By Marlon "Shymar" Molinos podcaster
The podcast currently has 36 episodes available.
(Hosted & Produced by Marlon "shymar” Molinos)
The “Groove session” is a show that explores all aspects and matters of the heart. As someone who has never been in a relationship, I was fortunate enough to observe many different relationships throughout the years thanks to both friends and family. There were some good as well as bad sides to every situation I’ve seen. Watching these relationships unfold showed me that they are fragile and require a lot of work. I hope to provide my insight as to how to keep a relationship strong and provide some ideas that have not yet considered and hope that as a listener; you can take these suggestions to heart and possibly learn from your mistakes through my eyes.
Playlist
Don’t bend backwards for them — just try to make their day easier. If your partner is getting out of work late, then cook up a light dinner (or order takeout) and surprise them with it. (But like, don’t throw it in their face.)
(Hosted & Produced by Marlon “Shymar” Molinos)
The View from Chair Level is a talk show that discusses various topics from the viewpoint of Marlon Molinos an individual living with Cerebral Palsy since birth. The goal of this show is to inspire everyone to look past your limitations and find creative ways to accomplish your daily goals. A free mind is limitless, and you are the only one that sets your own limits.
Featured Song: Huey Lewis and The News - I Want a New Drug
The disabled have little access to sexual and reproductive education and general health information. They usually lack family planning knowledge and access. As a result, they have many children; compounding their financial challenges to look after the children. Access to health care facilities is also a challenge. Some clinics are far away, and some are not affordable. The HIV and AIDS scourge has adversely affected the disabled as they have been excluded in special education on the disease as far as prevention, management and treatment. There are no readily available materials in Braille for the blind. Some disabled are physically and sexually abused. By the time the abuse is discovered it will be too late to get proper and correct treatment.
Rebuttal
I agree with these issues wholeheartedly. The fact that the community with disabilities have compounded issues from needing assistive technology to live a somewhat “normal” life, to fighting for equal access to treatment, and various other necessities; having accessible materials such as pamphlets printed in Braille should also be readily available to the masses. I understand healthcare is very expensive and that even those without a disability also may not afford insurance, but there should be a way to make healthcare more affordable and accessible to all; disabled, or not.
I get that funding is always the go to issue in all matters, and I hope someday that won’t be. I know we are currently in a crisis with the COVID-19 pandemic and everyone is still recovering. I just feel that when this pandemic becomes more manageable. Our entire Government both local and federal need to find a way to make healthcare as a whole a priority and more affordable. I don’t have any ideas at the moment, but I’m sure you my faithful listeners do have some ideas.
Marlon Molinos – "it doesn't matter how a disability or situation is acquired. What matters is how you overcome, survive, and thrive with it."
(Hosted & Produced by Marlon “Shymar” Molinos)
The View from Chair Level is a talk show that discusses various topics from the viewpoint of Marlon Molinos an individual living with Cerebral Palsy since birth. The goal of this show is to inspire everyone to look past your limitations and find creative ways to accomplish your daily goals. A free mind is limitless and you are the only one that sets your own limits.
Featured Song: Kelsea Ballerini - High School
The disabled persons lack equal opportunities to attain education. This is due to discriminatory practices that have always looked down the disabled. The able-bodied children are given first priority to attain education. For the disabled even if there are opportunities to attend school most schools may not be accessible or far away. The majority of the disabled persons also require special schools who are very few and cannot accommodate even those disabled who can’t afford due to geographical challenges.
Rebuttal
As with everything in life, there is a price that needs to be paid to get it. Education is no different. Setting a goal such as getting your high school diploma, or degree is definitely achievable as I am living proof of someone who has gotten his degree. Although it's true that education is not in some situations as important, it is definitely one of the most satisfying achievements I have been able to complete.
In other situations, getting your degree can make a difference between getting an entry-level job, or the career of your choice. In reality, success is really in the eye of the beholder. You shouldn't shy away from getting a higher level of education because of your dictation, or disability. Nowadays, most if not all educational institutions have an office that helps people with disabilities get reasonable accommodations while attending classes. In my personal opinion, everyone has their reasons for not chasing that goal or dream, and although they are all pretty good reasons; you should not use those reasons to stop you from chasing your dream.
Try setting easy goals for yourself like getting your kids to bed early so they can wake up early to get ready to go to school and when you get them to school early enough that gives you more time to set new goals for the day. Even adding a reward for yourself for accomplishing a goal can be the motivation for accomplishing that goal.
