Walk and Roll Live-Disability Stories

We show how wheelchair basketball teams like the Flying Wheels and the Rolling Devils transformed public views of disability and helped spur disability rights and the Paralympic movement. We speak with David Davis, author of Wheels of Courage, about his research and the stories he found. He explains how the teams barnstormed the country, raised funds, lobbied Congress, and challenged stereotypes b...

We foreground the harrowing revelation that early pituitary-derived human growth hormone inadvertently transmitted prion disease—Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease—to children, a calamity that catalyzed the development of recombinant HGH and precipitated substantive reforms in biomedical safety protocols. I recount how this medical tragedy is embedded within a larger history of post–World War II medical ad...

David Davis wrote Wheels of Courage, a history of wheelchair basketball, and we focus on that book right away. We talk about how the sport began and how it grew over time. We ask about his research and how he first found this story. We also hear about his personal life, including being born a hypopituitary dwarf and the early growth hormone treatments he received. We aim to share this history and...

We host Conor Seatle, an adaptive snowboarder from British Columbia who lives with mild cerebral palsy, and we foreground his principal narrative of attaining athletic agency through adaptive snowboarding and martial arts. We examine how early engagement in martial arts functioned as a form of embodied rehabilitation that enhanced balance, core strength, and proprioceptive confidence, thereby cata...

We speak with David Davis, who wrote Wheels of Courage and tells how wheelchair basketball began. He shows that the sport grew out of rehabilitation work after World War II at VA hospitals. We learn that organizers such as Bob Ray Niersen and teams like the Flying Wheels and the Rolling Devils helped start the game. The participants included wounded veterans, polio survivors, and amputees. We hear...

We speak with Sian Welch and her mother, Mary Williams, about New Start Health, a care center for respirator-dependent quadriplegics. Mary began this work decades ago after seeing young patients discharged to nursing homes without a real plan. They developed small, home-like skilled nursing houses called congregate living health facilities and won legislation to support the model. Their program fo...

We speak with Dr. Jess Narren, the Faculty Inclusion Fellow for Disability, Difference and Accommodation at Cal State San Bernardino, who leads campus efforts and oversees accommodations for over 2,000 students. She explains the social model of disability and how she works to change systems and institutions to improve access beyond basic legal compliance. We hear about her time as interim director...

Addie and I speak with David Christopher, a national and international boccia referee who teaches the rules, strategy, player classifications, and how to get involved. I am Doug Vincent and I am Addie Rich and we host Walk and Roll Live. David explains how boccia is played, how points are scored, and how ramps and sport assistants are used. We cover equipment, ball types, court setup, and how club...

We help Jamie Clendening reveal her focus for the year: pushing for systemic change in healthcare so people get the therapy, equipment, and accessible exam rooms and scales they need. As Ms. Wheelchair America 2027, I will travel to states, meet with lawmakers, and work with organizations to press this issue. We will build access to ramps, proper wheelchairs, loaner programs, and buyback systems t...

We welcomed Rabbi Mike Rothschild to discuss AI and how it can serve the disabled community. We examined both philosophical and pragmatic dimensions, foregrounding how AI, assistive robotics, autonomous mobility, and advanced prosthetics can enhance independence while insisting upon the concomitant necessities of affordability and equitable distribution. I stressed that without systemic supports—r...

We focus at the outset on how AI and media shape public views of people with disabilities and why that matters to our community. We speak with Spann Cordle, who shares his lived experience as a Walmart associate and the deep impact of his service dog, Finn, on his work and advocacy. We describe concrete ways Finn aided daily life and how Spann used visibility to change perceptions and open doors f...

Jay Sowell's remarkable journey, marked by his birth with Spina Bifida and subsequent experiences in the foster care system, serves as a testament to resilience and determination. Throughout this discourse, I recount how Jay, driven by an unwavering desire for independence, has embarked on an educational path aimed at empowering his community. His story unfolds with a backdrop of challenges, yet i...

