When Life Gives You Lemons

Send us Fan Mail Motor neurons are the body’s messengers, and when they fail, everyday actions start to slip. We take you inside ALS with a clear, human guide to what’s happening in the body, how early signs can be mistaken for stress or overuse, and why diagnosis relies on careful testing rather than a single lab result. From muscle twitches and speech changes to breathing challenges, we map the...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when your thoughts touch the world beyond your body—and who gets a say in what happens next? We take a grounded look at Neuralink’s latest human trials and the wider brain–computer interface landscape through the lens of disability, daily life, and real patient stories. Nolan moves a cursor and builds a career with the help of a neural implant; Andrea brings hard-won...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when chronic illness strikes someone who's never engaged in the behaviors typically associated with it? Meet Cece Henderson, a healthcare worker, school bus driver, and mother of six who was diagnosed with COPD in 2017 despite never having smoked. Her powerful story challenges common misconceptions about this respiratory condition while offering hope to anyone na...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when the world isn't built for your body? Carla Cobbs, crowned Ms. Wheelchair Maryland 2023, takes us on an illuminating journey through her life navigating a world designed primarily for able-bodied individuals. Born with arthrogryposis affecting mobility in her arms and legs, Carla shares candid insights about everyday challenges—from the seemingly simple task...

Send us Fan Mail Curious about the healing potential of light? In this illuminating episode, we dive deep into the world of red light therapy and laser treatments, uncovering their scientific foundations, benefits, and crucial differences. The journey begins with the surprising NASA origins of red light therapy—discovered accidentally while growing potatoes in space when scientists noticed astrona...

Send us Fan Mail The line between medical innovation and science fiction gets blurrier every day, but when does hopeful technology cross into dangerous misinformation? Kevin and Palmy tackle the controversial topic of "med beds," separating legitimate medical advances from conspiracy theories. We explore how smart medical beds with voice activation and vital monitoring capabilities repre...

Send us Fan Mail Methylene blue might be the most intriguing medical compound you've never heard of—unless you've been scrolling through TikTok lately. Kevin and Colmie dive deep into this fascinating substance that began life as a simple cloth dye in 1876 before finding its way into medicine. The contrast between scientific reality and social media hype creates a compelling narrative. W...

Send us Fan Mail The mystery of autism becomes deeply personal in this intimate conversation with Jessica, a mother whose journey with her autistic son ultimately inspired her own career in special education. Jessica takes us through the pivotal moment when her toddler son seemed to change overnight around his second birthday – suddenly struggling with motor skills despite previously reaching deve...

Send us Fan Mail What does it really mean to be on the autism spectrum? Beyond stereotypes and misconceptions, autism spectrum disorder (ASD) represents a fascinating variation in how human brains develop and function. We dive deep into understanding autism as a neurodevelopmental condition that affects how people interact, communicate, and experience the world around them. The spectrum nature of...

Send us Fan Mail Breathing is something most of us take for granted—until it becomes difficult. In this deep dive into Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Kevin and Palmy explore the complex reality of living with compromised lungs. The hosts break down COPD's telltale signs: shortness of breath during physical activity, persistent coughing with mucus production, wheezing, chest tig...

Send us Fan Mail Cancer treatments have evolved dramatically from automatic death sentences in the 1970s to manageable conditions where patients can live for additional years or even decades with proper care. • Ruth's experience with her oncology team demonstrates the importance of having specialists who collaborate effectively with primary care physicians • Different types of cancer treatmen...

Send us Fan Mail Cancer has evolved from a terrifying death sentence to a manageable condition for many patients, thanks to remarkable advances in treatment approaches. This transformation lies at the heart of our latest episode, featuring a candid conversation with Ruth Henry about her personal journey with biliary cancer. Ruth shares how her diagnosis began with severe abdominal pain that led to...

Send us Fan Mail Kevin and Palmi explore the complexities of diabetes management through a disability perspective, sharing personal experiences and discussing the newly recognized Type 5 diabetes linked to malnutrition. • Different types of diabetes explained, including the rarely discussed pre-diabetic condition • Managing diabetes through diet, especially increasing fiber intake to help regulate...

