Raising Kellan

In today's episode, I chat with Chrissy Beasley Hood. Chrissy is a Governor-appointed member of the Tennessee Council on Developmental Disabilities, Co-chapter Lead for Changing Spaces TN, and founder of Connecting the Journey: Special Needs Support Group. She and her husband Kevin live in Pulaski TN. 

They are parents to three daughters including Alaina, the youngest who has complex medical needs. Chrissy was instrumental in leading the movement to get legislation passed to install powdered height-adjustable adult changing tables in the State of Tennessee. A detailed bio of this story of parental advocacy can be found at www.raisingkellan.org  in the transcript

Timeline:

00:00 - 02:15:  Intro

02:15 - 03:30:  Chrissy and Alaina's Story

03:30 - 06:45:  What was the motivation for the advocacy to get the adult changing tables installed throughout Tennessee? 

06:45 - 08:39:  What is Changing Spaces TN?

08:39 - 09:57:  Grant and funding opportunities for adult changing tables in Tennessee.

09:58 - 11:13:  Who is able to apply for the grant? Link to Application.

11:14 - 12:46:  Partners in Policy Making Program

13:04 - 14:20:  Marshall the Mascot from the Tennessee Disability Coalition

14:20 - 16:07: Chrissy can be contacted at [email protected]

17:17 - 19:00:  Outro

Resources: Chrissy and Alaina's Story https://youtu.be/HCSHn50_JV0

Emily Ladau is a passionate disability rights activist, writer, storyteller, and digital communications consultant whose career began at the age of 10, when she appeared on several episodes of Sesame Street to educate children about her life with a physical disability. Her writing has been published in outlets including The New York Times, SELF, Salon, Vice, and HuffPost.

Her first book, Demystifying Disability, was published by Ten Speed Press, an imprint of Penguin Random House, in September 2021.

Emily has spoken before numerous audiences, from the U.S. Department of Education to the United Nations. Central to all of her work is a focus on and harnessing the power of storytelling as a tool for people to become engaged in disability and social justice issues.

Timeline of the podcast:

00:10 - 01:24  Intro

01:25 - 03:00  Emily Ladau’s background

03:05 - 05:02  Emily’s definition of disability and concept of ableism

05:03 - 08:00  Language of Disability

08:01 - 10:17  Language of Disability

10:25 - 13:40  Intersectionality as it relates to disability discussion

13:45 - 15:12  Role of parents

15:15 - 16:30  What is infantilization?

16:35 -17:37  Current concerns in the community?

17:40 -18:35  Closing Remarks

Emily’s call to action: “Disability is not negative or shameful and allyship is action.

This podcast was produced by Marsh Naidoo, Makendra Ezell, and Tanya Sierra.

Melissa Mittelstaedt provided captioning and transcription at https://www.melissamitt.com/uaccess

Link to transcript

Related resources on the podcast and blog: https://www.raisingkellan.org/the-models-and-language-of-disability/

Ashley Barlow graduated Magna Cum Laude from Miami University with a BS in German Education (K-12) and received her JD from Salmon P. Chase College of Law in 2006. In a former life, she was a German teacher in Jefferson County Public Schools and Cincinnati Public Schools, having taught nearly every grade from K to 12.  She also taught Real Estate and Business Law at Miami University. Her areas of practice now include special education, family law, estate planning, and probate.

Ashley practices statewide in Kentucky and Ohio and also operates a business to empower and inspire parents and advocates in special education, which can be found at www.ashleybarlowco.com. When not working, she is normally at the pool with her husband and two sons, one of whom has Down syndrome.

Timeline

2:00 Who is Ashley Barlow and the origins of Ashley Barlow Company?

4:45 Parental emotion vs the I.E.P

8:07 Ashley's recommended advocacy resources including Wrights Law

10:35 Ashley's parental tips and strategies: communication and compartmentalization.

15:00 Transition planning and the continuum of care (your child's employment preferences vs profiles, 5 areas of life that parents need to consider when planning their child's future, supported decision making)

26:00 Closing remarks and contact information.

Transcript

In this episode, we chat with Tom Woodard who together with his brothers Matt and John have created a unique workplace in Nashville TN that specifically employs persons with disabilities.   On the Avenue is located in the Gulch. It is part distribution center that provides drug testing kits to the State of Tennessee and part advertising studio where the participants known as "citizens"  have the opportunity to produce branded content including artwork, videos, podcasts, etc. 

