Disability Matters

Joyce welcomes Mac Gray who will talk about his varied career as a motivational speaker and overcoming a motor cycle accident in 1984 which resulted in quadriplegia. Also discussed, will be his Decisions and Consequences program, which has enabled him to speak to thousands of teens and young adults about the dangers of alcohol, drugs and driving.

Joyce welcomes, co-authors, Ruth Anne Wood and Stash Serafin, of You Can't Get It 'Cause You've Already Got It!, A blind figure skater and visionary writer's inspirational guide to moving through life. Discussed on the show will be the book and Mr. Serafin's experiences.

John Matney, Human Resources/Organizational Development Consultant and cultural diversity coach, will discuss his varied career and his experience living with bi-polar disorder, to motivate others.

Neal Lutz, Director of Bender Consulting Services, Inc., as well as, Ricco Brusco, and Jim Homme, both Software Developers and Project Managers for Bender Consulting Services, Inc., discuss what employment means to people with disabilities.

Celia Hindes, Executive Director of Variety the Children's Charity, and Greg Triko, will discuss Variety's programs and services.

Joyce welcomes Nancy Stampahar, founder of Silver Lining Solutions® an organizational training and keynote speaking business, and author of Peace, Love, and Lemonade: A Recipe to Make Your Life Sweeter to the show. Discussed on the show will be the mission of both the book and her business.

Joyce welcomes student participants in the National Epilepsy Foundation's Kid's Speak Up Advocacy Campaign; Tim Finnigan and Jamie Laurie. Discussed on the show will be the mission of this campaign in depth. The campaign provides the opportunity for kids between the ages of 7 and 16 to go to Washington, D.C. to meet with their elected officials to help the Foundation present the need for better public understanding of epilepsy and research toward a cure.

Joyce welcomes Dr. Donna Carol Maheady, author of Nursing Students with Disabilities Change the Course and Leave No Nurse Behind: Nurses working with disabilities discusses her advocacy work for the inclusion of nurses with disabilities in nursing practice. Also discussed will be her non-profit resource network for nurses and nursing students with disabilities.

Back by popular demand, we will rebroadcast the November 7, 2006 episode of "Disability Matters with Joyce Bender". Joyce welcomed Alan Faneca, Left Guard for the Super Bowl Champion Pittsburgh Steelers Football team. Discussed on the show was his volunteer work with the Epilepsy Foundation of Western and Central PA (EFWP) and his personal story as a person with epilepsy.

Dr. Brien Smith, Medical Director of the Comprehensive Epilepsy Program at the Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Michigan, and National Board Director of the Epilepsy Foundation will discuss epilepsy, and the civil rights work that he did on behalf of soldiers and veterans by testifying before the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee about the need for Epilepsy Centers of Excellence to treat people with post-traumatic epilepsy.