The JD Dragon Disability Rights Podcast: Exploring how disability and diversity are connected

Samuel Turner is an Autism Advocate from Carmarthenshire Wales who is "very happy and proud to be autistic" He has undertaken various initiatives to raise awareness about Autism across Wales. Samuel is very passionate about Gibraltar and Gibraltarian culture. He was recently awarded the "BBC Make a Difference Award" for his endeavours to raise awareness about autism and even ha...

Jyoti Sachanadani is a Pranic Healer from Gibraltar who practices both in Gibraltar and internationally. Today she'll tell us about how the practice works. Learn more about Jyoti’s work via the links below: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/15WVEaQ7vq/?mibextid=wwXIfr Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sachajoe?igsh=MTkwZjM2dTRvempydA== If you would like to reach out feel free to send an...

Today we're once again joined by Los Angeles based author Ben Mattlin who's here to tell us about his new book "UNBOUND" a collection of short essays about his experiences with disability . Learn more about UNBOUND and Ben's other works via the links below: Previous Interview: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2niEuL5Ye2RFh5W29YATAR?si=ku8Ar_fJQbq2qv8B3-f6NQ Purchase UNBOUND: https://blairpub.com/s...

Matt Coulthard is a dedicated Leading Firefighter with the Gibraltar Fire & Rescue Service, bringing over 12 years of operational experience and a strong background in leadership, training, and community engagement. His passion for supporting others goes far beyond the fire ground. As Gibraltar’s long-standing representative for the Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR), Matt proudly champions athl...

Today we have the honour and privilege of being joined by Mike Gibbs, Disability Advocate from Christchurch Canterbury on New Zealand's South Island (Te Waipounamu). He's here to share his story with Cerebral Palsy (CP). Learn more about Mike's work via the link below: Official Website: mikegibbs.nz If you would like to reach out feel free to send an email to: atelierfuralle@gmail.com. You can als...

Jacquima Rios MA is an Art Psychotherapist from Gibraltar and today she'll be telling us about the basic fundamentals of Art Therapy. Learn more about Art Therapy and Jacquima's work via the links below: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1BMxE4aVyf/?mibextid=wwXIfr Instagram: https://www.facebook.com/share/1BMxE4aVyf/?mibextid=wwXIfr If you would like to reach out feel free to send an email...

Lucy Buxton is the Chief Executive Officer of the Manx Deaf Society which supports people with hearing impairments on the Isle of Man. Today she’ll tell us about the initiatives the organisation has undertaken to support people with hearing impairments on the Isle of Man. Learn more about the Manx Deaf Society via the link to their website below: https://www.manxdeafsociety.org.im/home/ If you wou...

Today we're joined by Jack Fisher, a Software Developer from Gibraltar and a member of the Gibraltar Society for the Visually Impaired (GSVI). He'll be telling us about how modern technological and software developments can help those with visual impairments. Learn more about the Gibraltar Society for the Visually Impaired (GSVI) via the link below: GSVI Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/...

Tarik Tekman is a Qigong and Tai Chi instructor from Nicosia Cyprus. Today he'll tell us about the benefits these meditative practices can have on helping people with disabilities in addition to those struggling with mental health issues. Learn more about his work via the link below: Official Website: https://www.tariktekman.com If you would like to reach out feel free to send an email to: ate...

Today we’re honoured to be joined by Lesley Chadwick from Triple A, Awesome Autism Awareness which aims to raise awareness about autism in Gibraltar. She will be telling us about the initiatives Triple A has undertaken and the impact they’ve had on keeping people informed about autism. Learn more about Triple A via the link below: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/16Hb4oyCtE/?mibextid=wwXIf...

Frank Lobb is a retired US Naval Pilot who recently authored a book titled “The Big Lie in my Healthcare Bill” based on his experiences with the US healthcare system. Today he’ll share his story. Learn about Frank’s book “The Big Lie in my Healthcare Bill via the link below: https://thebiglieinmyhealthcarebill.com/ If you would like to reach out feel free to send an email to: atelierfuralle@gmail....

Yvonne Street is an Ex Specialist Work/Support Coach   who lives with various physical barriers and is originally from Devon South West England but is now based in Gibraltar. Today she and I will be discussing how remote working can help people with disabilities succeed in the workforce. Learn more about Yvonne’s work via the link below: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yvonne-street-b94a07b9...

