Disability Matters

Joyce welcomes Pastors Scott Stevens, David D'Angelo, and Ryan Paskey of North Way Christian Community Church in Wexford, PA to the show. These members of the clergy for this congregation of faith will discuss their new roles within the church. In addition, they will discuss why young adults feel that they do not feel close to God while at church and have left. Finally, they will also discuss why young adults feel that they can't address some of life's most pressing questions while at church and the times of services for Christmas in-person and online.

Joyce welcomes Charlie LaVallee, CEO of Variety the Children's Charity, back to the show. With a mission to empower children with disabilities to live life to the fullest, Variety the Children's Charity provides life-changing mobility and communication equipment to ensure its most vulnerable kids are no longer left out, behind, or excluded. Mr. LaVallee will share the programs and services of this non-profit organization for children with disabilities and their families and explain the importance of supporting this cause at the holidays and year-round.

Joyce welcomes Mary Mercer, Ministry Leader, Spiritual Leader, Writer and Speaker and Amy Smith, Worship Director of North Way Christian Community to the show. Guests will discuss their individual contributions to the church and programs at the church sharing the gospel during the holiday season to children and adults who attend the campuses of North Way Christian Community.

Joyce is honored to welcome Dr. Pat Crumrine, Epileptologist at UPMC's Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, PA to the show. Dr. Crumrine will discuss the latest research and advancements in the care and treatment of children living with epilepsy happening at this renowned hospital.

Joyce welcomes Patricia Dean, Epilepsy Network Liaison for the Epilepsy Alliance America to the show. Epilepsy Alliance America is a growing national organization representing like-minded local, regional, statewide, and even other national agencies dedicated to serving the everyday needs of people who live with seizures and epilepsy. Ms. Dean will discuss their work in depth and share how the organization creates greater awareness of living with epilepsy.

As we continue to recognize November as National Epilepsy Awareness Month, Joyce welcomes back to the show, The Honorable Tony Coelho, author of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Mr. Coelho will share his story of living with epilepsy and discuss the mission of The Coelho Center for Disability Law, Policy, and Innovation at the Loyola Law School to collaborate with the disability community to cultivate leadership and advocate innovative approaches to advance the lives of people with disabilities.

During Election Day 2022, Joyce welcomes Gerald Homme, Scott Hammerstrom, and Peri Jude Radecic to the show. Discussed on the show will be the Rev Up Coalition of PA, which is part of a national campaign to include the 60 million Americans with disabilities in the election process. Its mission is to foster civic engagement and protect the voting rights of Americans with disabilities. REV UP stands for "Register! Educate! Vote! Use your Power!"

Joyce welcomes Peggy Beem-Jelley, President and CEO and Colleen Fulkerson, Special Events Coordinator of the Epilepsy Association of Western/Central, PA (EAWCP) to the show. The guests will discuss the programs and services of the EAWCP and plans for the 2023 Mardi Gras annual gala and fundraiser for the non-profit organization.

Joyce welcomes Marlene Sallo, newly appointed Executive Director of the National Disability Rights Network (NDRN) and it's President of the Board of Directors, J.J Rico to the show. The NDRN is the nonprofit membership organization for the federally mandated Protection and Advocacy (P&A) Systems and the Client Assistance Programs (CAP) for individuals with disabilities. Ms. Sallo will explain her history in disability advocacy and explain where she plans on taking the national organization under her leadership. Mr. Rico will share his insight into the mission of the organization and share his own story that led him to support NDRN's cause and what it means to the Board of Directors to have Ms. Sallo as Executive Director of this vital organization.

As we get ready to celebrate the 23rd year of Disability Mentoring Day (DMD), Joyce welcomes back National Disability Rights Leader and the originator of Disability Mentoring Day, Jonathan Young to the show. Disability Mentoring Day (DMD) is a large-scale national effort coordinated by AAPD to promote career development for students and jobseekers with disabilities through career exploration and ongoing mentoring relationships. While DMD has been and continues to be officially launched the third Wednesday of each October during National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), the foundation of the program has expanded from a one-day event to a year-round initiative across the country. Jonathan served at the White House during the Clinton administration as the Disability Liaison to the President. Currently, Jonathan is the Chief Operating Officer and Co-Founder of Akero Therapeutics in South San Francisco. Akero Therapeutics is a clinical-stage cardio-metabolic company developing transformational treatments for non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), a disease without any approved therapies. Mr. Young will discuss the groundbreaking research that is being done at the company to treat this disease and share his advocacy work on behalf of people with disabilities prior to joining the company and his commitment to the same in his current role.