Disability with Mālama

Leelynn and Roxanne discuss AILH's Transportation Program on the Big Island with Bea Sextimo. Learn more about why AILH's Transportation Program is so vital to the disability community on the Big Island and hear some success stories from our amazing van driver Bea.

Leelynn and Roxanne have a discussion with Best Buddies in Hawaii! We get to hear from Executive Director Karen Glasser, as well as Sophia and Malia who are participants of the School Friendship Program. Learn more about the benefits of Best Buddies Hawaii, and hear from our program participants on how Best Buddies works.

https://www.bestbuddies.org/hawaii/about

Best Buddies Hawaii is also having a Friendship Walk in May! Here's the link for more details: https://www.bestbuddies.org/hawaii/friendship-walk

Leelynn and Roxanne reflect on the beginnings of Disability with Mālama, and where they see it going in the future. Look back on the past guests and discussions we've had over the past 8 episodes, and share your comments on what you would like to hear next.

**Trigger Warning: Discussion on domestic violence occurs in this episode.**

Leelynn and Roxanne discuss the impacts of brain injuries on domestic violence victims with Dr. Violet Horvath, Executive Director of Pacific Disabilities Center at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, John A Burns School of Medicine. You can reach out to Dr. Horvath to receive more information or request a seminar from her at [email protected]

Other resources in Hawaii that specialize in TBI:

Leelynn and Roxanne interview AILH Board Director Susan Luehrs on her organization Hawaii Fi-Do! Hawaii Fi-Do's Healing Dogs enhance quality of life, increase independence, and offer therapeutic healing to our island community. Learn more about this amazing organization here.

https://www.hawaiifido.org/

Our first panel discussion includes Executive Director Roxanne Bolden and East Hawaii IL Specialist Karin Riedel as they talk about their recent experiences traveling during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Roxanne and Leelynn interview Tammy Evrard, Empowerment Director and Founder of Tammy Evrard Consulting. Tammy utilizes her skills to empower individuals, families, and agencies to strengthen their advocacy efforts. Listen to their discussion on the importance of self-advocacy and why "Nothing About Us, Without Us" is crucial in the fight for continued disability rights.

Learn more about Tammy Evrard Consulting, advocating, and her weekly TEC Empowerment Calls on https://tammyevrardconsulting.com/advocating/

Leelynn and Roxanne interview Rosie Rowe, Executive Director of Leadership in Disabilities and Achievement of Hawaii (LDAH), a nonprofit organization whose mission is to enhance educational, work and life opportunities for children and youth with or at risk of disabilities by empowering them and their families through screening, identification, information, training and mentoring, and by public outreach and advocacy. Listen to their discussion on Hawaii's Education Laws and what that means for the families of children with disabilities in the State of Hawaii.

Learn more about LDAH on their website: https://ldahawaii.org/

Join Leelynn and Roxanne as they interview one of AILH's Founding and Current Board Members Scott Suzuki. Mr. Suzuki is an attorney that specializes in Legal Guardianship and explains more of what that means, when parents need to start thinking about it, and why it's important for parents with disabled children.

You can find out more about Scott Suzuki on his website: https://suzukiaal.info/

Leelynn and Roxanne interview the founder of SPIRIT Club, Jared Ciner. SPIRIT Club is one of AILH's partners in providing our consumers with fun and engaging physical activity. Learn more about our partner and how we've worked together during the pandemic to get our consumers active.