From the great State of Michigan, Dr. Talley is a mother, advocate, and educator whose journey is rooted in both lived and professional experience. Having become an amputee at the age of two, her life has been shaped by resilience and a deep understanding of disability. She gave birth to twins at 23 weeks, weighing 1 pound 4 ounces and 1 pound 2 ounces, and is a stepmother to a child with Angelman syndrome who has lived in her care for nearly a decade.

She also served as the guardian of a ventilator-dependent child with a tracheostomy and cerebral palsy who lived in her home for over a decade, was a foster parent to children with disabilities for nearly 15 years. Her experiences have fueled a lifelong commitment to advocacy, inclusion, and ensuring that individuals with disabilities are supported and empowered.