Send us Fan Mail Money matters can be overwhelming for everyone, but for those navigating life with a disability, financial markets often seem doubly intimidating. What happens to your benefits if you start investing? Is trading even accessible? Can you practice without risking real money? Today we tackle these questions head-on with practical, straightforward advice from disability advocates who...

Send us Fan Mail Financial independence while living with disability might seem like an impossible dream, but this episode shatters that misconception. Our guest Paul, a self-taught investor, breaks down realistic investment strategies that work even on limited disability incomes. Starting with just $15-20 per month, Paul explains how platforms like Robinhood make investing accessible to beginners...

Send us Fan Mail Disability bias doesn't always announce itself with slurs or obvious discrimination—sometimes it lurks in the assumptions of those meant to protect us. Maria's powerful story of being detained by campus police after a late-night study session reveals how quickly cerebral palsy can be misinterpreted as intoxication by untrained eyes. Following an exhausting midterm study...

Send us Fan Mail Maria's first breath came 15 minutes after she was born. In those critical moments, as a midwife performed mouth-to-mouth resuscitation in rural Missouri, the trajectory of her life was forever altered. What followed was an emergency helicopter evacuation to a distant hospital, while her parents were left wondering if they'd ever see their newborn daughter alive again. T...

Send us Fan Mail Join us for a captivating journey through the historical landscape of veterans in America, from their initial battles during the Revolutionary War to the establishment of the Veterans Administration. This episode uncovers the often-overlooked stories of our veterans, exploring how they transitioned from unsung heroes to recipients of national care and benefits.  We delve into sign...

Send us Fan Mail Travel can be a rewarding experience, but it also presents significant challenges for those with disabilities. We share our personal stories, practical tips, and valuable resources that have made our travels more manageable.  • The importance of understanding true accessibility  • Challenges faced with Airbnb rentals  • Issues encountered at hotels and how to advocate  • The effec...

Send us Fan Mail Unlock the vibrant world of deaf culture and challenge your perceptions of cochlear implants. Join us as we explore the fascinating dynamics of deaf communities, where sign languages like ASL and BSL are not just tools for communication but integral parts of identity and culture. Discover the empowering concept of "deaf gain"—a perspective that highlights the unique bene...

Send us Fan Mail Imagine a world where cerebral palsy is not a barrier but a stepping stone to personal growth and empowerment. Join us on an inspiring journey as Kevin and Pommy Henry share their transformative experiences living with spinal cell viral ataxia and shine a spotlight on the remarkable Alexis Johnson. With dreams of becoming a zookeeper and a passion for nursing, Alexis defies limita...

Send us Fan Mail What if the media landscapes we consume daily held the power to redefine societal norms about disabilities? We're your hosts, Kevin and Pommy Henry, and we're here to explore how the Barbie movie sparked a renewed dialogue on the representation of disabled individuals in movies and TV. From the renewed interest in previously discontinued disabled Barbie characters to the...

Send us Fan Mail What if a mysterious compulsion drove people to dance for days, leading some to their deaths? In this episode, we unravel the enigmatic events of the dancing plague of 1518 in Strasbourg, probing the theories of ergot-induced hysteria and mass psychogenic illness. We juxtapose this historical conundrum with the Salem witch trials, highlighting how fear and limited medical knowledg...

Send us Fan Mail What if we told you the wheelchair has a history as rich and intricate as any invention? Join us as we uncover its evolution, from King Philip II's custom chair in 1595 to the birth of the first generic wheelchair. Discover the challenges we've faced firsthand while finding the perfect mobility solutions for ourselves and our loved ones, like custom designs for Pommy’s f...

Send us Fan Mail Uncover the transformational journey of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, one of America's most influential leaders, who turned his personal struggles into a powerful force for change in disability advocacy. Kevin and Palmi Henry, your hosts, promise you'll gain an intimate understanding of how FDR's journey from a polio diagnosis to the presidency shaped public perception...