Wheel Talk with Kelly and Avery Podcast

July is Disability Pride Month, and in this episode, we’re celebrating Disability Pride as visibility, dignity, and community. It’s about honoring every version of our bodies, minds, and lived experiences and refusing to be reduced to something to fix, pity, inspire, or ignore. It’s a reminder that disabled people have always been here, have always contributed, and deserve to be seen, valued, and...

How much planning can one bladder require? More than most people realize. In this episode, we unpack the surprisingly complex calculations that shape daily life when disability, caregiving schedules, transportation, and accessible infrastructure all intersect. From timing fluids around appointments and rides to evaluating the accessibility of public bathrooms, every outing can involve a series of...

In this special World Collagen VI Awareness Day episode, we celebrate the global Collagen VI-related dystrophy (COL6-RD) community while exploring the power of visibility, storytelling, advocacy, and connection. Kelly and Avery share what June 6 means to them as individuals living with COL6-RD, discuss the importance of awareness days in the rare disease community, and reflect on how the growing W...

When most people hear the word “collagen,” they think skincare, beauty trends, or protein powders. But for the congenital muscular dystrophy (CMD) community, Collagen VI means something entirely different. In this episode, we were honored to be joined by the incredible Dr. A. Reghan Foley, Senior Research Physician in the Neuromuscular and Neurogenetic Disorders of Childhood Group at the National...

From barcode scanners and snack aisles to awkward customer moments, this episode takes you behind the self-checkout counter with Caden Sanchez, a wheelchair user balancing work, college, and everyday life. We chat about what it’s really like working in grocery retail, navigating accessibility on the job, dealing with customer assumptions, and finding independence along the way. Plus, we dive into...

In this episode, we sit down with William Griffin, who works in clinical research and is an aspiring writer in his free time. William brings a powerful perspective on what it means to grow up with a story already being written about you and the process of learning to write it for yourself instead. We explore the idea of “claiming the pen,” shifting from being described, studied, or interpreted to...

Who gets to tell the stories we see on screen, and what changes when those voices finally shift? In this episode, we sit down with Isaac Zablocki, Co-Founder and CEO of the ReelAbilities Film Festival, the largest disability festival in the world. Avery also brings a unique behind-the-scenes perspective as a co-chair of this year’s opening night, sharing what it means to help shape an event center...

We are turning a classic party game into something hilariously relatable with a Disability Edition of “Would You Rather!” From absurd wheelchair upgrades to meaningful conversations about accessibility and independence, no topic is off-limits. Why do some of these “would you rather” questions feel a little too real? Whether you’re here to laugh, learn, or rethink your perspective, this episode bri...

In this episode, Kelly and Avery are joined by Kara Dorsey, a service dog graduate, and Molly Berman, a seasoned puppy raiser. From the early days of puppy raising to the trust built over years of teamwork, Kara and Molly discuss what it’s really like to have a service dog by your side. We explore everything from the tasks these dogs perform to the unseen labor of puppy raising to the public acces...

In honor of International Women’s Day, join us in celebrating disabled women who are changing the media landscape, one story, one role, and one accessible set at a time. In this episode, we sit down with Jillian Mercado and Agnes McConlogue Ferro to talk about what it really means to be a disabled woman in media. From breaking stereotypes and navigating tokenism to advocating for accessibility on...

Rare Disease Day is kind of our Super Bowl. Purple, blue, green, and pink lights, awareness posts, big feelings…and a whole lot of people learning what “rare” actually means. In this episode, we chat about life as rare women - being medical mysteries, navigating diagnostic odysseys, and finding community in the uncommon. Individually rare doesn’t mean alone, and this episode explores what that rea...

Ever felt stuck in limbo, knowing something isn’t right but not having a name for it? Now imagine living there for years, navigating tests, specialists, and unanswered questions while the world expects clarity you don’t have. This is the reality of the diagnostic odyssey. In this episode, Avery and Kelly dive into the long, messy, and often isolating road to diagnosis, or the reality of never rece...

