Raising Kellan

Today I chat with Torben Jensen. He is the Ministry Relations Manager for Joni and Friends in Nashville, TN. His job focuses on helping churches of all shapes and sizes become better at including and serving families affected by disability. Timeline of our conversation: 01:30 Torben's origin story 02:40 Joni & Friends and its beginnings. The Story of Joni Eareckson Tada. 05: 00 Programs an...

Jessica Ronne is an author, speaker, podcast host at Coffee with Caregivers, associate producer of the documentary "Unseen", and caregiver advocate.  She is the founder and executive director of ⁠ The Lucas Project⁠ , a non-profit dedicated to providing recognition, resources, and respite support for special needs families. She and her husband, Ryan live in Michigan with their 8 children, includin...

In Episode 143, Megan Schwalm chats to us about the Tennessee Caregiver Coalition and how this nonprofit provides support to over 1 million caregivers in Tennessee. Timeline of our conversation: 00:00 Introduction 01:36 How did Megan come into her role as President and CEO at Tennessee Caregiver Coalition? 04:42 Definition of Respite. 07:00 Programs offered by TCC include the respite voucher progr...

In this conversation, I chat with Kristie Kirby, whom I met at Partners in Policy-Making, a leadership program held by the Tennessee Council on Developmental Disability . This is a free 8 month advocacy training program. Timeline of conversation 1:00 Introduction 2:00 Kristie is a teacher's assistant. 2:12 What is SACC? 4:00 How does the SACC program work? 5:15 Recruiting Volunteers 6:00 Upcom...

In today's episode, we chat with Leo Cuello, J.D., a Research Professor at the Center for Children and Families in the McCourt School of Public Policy at Georgetown University . Leo helps us understand what Medicaid is and the roles it performs as the U.S. largest health coverage program. Timeline of the conversation: 2:00 What is Medicaid and how does it impact the disability community? What serv...

Jessica Awsumb and Hilary Travers are co-leads at Transition Tennessee Timeline: 2:15 Introduction 3:15 Hilary's work at Perkins School of the Blind and what led her to Vanderbilt and transitional planning 5:00 Jessica's pathway to transitional training and employment for students with IDD. 8:13 How do we prepare for transitions (legal and evidence-based practice), which starts at Age 14 i...

I am excited to introduce you to Abby McCage, who will be one of our presenters at the upcoming Resource Ability Employment Expo to be held on May 7 at the Lannom Center in Dyersburg, TN, from 9- noon. Hello, my name is Abby McCage, and I am a young woman with a disability who is passionate about advocating for accessibility, inclusion, and equal opportunities. My personal experiences with disabil...

In this episode, I chat with Emily Moscoe about Catalyst Sports . Timeline: 1:30 Introduction to Emily Moscoe and her involvement with Catalyst Sports 3:34 Gol Ball 5:00 Catalyst Sports origin story 8:40 What does adaptive hiking/camping look like Freedom Chair 12:00 Overview of Catalyst Sports Programs 14: 00 Great Smoky Mountains Bike Program 14: 50 Contact Information and Conclusion

Marsh Naidoo welcomes self-advocate Peach Chinratanalab and Milton Neuenschwande from the Department of Disability and Aging for an engaging discussion on the transformative power of technology in the lives of individuals with disabilities. Peach, a dedicated co-trainer at My Tech for All , shares her experiences and insights on enabling technology to enhance independence and improve daily living...

In Episode 136 of Raising Kellan, Marsh Naidoo sits down with Lindsey Lind from East Tennessee to discuss their shared experiences in the Partners in PolicyMaking program, a leadership initiative by the Tennessee Council on Developmental Disabilities. Lindsey, a dedicated mother of three, shares her journey navigating the complexities of disability advocacy, particularly focusing on her son who ha...

Maribeth Watson talks about Partners in PolicyMaking , Morningstar Ministries in Sweetwater TN, and proposed Medicaid budget cuts in 2025 #Protectmedicaid Timeline: 2:00 Introduction 3:00 Maribeth Watson's backstory 4:00 Morningstar Ministries 8:30 Assessing the needs of your community 11: 00 Respite Resources: J ⁠oni and Friends⁠ and A Mother's Rest 13:00 Proposed Medicaid Changes 16:00 C...

In Episode 134 of Raising Kellan, Marsh Naidoo engages in a heartfelt conversation with Tamara Tuckson, a passionate disability advocate and co-author of the book ⁠ McKenzie Can Talk⁠. Tamara shares her journey as a mother to McKenzie, who was diagnosed with Rett syndrome, and how that diagnosis ignited her advocacy work to eventually found⁠ Mission2Advocate ⁠. This episode delves into the challen...