Tom Woodard states: " citizens can come to a safe place to build community and confidence."   

Check out the work being done at On the Avenue

Timeline:  

00:00-01:56 Intro  02:15-04:54 

Origin Story  04:54-07:36 Workplace/ Creativity at the "On the Avenue"  

07:38-10:07 How to enroll  

10:20-13:13 A "On the Avenue" marketplace  

13:15-14:53 Community and Business Partners  

15:00-15:20 Website and Shoutout  

16:25-17:50 Thanks and outro  

July is Disability Pride Month and Judy Huemann does an amazing job describing what disability pride means to her as well as sharing the voice of other individuals throughout the world who identify as persons with disabilities. Be sure to check out her podcast the Huemann Perspective on Apple and Spotify

Transcript

In this episode, we chat with Ali Manning: food scientist, food educator, author, and founder of Umami Food Consulting.

With over ten years in the food industry, she utilizes her passion for food, science, and community to help food entrepreneurs tackle issues 

beyond the kitchen. Ali is the Program Consultant for Project Green Fork and the creator of Food Science 4 Kids, a program that

teaches grade-school children food science. She recently published her first children’s book, entitled “Can I Play with my Food?” a book that 

explores food and science through the eyes of two sisters, Nema and Lexi.

Ali is a graduate of Alabama A&M University and a Huntsville, AL native, but after being a transplant for nearly 12 years, she truly considers 

Memphis is her home. Aside from her day-to-day businesses, she loves to skate with her “Memphis Skate Hotties”

community, explore the Memphis food scene, travel, and create content with her husband and personal photographer Brian Manning 

(@photos.bybe). Learn more about her passion for food science, and all things creative at Ali-Manning.com

Timeline:

00:00 - 1:41 Intro of episode

1:42 - 2:39 Intro of Makendra Ezell our summer intern

2:40 - 3:29 Who is Ali Manning?

3:30 - 4:59 What inspired Ali to write " Can I play with my Food?"

5:00 - 6:54 The story behind the book

6:55 - 7:54 What had driven you to become the successful woman you are today?

7:55 - 8:49 Ali gives advice to young people...

8:50 - 11:06 Ali talks about her hobbies

11:07 - 12:19 What does a food scientist do?

12:20 - 13:22 How to pursue being a food scientist?

13:23 - 14:41 Ali gives advice on how to be a motivational speaker

14:42- 15:59 Message for listeners

16:00 - 16:59 Closing with Ali

17:00 - 17:39 Ali social media handlers

17:40 Outro and give away

Website: Ali-manning.com

IG: aliglad_carpediem

Email: [email protected]

Transcript

Sergio Calderon is the founder of Valiant Fitness. He provides an all-inclusive functional training program for individuals of all abilities. His program was created after awareness that community-based fitness programs were not available to serve individuals with IDD and Mental Health needs. Sergio lives in Murfreesboro, TN but grew up in a small town named Fillmore in Southern California. 

Sergio says: " I always wanted to work with people to help them be the healthiest version of themselves. While I wasn't sure how that would look, I had a passion for helping people. I began my schooling by majoring in Kinesiology. At that time, I worked at a physical therapy clinic." 

"Unfortunately, during my time in college, I had an accident and suffered a traumatic brain injury along with several broken throughout my body. This re-routed my life completely. In one night, my goals changed to fighting for my life, finding the strength to overcome the physical and mental limitations that I now faced, and learning to walk, talk, and live a functional life again."

 "After many months of therapy of all kinds, I began to see myself again, I was able to think about the dreams that I once had and found ways to pursue them. I know now, more than ever, that I wanted to help people. I had a new sense of compassion and understanding after living with so many limitations. After that, I enrolled back in school. I received my Bachelor's in Kinesiology shortly after. I worked with the community through many different facets when I was finally introduced to the field I am currently in. I worked as a coach with the special needs population at another local gym back home. In my time there, I was able to really grow as a person and as a coach."

" I furthered my experience and truly fell in love with the public in this capacity. I had known for years that I wanted to create my own Fitness Program. In fact, I knew what the name would be shortly after my accident. When life finally led me to a place where I could make that dream a reality. Valiant Fitness was born. To be Valiant means to show courage and determination, which is a trait that I see in my students every single day."

Timeline: 

1:30 Sergio's Intro

2:00 Origin Story of Valiant Fitness

5:12 Tell us about your program

6:30 Who are the clients that you primarily serve?

