Disability Matters

International best-selling author, Karin Slaughter is the featured guest on Disability Matters with Joyce Bender. Discussed is Karin's new book, "TripTych", which features a character with a disability.

Chair of the National Organization on Disability (NOD), Former Secretary of Homeland Security, and Former Governor of Pennsylvania, Tom Ridge is the honored guest of Joyce Bender on "Disability Matters". He discusses his past and present work in support of the Americans with Disabilities Act and the employment of people with disabilities.

Mark Ashby is a person living with epilepsy who between April and October of 2005 completed the Ironman Arizona and the Ironman World Championship in Hawaii, in addition to five half-Ironman triathlons. In two of the half-Ironman competitions, Mark placed second and third place in his age division. Tune in as Joyce talks to Mark about what it is to compete at such a high level and live with epilepsy. For Mark, there are limitless boundaries.

The Honorable Tony Coelho, former Democratic California Congressman, author of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and current Chairman of the National Epilepsy Foundation joins Joyce Bender on "Disability Matters". This discussion is about his work with the National Epilepsy Foundation. Mr. Coelho, who has had epilepsy since his late teens, was elected to chair the Epilepsy Foundation's Board of Directors, during its spring 2005 meeting. His leadership has focused on improving public awareness and understanding of epilepsy, broader research to alleviate its impact, and better access to information and appropriate medical care for those affected by seizures.

Dr. Kenneth Melani, President and CEO of Highmark, Inc., discusses Highmark's achievement as the recipient of the 2006 New Freedom Initiative Award sponsored by the Bush Administration and the Department of Labor.

Joyce welcomes Dr. Steve Schachter, Professor of Neurosurgery at Harvard Medical School and past Chair of the Professional Advisory Board of the Epilepsy Foundation. Tune in as Dr. Schachter discusses his research involving seizure prevention drugs and contributions to the medical literature in this area.

Tune in as Joyce talks with Super Bowl Champion Pittsburgh Steelers' Left Guard, Alan Faneca. Alan does more than play football. He dedicates his time to charity work as well. Alan talks with Joyce about his volunteer work with the Epilepsy Foundation of Western and Central PA (EFWCP) and his personal experiences, as a person with epilepsy.

Joining Joyce is Doro Koch, author and daughter of President George H.W. Bush to discuss her new book "My Father, My President: A Personal Account of the Life of George H.W. Bush".

It took a devastating car accident, paralysis from the chest down, and dependence on a wheelchair before Matthew Sanford truly realized the importance of his body. He has been rolling into his body ever since. After the accident, Matthew spent the first fourteen years believing that his mind was shut out of his paralyzed body. He spent the next twelve years practicing hatha yoga and discovered how deeply he was mistaken. Living vibrantly through one's whole body – whether paralyzed or not – is a powerful part of living. Tune in as Matthew talks with Joyce about his company, Mind Body Solutions.

Tune in as Joyce welcomes Ginny Thornburgh, who founded and directs the Religion and Disability Program of the National Organization on Disability. Ginny talks about her work to ensure that places of worship for all faiths are made accessible for all people with disabilities.