Sampson Harkness

An Extraordinary Story...An Extraordinary Life... Bob Sampson was born with muscular dystrophy at a time when little was known about the disease. Despite a lack of medical knowledge, a school system unprepared and unwilling to provide for children with special needs, and a nearly fatal case of scarlet fever, Bob not only survived-he thrived. He graduated with a law degree from DePaul University and worked in the Corporation Counsel's Office for Chicago Mayor Richard Daley. He served on an advisory committee for Presidents Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, Ford, and Carter and appeared on nearly 30 Muscular Dystrophy Association telethons with Jerry Lewis. As vice president of United Airlines, he was a driving force behind numerous changes in the transportation industry related to access for persons with disabilities. Bob Sampson did not set out to become a disability rights activist. He spent his life overcoming obstacles and reaching goals that would intimidate even the most able-bodied, and in the process he helped change the lives of countless others. Told from his daughter's point of view and including commentary from prominent and public figures, "What If The Glass Breaks" paints a fascinating picture of an extraordinary man.

Patricia Sampson Harkness was born and raised in the Chicago area. She earned her undergraduate and graduate degrees from Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, and completed her Transition Specialist Degree from University of Wisconsin-Whitewater in 1989. She has over 30 years experience working with children and adults with disabilities. Richard C. Lombard earned his undergraduate and graduate degrees from University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. He received his PhD in Rehabilitation Psychology from University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1988. Lombard taught at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater for 27 years and has authored several books on the topic of special education.