Resilience and Empowerment

In this episode of 'Pushing Forward with Alycia,' host Alycia converses with Leah Kaplan, an adaptive athlete and fervent advocate for disability inclusion. Leah shares her remarkable journey from an orphanage in China to becoming an empowered individual. She discusses her congenital disability, her advocacy driven by her mother, and her passion for adaptive sports. The discussion touches on Leah’s perspective on self-advocacy, her career in special education, and her intense yet rewarding journey toward the Paralympics. Leah’s story provides a riveting look at resilience, the importance of community, and the power of embracing one's identity.

Leah Kaplan's Unstoppable Pursuit of Disability Inclusion

😂 Finding Humor in Adversity: A Unique Perspective

♿ Disability: Bridging the Gap of Diversity

💪 Empowerment Through Advocacy: A Life-Changing Moment

🌍 Inspiration Through Inclusion: A Voice for Change

🎭 Bringing Laughter and Light to Special Education

🏅 Beyond Limits: Strength of Adaptive Athletics

🚀 Room for Improvement: Embrace the Journey

❤️ Find Your Passion, Not Pressure

🔥 Resilient Action: We Can Do Anything!

“You don't need to make the Paralympics your whole life in order to be worthy.  Just do it because you love it” ~ Leah Kaplan

Your Listening Guide: Timestamp Breakdown

00:00 Introduction to Pushing Forward with Alycia

00:26 Meet Leah Kaplan: Advocate and Athlete

01:51 Leah's Early Life and Adoption Story

03:08 Growing Up with a Disability

04:33 Discovering Advocacy and Sports

10:29 High School Empowerment and Career Path

13:17 Impactful Teaching Moments

17:06 Journey to Becoming a Paralympic Athlete

20:24 Mental Health and Overcoming Challenges

24:35 Advice for the Younger Generation

27:23 Conclusion and Future Goals

Connect with Leah Kaplan:

Leah on LinkedIn | Nubbin2SeeHere Instagram | Nubbin2SeeHere on TikTok

Follow Up with Alycia:

Share Feedback with Alycia About the Podcast | Follow Alycia on Instagram | Connect with Alycia on LinkedIn | Book Alycia for a Speaking Event | Inquire on How Alycia Can Train Your Employees in Disabling Ableism | Buy Alycia’s DEIA Micro Learning Video Series

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices