Disability Matters

Joyce welcomes Bill Wolfe, executive director of the Homeless Children's Education Fund (HCEF). Mr. Wolfe will discuss in depth, the mission of this non-profit organization, which is to serve as a voice for the homeless children of Allegheny County, PA and to ensure they are afforded equal access to the same educational opportunities and experiences as their peers.

Joyce welcomes Chris Kobus, president of the board of directors for Variety the Children's Charity of Pittsburgh, PA. Ms. Kobus will discuss the mission of this charity, which assists children with mental and physical disabilities and other health challenges, 21 years of age and under, in a 10 county area of southwestern Pennsylvania. Also discussed will be the organization's recent fundraiser, a two-day Radiothon on Q-92.9 FM, in Pittsburgh, PA.

Joyce welcomes former NFL player and current ESPN broadcaster, Merril Hoge to her show. Adding author to his list of credentials, Mr. Hoge will discuss his book, Find A Way: Three Words That Changed My Life. This book chronicles his story of how he overcame non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and provides inspiration on how to navigate difficult times

Back by popular demand, we will be rebroadcasting the November 23, 2010 edition of Disability Matters with Joyce Bender on December 14, 2010. Joyce welcomes The Honorable Tony Coelho, author of the Americans with Disabilities Act, and chair of the American Association of People with Disabilities. Discussed on the show, will be his personal experience, as a person living with epilepsy. He will reflect on the changes that have taken place in the lives of people with disabilities, including those with epilepsy, since the Americans with Disabilities Act was signed into law on July 26, 1990.

Joyce welcomes Betsy Valnes, executive director of the National Youth Leadership Network (NYLN). The NYLN is a youth-led organization that works to build power among people with disabilities between the ages of 16-28 years. The organization works to support young people in their role as the next generation of leadership in the disability rights movement.

Joyce welcomes Ken Lowenberg, Senior Director of Communications, national Epilepsy Foundation. He will be discussing his efforts to lead the Foundation's collaboration with the actor Greg Grunberg to create TalkAboutIt.org – a website bringing together Hollywood celebrities, epilepsy advocates, and the general public to help improve the national conversation about epilepsy. Mr. Lowenberg will also discuss the recent Foundation collaboration with producer JJ Abrams, who dedicated the New York City premiere event for his film "Morning Glory" to TalkAboutIt.org.

Joyce welcomes The Honorable Tony Coelho, author of the Americans with Disabilities Act, and chair of the American Association of People with Disabilities. Discussed on the show will be his personal experience as a person living with epilepsy. He will reflect on the changes that have taken place in the lives of people with disabilities, including those with epilepsy, since the Americans with Disabilities Act was signed into law on July 26, 1990.

Joyce welcomes chair-elect of the national Epilepsy Foundation, Dr. Brien Smith, from Spectrum Health in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Dr. Smith will discuss the importance of National Epilepsy Month, the problems that occur for people living with epilepsy when name brand medications are switched to generic brands, and the latest medical research that is being done in the field to help those living with epilepsy.

Joyce welcomes Ryan Dillon, who is living with epilepsy, and a member of the Epilepsy Foundation's national board. After moving to our nation's capitol to serve as a congressional aide, Ryan finally brought his seizures into the light, by embracing epilepsy and using his experiences to empower others and help raise awareness. As a result of a 5 minute seizure in July 2008, Ryan chose to speak out on the subject, in hopes of raising awareness. Ryan encourages those with epilepsy to tell their story and not be ashamed; he believes everyone with epilepsy can live a normal life.

Joyce welcomes Kristin Schkade, Chair of the Epilepsy Foundation's National Youth Council, which is comprised of 10 young adults, ages 18 to 24 who have demonstrated exceptional leadership in the epilepsy community. Ms. Schkade will discuss her experience on the council and her work as manager of the Epilepsy Foundation's Texas youth camps.