A profound exploration of SCN8A awareness unfolds as I engage in a compelling dialogue with LaRa and Solara Ashton. Their narrative is emblematic of resilience in the face of adversity, as they navigate the complexities of a life marked by the challenges of multiple diagnoses, including epilepsy, autism, and cerebral palsy. The episode serves as a clarion call to the importance of advocacy and the...

This podcast episode features an enlightening discussion with Rick Hayden, the founder of Spinal Network, who expounds upon his journey from sustaining a spinal cord injury to establishing a vital support network for individuals with disabilities. He articulates the necessity of fostering community connections, emphasizing that adaptive recreation extends beyond sports to encompass diverse activit...

Sebastian Zaghoubi's journey exemplifies resilience and a profound connection to the outdoors, despite the profound challenges he has faced following a life-altering accident. After sustaining a spinal cord injury, Sebastian embarked on a tumultuous path of recovery, grappling with the realities of his new existence while nurturing an unwavering passion for nature and adventure. In this discourse,...

This podcast episode features an enlightening discussion centered on the upcoming event titled "Rage and Rewrite," which aims to provide a unique space for individuals to express their emotions and navigate the complexities of life’s challenges. The host, a polio survivor, articulates the significance of embracing one's circumstances, emphasizing the importance of community and support in overcomi...

Abdallah Anwar, known affectionately as AB, joins us this week on Walk and Roll Live to share his profound journey as an individual living with cerebral palsy. In this enlightening discussion, we delve into the intersections of mobility, independence, and personal growth, as AB recounts his experiences transitioning from Saudi Arabia to the United States. His narrative highlights the challenges he...

This week's podcast features an enlightening discussion with Leo Zuno from Options for All, a prominent organization dedicated to supporting adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The core focus of our conversation revolves around the essential services provided by Options for All, which empower individuals to lead enriched, independent lives. We delve into the various programs a...

Geoff Quevedo, a combat veteran who sustained life-altering injuries while serving in Afghanistan, shares his profound journey of resilience and recovery. After losing an arm and a leg while sweeping for mines, Geoff faced months of intensive medical care, during which he grappled with the challenges of his new reality. Today, he dedicates his life to volunteering, offering support and guidance to...

This podcast episode elucidates the impactful narrative of Becky Curran, a distinguished advocate for individuals with disabilities, as she shares her journey and experiences. Central to our discussion is the profound emphasis on community, resilience, and the importance of open dialogue surrounding disability. We delve into Becky's personal story, her advocacy work, and the challenges she has fac...

This podcast episode elucidates the profound significance of adaptive sports and the invaluable resources provided by organizations such as the Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF). We delve into the personal narrative of Rudy Garcia Tolson, whose journey as a double above-the-knee amputee has been marked by resilience and triumph within the realm of competitive sports. His experiences reflect not...

Kelly Brush, a distinguished downhill skier who sustained a spinal cord injury, has transformed her personal adversity into a powerful movement through the Kelly Brush Foundation. This organization is dedicated to empowering individuals with disabilities by providing them with access to adaptive sports and fostering a sense of community among those facing similar challenges. In our conversation, w...

The discussion centers on the availability and significance of cochlear implants for infants, highlighting the transformative impact these devices can have on early childhood development. We engage with Dr. Nancy Young, a pioneering figure in the field, alongside Doug and Ewa Tweedy, whose daughter, Ella, received cochlear implants at a young age. The Tweedies recount their initial experiences and...

Joyce Reynolds from the Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) elucidates the critical role her organization plays in providing vital resources and support for seniors and individuals with disabilities. At the forefront of her discourse, she emphasizes the necessity of accessible assistance and advocacy for those facing crises, illustrating the profound impact of timely intervention. Joyce sh...

Shonna Counter, diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type 3, imparts her profound journey of resilience and self-discovery in this enlightening conversation. From her early childhood experiences to her current endeavors as a multifaceted individual, Shonna emphasizes the importance of viewing disability through a lens of aspiration rather than mere inspiration. She articulates the necessity for...