Walk and Roll Live-Disability Stories

Kelly Brush, a distinguished downhill skier who sustained a spinal cord injury, has transformed her personal adversity into a powerful movement through the Kelly Brush Foundation. This organization is dedicated to empowering individuals with disabilities by providing them with access to adaptive sports and fostering a sense of community among those facing similar challenges. In our conversation, w...

The discussion centers on the availability and significance of cochlear implants for infants, highlighting the transformative impact these devices can have on early childhood development. We engage with Dr. Nancy Young, a pioneering figure in the field, alongside Doug and Ewa Tweedy, whose daughter, Ella, received cochlear implants at a young age. The Tweedies recount their initial experiences and...

Joyce Reynolds from the Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) elucidates the critical role her organization plays in providing vital resources and support for seniors and individuals with disabilities. At the forefront of her discourse, she emphasizes the necessity of accessible assistance and advocacy for those facing crises, illustrating the profound impact of timely intervention. Joyce sh...

Shonna Counter, diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type 3, imparts her profound journey of resilience and self-discovery in this enlightening conversation. From her early childhood experiences to her current endeavors as a multifaceted individual, Shonna emphasizes the importance of viewing disability through a lens of aspiration rather than mere inspiration. She articulates the necessity for...

In this enlightening discussion, we engage with Jesi Stracham, a prominent social media influencer, health coach, and advocate for the disabled community. Jesi shares her profound journey of overcoming personal adversity following a life-changing injury, illustrating her resilience and determination to reclaim her life. Throughout our conversation, we delve into the challenges she faced and the tr...

Bernard Taruc's narrative is an evocative testament to the transformative power of experience, underscored by a life-altering incident that irrevocably changed his trajectory. After immigrating to the United States as a teenager, he became captivated by the vibrant culture, yet inevitably found himself drawn into the perilous realm of gang culture. One fateful night, an encounter with violence cul...

The adaptation of dance and theatre to accommodate diverse physical and cognitive abilities is a central theme of our conversation. We delve into the prevalent misconceptions surrounding students with disabilities in the performing arts, illuminating the need for a paradigm shift in public perception. Furthermore, we explore effective strategies for fostering confidence among students who may be h...

This podcast episode centers on the compelling narrative of Suzie Gulshan, a C7 incomplete quadriplegic, who shares her journey of resilience following a life-altering injury sustained during a fitness class. We delve into the intricacies of her recovery, highlighting the critical role of self-advocacy and the importance of community support in navigating the complexities of living with a disabili...

Arthur Martinot, a C6-C7 quadriplegic, shares his transformative journey following a life-altering diving accident during a vacation in Spain. This episode illuminates the resilience of the human spirit, as Arthur recounts not only his struggles but also the remarkable progress he has achieved in the face of overwhelming challenges. Despite the initial despair and uncertainty regarding his future,...

This episode of Walk and Roll Live delves into the intricate and often misunderstood realm of Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) through the compelling narrative of our guest, Gemma Davies. In our discussion, we explore the profound impact of her diagnosis on her life, illuminating the challenges she faced and the strength she exhibited in navigating a complex medical landscape that often dism...

This episode presents an insightful dialogue regarding the complexities of dating as individuals with disabilities. Doug and Addie not only share their personal stories but also emphasize the transformative potential of the DateAbility app. They discuss the app's unique features, which allow users to disclose their disabilities in a manner that feels authentic and not overly clinical. The hosts re...

The salient point of this podcast episode centers around the profound resilience and adaptability inherent within the disability community, as exemplified by the inspiring narrative of our esteemed guest, Dena Peterson. We delve into Dina's extensive journey, encompassing her experiences with various disabilities, including scoliosis and a recent tibial plateau fracture, all while she navigates he...

Dan Fernandez's life underwent a profound transformation following a catastrophic car accident in April 2018, resulting in a broken back, a severed spinal cord, and various other injuries. Once a successful retail executive, overseeing 70 stores as a Regional Director, Dan's transition to living with a disability has been marked by significant challenges and adaptations. Throughout this harrowing...

