We discuss the importance of dignity of risk, and how disabled folks have a right to choose to take risks. Taking risks, and learning from the mistakes and successes that come with those risks, is essential for growth. We chat about some of the ways we work to ensure that Danny has the dignity of risk in his life, and how tricky that can be for (overprotective) support teams.

Q&A time! Danny answers questions about learning languages, dealing with trauma, dancing, and traveling. Please send along more questions for future Q&A episodes!

An episode on a topic near to our hearts - siblings! We celebrate the joys of being a trio of close-knit siblings - we all cherish one another and benefit so much from our connection. We also discuss the challenges and dynamics of sibling relationships where one sibling is disabled, and how siblings can be important models for allyship and for helping diminish ableism in the world. Shout-out to Episode 5 of Underestimated TV, which includes Danny and Tara as an example of speller-sibling teams!

Our hearts are still brave, don't worry! We've been busy and are happy to finally return with Episode 10, on the topic of learning to dream and plan for a new life. Danny's life - and our whole family's life - changed drastically when he gained access to communication. But what does this "happily ever after" look like? How can people who are facing a new chapter of their lives adapt and learn to navigate a world of more opportunities while acknowledging the remaining realities of their disabilities and limitations?

Following our episode on "What is Worth?": Many nonspeaking autistic folks who gain communication are revealed to be remarkably intelligent - definitely something to celebrate and cultivate further! However, we want to pose the question to listeners: what if they weren't so intelligent? Would that change how people feel about or advocate for them?

Hi again! We are back, and we are happy about it! In this episode, Danny wanted to explore how we value other people. We chat about how he has often been made to feel disposable or not worthwhile because he is disabled, and how a more holistic view of "prosperity" that values community and interdependence is better for all of us. Includes 2 poems written by Danny on the concept of "worth."

This is our last recording before Tara's extended trip, which will be our longest time apart since we started Spelling to Communicate together. We discuss the dynamics between us, and the inequalities in the relationship between Danny as a disabled person and Tara as an able-bodied support person, and how to balance Tara's role as a support person with her other passions in life. We'll take a month's break and return to you in mid-May!

Episode 6: Danny shares a few of his heartfelt poems on the theme of togetherness - on how love saves him, how love spans years and miles, and how love makes whatever universe we end up in seem beautiful. He speaks a bit to the power of poetry, and Tara shares more about his process and the privilege of having a family poet.

In Episode 5, we chat about the labels "disabled," "high" or "low-functioning autism" (ick!), and "special needs." The discomfort shown by able-bodied people when talking about disability showcases how society views disability as an embarrassing, shameful thing, and how labels about disability are often seen as insults. But disability is a real state of being that can't be helped by overly "sensitive" euphemisms.

Our first Q&A episode! Thank you for those who shared questions. Danny answers follow-up questions on nonspeaking and nonverbal labels, interdependence, and preferred animal transformations.