Invisible Disabilities Network

In this inspiring episode of *The InVisible InCourage Show*, host Jess Stainbrook sits down with IDA board member Joe Womack to explore his remarkable journey from a 1990s high-tech innovator to a passionate healthcare advocate. Joe discusses his groundbreaking work with Integrative Health 2.0 to combat obstructive sleep apnea—one of the most impactful invisible disabilities we face. Tune in to di...

This episode of the InVisible InCourage Show features Sandy Halperin, a former dentist who provides a moving look into his life with early-stage dementia. Sandy discusses the vital importance of advocacy and how the book But You Look Good validated his personal journey with invisible disabilities. Despite significant physical challenges, his story is a powerful example of perseverance and the stre...

On this episode of the InVisible InCourage Show , Patrick Williams, CEO of PRK Williams Companies, shares how growing up with a mother who had an invisible disability inspired his lifelong mission to improve the quality of life for others. He discusses how his personal experiences led him to move beyond the corporate world to create "To The Rescue" and innovative "healthy spaces&quo...

On this InVisible InCourage SHOW episode, Dr. Saundra Russell-Smith joins the Invisible Disabilities Association (IDA) to share her powerful journey of leading as a person who stutters. She details how she transformed her "struggles" into a superpower, moving from a place of shame to becoming a confident educator, author, and public speaker. Dr. Russell-Smith and host Jess Stainbrook exp...

Catch this essential episode of the InVisible InCourage Show featuring experts from Allsup, a leader in disability benefits. They discuss navigating disability benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSDI) and VA, specifically for people with invisible disabilities. Learn about the unique challenges invisible disabilities face in the application process and the resources available, inclu...

On this first episode of the Healthy Humor IDEAS SHOW, join us for an engaging discussion with top humor experts from the Association for Applied and Therapeutic Humor (AATH). Hear from Karyn Buxman, Sue Stevenson, Joyce Saltman, and Roberta Gold as they share their diverse backgrounds and the defining role humor has played in their lives, from nursing and special education to coping with chronic...

On this InVisible InCourage SHOW episode, Sue Seserman, IDA Ambassador, shares her personal journey with invisible disabilities, including Type 1 diabetes and epilepsy. She explains how her own experiences led her to become an ambassador for the Invisible Disabilities Association (IDA), a group she relies on for support and resources. Sue also discusses how she turned her challenges into a creativ...

On this InVisible InCourage SHOW episode, Kennedi Dotson, an IDA Ambassador, shares her journey of living with invisible disabilities, including Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, IBS, and fibromyalgia. Kennedi discusses her experience with disbelief and misunderstanding as a teen, highlighting the importance of self-advocacy and a strong support system. She also talks about how she used her passion for page...

On this InVisible InCourage SHOW episode, Brian J. Esposito , shares that his entrepreneurial journey began at a young age, inspired by his father's hard work and sacrifices. His connection to the Invisible Disabilities Association (IDA) stems from his father's diagnosis with a slower form of ALS called PLS and the family's experience navigating the challenges of invisible disabilities...

On this InVisible InCourage SHOW episode, Isabella Sementilli, an Invisible Disabilities Association Ambassador, shares her journey of becoming an advocate for anti-bullying and brain injury awareness after a bullying incident in fifth grade resulted in a debilitating head injury. Despite living with chronic pain, she has channeled her experience into positive action by writing a book, starting a...

In this episode of Love IDEAS, Tommy Spaulding brings an inspiring message about the power of authentic relationships. He shares his personal story of overcoming severe dyslexia and academic struggles, crediting a life-changing encounter with the organization Up with People for his success. Spaulding encourages listeners to move beyond transactional networking and embrace "heart-led leadershi...

In this InVisible InCourage SHOW classic episode, bestselling author and acclaimed speaker, John O'Leary recounts the story of surviving a house fire at age nine that left him with burns on 100% of his body and his hands amputated. John discusses the impact of his visible and invisible disabilities on his family and how his parents, particularly his mother, encouraged him to "own his life" and fig...

On this episode of the InVisible InCourage SHOW, Lava Khonsuwon, an Invisible Disabilities Association Ambassador, discusses her personal journey with complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) in her right leg, which she developed after a pit bull attack. She shares how she found a positive community with the IDA through social media after feeling isolated by her diagnosis and was inspired to become a...

