Demand and Disrupt

On episode 31 of Demand and Disrupt, Lisa speaks with author and advocate Jenny Smith about finding purpose and meaning while living with a disability. When Jenny was 16 years old, she sustained a C6-7 spinal cord injury, leaving her paralyzed from the chest down. Jenny is passionate about helping others work through the grief that is often associated with an acquired disability. Listen to learn m...

Lisa talks with Kevin Kline with Good Maps, an inclusive navigation system that helps people with disabilities move around those tricky indoor spaces safely and with confidence. Speaking of travel, the United States Department of Transportation is seeking input from people with disabilities about a proposed new rule that could be a game changer for people traveling with wheelchairs and other mobil...

Kimberly talks with Alexandra Ingram and Sarah Richardson about the Appalachian Assistive Technology Loan Fund, a way for people with disabilities to get 0% interest loans for assistive technology. Since July 1, 2023, the Appalachian Assistive Technology Loan Fund has loaned more than $85,000 to Kentuckians to help with the cost of assistive technology devices and services. Links mentioned in the...

Kimberly talks with Laura Reynolds, Miss Wheelchair Kentucky 2006 about her advocacy efforts, adaptive sports and recreation, and tips for travel. Kimberly cohosts this episode with Sam Moore, host of the Blabbin in the Bluegrass podcast. Visit that podcasts page at blabbin-in-the-bluegrassblabbi.pinecast.co . To reach out to Sam, email Bluegrassblabbin@gmail.com Check out the Blabbin in the Blueg...

This week, Kimberly speaks with award-winning author and musician, Eliza Hull. Eliza is a mother of two, and she lives in Australia. She experienced discrimination when she told her doctor she wanted to become a mother. After that, she began researching everything she could find about disabled parenting and what she found was very little. She began seeking out and compiling stories of disabled par...

On this episode of Demand And Disrupt, Lisa speaks with Canadian author Franke James about her latest book, Freeing Teresa, a true story of heartbreak and triumph. When Franke’s younger sister Teresa was placed in a nursing home against her will by their other siblings, Franke knew she had to act in order to protect Teresa’s civil liberties. Franke recognized that the nursing home was no place for...

Brandi Lemay is a special education advocate. She provides parents a range of services at every point in the IEP process to help all students get the supports they need to reach their highest potential. Find out about Brandi and how she can help your family at: lemayzingspedadvocacy.com Thanks to Chris Ankin for use of his song, “Change.” The book "A Celebration of Family: Stories of Parents...

Gerry Gordon Brown marched with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in Frankfort in 1964. She continues to push for justice for all. Thanks to Chris Ankin for use of his song, “Change.” The book "A Celebration of Family: Stories of Parents with Disabilities." is available from Amazon here . Send comments and questions to demandanddisrupt@gmail.com Demand and Disrupt is sponsored by the Advocado P...

We end 2023 with a story of Hope and Resilience as Lisa interviews Sydney Kessler. South Central Kentucky Council of the Blind Speak To Me Catalog Thanks to Chris Ankin for use of his song, “Change.” The book "A Celebration of Family: Stories of Parents with Disabilities." is available from Amazon here . Send comments and questions to demandanddisrupt@gmail.com Demand and Disrupt is spon...

This week, Kimberly interviews David Allgood about upcoming legislative priorities that could have an impact on people with disabilities. Kimberly and Lisa talk turkey and cosmic ovens. Here’s the number for Kentucky’s Department of protection and advocacy. Save it as a contact in your phone in case you ever have problems voting in the future. 1-800-372-2988 Thanks to Chris Ankin for use of his so...

This week, Kimberly expresses her frustrations at the voting process, and later talks to parent activist Lindsay Brillhart about parenting with a Disability and advocating for a child who also has a disability. The nonprofit group Lindsay mentions, TASP , can be found at Achancetoparent.net Thanks to Chris Ankin for use of his song, “Change.” The book "A Celebration of Family: Stories of Pare...

Steve Moore talks with Kimberly about the challenges of finding quality personal care attendants and offers tips to anyone in need of personal attendant care. And Lisa and Kimberly talk about Medicare scams, accessible Halloween costumes, and disability friendly underwear. Oh yes, they really do. Below are links to the items mentioned in the podcast: Federal Trade Commission Fraud Reporting New Ad...