Being educated doesn’t really mean that you need to get a degree as talked about above. Education comes in many forms and you should choose the one that fits you. Life is a large classroom that spits out lessons on the daily and you need to look at each setback as a learning tool and accomplishments as your reward for learning from it. I know for most of us that’s easier said than done, but when you do that, trust me you’ll be a better person for it.
Marlon Molinos – "it doesn't matter how a disability or situation is acquired. What matters is how you overcome, survive, and thrive with it."
(Hosted & Produced by Marlon "Shymar” Molinos)
The “Groove session” is a show that explores all aspects and matters of the heart. As someone who has never been in a relationship, I was fortunate enough to observe many different relationships throughout the years thanks to both friends and family. There were some good as well as bad sides to every situation I’ve seen. Watching these relationships unfold showed me that they are fragile and require a lot of work. I hope to provide my insight as to how to keep a relationship strong and provide some ideas that have not yet considered and hope that as a listener; you can take these suggestions to heart and possibly learn from your mistakes through my eyes.
Playlist
It’s been a while since doing a new episode of this flagship show The Groove Session and I can’t think of a better way for a comeback than to do a holiday episode. We tend to go through life doing the everyday things we have to do to survive without reflecting on the reason why we do what we do and that is for our family. In today’s episode we celebrate the season of giving and appreciate all that we have and what we give back.
Please leave your feedback here, or by checking out The M Squared Productions Facebook page. You can also hit me up on twitter: @msquaredproduct and post suggestions for show themes and topics there as well as shooting me an email at [email protected]
(Hosted & Produced by Marlon “Shymar” Molinos)
Air Date: Wednesday, 12/18/2019
The View from Chair Level is a talk show that discusses various topics from the viewpoint of Marlon Molinos an individual living with Cerebral Palsy since birth. The goal of this show is to inspire everyone to look past your limitations and find creative ways to accomplish your daily goals. A free mind is limitless, and you are the only one that sets your own limits.
Featured Song: Taylor Swift - Change
Disabled persons also suffer from socio / emotional and psychological challenges due to the way society view the disabled. People usually pass comments and remarks that are insensitive. Generally, people even use derogatory words when referring to the disabled persons e.g. Chimera-disabled. Sometimes they are not even counted as humans and are referred to as disabled-chimera. It is for this reason the word disabled is being substituted with physically or mentally challenged. These societal attitudes are found at all levels from family, Government level and international level. For instance, the 2016 Para Olympics had difficulties in finding sponsors for the tournament yet the tournament for the able bodied had no difficulties in being sponsored.
Rebuttal: It’s not surprising to see and hear that life for those with disabilities have faced and continue to face ignorance and unfair treatment as society continues to evolve. For those affected with disabilities, it is up to us to educate, and advocate for our needs. We need to stop taking things personally when we meet someone who is not educated with how to interact with the disabled. As with all movements, equality for disabilities require a little bit of finesse and understanding on both sides. We can't just go in guns blazing.
Even when the disabled decide to enter into marriages, it affects them as they are stigmatized. Superstitious beliefs frown at marriages between an able body and a disabled person. It is regarded as a bad omen by the family of the able-bodied person. Able bodied persons are not so keen to marry the physically challenged. Even when the disabled person find a partner, he/she may not be accepted.
Rebuttal: in some ways I can understand and empathize with the family because from the non-disabled perspective, being with a disabled person from the start of the relationship can bring a feeling of being burdened by the added pressure of not only taking care of the household, but the disabled person as well. From the disabled person’s perspective, we already have the added feeling of being inadequate because of our disability. Finding that one person who loves us no matter our short comings is a blessing that we hold dear. The one thing that should be taken from being with someone who is disabled is that we are very committed people when we see that our partners are truly committed to us. The extended family will always have their doubts, but isn’t that the same with all families? Being married to someone with a disability doesn’t guarantee a perfect marriage, but like with all marriages; the goal is to find that one person who makes you feel like you can do anything and if you find them, hold on tight and enjoy each other’s company.
Beside the traditional beliefs that disabled persons could have committed abominable sins, some healing and deliverance churches have joined the band wagon, added to the psychological. They cast aspersions towards the disabled and view the disabled as lacking in faith when they are not healed after being prayed for. This shows how difficult it is for disabled to integrate with the rest of society.