In this episode, Anna Fields discusses her journey from a homeschooled upbringing to creating an inclusive workplace that champions individuals with disabilities. Learn about her experiences working with children in China, her challenges when starting  Bubble Love , and how she found innovative ways to integrate employees with disabilities into her business. This conversation highlights the import...

Plant for a Change is a for-profit social enterprise based in Nashville, Tennessee, aiming to create an inclusive and accessible conservation workforce. The company sells native plant seeds and provides employment opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Timeline of our conversation: 1:44 Introducing Nathan Fields and Jason van Wulven 4:17 Nathan's proxim...

The Future City Health & Wellness Fair was a resounding success! Coming up next is a similar event at Bruce Community Center on Jan 25, 2025, from 1-3 pm. In this episode, I chat with Lisa Vinson about the work done by the Lions Club and the revitalized Dyersburg Lions Club which is actively recruiting members. For more information contact Mark Cantara at mcantara57@gmail.com or Robin Cantara...

A wheelchair basketball clinic is to be held in Charleston, South Carolina on January 11, 2025, from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM at the Charleston Baptist Church. The clinic is open to individuals aged 5-17 with physical disabilities, but the organizers encourage anyone interested in the sport or supporting the community to attend. The goal of the clinic is to provide an opportunity for wheelchair basketb...

Welcome to the latest episode of Raising Kellan, where host Marsh Naidoo chats with Victor Mclin, the dynamic director of Bruce Community Center in Dyersburg, Tennessee. As we wrap up 2024 and look forward to a promising new year, Marsh and Victor discuss the upcoming community health screenings scheduled for January 4th at Future City Rec Center and January 25th at Bruce Community Center. These e...

In episode 128 of Raising Kellan, host Marsh Naidoo continues the enlightening conversation with Kristen Evans, co-author of "How to Build a Thriving Marriage as You Care for Children with Disabilities." This episode serves as part two of the discussion, following Todd Evans' insights in part one. Kristen, a licensed master social worker, shares her motivation behind the book, emphasizing the need...

In this episode of Raising Kellan, host Marsh Naidoo engages in an enlightening conversation with Todd Evans, co-author of the book "How to Build a Thriving Marriage as You Care for Your Children with Disabilities." Todd shares his journey with his wife Kristen, from their initial meeting in college to navigating the complexities of raising children with special needs while maintaining a strong ma...

In episode 126 of Raising Kellan, host Marsh Naidoo welcomes DinaLynn Rosenbush, a parenting coach, speaker, and experienced speech and language pathologist, to discuss the intricacies of communication in children, particularly in the presence of speech delays. Dinalynn, who hosts the acclaimed Language of Play podcast, shares her insights on how parents can better understand and support their chi...

In episode 125 of the Raising Kellan Podcast, host Marsh Naidoo welcomes Vanessa Naidoo, a pediatric occupational therapist from Hernando, Mississippi, to share her curated Christmas gift list for children with disabilities. Vanessa's list is filled with creative and thoughtful ideas that promote independence, skill development, and fun for kids of all ages. Vanessa emphasizes the importance of gi...

Marsh Naidoo chats with Brandon Scarmardo, a Manager at Mental Health and Development Services in Jackson, Tennessee, about the MAPS program. This innovative three-year pilot initiative, facilitated by the Department of Disability and Aging (DDA), is designed to empower individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities by equipping them with skills for independent living and employment....

Woody Tatman is an occupational therapist and a certified driving rehabilitation specialist with West Tennessee Healthcare . He evaluates individuals, including those with disabilities, the elderly, and those with cognitive or physical impairments, to determine their ability to drive safely. He can recommend vehicle modifications and provide training to help people learn to drive according to thei...

In this insightful episode of Raising Kellan, host Marsh Naidoo sits down with Don Tate and Kim Shofinski from the Tennessee State Parks to discuss the incredible strides being made toward accessibility and inclusivity in outdoor recreation. As the Fall unfolds in Tennessee, there's no better time to explore the state's natural beauty, and the Tennessee State Parks are committed to ensuring that e...

In this episode of Raising Kellan, host Marsh Naidoo reconnects with Dana Kramer to discuss an essential topic for families raising children with disabilities: home accessibility. Dana, a long-time friend and recurring guest, shares her recent experience remodeling her home to better accommodate her son Levi, who has cerebral palsy. The conversation covers practical tips and insights on making liv...