Forget Dis!

Can I still communicate with a deaf person even if I don’t know sign language? Can all deaf people read lips? What is Deaf culture? What is a cochlear implant and what effects, positive and negative, does it have on a deaf person? These questions answered and more in our interview with Deaf interpreter Bonnie.

“Bloom where you’re planted” dawns one of the walls of the newly opened non-profit facility “The Garden Foundation” in Las Vegas. The Garden Foundation may very well be the first of it's kind in Las Vegas, offering person-centered and individualized services for all people with disabilities at affordable rates. Taylor Gardner, founder and CEO, talks about the vision and inspiration behind the foundation.

Left with feeling that there was much more to say with not enough time to say it, Erika continues her talk on how to support someone with Bipolar disorder, the most annoying things to say to someone with mental health issues, and how music has carried her through the toughest times in her life and given meaning to the full spectrum of emotions we all experience.

You may have called the weather 'bipolar' or used it as a blanket term to describe someone with mood swings, but what is it actually? Las Vegas local, balloon artist, and musician Erika Leigh has been diagnosed with Bipolar disorder and clears the air for us. Erika advocates for mental health awareness and management in a time where those with mental illness find themselves still heavily burdened by stigmas and abhorrent treatment.

He’s only 21 years old, owns his own booming business, and has Down syndrome. His name is John Cronin and he and his Dad are on a misson: spread happiness through socks. His message for everyone: “Down Syndrome does not hold me back.” Hear the story behind “John’s Crazy Socks.”

How can music therapy help establish and encourage learning social skills in children in with Autism? Emily and Kayla explain this facet of music therapy and hear about how Colin, a young boy with Autism, connects with others in music therapy.

Madison is 14 years old, likes coffee, and wears a smile often. She also has Cerebral Palsy and uses a wheelchair. She is often met with awkward staring, invasions of personal space, and misguided sentiments in public on a daily basis. Her mother Raina has a message for everyone: Madison is a person and deserves to be treated like one.

Jona Jeffcoat, similar to hosts Emily and Kayla, is a Music Therapist and accomplished business owner. Jona also faces major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, an invisible chronic pain disorder that affects her nerves, and hearing loss. At home, she is the mother of a son with Autism. So how does she balance it all?

Last episode we heard from Elizabeth, a music therapist with autism, on how to better interact with those on the spectrum. This episode we hear from a parent with a child with autism and how he is able to effectively navigate schooling and education for his child. This one's for the 'rents!

Elizabeth is autistic. To her, it’s who she is. If you have ever wondered how to better connect with someone who is on the spectrum and try to understand their perspective, listen to Elizabeth’s story, the works she does as a music therapist, and some of her stand-up comedy.