Rebuttal: It’s sad, but true. The truth is no matter what we do whether it’s to educate or advocate, there will always be those whose faith and beliefs are so strong that we can’t change their minds. We can only do so much. It has taken me many years to finally accept my disability to where I chose to look at it as a cause to inspire through my actions. I truly believe that I am not a mistake and that god made me this way to help inspire and educate the masses. I see now that everything I have done from the experiences I’ve had and the accomplishments I have done has led me to help inspire in my own way. As a society, we need to change our attitudes towards our fellow man and keep evolving to a higher place because if we don’t try to change then we will ultimately be left behind.
Marlon Molinos – "it doesn't matter how a disability or situation is acquired. What matters is how you overcome, survive, and thrive with it."
(Hosted & Produced by Marlon “Shymar” Molinos)
The View from Chair Level is a talk show that discusses various topics from the viewpoint of Marlon Molinos an individual living with Cerebral Palsy since birth. The goal of this show is to inspire everyone to look past your limitations and find creative ways to accomplish your daily goals. A free mind is limitless, and you are the only one that sets your own limits.
Featured Song: Brian McKnight - Win
The disabled have difficulties in accessing various facilities. They cannot easily maneuver due to the discriminatory manner buildings were built. Even where some buildings have provisions for wheelchairs, disabled persons may require additional assistance to maneuver. They also suffer challenges when using public transport which is the most affordable transport for them. Some operators shun the disabled as they do not cater for the space to accommodate the wheelchair even where it is foldable. The way the vehicles are designed also make it difficult for the disabled to board the vehicles.
Before considering suing as that should be the final option, it is always best to discuss with the business or individual what your issues were and if there was a way for you to be accommodated. Life is too short to cause such harm to the individual so show them the law and explain it, so they understand what needs to be fixed to be accessible.
Response: Time has come a long way with the help of the ADA. It has been required by law to provide accessibility to buildings, public restrooms, and vehicles used for public transportation no exceptions. Any business or individual who doesn’t follow is in violation and can be sued by the individual for noncompliance. Suing someone is the last step that you should take when dealing with a noncompliant individual or business. Most of the time, most businesses will comply by making some reasonable accommodations so that the individual can be involved or use the establishment. This does not excuse the business or individual for not being in compliance with the ADA. If the business, or individual serves the public; they must ensure that they are in compliance.
Use of modern and rural toilets (Blair) is also a challenge. Some disabled are unable to sit comfortably and some have to be escorted to the toilet or some have to feel the dirty toilet pans through touching to ensure they are in the right place.
The unavailability of the appliances e.g. wheelchairs and artificial limbs result in some disabled having to crawl or being carried on the back in order for them to be move from one place to another.
Response: it's sad but true. Individuals who are blind must feel their way around their environment to make a mental map of their location. Having to touch the rim of the toilet to ensure that they sit on it properly is something that is unavoidable. Having a disability, no matter what it is, require some sort of dependency on other people. It's true that the ultimate goal is for us to feel independent, but the truth of the matter is; is that the fight for accessibility in regard to be fully accessible environment is just a dream at the moment. Not to say that this dream won't come true, but we are still a long way to go.
Disable persons cannot successfully participate in sporting activities effectively. Their talents are never realized because there is little opportunities to participate at all levels. Those who may have been luckily identified will have to access special appliances or facilities in order to participate. Most of the appliances come dear and facilities expensive to maintain. Considering their poor economic status, it becomes a pipe dream.
Response: I can relate to some extent about it being a pipe dream, but in recent years that dream has become more real than just a dream thanks again to the ADA. More and more activities have been made readily accessible to people with disabilities. There have also been some programs that are specialized for specific disabilities, so that those affected with a particular disability such as cerebral palsy like myself are able to participate and be active.
Marlon Molinos – "it doesn't matter how a disability or situation is acquired. What matters is how you overcome, survive, and thrive with it."
Episode Access:
Itunes click here: https://itunes.apple.com/podcast/id1193913362?mt=2&ls=1
Spotify just click here: https://open.spotify.com/show/6cyDjOyUZCWgqh16KpDLvK
Google play Music Link: http://your-shows-libsyn-address.com/gpn
(Hosted & Produced by Marlon “Shymar” Molinos)
The View from Chair Level is a talk show that discusses various topics from the viewpoint of Marlon Molinos an individual living with Cerebral Palsy since birth. The goal of this show is to inspire everyone to look past your limitations and find creative ways to accomplish your daily goals. A free mind is limitless and you are the only one that sets your own limits.
