Don Whittecar has graduate degrees and post-graduate education in both Psychology and Fine Arts. He has a hereditary neuro-physiologial brain disorder, which has been a life-long challenge to manage. He is perhaps best known for his wildlife photography, which can be enjoyed on his photography website, Taiowa Images. Don's photography has won him many awards and accolades, including the front cover and a six-page spread in the Spring 2003 edition of LeicaView, one of the world's most prestigious photographic publications.

As founder of The Emergent Institute, Don has diligently sought out opportunities for visual and performing artists with disabilities to obtain gainful employment or find situations where their artistic works can be shared publicly with others.