Thomas Daniel Queter's powerful statement sets the tone for this eye-opening conversation: "When your wheelchair breaks down, you become unseen and unheard." Recording from the Abilities Expo in Chicago, this speedcast features the founder of the Mobility Independence Foundation sharing his revolutionary approach to mobility equipment access.

Born with osteogenesis imperfecta and having experienced approximately 2,000 fractures throughout his life, Thomas found himself trapped in his apartment for five years when the healthcare system offered only wheelchairs that would have led to injury. His solution? Creating an open-source wheelchair design that lasts 30 years, charges in just six hours, and can be built by community members with basic technical skills. The contrast is stark – while people typically wait 1-3 years for wheelchairs through insurance.

The conversation exposes troubling realities about mobility equipment access, including Medicare's "in-home rule" which states equipment only needs to be adequate for moving between bed and bathroom.

Thomas's passionate message resonates throughout: "If you have a problem, there is a solution. Build teams, find your tenacity, do not give up." Check out The Mobility Independence Foundation at THEMIF.org and watch for their documentary "The Power to Move" to learn how you can support this important movement revolutionizing access to mobility equipment.

Dan McConchie shattered expectations when he became the first paraplegic elected to the Illinois state legislature. His remarkable journey from military service to groundbreaking political advocacy unfolds in this raw, candid conversation recorded at the Abilities Expo in Chicago.

McConchie's story begins with military service as Army infantry and military police from 1989 to 1998. Life changed dramatically when a hit-and-run motorcycle accident left him with a spinal cord injury in 2007. With extraordinary resilience, he rebuilt his life only to face another devastating setback—breaking his back a second time during adaptive skiing, which worsened his injury from T12 to T9. Rather than surrender to circumstance, McConchie channeled his experiences into public service.

During eight and a half years in the Illinois Senate, McConchie transformed accessibility in government. Now leading a nonprofit focused on accessibility policy nationwide, McConchie continues fighting for practical solutions to everyday challenges faced by people with disabilities.

The conversation delves into shared experiences of isolation and the profound importance of finding community among others who understand disability challenges. Through it all, McConchie's message resonates clearly: "How can I make the world a better place today with the powers that I've got?" His work proves that advocacy, education, and representation are powerful tools for creating a more accessible and inclusive society. Subscribe to Life to the Max for more conversations that challenge perceptions and inspire action.

From the moment of catastrophe to a life of global adventure, Kayla Godwin story captivates with raw honesty and unexpected turns. After a devastating car accident left her in a month-long coma and permanently changed her physical abilities, Kayla found herself at rock bottom—one-handed, using her non-dominant hand, and questioning whether life was worth living.

Her candid revelation about contemplating suicide creates an immediate connection with listeners who've faced similar dark moments. But what makes this conversation truly remarkable is the serendipitous twist that changed everything: meeting Corey Lee, a well-known wheelchair athlete who needed a personal assistant. This chance encounter launched Kayla from never having set foot on an airplane to exploring some of the world's most extraordinary places—from the chaotic beauty of India to the pristine isolation of Antarctica.

The conversation at the Abilities Expo in Chicago reveals fascinating details about her medical journey, including innovative surgeries that turned her arm into a mechanical "pulley system" allowing limited but crucial functionality. Despite her challenges, Kayla learned to build guitars discovered new perspectives on humanity through her global travels. Her description of India challenges Western stereotypes, highlighting how people with so little material wealth demonstrate extraordinary generosity and kindness.

This speedcast episode delivers a powerful message about resilience, second chances, and finding purpose in unexpected places. Whether you're facing your own challenges or simply seeking inspiration, Kayla's journey reminds us that even our darkest moments can lead to unimagined opportunities.

Follow Amanda's journey on Instagram @chronically._.creative and discover how art becomes both healing and revolutionary in the hands of someone determined to increase representation through creativity.

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From the 2025 Abilities Expo in Chicago comes a powerful SpeedCast that packs an emotional punch in just under eight minutes. Meet Amanda Peters, the creative force behind "Chronically Creative," whose journey through over 100 surgeries has transformed into an artistic mission to increase wheelchair representation in digital art.

