I’ll Go Too was founded in August 2020, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic that left so many wondering about their next steps in life. The founders, Steve Karam and Stephanie Filio, were drawn as always in times of disarray to thoughts of their late aunt Concetta Rendon, known to friends and family as Chats (pronounced “chotts”).

Concetta was born with spastic cerebral palsy, a condition caused by injury to the brain prior to birth. From Cerebral Palsy Guide:

Spastic CP is characterized by jerky movements, muscle tightness and joint stiffness.

This type of cerebral palsy often makes simple tasks more challenging, such as walking or picking up small objects. Some children with spastic CP also develop co-occurring conditions as a result of their brain injury. Examples of these coexisting conditions include attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and epilepsy.

However, Concetta never let her disability define her. She chased opportunity and excitement more than most, working as a DoD contractor for several decades and taking up activities like swimming, parasailing, traveling, and more. No matter where someone said they were going, no matter what the adventure, her response was simple:

I’ll go too.

Those three little words pack a lot of meaning. They disregarded disability, obstacles, and doubt. They conveyed a desire to learn more, do more, and to grow and experience life just like anyone else. And there was no question: Chats was coming too. 

And so we decided to create this charity in memory of Concetta Rendon, but also in recognition of the indomitable will and limitless potential of those who strive for excellence and personal growth despite the diagnosis of cerebral palsy. Whether college, a beach trip, skydiving, or advancing in your career, we want to foster the assertion that yes, you’ll go too. Let’s get there together.

Founders

Steve Karam has worked as an IT Professional, executive leader, and serial entrepreneur for over two decades, most of which was spent in Hampton Roads, VA. He is the nephew and godson of Concetta Rendon, who gave him his first (and second!) computer as a young boy which helped him begin his IT career at 16. Steve has worked as a programmer, database administrator, teacher, and leader in IT teams as well as creative education and enablement teams, and has published several books, articles, and blogs under the pseudonym “The Oracle Alchemist.” He lives in Chesapeake, VA with his wife Kristina, two children Makenzie and Andrew, two dogs Rhaegar and Arya, and reptiles Morty and Prudence. He enjoys learning constantly and building, cooking, and dreaming up anything and everything.
Stephanie Filio is a middle school School Counselor. She received her undergraduate degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of Virginia and her M.Ed. in counseling from Old Dominion University. In a discussion with one of her UVA professors about her desire to stay in school forever, her mentor responded, “If you want to be a lifelong learner, go into education,” and so she found her place. Prior to her eight years as a public-school School Counselor, Stephanie worked in private education, specializing in standardized tests, test preparation, and future planning. She writes about SEL and educational topics for the Free Spirit Publishing Blog, about her career and hobbies at her blog Weekend Therapy, and is the author of Responding to Student Trauma, A Toolkit for Schools in Times of Crisis with Free Spirit Publishing, 2020.  Stephanie also enjoys spending time with her books, crafts, and family.