Raising Kellan

The podcast focus for 2022 will be TECHNOLOGY . This episode with Bradley Metrock, CEO of Project Voice highlights how we can utilize voice to access technology. Metrock heads Project Voice and his mission is to accelerate the growth of voice tech across all domains. An unbelievable conversation that leads me to think: The Future is NOW!  1:30 What is Project Voice? 3:00 Application of Voice...

Briefing: Knowledge has power and controls access to opportunity and advancement . During this time, Liz Persaud will explore and share the collective role each of us plays in promoting successful independent living beyond the everyday “typical” environments for individuals with disabilities by recognizing and adapting to diversity, inclusion, awareness, and the powerful role of Assistive Technolo...

Commissioner Brad Turner is head of the Department of Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities (DIDD ) and part of the executive branch of government that oversees the administration, operation, and policy in the State of Tennessee. In today's episode, I chat with Commissioner Turner and Cara Kumari, Communications Director at DIDD. 0:46 What is DIDD? 2:29 What is the passion that drives you to...

Dr. Karen Bowyer is indeed a Legend! She will retire on December 31, 2021, after 50 years of devoted service to Leadership in Education. She holds many honors including:   The first female and third President of Dyersburg State Community College serving 37 years.  The longest-serving Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) President. TBR is a collective of 40 community and technical colleg...

In this episode, we chat with Steven Komarnitsky, gym owner of We Rock The Spectrum Gym that is slated to open in Franklin, Tennessee in 2022. 02:30  An Introduction of the concept behind "We Rock The Spectrum". 06:18  Steven's Story. 10:00 Timeline for the Gym to Open 10:47  Layout of the Gym 11:09  Staffing at the Gym 15:00  Accessibility !6:31  Continuum of Care/Se...

Emily Bruce is the CEO and Founder of Determinism, LLC, the developer of the platform PeerKnect . She is a Board Certified and licensed Behavior Analyst (BCBA, LBA) in the State of Tennessee with an M.S., in Psychology. She joins us today to talk about PeerKnect, an app that builds friendships and connections for children with special needs by bridging the gap between parents, caretakers, and ther...

Penny Johnson is the Program Director at the Tennessee Center for Decision-Making Support . This virtual resource center is a collaboration between the Arc Tennessee, Tennessee’s Council on Developmental Disabilities, and Disability Rights Tennessee and its function is to provide decision-making tools and resources. Penny and I chat about:  2:00 What does the program provide? 5:45  What...

This was one of the most interesting conversations on the podcast as Dara and I talked about: What is The Arc? (2:00min) Dara's story that shaped her decision to join the organization (4:00min) What does it mean to advocate and how do we advocate? (7:00min) How does The Arc "keep an eye" on what's happening as far as policy affecting the disability community? (12:00min) Programs sponsored by The A...

Joshua Smith, Executive Director of Green Mountain Support Services based in Vermont, chats to us about the upcoming virtual cerebral palsy conference. The 6th Annual New England Cerebral Palsy Conference will be held on October 1 and 2, 2021 , and is free to attend. Its primary focus is to provide a networking opportunity for individuals with cerebral palsy and the family/ health professionals wh...

Healing Horses is, once again, excited to host the 5th Annual Farm2Table Dinner . Even more exciting is this year’s event will take place at the Main Street Dyersburg Farmers Market on Thursday, September 23rd beginning at 6:30 p.m. As is tradition, guests will enjoy a multi-course meal consisting of ingredients sourced from local growers while local talent provides music and entertainment for the...

Linda Frease is a creative and experienced occupational therapist from St Petersburg, Florida(USA). She is a member of the American Hippotherapy Association and provides us with some clarification between hippotherapy vs adaptive/therapeutic riding and the benefits of equine assisted therapy... Get your cuppa and sit down to enjoy this informative conversation including: 02:14 What put you on the...

Ashley Schilling, PT joins us for an exciting conversation that spans how she got into physical therapy, the origin story of Music City Trykes , Wired on Development, benefits of cycling for children with disabilities, and an upcoming course on August 21 geared towards physical therapists wanting to know about how to access and find the right adaptive bike for a child.  01:28 What put you on...