Amanda candidly shares her life with spina bifida, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, and hydrocephalus—challenges that kept her frequently hospitalized yet sparked a creative awakening. "I started getting into design once I entered a bit more of a healthy era," she explains, noting her disappointment at the scarcity of wheelchair-inclusive artwork despite millions of Americans who use mobility devices. 

What makes Amanda's art distinctive is her digital approach. Using an iPad with a stylus, she overcomes hand tremors through digital filtering tools, allowing her to create whenever inspiration or health permits. This adaptive technique emerged during COVID when she found herself with fewer surgeries and more creative energy. Her mother introduced her to crafting as therapy—a way to focus on creation rather than pain.

Perhaps most striking is Amanda's perspective, summed up by her t-shirt: "Chronically ill, I prefer medically fascinating." This outlook culminates in her parting wisdom that resonates far beyond disability communities: "Try to take different risks and do new things, even if you're not quite sure you're going to be able to do it, because chances are you're going to be surprised at what you actually are capable of." 

@marcfucarile 

@marcnetworkinc

A chance encounter at the Chicago Abilities Expo led to one of our most powerful conversations yet. Marc Fugarile, a Boston Marathon bombing survivor, shares his journey from the devastating moment when the second bomb detonated just feet away from him – instantly amputating his right leg, setting him ablaze, and leaving him fighting for his life.

With remarkable candor, Marc reveals the profound isolation he felt during recovery, describing how it took three and a half years to find the appropriate prosthetic socket for his needs. "I missed three and a half years of my son's life because I wasn't able to be standing up," he explains, his voice carrying both grief and determination. This frustrating experience sparked the creation of the MARC Network (Mobility Awareness Resource Community) – a free mobile app connecting people with disabilities, their families, and service providers in one digital space.

What truly distinguishes Marc's vision is his recognition of untapped power within the disability community. "We are a community made up of 60 million people that control a trillion dollars in spend every year," he emphasizes. Yet this immense potential remains fragmented by systems that divide people by specific conditions, diminishing their collective voice. Mark passionately argues for unity, noting how the disability community consistently bears the brunt of economic downturns and policy decisions made by those unaffected by the consequences.

The MARC Network represents more than just technological innovation – it's a movement to reclaim agency and create sustainable support systems. As Mark explains his public benefit corporation model that channels resources back into community needs, we glimpse what's possible when tragedy transforms into purpose. This speedcast episode may be shorter than our usual format, but its impact will stay with you long after listening. Download the MARC Network app today and join a community that's redefining what's possible.

Download the MARC Network APP:

App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/marc-network/id6467240921

Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=uk.co.disciplemedia.marcnetwork&pli=1

"Travel isn't meant to be easy—it's meant to be worth it." These words could easily be the mantra of Cory Lee, an extraordinary traveler who has visited 52 countries and all seven continents while navigating the world in a power wheelchair. In this intimate conversation recorded at the 2025 Abilities Expo in Chicago, Cory shares his remarkable journey with spinal muscular atrophy and how it became his motivation rather than limitation.

When Cory launched his blog "Curb Free with Cory Lee" in 2013, accessible travel resources were virtually non-existent online. What began as a modest attempt to fill this gap has evolved into a movement reshaping how the travel industry approaches accessibility. From humble beginnings where attraction passes felt like golden tickets to now being paid by destinations worldwide to showcase their accessibility features, Cory's trajectory mirrors the growing recognition of travelers with disabilities as a vital market segment.

The conversation takes us through the very real challenges of wheelchair travel—particularly the anxiety-inducing experience of air travel, where the fear of wheelchair damage looms large with every flight. Yet despite these obstacles, Cory's adventures span from feeding elephants in Thailand to receiving traditional tattoos from monks by riverside temples. His children's book series featuring "CorCor," a wheelchair-using explorer, is educating the next generation about both the possibilities and practicalities of accessible travel. Whether you're a wheelchair user seeking travel inspiration or simply someone who believes in exploring beyond perceived limitations, this conversation will transform how you view travel, accessibility, and human potential.