Featured Song: Bob Marley - Bob Marley - Buffalo Soldier
Background to Challenges
Disability is viewed different by different people based on their socio economic positions. For us Africans, disability is viewed as spiritual a curse despite medical explanations proffered.
For the West; disability is a natural phenomenon that is explained by medical theories taking for example, the Polio outbreak that affected many children in the late 1950s and the 1960's.Such different perceptions from people therefore attract different interventions from the Government. The challenges that disabled persons suffer range from physical (structural), emotional, economic, and psychological, education, culture and health/medical .The complexity of disability is that it is associated with poverty.
Disabled persons face a myriad of economic challenges. Mostly they arise out of the discrimination that they face from family, institutional and central government level. They are less or not educated at all. Their level of participation in the economic arena is thus limited. They are unlikely to be accorded equal access to programs that empower the general populace.
Rebuttal: The goal of a disabled individual is the same as everyone, to contribute to society. As with all social movements, there are many setbacks and prejudices. Ultimately as time passed, laws were created to ensure equality for the disabled, i.e. the ADA. Despite laws being passed, we the disabled are still discriminated for one reason or another. I get that discrimination will always be a constant, but all we want is to be a resource adding to the community’s contributions. We just need someone to see the potential of what we can bring to the table and look past our short comings i.e. our disability. The one thing that everyone should think about before pre-judging a person’s inabilities are to consider how that person views the world. An autistic person may have other attributes such as an artistic eye that can provide an employer with the asset they need to better express the message of their company, product, or service. The employer just needs to be open-minded to the different ways of expressing one’s self to the other.
Due to these economic reasons their medical needs cannot be adequately catered for they cannot even afford to acquire special appliances to aid them with their crutches, wheelchairs, hearing aids, Braille, and artificial limbs etc. The lack of resources creates a circle of poverty to the disabled as they least afford to send their own children to school. This means even at their old age where they cannot even do the menial jobs of vending, they do not have children who can assist them financially since the children will also be struggling financially.
Rebuttal: Over the year more and more programs are becoming available to the community with disabilities and their families to ensure that they become contributing members of society. It boils down to what you need to be a contributor. On Guam in particular, there are programs available to assist with job search like DVR and the One Stop Career Center, Transportation such as the Para Transit system, GHURA for housing, MIP and Food stamps for food and medical needs, etc. and DSS for assistance in connecting individuals to different programs by helping clients navigate through all the red tape to minimize confusion and stress through the application process of programs that a person may need to access.
Yes, people with disabilities go through economic challenges just like everyone. We just need to surround ourselves with the people who can see the potential diamond in the rough and work with the system to get what we need to become contributors to our community.
Marlon Molinos – "it doesn't matter how a disability or situation is acquired. What matters is how you overcome, survive, and thrive with it."
(Hosted & Produced by Marlon “Shymar” Molinos)
The View from Chair Level is a talk show that discusses various topics from the viewpoint of Marlon Molinos an individual living with Cerebral Palsy since birth. The goal of this show is to inspire everyone to look past your limitations and find creative ways to accomplish your daily goals. A free mind is limitless and you are the only one that sets your own limits.
Featured Song: Cher Lloyd Ft. Becky G: Oath
Many people are reluctant to join support groups. But getting support isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s a tool that can help you live a balanced and healthy life.
I totally agree with this statement because when you have a disability the issue of self confidence and self worth comes into question. Yes, having issues with self-confidence and low self-esteem affects everyone, not just those of us with disabilities. It’s just a lot more difficult for those with disabilities to accept and understand because most disabling conditions are hard to hide and are often what causes the low self-esteem and confidence issues.
I’ve dealt with those issues my whole life. Trying to overcome my own challenges everyday as the years passed help to build my self-esteem and gave me the confidence I needed to be out in my community and live a seemingly normal life.
Despite all of this, I still struggle with self-esteem and confidence issues because it’s a natural part of life. I often questioned why I was given this challenge and I often felt depressed and questioned my life as a whole. As I sit here and reflect, I realized how hard I made things for my family. Always asking for help to do the simplest things until I joined my support group Special Olympics Guam, who showed me how to do things on my own with a few reasonable accommodations and modifications to my daily living.
They showed me a different way to look at a situation and tweak it to fit me. This is a lesson I use to this day.
In previous episodes, I talked about having a support system and joining a group that promotes a positive message of inclusion is definitely a great way to build up ones confidence and self-esteem.