On this episode of the InVisible InCourage SHOW, Justin Houcek, an Invisible Disabilities Association Ambassador, discusses his personal journey after being diagnosed with autism 13 years ago. He highlights his work in Illinois, which includes serving on the Illinois Autism Task Force and the CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee, focusing on improving responses to behavioral issues. Houcek also reco...

On this episode of the InVisible InCourage SHOW, Justin Monger, founder of MedSure Systems, explains that medicine management aims to solve medication non-adherence, an issue where 50% of people do not take their medications correctly, costing the U.S. $345 billion annually in avoidable hospitalizations and causing up to 150,000 premature deaths each year. MedSure Systems tackles this by combining...

Dr. Robert Tinker discusses EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) as a powerful therapy for individuals suffering from psychological trauma and emotional "stuckness". He highlights research showing EMDR's effectiveness in rapidly reducing PTSD symptoms in severely traumatized individuals, including Vietnam veterans and motor vehicle accident victims, often within a few...

In this InVisible InCourage SHOW episode, Emily Cram shares her journey as the only woman in the United States diagnosed with ERBIN, a rare connective tissue disorder that causes daily joint dislocations, pain and a compromised immune system.  She discusses the challenges of living with an invisible disability, including disbelief from others and medical professionals, and how she found running an...

On this episode of Love IDEAS , join IDA founder, Wayne Connell for the Veteran Relationship Roundtable and five veteran support organizations leaders: Maj Bonnie Carroll, Ret. - TAPS - Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, Col Mikel Burroughs, Ret. - Victory for Veterans, Tom Spooner, Delta Force Ret. - Warrior's Heart, Heather Ehle, RN - Project Sanctuary, and W. Craig Reed, Fmr US Navy - US...

In this episode of Love IDEAS , Dr. Clarence Shuler discusses how to effectively navigate conflict in marriage, emphasizing that conflict is a natural part of marriage and that the goal is to work through it together. He outlines common causes of conflict, such as external factors like hunger or tiredness, differences in family upbringing, and varying perspectives. Shuler provides strategies for r...

In this episode of the InVisible InCourage Show , Tanya Atkins and her son, William Atkins, discuss William's experience with Tourette Syndrome and their journey to understanding and embracing it. William shares his personal experiences with tics, the challenges he faced, and how he learned to embrace his Tourette's as a part of who he is. As a mother, Tanya offers advice to other parents...

In this episode of Brain IDEAS , Evian Gordon PhD MD discusses how we can understand and train the fundamental workings of our brain using platforms that assess brain capacities and offer tools for developing new brain habits. The training involves understanding key brain elements like safety, conscious and non-conscious processing, emotion, feeling, thinking, and self-regulation, and using exerci...

In this episode of Love IDEAS, Marc and Lianna Treitler discuss their book, "Alcohol, Drugs & You: A Young Person's Guide to Avoiding Addiction," sharing their personal journey with addiction and recovery. Marc, who comes from a family with a history of addiction, explains what led him to substance abuse and the impact it had on his daughter, Lianna. Together, they offer insights into avoiding...

In this InVisible InCourage SHOW episode, Dr. Peter Abaci, a chronic pain expert featured on WebMD and South by Southwest, discusses pain management. He clarifies that true pain management involves helping individuals with complex chronic pain improve their lives, going beyond just immediate fixes like procedures and medications. Dr. Abaci also highlights the resilience of the invisible disabiliti...

In this episode of Brain IDEAS, Karyn Buxman RN, MSN, neurohumorist discusses the power of humor, including its psychological, social, communicative, and physiological benefits.  She argues that humor can be a positive coping mechanism, aid in building relationships, enhance communication, and provide numerous positive physiological effects.  Karyn encourages the intentional and repeated use of hu...

In this episode of Love IDEAS, Dr. Gary Chapman discusses 5 Simple Ways to Strengthen Your Marriage.  He discusses the importance of calling a truce on verbal attacks and replacing criticism with compliments to create a more positive atmosphere. He emphasizes tearing down emotional walls through apology and forgiveness, and understanding each other's love language to express affection effectively....