Ready to see the world from a new perspective? Follow Cory's adventures on Instagram @curbfreecorylee or visit his award-winning blog at curbfreewithcorylee.com to discover how accessible the world can truly be when we refuse to accept barriers.

Discover how Chris Blair transformed from a directionless small-town teenager into a successful hospital administrator through military service, healthcare experience, and exceptional leadership skills.

Chris shares his pivotal moment of clarity when he realized he needed to make a profound choice to change his life trajectory, leading him to join the Navy as a Hospital Corpsman. His military experiences built the foundation for a healthcare career that spans from direct patient care to executive leadership.

The conversation reveals how Chris's unique perspective—having worked at every level from patient care tech to hospital administrator—shapes his people-first leadership philosophy. "Culture eats strategy for breakfast," he explains, demonstrating how focusing on employee engagement turned struggling hospitals around during his career. When he transformed one facility's employee favorability rating from 3.2 to 4.1, the finances naturally improved too.

What makes Chris's approach distinctive is his servant leadership mindset: "I am not in charge of anybody and no one works for me. I work for them." This perspective, combined with his "eat what you kill" entrepreneurial energy, created environments where healthcare teams flourish despite the industry's challenges. His candid insights about healthcare's thin 3% operating margins and the constant balance between quality care and financial sustainability offer rare glimpses into hospital administration realities.

Beyond career insights, Chris discusses meeting his wife while stationed in Guam, earning his MBA with a 4.0 GPA while working through COVID, and his philosophy that failure isn't a person—it's just evidence you're trying. His journey exemplifies how military discipline, healthcare experience, and genuine care for people can create an extraordinary leadership approach. As Chris says, "All gas, no brakes."

Michelle's journey from the cotton fields of West Texas to Navy Commander reveals a life defined by resilience through seemingly insurmountable challenges. 

Raised by a cotton farmer in a small Texas town where children chased rattlesnakes for fun, Michelle's childhood foundation of toughness would serve her well. When her parents divorced during her teenage years, both seemingly trying to relive their own adolescence, she navigated the tumult of small-town gossip and dangerous rebellious behavior without stable adult guidance.

Facing financial reality after high school, Michelle pragmatically chose nursing because "it was going to be a way to pay my bills." Without family support for college, she joined the Navy's Bachelor Degree Completion Program, trading education for service commitment. This decision led her to Guam, where she met her husband Chris and faced an unexpected revelation – Chris had fathered a child during his military discharge process. Rather than continuing her planned career path, Michelle requested reassignment to be near his son, beginning a journey of blended family that transformed her priorities.

Through financial ruin that once had them living in their restaurant, deployment to Germany treating wounded warriors, and two battles with breast cancer, Michelle's faith remained her cornerstone. "I've had that anger of 'why me?'... and I kind of came to 'why not me?'" she reflects. Her story powerfully demonstrates that resilience isn't about avoiding suffering but finding meaning within it.

Have you faced unexpected challenges that seemed to derail your plans? Michelle's journey shows how our greatest difficulties often reveal our higher purpose and unexpected blessings. Subscribe to hear more stories of resilience and Living Life to the Max despite circumstances.

Join us as we delve into the remarkable journey of Lucky Chucky, a former inmate turned influential advocate for change. Growing up in the challenging streets of Chicago, Chucky faced numerous adversities that culminated in his life of crime and subsequent incarcerations. He shares firsthand accounts of his experiences while participating in the reality show "60 Days In," shedding light on the harsh realities of the prison system and advocating for the humane treatment of inmates. Through his powerful testimony, listeners gain insight into the complexities of gang culture, addiction, and the systemic issues that plague many communities. 

Chucky's commitment to help others find their own path to redemption shines through as he discusses his work with various organizations. He highlights the critical role of mentorship and community support in reducing recidivism and helping former inmates reintegrate into society. By sharing his message, Chucky inspires those who struggle with their past to take steps toward a brighter future. Tune in for a thought-provoking conversation filled with hope, resilience, and the unwavering belief that change is possible. Don’t forget to subscribe, share, and leave a review to help amplify Chucky’s inspiring message!