Much like me, Samantha Donbavand was born 3 months prematurely and was diagnosed with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) in 2004 following a near-death experience. She works to treat her incurable condition through a variety of spiritual practices. Learn more about her work via the links below: Official Website: https://samanthadonbavand.wixsite.com/liveinyourlight/home Facebook: https://www.fa...

I would like to give a massive "Thank You! to the Gibraltar Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) for allowing me to come on the "Gibraltar Today" hosted by Radio Gibraltar to share my story with Cerebral Palsy and my podcast's connection to Gibraltar. Listen to the full interview via the links below: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2f6N2RdA4oQhWzRBOenmKd?si=L98E3YtRR_2rBHA0RI2wgA Apple Podcast...

Simon Iskander is partially sighted (severely sight impaired). He was born with a rare eye condition called aniridia (complete or partial absence of irises in each eye). He has also had nystagmus (involuntary eye movement), under-developed optic nerves and fovea (the fovea is an area of the retina at the back of the eye).since birth. More recently, he has also suffered from eye pain and further de...

Costa Constanti is an active member of the centrist and moderate political party Volt Cyprus. He was born in Melbourne, VIC Australia, and moved to Cyprus as an adult. In Australia, he studied psychology, psycho-neurosciences, politics and history at a bachelor level, followed studies in international relations and law at a masters level. He’s the Director of CONSTANTi, a consultancy offering soci...

Nyree Turnock-Robinson is a Drama Therapist from Gibraltar who is the older sister of Matthew Turnock who previously came on this show to share his story with Cerebral Palsy. Today she'll share her story. Learn more about Nyree and her work via the links below: https://www.facebook.com/share/163A2nPSzS/ Listen to my interview with her brother Matthew via the links below: Spotify: https://open....

Dr. Karen Hills Pruden is the Assistant Vice President of Project Management in Finance & Administration at Norfolk State University a Historically Black College and University (HBCU) in the United States.  Dr. Karen has worked in leadership in the tax industry, retail industry, non-profit, and museums. She was recently honored with the 2024 Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award signed by fo...

Adeena and Berndina Eck join us once again to talk about their experiences growing up with Albinism in Belize. Learn more their work with the Inspiration Center via the link below: Official website: ⁠https://inspirationcenter.bz/⁠ Listen to our original interview regarding their work with “The Inspiration Center” via the links below: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7fv7YVD2FQj7PjetyA3dvd...

Sabrina Spiteri-Cano is a member of Gibraltar's Supported Needs Action Group (SNAG). whose daughter Aaliyah was diagnosed with STXBP1 Disorder. STXBP1 (Syntaxin-Binding Protein 1) is a gene that provides instructions for making a protein involved in how brain cells communicate. This protein helps with the release of neurotransmitters, which are chemicals that allow nerve cells to send signals...

Julian Wagner is originally from Belize and was born with Cerebral Palsy. He spent 2 years in the hospital and then at the age of 3 he received an operation on his left foot  Julian is currently studying Computer Science at Corozal Junior College. Learn more about Cerebral Palsy in Belize via the link below: https://inspirationcenter.bz/cerebral-palsey/If you would like to reach out feel free to s...

Eloise Durante was the first person born in Gibraltar with a rare genetic eye condition known as Aniridia, meaning both of her irises were missing. She is partially sighted and this condition proves to be challenging to treat due to the secondary conditions one can develop throughout one's life, but not impossible. She forms part of the committee of the Gibraltar Society for the Visually Impai...

Adam Kaan works for ‘Hey Gibraltar!’ an online hub established by Ahmed Rehan, where local businesses and community organisations can promote their services and other good causes around the city.   As a Team Member he handles some of the filming duties and support the wider networking of the organisation. Learn more about “Hey Gibraltar!” via the link below: https://www.facebook.com/share/1A8y16bQ...

John Navarro Jr. is the only person in Gibraltar to have Multifocal Motor Neuropathy (MMN), a rare, chronic neurological disorder that affects the peripheral nerves, leading to progressive muscle weakness and loss of function, usually in the hands and arms. Unlike other neuropathies, MMN is purely motor, meaning it does not cause sensory loss. It is often misdiagnosed as ALS due to its similar sym...

Adeena and Berndina Eck are two sisters who work for The Inspiration Center (TIC) in Belize City, a nonprofit organization run primarily by volunteer doctors and therapists which supports children with diverse abilities. Adeena was born with Albinism which affects her vision and is a certified Paraprofessional Aid through Autism Belize and is also a member of the Belize Assembly for People with Di...