Mountain Climbers

Growing up, many of us are told who we should be. Todd Erickson reminds us why every person deserves the opportunity to define that for themselves. In this episode of Mountain Climbers , Todd shares his story in his own words. As a filmmaker, self-advocate, Assistant Caregiver, and mentor, he reflects on identity, independence, communication, and the importance of being seen beyond assumptions. Th...

What does it mean to become yourself? In this episode of Mountain Climbers, Morgan O'Malley shares her journey of growing into adulthood with confidence, purpose, and independence. She reflects on the people who have shaped her, the challenges she has overcome, and the everyday experiences that have helped her discover who she is. As the conversation unfolds, Morgan speaks about resilience, self-b...

Ashley knows that meaningful work is about more than a paycheck. In this episode of Mountain Climbers, Ashley reflects on what employment means to her—not simply as a job, but as a source of purpose, independence, confidence, and pride. Through her work, volunteerism, and commitment to lifelong learning, she has discovered the value of contributing to her community and continuing to grow through n...

Christine Wang understands that growing up with a sibling with I/DD can shape not only your childhood, but the person you become. In this episode of Mountain Climbers, Christine reflects on her relationship with her younger brother Didi, who was born with Down Syndrome, and what it meant to grow up beside him in a Chinese-American household navigating disability, cultural expectations, and family...

Monisha Perkash knows that loving someone means thinking not only about who they are today, but about the future you hope they’ll have. In this episode of Mountain Climbers , Monisha shares her experience growing up alongside her sister, Minerva, and the questions that many siblings quietly carry as they think about long-term care, independence, and what happens as families grow older. While Monis...

Tina Underwood knows what it means to raise a child while navigating systems that don’t always come with a roadmap. In this episode of Mountain Climbers , Tina shares her journey raising her son, Kevin, who has an intellectual and developmental disability, and the reality of working through schools, therapies, and service systems along the way. What begins as a parent trying to do what’s best for...

Meet Mimi Giannini, a mother navigating one of the most complex and deeply personal parts of parenting — guiding her daughter into adulthood. In this episode of Mountain Climbers , Mimi reflects on what it means to raise her daughter, Morgan, who has an intellectual and developmental disability, while supporting her growth and independence in a world that doesn’t always make space for families lik...

Meet Ramaswamy “Ranga” Ranganathan, a father whose journey began with a moment many parents know all too well — the day his child received a diagnosis. In this first episode of Mountain Climbers , Ranga reflects on what it means to be a literal mountain trekker and how that experience mirrors his family’s journey raising their daughter, Sitara, who has an intellectual and developmental disability....

Before the interviews, before the stories. Meet Hadiyah Fain, host of the Mountain Climbers Podcast and Vice President of Marketing & Development at Life Services Alternatives. Four years ago, Hadiyah gave birth to her son, Elijah Joshua Fain. He had I/DD. Three days later, he passed away. Those three days changed everything. In this short but powerful introduction, Hadiyah shares the personal...

Welcome to the Mountain Climbers Podcast , a storytelling series from Life Services Alternatives . This trailer gives you a glimpse into the series, which shares real stories from parents, siblings, and adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) . Each season, we explore the joys, challenges, and everyday experiences of the IDD community, offering practical resources, listener q...