The primary focus of this podcast episode is to illuminate the multifaceted narratives within the disability community, specifically through the lens of our esteemed guest, Renee Rojo. We delve into the profound impact of community engagement and advocacy for individuals with disabilities, highlighting Renee's extensive volunteer work and his commitment to fostering inclusivity. Throughout our con...

This week on Walk and Roll Live – Disability Stories, Addie and I are joined by past guests Bobby Rohan and Robert Soto as we wrap up our weekend at the Abilities Expo in Long Beach. We spent two full days exploring the new venue, meeting innovators, reconnecting with friends in the disability community, and discovering some exciting new developments in accessibility and adaptive living. Our goal...

On this episode of Walk and Roll Live – Disability Stories, Doug and Addie sit down with Lera Alexandrova, founder of Overcoming Change, to talk about resilience, motherhood, and finding purpose after life-altering challenges. Lera’s story began with a devastating childhood accident that led to multiple surgeries and years of recovery. For much of her life she pushed forward, building a career, ra...

Content creator Ky Westcott, known for “The Vibe With Ky,” joins Walk and Roll Live to talk about the life-changing moment when he was diagnosed with inattentive ADHD at age 34 — and how that diagnosis finally helped him understand the experiences he had struggled with for years. Ky opens up about growing up feeling different, the emotional mix of relief, grief, and validation that came with final...

What does life look like when motherhood, caregiving, advocacy, and adventure all intersect? On this episode of Walk and Roll Live – Disability Stories , host Doug Vincent and co-host Addie Rich welcome Sandy Gilbreath — blogger, travel influencer, caregiver, and mother to Cory, who lives with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA). Sandy shares her deeply personal journey of raising a child with a disabil...

This week on Walk and Roll Live – Disability Stories , Doug Vincent and Addie Rich welcome Jeana Nunez — life and business transformation coach, mom of four, woman of faith, and a warrior living with a rare neuromuscular disease. After years of misdiagnosis, ER visits, and hospital stays, Jeana’s strength and mobility can change without warning. But instead of allowing unpredictability to define h...

What happens after the hospital stay ends? In this powerful episode of Walk and Roll Live , Doug and Addie sit down with two dynamic leaders from Casa Colina in Pomona, California, to explore what true recovery really looks like after neurologic or traumatic injury. Dr. Rachel Tabak Tran, Director of the Transitional Living Center, shares how post-acute rehabilitation bridges the gap between medic...

On this episode of Walk and Roll Live – Disability Stories , Doug Vincent sits down with Ty Gipson, entrepreneur, motivational speaker, and resilience advocate whose life has been shaped by extraordinary medical and personal challenges. Diagnosed with Type 1 juvenile diabetes at a young age, Ty’s journey includes multiple life-saving organ transplants, years of uncertainty, and moments where givin...

Myles Pearson is a British Paralympian whose journey in wheelchair rugby is defined by talent, resilience, and fearless honesty. Born with Arthrogryposis and raised in Lytham St Annes, Myles first made his mark in wheelchair tennis—reaching the world top 25 as a junior—before discovering wheelchair rugby at just 15 years old. By 17, he became the youngest athlete ever to represent Great Britain in...

In this episode of Walk and Roll Live , we travel to rural Uganda to shine a light on the powerful work of Training Of Rural Women in Uganda (TORUWU). For more than two decades, TORUWU has been empowering women, children, and families through education, income-generating programs, healthcare, and disability support. We explore how TORUWU supports children with disabilities through physiotherapy an...

In this episode of Walk & Roll Live, we’re joined by Michelle Steiner, advocate, writer, photographer, and founder of Michelle’s Mission. Michelle lives with an invisible learning disability and grew up being told there were limits to what she could achieve. Today, she’s a college graduate, published writer, paraeducator, and a passionate voice for disability awareness. Through her writing, ad...

In this powerful and deeply personal episode of Walk and Roll Live , Doug and Addie welcome Avriel, a former railroad executive whose life took an unexpected turn following a back surgery that resulted in a T5 spinal cord injury. Avriel takes us back to his roots—growing up in Charleston, moving to Atlanta as a teen, and taking a bold leap to New York City at just 18 years old to work on the tradi...