Class is in session, but it’s a lesson you’ll never want to end because we have double trouble leading the show. It’s an episode dedication to education, and how young people with chronic illness/disability can get all the academic support, modifications, accommodations and empowerment they need to thrive in any level of academia they choose. Being in school and living with chronic illness/disability is a major portion of time in life, so getting all the inner secrets and tips to make your school years enjoyable and successful is crucial. And our special guest is not only an expert on academic accessibility and advocacy, but she’s also founder Dominique’s older sister, Erica-Lee Viel DeSimone. Being a special education teacher for over nine years, Erica’s passion has been giving students tools, individualized advocacy skills and support to excel in their education. She’s even been an education advocate for young people with disabilities and illnesses from elementary through university years, taking her advocacy to social media with her co-founded platform Special Space in Our Heart.

The Top Five Takeaways from the podcast are:

1. At 3:56, get all your questions answered in “Top Search” when Erica explains the basic levels of accommodations and adaptions that you can get in school, the reason you need to research one particular topic, and why university academic support allows your independence to shine when you utilize it.
2. At 22:22, the sisters get chatting about handling talks with teachers when you need support because your illness/disability is impacting the school days and work. And Erica explains her top four ways you can try communicating with your teachers when you need some modifications to achieve success, from extended deadlines, physical needs supports and more, PLUS, while emailing teachers early helps you in the long run.
3. Intermission Story Time at 40:02, Erica brings up a story from her childhood, about how positive reinforcement got Dominique to go from a basketball wallflower to a major shooter…and made Erica’s childhood allowance go down quite a bit.
4. Second half starts at 43:10, when Dominique and Erica talk about how social side of being in school can impact when young people will utilize their accommodations and supports. We tackle how to handle classmates making comments about her medical equipment or modifications, Erica gives the different ‘response personas’ you can take when people ask questions, and they discuss how asking for different tips on privacy with your teachers ahead of classes can actually curb the social strains.
5. Final segment at 58:01 is a blast of fun as the Viel sisters answer questions about each other, and you’ll learn why they have very different dance styles, and a favorite sister memory. Let’s make going to school and university enjoyable and not another task we gotta accommodate. 

Please like, comment, subscribe and share this episode, follow Erica-Lee @specialspaceinourheart. Please check out the InvisiYouth Charity Shop to buy yourself or someone you care about our limited edition Subtle Activist Color Block bracelet on

Wanna support our nonprofit?

• Watch on YouTube
• Shop
• Instagram
• Twitter
• Facebook
• Donate