Two Disabled Dudes

Dr. Tyler Sexton is the Medical Director of pediatrics at Singing River Health System in Mississippi. He's also an international motivational speaker and author, and he has cerebral palsy. Dr. Sexton discusses his journey and how his disability motivated him to become a pediatrician. He shares his early struggles, as he was born prematurely and given a grim prognosis, but he defied the odds throug...

To kick off the inaugural Film Festival at the BIO International Conference, we had the opportunity to moderate a panel about using podcasts, video, and other media to help center the patient voice in the drug development process.  This panel featured three top advocates who regularly use media to amplify the patient voice: Daniel DeFabio, Co-Founder, The DISORDER Channel Michelle Rivas, Seni...

A few years ago, Kyle and Sean both had experiences with someone else judging them for their disability.  Whether it was fair or not, both dudes took offense to the way they were approached.  Today they review those situations and reevaluate their reactions.  Would they react differently today? Listen to find out. Links and resources: 2DD Episode 114 - Don't Judge A Dude By His Whee...

Ever have those moments where you reflect on the past and think to yourself, “Well, 20 years ago…” and immediately realize that the memory you’re recalling was actually 30 years ago? In other words, time flies and we’re all getting old. In this episode, The Dudes discuss pros and cons of how the world has changed over their lifetime, especially highlighting the global connectedness that the intern...

Season 10 kicks off with ep221. Life is constantly changing, especially when living with progressive rare disease. Both Kyle & Sean are living with Friedreich’s ataxia and their abilities are changing often. Recently, Sean hit a mini-golf course and although it wasn’t what he remembers as a teenager, he still found ways to have fun. Ep221 reminds us that “fun” is what you make of it and how yo...

For the last episode in Season 9, we want you to know how much we appreciate you listening to this show.  This season has been especially trying as we unknowingly doubled our workload at the beginning of the season.  Listen as the dudes explain.  The conversation goes existentially deep as usual.  Enjoy.  Thank you for listening. In this Episode: In a previous episode , th...

Physical Therapy is an important part of care for many people in the rare disease and disability communities,  However, it's difficult to find a phhysical therapist who will work to understand your disease.  That's why we enjoyed talking with Dr Gretchen Hawley .  See how she's different and how you might be able to put some of her principles into practice. In this Episode: Kyle tal...

There are lots of things that may be accessible for one person but not another.  Some are inconvenient, and some are impossible.   From topics in other episodes to recently traveling together, we noticed a handful of things that make sense, and things that don’t make sense. Listen for experiences, both good and ridiculous, as we discuss the challenges of accessibility. In this Episo...

For college students, sports games are a huge part of the college experience.  However, students with disabilities are often left out due to poor accessibility.  In episode 217 you'll hear from Noah Griffith , a journalism major who wrote a letter about his experience accessing the student section at a basketball game. Noah used his voice to make a difference. In this Episode: The Dudes...

Research studies are designed to investigate the details of our bodies and lives.  The research process has the potential to point out how our disability limits us.  This can be tough to take.  That’s why it’s important to recognize the emotional response to research. In this Episode: Kyle left the house to get pants.  You Got This, Mental Health featuring Heidi Behr - You migh...

This is the first episode ever that does not feature both Dudes! Sean is joined by our friend and guest host, Effie Parks from the Once Upon A Gene Podcast .  Effie produces short “Effisodes” on her show and one in particular grabbed Sean’s attention. With Kyle on the road, Effie agreed to help The Dudes with this episode and takes Kyle's place, in addition to allowing us to share one of her Effis...

According to an article Kyle read on Forbes.com, "Inspiration Porn provides kind of superficial pleasure and gratification for the viewer, while objectifying , often harming the mostly passive subjects being looked at.”  Sounds pretty bad.  Find out what the Dudes think. In this Episode: Kyle gets Door Dash delivered to the wrong address...again. You Got This , Mental Health featuring Kate Walker...

As Sean says: Government is HARD - especially when trying to navigate the Social Security Disability system.  That’s why we talk to Spencer Bishins who worked in the Social Security Administration for years and shares his insights with us.  Spencer just scratches the surface with us-  but you can find all the details in his book: Social Security Disability Revealed - Why it’s so hard to access ben...