7:40 Your from CA > TN

11:30 What is generally involved in a workout session with you?

13: 00 Advise to parents: Believe in your child's ability to do more than what they have been told. 

My call to action is to provide the right support system in order for your child to excel in their physical abilities.

Sergio can be contacted at [email protected] and reached

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/valiantfitnessscv/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ValiantFitnessSCV/

Transcript 

Colleen and Max Starkloff founded the Starkloff Disability Institute in STL, MO. 

Do yourself a favor and check out the work being done here to empower students and young adults with disabilities to think creatively and proactively about their future. 

Colleen chats with us on a wide range of topics including the Disability Rights Movement and History, ADA, Universal Design as well as the innovative programs offered at the Institute.

Timeline:

2:15 The Institutes Mission. We discussed the Origin Story and the programs offered by the Institute including The Dream Big Camp and  Access U.

11:13 Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and educating Corporate America.

15:00 Affecting change in societal disability perspectives.

23:00 Disability Rights Movement within the context of Human Rights.

Transcript

BIO: Dr. Alyssa Walz, PT, DPT is a pediatric PT born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia. She is the Professional Development Director at Tender Ones Therapy Services where she has worked for the last 7.5 years. Dr. Steve Doran and Dr. Alyssa started the Stand Up Paddle Boarding Aquatic Therapy program in 2015, and co-founded the Paddle Boarding PT/OT Camp with OT Nilka Clayton. Alyssa works PRN at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and Integrated Therapy doing aquatic therapy with children and adults. Alyssa is on the race team for the Kyle Pease Foundation which creates awareness and raises funds to promote success for persons with disabilities by providing assistance to meet their individual needs through sports. Alyssa loves to paddle board, hike, do yoga, run, travel, teach and share her love for life with the world.

Timeline: 

2:00 Who is Alyssa Walz, PT, DPT?

4:00 How did you get the SUP program set up?

9:27 Line up for the Summer?

10:30 Dates for the Camp

11:30 Volunteers

13:00 Why Paddle Boarding?

Alyssa's Takeaway: "Don't be afraid to try something new"

Transcript

As the mother and primary caregiver of a special needs child, Carla Christensen has spent over 20 years navigating the world of special education and medical advocacy. She's brought that hands-on experience to her role as Marketing Director for MAX-Ability, where she relishes the opportunity to work with groups like Changing Spaces, Universal Changing Places, Love Hope & Autism, The On-Air Advocate, and now Raising Kellan to increase awareness of a variety of special needs, particularly restroom accommodation for all.

Carla's Takeaway: "Accessibility is NOT accommodation. We all benefit when everyone can get out and about to lead their fullest lives, and that means accommodating the person, not the wheelchair."

Timeline: 

2:00 Grass roots advocacy for adult changing tables in Tennessee SB 0602/HB1686

3:00 Origin of MAX-Ability

5:00 Why adult sized changing tables?

7:00 Funding and possible solutions for small businesses

10:00 Carla's Backstory

14:00 Where would you like to see adult sized changing tables?

Why are adult sized changing tables valuable? This is a video of Chrissy advocating for an adult sized changing table for her daughter https://youtu.be/HCSHn50_JV0

Thank you to We Rock the Spectrum Gym in Franklin Tennessee for sponsoring this episode. You can learn more about WRST on Episode 54 of the Raising Kellan Podcast

Transcript

Hillary Sussman has been a physical therapist for 24 years, she is a mother of three, and a dog mom to Roxy; the inspiration for her new inclusive children's book series- The Adventures of Roxy

1:00  Hillary Sussman, PT and the Adventures of Roxy

2:30 April is Limb Loss and Limb Difference Awareness Month

3:20 Theme of the Amputee Coalition: "Your Ordinary is Extraordinary"

6:15 The Adventures of Roxy

9:40 Inclusive Children's Book. 

Call to Action: My hope is that Roxy and her life lessons can be shared with ALL children, specifically those who are living with any physical, learning, or emotional challenge, to help them gain confidence; while also educating ALL children to be more inclusive and accepting of differences. My goal is to get Roxy and her educational activities into all elementary schools, to start this dialogue early and hopefully mitigate bullying.   My call to action is to educate your children EARLY about differences, using inclusive books, to share them in your schools, libraries, and communities, to create a more accepting environment for all kids, especially those living with limb and other differences.

Transcript