On today’s episode of Demand And Disrupt, Lisa speaks with Jason Koger, the first person in the world to receive two bionic hands. In March of 2008, Jason suffered major tissue damage after coming in contact with a downed powerline. In order to save his life, doctors were forced to amputate both arms below the elbow. Jason recounts the day of his accident, and how his journey towards healing ultim...

Roving reporter, Keith Hosey, tells us about innovative approaches to finding work for people with disabilities. Plus, Kimberly and Lisa talk about pets problems and the news that Walmart is making a push into the disability accessories market. Thanks to Chris Ankin for use of his song, “Change.” The book "A Celebration of Family: Stories of Parents with Disabilities." is available from...

Lisa speaks with Amanda Mobley, Executive Director of The Center for Accessible Living about the history, as well as the services offered by the center. Amanda shares how a house fire led to her father becoming disabled and how this experience gave her a greater appreciation and understanding of the disabled community. Inspired by her father and his memory, Amanda shares how the experience led her...

Kimberly talks to Esther Ratajeski and Grace Jeter from the Statewide Independent Living Council, and Lisa interviews Bobby Begley, a long time supporter of the SILC and participant in the independent living movement in Kentucky. Thanks to Chris Ankin for use of his song, “Change.” The book "A Celebration of Family: Stories of Parents with Disabilities." is available from Amazon here . S...

Roving reporter, Keith Hosey, interviews Beth Metzger with the Department for Protection and Advocacy. Protection and Advocacy phone number is 1-800-372-2988. http://www.kypa.net To let your federal elected officials know that you oppose the continued existence of a subminimum wage, call the United States capital at (202) 224-3121 They will ask you for your ZIP Code, then connect you with your US...

Decades ago, Kentucky was the epicenter of the movement to make public transportation accessible to people with disabilities. In this episode, Maria Kemplin joins Kimberly to talk about how far we’ve come, where we are now, and the hope for making transportation accessible to everyone in the future. To find out more about accessible transportation in Kentucky, visit Transportation.hdiuky.org To fi...

Matt Davis, Assistant Director of the Student Accessibility Resource Center at Western Kentucky University, talks to Lisa about self advocacy. Thanks to Chris Ankin for use of his song, “Change.” The book "A Celebration of Family: Stories of Parents with Disabilities." is available from Amazon here . Send comments and questions to demandanddisrupt@gmail.com Demand and Disrupt is sponsore...

Lisa interviews Kimberly about her past life as a romance writer, being a life skills coach, and about having compassion for yourself. Thanks to Chris Ankin for use of his song, “Change.” The book "A Celebration of Family: Stories of Parents with Disabilities." is available from Amazon here . Send comments and questions to demandanddisrupt@gmail.com Demand and Disrupt is sponsored by the...

Jerry Wheatley is a wonderful person who I have given the worst superhero name ever "Blindness Mentor". Thanks to Chris Ankin for use of his song, “Change.” The book "A Celebration of Family: Stories of Parents with Disabilities." is available from Amazon here . Send comments and questions to demandanddisrupt@gmail.com Demand and Disrupt is sponsored by the Advocado Press and t...

Kimberly talks with Lisa McKinley, blind mother of two teenage boys. They talk about the benefits of being a blind mother. It might shock some people to know that there are some. Thanks to Chris Ankin for use of his song, “Change.” The book "A Celebration of Family: Stories of Parents with Disabilities." is available from Amazon here . Send comments and questions to demandanddisrupt@gmai...

I talk to Rick and Marissa Roderick about how Marissa came to be adopted by Rick and his wife, Carol, and my daughter, Sayer, puts in an appearance to ask a burning question from one child of a disabled parent to another. Thanks to Chris Ankin for use of his song, “Change.” The book "A Celebration of Family: Stories of Parents with Disabilities." is available from Amazon here . Send comm...

Gerry Gordon Brown marched with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in Frankfort in 1964. She continues to push for justice for all. Thanks to Chris Ankin for use of his song, “Change.” The book "A Celebration of Family: Stories of Parents with Disabilities." is available from Amazon here . Send comments and questions to demandanddisrupt@gmail.com Demand and Disrupt is sponsored by the Advocado P...

Keith Hosey and I talk about the hard things; the genetic implications of having children, disability pride, and multiple disabilities. We end on a high note. Keith is working to bring a chapter of ADAPT, a Disability activism organization, to Kentucky. If you are interested in helping get the ADAPT chapter off the ground, email demandanddisrupt@gmail.com . Put ADAPT in the subject line, and I wil...