My Voice - Summer 2024

My Voice

Each issue of My Life features five people who live in Hamilton County. They share their interests, what issues are important to them, how they improve the community, their proudest accomplishments, and more.

Tapeka Turner

North College Hill • 45 years old

I am a very positive person and a survivor. I am blind and have a degenerative brain disorder. Nothing stops me from living my life. I enjoy traveling and spending time with my grandson (age 3), who was recently diagnosed with Autism. I am his biggest advocate. One day I will be less mobile, but as long as someone can push me, I’ll be just fine!

Sarah Phillips

Norwood • 26 years old

Given the fact that I live with two chronic disabilities, I have a history at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital longer than I care to admit. Resulting from a prenatal stroke and Turner Syndrome, I’ve had over 50 surgeries and procedures. Even from the outset, I knew that I wanted to return there as an employee, rather than a patient. In recent years, my dream became reality. My mission is to return the favor for those who gave me so much!

Savannah Martin

Cincinnati • 32 years old

My greatest achievement is overcoming my fears of new and different things coming into my life. It is my greatest achievement because I want more things in my life like getting married, having children, and owning my own business. Sometimes my fears give me anxiety about trying new things, so overcoming it makes me feel a little bit like I can do anything.

Eddie Gregory

Silverton • 35 years old

I am a sports enthusiast, and my favorite team is FC Cincinnati. I love the parade marches and tailgate parties. The FC Cincinnati stadium is my home away from home, and I love the Bailey, that’s the super-fan section—the orange and blue smoke makes the stadium look amazing. I’m also a Cincinnati Reds fan. My goal is to collect all the City Connect Bobbleheads from the games and I’m halfway there.

Brandon Heil

Cleves • 28 years old

I started my own YouTube channel called Around the Track with B. I’ve been a fan of NASCAR since 2012, and I watch other NASCAR YouTubers and the games that they do. They encouraged me to start one as well. I post videos of me playing NASCAR Rivals on Nintendo Switch, including quick race, career mode, and championship season. My videos have some views and likes, and I have 20 subscribers.