Accessible parking aisles aren’t just lines on the pavement – they’re lifelines. In this episode, Kelly and Avery tackle the frustrations, safety risks, and everyday indignities disabled people face when able-bodied drivers ignore the rules. From common violations and absurd excuses to the emotional and practical impact of blocked access, we break down why those stripes matter and how better educa...

Ever wonder how the music that opens and closes Wheel Talk came to life? In this episode, we go behind the beat with Andy Rusch, the talented disabled writer and musician who composed our signature intro and outro. From first ideas to final notes, we explore the story of how our sound was crafted, the creative process, and the decisions that shaped the rhythm, tone, and mood of the podcast. Join u...

Ever struggled with a heavy door? Now imagine doing it from a wheelchair — every single day. This is the everyday battle many wheelchair users face: opening doors that just weren’t designed with accessibility in mind. Avery Roberts and Kelly Berger discuss the significant challenges that doors present to individuals living with disabilities, particularly those who use mobility devices. They explor...

Ever read a book where the disabled character is either a tragic inspiration or magically “cured” by the final chapter? Yeah…same. In this episode, Avery Roberts and Kelly Berger are joined by the brilliant Erin Hawley – writer, book reviewer, and creator of Erin’s Library and the Disability Readathon – to talk all things authentic disability representation in literature. Erin spills the tea on ha...

What was life like before the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) – and where are we now? In this powerful episode, hosts Avery Roberts and Kelly Berger sit down with disability advocate and policy powerhouse Naomi Hess to explore the ADA’s impact – past, present, and future. From curb cuts to Capitol Crawls, they unpack the stories, struggles, and triumphs that shaped the most important civil r...

In this empowering and unfiltered convo, Kelly Berger and Avery Roberts sit down with disability life coach Amber Bosselman to talk all about identity, confidence, and unapologetic self-love. From the messy journey to self-acceptance to the highs and lows of being visibly disabled in an often clueless world, Amber brings the real talk – and the real glow-up. Amber is offering a FREE life coaching...

In this laugh-out-loud episode, Avery Roberts, Kelly Berger, and Steve Way dive into the wild, weird, and downright hilarious things strangers say to people who use wheelchairs. From awkward compliments to bizarre questions and "well-meaning" assumptions, they share the most unforgettable encounters they've had while just living their lives on wheels. With a mix of laughter and serio...

In this episode, Avery Roberts and Kelly Berger chat with Marcella Genut, a disability advocate and academic advisor at her alma mater, about living with congenital muscular dystrophy (CMD) and what it really takes to build an independent life. From navigating college with style, managing money like a boss, to balancing caregivers and career goals, Marcella keeps it real. Expect laughs, wisdom, an...

In this feel-good (and slightly tear-jerking) episode, Avery Roberts, Kelly Berger, Stephanie Chicas, and Nora Ramirez dive into the magic of community, connection, and a whole lot of heart. From late-night texts to deep convos over FaceTime, these four incredible women share how friendship and sisterhood have shaped their journeys as disabled women – and how the internet (yep, even social media!)...

In this episode, Avery Roberts and Kelly Berger discuss Muscular Dystrophy Awareness Month, sharing personal experiences and insights about muscular dystrophy (MD). They get real about what it’s like living with muscular dystrophy (MD), share some eye-opening personal stories, and spill the tea on what people think they know about MD (spoiler alert: there’s a lot to clear up!). You’ll laugh, you m...

In the inaugural episode of Wheel Talk with Kelly and Avery Podcast , hosts Avery Roberts and Kelly Berger introduce themselves and share their personal stories of living with congenital muscular dystrophy (CMD). Get ready for real talk, laughs, and maybe even a few “wait, WHAT?!” moments as they bust myths, tackle challenges, and open up about life living with a disability. They discuss the chall...