Maneuvering a wheelchair presents many situations that are much different than a person who uses their legs to get around.  When you offer to help someone in a wheelchair, here are a few things you should keep in mind.   In this Episode: Kyle checks out a new section of bike trail so Sean wants to make sure he does it safely. You Got This , Mental Health featuring Kate Walker - Depression is commo...

For Rare Disease Day 2023, we were honored to moderate a virtual panel with our friends at Jett Foundation .  The theme was Thriving with Duchenne; a Rare Disease Day event focused on mental health and anxiety and it features a diverse panel of patients, caregivers, a life coach, and a Psychologist.  Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) affects mostly males and causes progressive muscle damage in the...

In this Episode: You Got This , Mental Health - Our friend Shelley Bowen ( Ep 140 ) takes us through her experience having the hard talk about death. The Dudes are quite uncomfortable talking about SEX, especially sex and disability .  So we welcome Jennie Williams from Enhance the UK to introduce the topic. Thank you notes - Kyle's Condo Community - Old Forge Crossing, and a backwards thank you f...

In this Episode: You Got This , Mental Health - Feeling seen and heard.  Some of the responsibilty is on you. Can a single person make a difference? The amazing story of the first approved drug for Friedreich's ataxia (FA) Thank you notes - Reata Pharmmaceuticals, and Kyle's landlord at work.   As the story goes, in an effort to do whatever she could for her son who lives with Friedreich...

In this Episode: The very first treatment for Friedreich's ataxia (FA) was approved last Tuesday !  A deep dive into this next week. You Got This , Mental Health -  There's not one "right" direction in life.  Keep moving forward and making progress. Thank you notes - Clinical Team at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and Sean's Personal Barista  It’s easy to second guess our choices and doubt ou...

In this Episode: How Kyle ended up at Cracker Barrell for chicken fried steak at lunchtime You Got This , Mental Health featuring Andra Stratton - Managing expectations for drug development Asking for help is complicated.  The Dudes talk through some of the different scenarios that make it so. Thank you notes - Gail Moore   We all need help sometimes.  However asking for, and receiving help are no...

In this Episode: Dr. Kyle gives his advice. You Got This , Mental Health - Self Image Audrey Greenberg is the CBO of Discovery Labs and the Center for Breakthrough Medicines.  She talks with The Dudes about how authenticity can benefit all of us. Thank you notes - Bill at Meineke & Taylor Wohler   When you come as you are, others feel free to bring their authentic selves to the conversation.  This...

In this Episode: Almost a year later, Kyle gives an update on his wheelchair drama. You Got This , Mental Health featuring Andra Stratton - Managing our expectations for Drug Development. The Dateability App - Designed by someone with a disability for the disabled community. Thank you notes - Dr. Anna Stepanova & Aaron Fisher   After learning of her own disability and chronic illness, Jacqueline w...

Welcome to Season 9! Dolly Parton wants to see more kindness in 2023. However if you ask Sean, kindness is not the issue - it's awareness of others around you. It will make sense after you listen. Sean's column on the subject: No Good Excuse This episode brought to you in part by Horizon Therapeutics. In honor of Rare Disease Day, the #RAREis Global Advocate Grant program is awarding 50 grants tot...

There's a common debate going on in many of our heads when it comes to committments.  Whether it's meeting a friend for coffee, or going to a concert with a group, we have to decide if we can make it.  If we decide not to go or even worse, cancel at the last minute, is it for a legit reason or are we just making an excuse?  Ultimately that's for you to decide for yourself... Resources mentioned in...

Making the transition to independence is difficult to begin with. It is further complicated if you have a rare disease. Lauren Riggs joins The Dudes to talk about her recent experience moving away from home to go to school at University of Oklahoma and then grad school in Texas. Lauren lives with Friedreich's ataxia (FA) . Her own journey with accessibility leads her to facilitate accessibility fo...

When Katie Lloyd's son was diagnosed with a rare, lifethreatning disease, she began to notice that people around her reacting to the news in some unintentionallyinsensitive ways. When we witness someone going through a difficult situation, our first impulse is to say something encouraging: "Chin up!" "The Sun will come out tomorrow".  However, responses such as this can be counterproductive becaus...