In this episode, I had the privilege of speaking with Joci Scott, a multi-talented actress, singer, dancer, and content creator based in Los Angeles. At the age of 20, Joci's life took a dramatic turn when she became paralyzed due to a T12 spinal cord injury sustained in a plane crash. Despite the glaring absence of wheelchair users in her favorite movies and TV shows, Joci's determination to pursue her dream of acting never wavered. Her journey is one of resilience and unwavering commitment to advocating for equal and authentic representation of people with disabilities in the entertainment industry.

In this episode, Teddy Cosmo, a disabled musician, offers valuable insights into his life with cerebral palsy. Teddy candidly discusses the challenges he faces, such as spasticity and hand tremors, and how these impact his journey as a musician.

Throughout the conversation, Teddy delves into the obstacles disabled performers encounter in an industry often inaccessible. He highlights the vital role of inclusivity and representation in media, advocating for equal opportunities for all musicians. Teddy shares personal anecdotes of navigating inaccessible venues and underscores the significance of community connections within the disabled community.

In this episode, the founders of Dateability discussed their app's unique approach to dating for people with disabilities. They emphasized the importance of accessibility and inclusivity, which sets Dateability apart from other dating platforms. The app offers a range of features that cater to the specific needs of people with disabilities, such as the ability to filter matches based on accessibility requirements. Through Dateability, people with disabilities and chronic illnesses have access to a safe and secure space to meet and connect with others who share similar experiences. Overall, Dateability is a promising app that has the potential to revolutionize online dating for people with disabilities and chronic illnesses.

Within this episode, Alex Martinez, a wheelchair user with

spina bifida recounts her journey in the performing arts, particularly her

adaptations in ballet and hip hop. She elaborates on her choreographic

preferences, emphasizing her affinity for lyrics, and highlights her aspirations of mainstream inclusion for wheelchair dancers. Alex delves into

the challenges of performing on stage, underscoring the importance of

communication, spatial awareness, and stamina in musical theater. She also

highlights the significance of portraying disabled individuals leading

fulfilling lives and disseminating awareness through online platforms. As a

result, Alex aims to empower disabled artists to live their best-disabled lives

through dance and joy online. Tune in to hear about Alex's passion for dance

and representation.

In this episode, I am joined by Tracy Coval, a T7 incomplete paraplegic, who shares her remarkable journey of transforming chronic pain and disability into power through creative arts. Tracy discusses the healing power of creative expression, the impact of art therapy, and her insightful book, "An Untethered Truth, A Medical Journey'.

She emphasizes the importance of empathy and inclusivity and shares her journey of advocacy work within the disability community.

Tiffany Pervis, a resilient community organizer and political consultant, shares her journey in this podcast episode. While navigating life with cerebral palsy, blindness, and other health conditions, Tiffany has actively contributed to political campaigns at both municipal and state levels for the past 6 years. Drawing on her experience as a District Aide for the Florida House of Representatives, Tiffany holds two Bachelor's degrees in International Affairs and Sociology, along with an Associates degree. She reflects on her work and achievements.

Joseph Kibler, an actor, writer, and content creator, joins

me on the show to discuss his creative journey, growing up with a disability.

and HIV, his success on TikTok with humorous yet relatable content poking fun

at the challenges of being disabled, as well as his past and future projects.

Courtney Gabrus has a rare form of muscular dystrophy and

survived a stroke at 22; she is on a journey to entrepreneurship. Her

all-inclusive coloring books break boundaries and bring joy to many. Courtney's

story is a testament to resilience and inclusivity, proving that passion and

determination know no bounds. In this episode, Courtney and I discuss her

disability advocacy journey and how it led her to create inclusive coloring

books and start her live podcast.

Talented novelist Claire Forrest joins me to share her experience writing her young adult novel, Where You See Yourself, where draws from her experience as a wheelchair user with cerebral palsy. She also shares advice for fellow disabled writers, To learn more about Claire, visit her on Instagram and TikTok at @claire4est or check out her other work on claireforrest.com⁠