Disability Matters

Joyce welcomes Brad Henderson president of the Pittsburgh Kids Foundation. The Pittsburgh Kids Foundation (PFK) helps churches and others working with youth to be more effective and strategic in their efforts. The PKF builds a community of youth pastors through monthly city-wide meetings and other intentional programs. The PKF collaborates with youth pastors to operate outreach retreats and camps for middle and high school students. Mr. Henderson will discuss the mission of this organization and the programs and services that the organization provides.

Joyce welcomes Peggy Beem-Jelley, president and CEO of Epilepsy Foundation of Western/Central (EFWP) PA. Ms. Beem-Jelley The 22nd Annual Mardi Gras Gala black tie event was held on February 9, 2016 at 6:30 p.m. at the Westin Convention Center in Pittsburgh. Both guests will discuss the event. Mr. O'Brien from the perspective of being "King of the 2016 Mardi Gras" and Peggy Beem-Jelley, from the perspective of how the event will helps the EFWP achieve its goals.

Joyce welcomes Gerald Homme, chairman of the Bender Lead On Team and Ginny Emerson, mother of the late, Sam Miller. The Bender Lead On Team aids youth in the areas of setting career goals and championing anti-bullying efforts. Working in high schools and on college campuses, members encourage young people with disabilities to set goals that align with competitive career opportunities. The Bender Lead On Team provides a forum for young people with disabilities to speak out about instances of bullying and to support others who may be involved in similar situations. Gerald will discuss this group in depth and his duties as chair. He will share his personal experience with being bullied in high school, while living with a learning disability. Ginny Emerson will reflect on her late son's life. Ginny will also share what it means to her to have Bender's Sam Miller Award named in honor of her son. The Sam Miller Award was established in 2012 by the Bender Lead On Team in memory of Sam

Joyce welcomes back, Kevin Bales, world-renowned author, expert on modern slavery, and co-founder of Free the Slaves, the U.S. organization of Anti-Slavery International (the world's oldest human rights organization). Mr. Bales will discuss the latest information in modern slavery and his new book, Blood and Earth: Modern Slavery, Ecocide, and the Secret to Changing the World"

Joyce welcomes nationally acclaimed youth motivator, comedian and keynote speaker, Michael Pritchard to the show. Pritchard began his career on both the comedy stage and as a juvenile counselor in San Francisco's Youth Guidance Center. In 1980, he won first place in the San Francisco International Stand-Up Comedy Competition as well as winning the prestigious California Probation Officer of the Year. Offers from Hollywood rolled in including a guest appearance on an Emmy Award winning episode of Taxi. Pritchard's sensational standup comedy billed him with Robin Williams, Jerry Seinfeld, Dana Carvey and Whoopi Goldberg, playing venues as Caesar's, the Comedy Store, Universal Amphitheater. But he rejected offers from Hollywood to focus on using his comic talents for inspiring youth and adults. Pritchard began using humor to inspire, teach communication skills, anger management, diversity, conflict resolution, and overcoming bullying. Pritchard will discuss his career in depth.

Joyce welcomes Daniel Lombardo, president and CEO of Volunteers of America Delaware Valley. The organization provides community-based assistance to populations in need so that they can lead self-fulfilled, independent lives. It strives to be recognized as a catalyst for transforming the lives and circumstances of individuals, families and communities. Mr. Lombardo will discuss this mission in depth.

Joyce welcomes Nancy D. Chiaravalloti, Ph.D, director of the Neuropsychology and Neuroscience Laboratory and Traumatic Brain Injury Laboratory; Glenn Wylie, associate director of both the Neuroimaging Center and Neuropsychology and Neuroscience Research; and Denise Krch, Ph.D. research scientist in the Traumatic Brain Injury Laboratory at the Kessler Foundation Research Center. Each guest, will discuss the world-class research and services of this rehabilitation facility, and the outreach on the related issues brought up in the film Concussion. Issues like neuroimaging, cognitive rehabilitation; memory retraining will be discussed in relation to the implications of concussions on school sports.

Joyce welcomes Namel "Tapwaterz" Norris and Ricardo "Rickfire" Velasquez of 4 Wheel City. This is an entertainment organization started by the two talented hip-hop artists and motivational speakers. Both are wheelchair users due to gun violence; the two men came together with this common history to start a new mission. 4 Wheel City uses hip-hop music and culture to create more opportunities for people with disabilities, inspire people not to give up in life, and to show the world that people with disabilities deserve to be treated equally. The group performs original music and gives motivational speeches at hospitals, schools, rehabilitation centers, fundraisers, and events all over the world.

Joyce welcomes Michael Murray, chief operating officer, for the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) to the show. The AAPD is the nation's largest cross-disability organization. It promotes equal opportunity, economic power, independent living, and political participation for people with disabilities. Members of AAPD include people with disabilities and their family members, friends, and supporters. Mr. Murray will discuss his plans for the organization since becoming chief operating officer and the mission of the organization.

Joyce welcomes back Daniel Budzinski, president of Charity Device. Charity Device is a nonprofit organization that is committed to feeding the hungry, relieving the impoverished, and providing clean water. The non-profit organization does this by encouraging the public to donate their devices (i.e. computer, iPod and tablets). When donating, you get a tax receipt, and the knowledge that you're helping with these worthwhile causes. Mr. Budzinski is discussing how the organization uses donated devices to make a difference and change lives. Also how your local place of worship, organization, and corporation can participate in this initiative.