Introducing Birdability’s Executive Director
Cat Fribley sits on a rock at Denali National Park in Alaska with fireweed and other wildflowers in the foreground and evergreens and clouds obscuring the mountains in the background. She is wearing sunglasses and a polka-dot dress with a turquoise scarf and necklace and smiling, with one hand raised into the sky and the other hand shown with the number 50 written on it in black marker, celebrating the completion of a personal challenge to visit and bird in all 50 states by the time she turned 50 years old.
Cat Fribley joined us as Birdability’s Executive Director last fall and we asked her to tell us about herself!
Introduction to Birding: When my college roommate pointed out a bird on a tree as we walked to class on an autumn day in 1990, I didn't anticipate that this moment would mark the beginning of something wonderful. While I can't pinpoint whether my spark bird was a red-bellied woodpecker or a yellow-shafted flicker, I can unequivocally say that it was a woodpecker, and it ignited a lifelong love of birds. That year also marked my initial diagnosis with PTSD, later evolving into Complex PTSD (CPTSD) due to the trauma of sexual abuse. Little did I know that birding would organically become a major healing tool, providing solace and a meditative escape from some of the long-lasting effects of sexual violence.
My Connection to Birding: Amidst the challenges, birding became a mainstay of my life, a place of great peace, and a perfect way to stay connected to the positive aspects of the world. Birds became my companions in healing, offering joy and a connection to the world as a safe and welcoming place. Whether outside my window, along the path to classes, or in various states and countries that I visited, birds became constant companions, especially in my own backyard where I once counted over 30 species in a single day.
The Importance of Accessibility: As life unfolded, additional physical and illness challenges presented obstacles to birding. From a fall down the stairs to a misdiagnosed DVT-turned pulmonary embolism, as well as an eventual diagnosis and inevitable progression of Meniere’s Disease, the out-in-nature aspect of birding became increasingly difficult with age and compounding physical disabilities. In addition, when I was in my 30’s, I finally had a name for something I hadn’t even known was different about my brain; aphantasia! I have no mind’s eye, a complete inability to visualize images in my mind, even my wife’s face. That inability to hold a picture of my beloveds - humans or birds- means that my experience of birding is very much about in-the-moment enjoyment and some use of tricks and techniques to memorize birds without visual imagery or recall - whether from my own birding memories or a book that I had studied previously.
Birding Sustained my Work: As a survivor of sexual violence, I was honored to have the opportunity to spend my professional life advocating for the needs of survivors and an end to sexual violence. Throughout my 30-year tenure in the anti-sexual violence movement, birding served as a grounding force. The moments of connection with nature allowed me to maintain a sense of balance and resilience, enabling me to show up for others experiencing trauma. Birding became more than a personal passion; it became a tool for self-care and a source of strength to support my own healing and the healing of others in need.
Traveling to All 50 States: Work travel took me to many states and communities, prompting a personal challenge to visit all 50 states before turning 50. Birding became not only a personal quest but also a logistical challenge due to my increasing access challenges. Extensive research was required to ensure accessibility to birding spots, and I often found myself in locations where reaching the optimal birding spot was a challenge, if possible at all. This was particularly true during my exploration of Alaska, my 50th state, completed in 2019. Despite the obstacles, the journey reinforced the resilience of both the disabled birding community and my personal commitment to accessibility in all aspects of life.
Discovery of Birdability: My birding journey took a transformative turn in 2022 when I discovered Birdability and the Birdability Map—an incredible repository of information from and for other disabled birders. This treasure trove of knowledge helped me discover accessible birding spots and now has also connected me with a community that shares similar experiences. The organization's mission to make birding accessible to everyone resonates deeply with my own experiences. The insights gathered from fellow disabled birders through the Birdability Map became a guiding light, eventually leading me to apply for the role of Executive Director. This opportunity has been nothing short of amazing—a chance to meet other disabled birders, forge new connections, and continue charting a path forward in making birding accessible to all. I am so grateful to get to build on this important work started by Virginia Rose, and embodied by the amazing Birdability Captains Network and our community of supporters.
My Vision as the Executive Director: Assuming the role of Birdability’s Executive Director, my personal journey infuses my vision for the organization. Birding, with its transformative power, should be accessible to all, regardless of physical abilities or cognitive differences, and with a deep sense of inclusion for those who have historically been excluded from birding community and public lands. I aspire to continue working to enhance Birdability's mission, ensuring inclusivity is always at the forefront. The organization strives to cater to the diverse needs of the birding community, acknowledging that accessibility goes FAR beyond physical barriers.
Invitation to the Community: This is not just my story; it's an invitation for others to share their experiences. Birding is a shared passion that transcends individual challenges and seeing the ways that this community has been built, birder by birder sharing unique access need by unique access need, has been transformational. It’s a community for all of us and that should meaningfully incorporate each one of your experiences. I invite fellow bird enthusiasts with disabilities and other health concerns, and all of those who love us, to continue supporting Birdability, contribute their stories, and be part of a community that embraces and works for accessibility and inclusivity in birding.
Closing Thoughts: In the quiet moments of birding, I have found healing, joy, and connection. As a steward of Birdability, I am committed to fostering an environment where these moments are accessible to everyone. My gratitude for the transformative power of birding fuels my determination to make birding a source of solace for all, no matter the obstacles.
