From advocacy to impact: BGSU student inspired by brother to earn a neuroscience degree to help others with cerebral palsy

Kalli Gregory fit her BGSU degree program into an already busy life that includes running a cerebral palsy-focused nonprofit, Trent’s Triumph

Long before Bowling Green State University neuroscience student Kalli Gregory ’22 picked a major or settled upon a college, she had a mission.

Gregory knew firsthand that her older brother, Trent, was so much more than his cerebral palsy diagnosis.

But she also saw the challenges that come with being neurodivergent – and knew she could do something about it.

“Growing up, my friends didn’t know how to communicate with him,” Gregory said. “A lot of times, people would see his wheelchair before they would see him.”

When she was in sixth grade, Gregory gave a presentation to her class that described life with cerebral palsy and presented a new perspective to her classmates.

While the condition undoubtedly presents added hurdles, she knew her brother and others with cerebral palsy were capable of leading fulfilling lives just like anyone else.

Gregory didn’t have to wait long to see she could make a difference.

“The day I gave that presentation, there was a football game later that night. I remember my friends walking up to my brother and talking to him just like they would have anybody else,” she said. “That was a really pivotal moment in deciding upon neuroscience and learning that my voice had power.”

A native of Castallia, Ohio, Gregory began evaluating her next steps and found she had everything she wanted close to home.

BGSU offers a bachelor’s of science in neuroscience, the perfect undergraduate step for her as she pursued a career as a pediatric neurologist.

“It was close to home, the price was affordable and I had heard all of these great stories about people going to BGSU and it feeling like home,” she said. “I was really looking for that aspect. When I started at Firelands, they told me about the neuroscience program at BGSU main campus, and that was just the icing on the cake for me.

“I loved the people, the price was great and they had exactly what I wanted.”

Gregory, who lost her father in a motorcycle accident in high school, said she was looking for a kind and supportive environment that would help ease her into college.

During her time at the University, Gregory not only found just that, but saw that she could create a pathway to earning her degree that fit her life. With BGSU Firelands, the University’s regional campus in Huron, so close to her hometown, Gregory first could pursue an associate’s degree on her own time and seamlessly transfer credits toward her bachelor’s degree.

Already operating a successful cerebral palsy-focused nonprofit called Trent’s Triumph, competing in Miss Ohio pageants and serving in student government, Gregory had a loaded schedule.

But when a family member became ill and required 24-hour care, Gregory stepped in to help – and found that she still could pursue a BGSU degree on her own terms and at her own pace.

“Of course, the location was wonderful, but the flexibility of being able to add some online courses to keep going after the end goal of a degree was a big help,” she said. “The professors I’ve had have been remarkable and caring with answering questions and guiding me to resources that helped propel me forward.”

As she prepares for BGSU Commencement, Gregory can say her degree became a key part of her journey that didn’t detract from her other interests.

Gregory has spoken to thousands of people and fostered national partnerships to advocate for those with cerebral palsy through Trent’s Triumph, which she is working to register as a 501(c)3 to give the endeavor additional fundraising power in the years to come

She also has maintained a successful small business selling artwork during her time at BGSU, been part of half a dozen on-campus organizations and she plans to publish a children’s book in 2026 that teaches people what it means to have cerebral palsy.

At BGSU, Gregory created a pathway that was uniquely hers – but discovered it was the perfect partner to help her pursue her goal of being a force for good within the cerebral palsy community.

“I knew what people with cerebral palsy were capable of, and I wanted to be that positive change within the medical field,” Gregory said. “Even though someone might be diagnosed with something, they’re so much bigger than their diagnosis.”