythough,shehelpedmegrowupbyherfriendship.DiannewentofftoLongIslandeventuallytochairthespeech-languageprogramatLIUPost.Shedidafantasticjobcreatinganexemplaryacademicprogramand fulfillingherdreamandpassionofcreatinganaphasiadaytreatmentcenter.WestayedintouchprofessionallyoverthenextdecadeasItransferredtoLongIslandaswellandshewouldsendmehergraduatestudentstotrainatTransitionsofLongIslandNeurorehabilitationCenter.IhavenodoubtshehadahandinmynextcareermovetoHofstraUniversityasclinicdirector.Shehelpedmewiththehugeleaptoacademiaandleadershippositions.Weenjoyedyearsofbeingcolleaguesandfriendsintheacademy.WonderfultravelstoASHAconventionswhileroomingtogetherdespitehersnoring!Losingglassesthatwereattachedtoherheadthewholetime.Tryingtogetintothewrongcarin'