Having that support group to talk to when you feel like life is putting you down is great to have because at times having a disability can be very difficult to accept especially when you get it through an accident of some sort. Being surrounded by people who have gone through similar traumatic situations who were able to get through them can help you see the light at the end of that proverbial tunnel.
Believe me, having a disability is not the end of the world. Just think of it as a brand new adventure. Take whatever time you need to mourn the loss of your previous life as an able bodied person and embrace the new life you have as a person with a disability. Lean on that support group to help show you how to live your new life. They will definitely give you a new perspective if you open yourself to this new adventure.
Marlon Molinos – "it doesn't matter how a disability or situation is acquired. What matters is how you overcome, survive, and thrive with it."
(Hosted & Produced by Marlon “Shymar” Molinos)
The View From Chair Level is a talk show that discusses various topics from the viewpoint of Marlon Molinos an individual living with Cerebral Palsy since birth. The goal of this show is to inspire everyone to look past your limitations and find creative ways to accomplish your daily goals. A free mind is limitless and you are the only one that sets your own limits.
Featured Song: MKTO - American Dream
Many people with cerebral palsy find that the condition’s effects are lessened when they remain independent in their communities. If completely independent living isn’t an option, consider in home care. A caregiver can help with essential tasks like driving, dressing, and cooking, while helping you stay comfortably in your own home.
Living independently is definitely a great dream to have and for those who were able to achieve it, kudos to you. I feel that Independent living doesn’t mean moving out of your childhood home and finding your own place. You can still live where you grew up and be independent.
I still live in my childhood home and despite that, I consider myself an independent person. Look at the benefits of living at home, there’s no rent, yes you pay for utilities but that’s what you do as an independent person. Leaching off on family to do everything for you including paying bills is not being independent, but living at home while you contribute to the bills, now that’s living independently.
For me, being fully independent is getting an accessible vehicle and driving myself around. I do use the transit system and I’m grateful for it, but again it’s the fact that I have to depend on others to get me around instead of depending on myself.
The dream of driving may be one of those dreams that won’t come true, but for the most part I still consider myself an independent person. Again it’s all about perception and how you see your situation. For example, if I were to just focus on the fact that I don’t drive as the reason why I don’t consider myself an independent person, then the mindset of not being independent will remain and hold me back, but if I focused on the other things in life that I do like going out and being involved in the community on my own then I can definitely say I’m living independently.
Hearing negative thoughts are great to hear, so you can stay grounded and connected to your friends and family, but limit how much negative things you take in so you are still able to reach your dreams. If your goal is to live independently then change your mindset and start thinking that you are independent and do things on your own that you thought you weren’t able to do before like doing simple chores around the house. Start small and work your way up. Believe me, it took me years to get to the level of independence that I’m at today. It took a lot of time and patience for me to prove to my family and friends how independent I can be that I’ve been able to go out on my own to accomplish my goals of finishing college and establishing myself in my community.
Marlon Molinos – "it doesn't matter how a disability or situation is acquired. What matters is how you overcome, survive, and thrive with it."
(Hosted & Produced by Marlon “Shymar” Molinos)
The View From Chair Level is a talk show that discusses various topics from the viewpoint of Marlon Molinos an individual living with Cerebral Palsy since birth. The goal of this show is to inspire everyone to look past your limitations and find creative ways to accomplish your daily goals. A free mind is limitless and you are the only one that sets your own limits.
Featured Song: Jamiroquai - Virtual Insanity
From Velcro shoes to communications devices that you can control with your eye movement, today there are all kinds of assistive gadgets out there that can make your day-to-day tasks invaluably easier.
Having access to technology to help everyone is definitely great. Don’t get me wrong, having a disability that stops you from living a “normal life” sucks and it can cause those affected with a disability to be very depressed and unsure of how to live independently. I can say that as technology improves and believe me it will, living with a disability will eventually no longer be looked at as a major concern.
The one thing that you need to think of is that if there’s a need, someone will create it, so even if you think of a certain technology or cure is unavailable or doesn’t exist, believe me someone will make it. You never know, that person could be you. Life presents us with many opportunities every day you just need to open your mind to new ideas, and even if something was invented doesn’t mean it can’t be improved upon.
Marlon Molinos – "it doesn't matter how a disability or situation is acquired. What matters is how you overcome, survive, and thrive with it."
The podcast currently has 36 episodes available.