Alex Farrell is a marketing and communication specialist at Child Care WAGE$ Tennessee and a co-host of the “Lean Into You” Podcast. In a recent interview with Alex Farrell we talked about: How did you come to work at Signal Centers? What is Child Care WAGE$ Tennessee? Tell us about the “Disability Accessibility Summit” hosted at Signal Centers. What is Digital Accessibility? Can you make a case f...

"What makes special needs, special?" This question is asked and answered during today's episode which is centered on the models and language of disability. The forum includes Dr. Cara Whalen Smith, PT DPT a public health physical therapist from Ohio who works to improve health equity for people with disabilities; Rebecca Renfro, PT a pediatric physical therapist; Drake Box; host of the Box Factor...

Alex Lopiccolo a/k/a Mr. Alex is an experienced Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant, Certified Personal Trainer and Nutrition Consultant. Alex is well known as The King of Swings. When he is not treating as a full time Sensory Integration Therapy practitioner he travels around the world sharing his knowledge of sensorimotor therapy with OT's and students at pediatric clinics and universities....

Jessica Moxham is an architect who lives in London. In March 2021 her book, The Cracks That Let the Light In, was published and it talks about the lessons learned from being Ben, her disabled son's, mother. The family lives in a house that Jessica designed to be accessible for Ben . You can read more about Jessica at https://www.raisingkellan.org/the-cracks-that-let-the-light-in-by-jessica-moxham/...

Rose Reif is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor and Board Certified in providing Telemental Health. She primarily works with " disabled adults, special needs parents, and spousal caregivers coping with anxiety, depression, and other challenges".  She visited with us on the podcast last year when COVID 19 initially hit and provided us with some Mental Health Strategies on Episode 17 ....

It's May Day 2021 and Marsh and Rachel catch up to chat. We talked about Raising Kellan, the digital platform for special needs parenting resources, and the mission and vision of the nonprofit. We also discuss our search for community sponsors to partner and grow with us to sustain the platform and what sponsorship looks like. Rachel also gave us input regarding the upcoming Relay for Life Event s...

In Episode 41 Christine Robenhalt, PT educates listeners about signs and symptoms of dyslexia and ADHD and things parents can do to help while figuring out how to get testing and resources. She also discusses the Sensory System which she uses as a foundation to talk about Dyslexia, ADHD, and Executive Function. 02:00 Why is Christine passionate about the Sensory System? 04:19 The 10 Senses and the...

Billy Price together with his business partner Darin Donaldson founded an innovative footwear company based on a signature universal designed shoe. In this episode, Billy walks us through the origin story, product development, and going to market...  - 00:00 The origin story of BILLY Footwear.     - 04:00 The significance of the Logo.      - 06:50 The Vision...

Jennifer Miros is a pediatric physical therapist affiliated with St Louis Children's Hospital and a supervisor at the Carol and Paul Hatfield Cerebral Palsy Sports Program. She directs Camp Independence and the Tri My Best Triathlon which is an adaptive triathlon. In today's episode, we chat about: 1) What put her on the trajectory of becoming a pediatric physical therapist?    &nbs...

In this installment of the Small Business Mini Podcast, we interview Donna Hilliard the charismatic owner of Sunflower Health Food who chats about the mission of her hometown business centered on "offering you the advantage to be a better you". As we head towards Thanksgiving I am grateful for this conversation as she guides us through the rocky inception, the struggles, and the joy of owning her...

Sandra Pruitt exemplifies a servant leader heart. As a retired nurse  works tirelessly with her Board of volunteer members to manage the Salvation Army, a non profit organization that serves the of citizens of Dyer County. The Salvation Army runs a number of local social service programs such as the soup kitchen; the thrift store; and assistance to families in times of crisis.   What is...

Smallcakes is a cupcakery here in Dyersburg, TN . Dynamic owner Whitley Snyder sits down to chat about all things "CUPCAKE" . Her and her team make custom cakes, cupcakes and more for all kinds of special occasions and love helping their customers celebrate with something sweet. In Whitley's words: "One thing that sets us apart from other bakeries in my opinion is the large selection of sweets we...

Geraldine’s Flowers and Gifts has been in business for 30+ years and is a full service florist that specializes in custom designs silk and fresh. They also partner with local vendors that make handcrafted gift items. Kathryn McGuire and Mark Maupin purchased and are co-owners of Geraldine's since February of 2020. Mark is the nephew to John and Geraldine Proud.  Kathryn says: "Our flower desi...