We are joined on this episode with Angel Athenas! Angel won 4 gold medals in powerlifting at the 2019 Special Olympics World Games in Abu Dhabi. Prior to her feats at the World Games, Angel broke the women’s deadlifting record at the 2018 New York Special Olympics in Albany. She speaks on her huge list of achievements as well as what motivates her to keep going. 

Join us for a conversation about the importance and benefits of continuing education with Marsha, a Direct Support Professional (DSP) at Family Residences and Essential Enterprises (FREE) Inc. Marsha has a graduate degree and recently completed a new micro-credential program available at SUNY Farmingdale. Listen on to hear her experience with returning to the classroom and her advice for new and returning students.

We are privileged and honored to have Assemblyman Jarett Gandolfo on See Us, Hear Us! Assemblyman Gandolfo represents the 7th Assembly District on Long Island, and is the ranking member on the Committee of Mental Health. Listen on to hear more about services for mental health in schools, staffing challenges faced in our industry, and the integration of the Office of Addiction Services and Supports into mental health services. 

We are so thankful to be speaking with Assemblyman Jake Blumencranz about issues currently facing our community! On this episode, we speak about employment for those with disabilities, employment issues facing Direct Support Professionals (DSPs), housing on Long Island, and more. Assemblyman Blumencranz represents New York's 15th State Assembly district.

This week, we meet Angelo, a TBI survivor due to an arterial vein malformation. Angelo had begun feeling sick, passed out after a night out, and was quickly brought to the hospital by his family, unsure of the cause. Once the cause was determined, 2 liters of blood was drained from his brain and he had awoken from his coma, Angelo had been transported to multiple hospitals and facilities that would be able to accommodate his needs, including occupational therapy, physical therapy, cognitive therapy and speech therapy. Through this process Angelo experienced sadness, but knew he had to push through for his family. His goal was to leave his last facility walking with a cane, no wheelchair, and he did just that, making his promise to his mother come true.

This week on See Us, Hear Us, we are speaking with Taylor Darling, NYS Assemblywoman for the 18th District located on Long Island. Taylor is both passionate for helping those with disabilities, as well as becoming an advocate for those in her community. Her  passion for helping those with disabilities shines through her work as she sits on the Committee for People with Disabilities, and recognizes the inequities within the community of people with disabilities. Taylor Darling will discuss her views on streamlining access to resources, training needed to work with people with disabilities, and the importance of paying the proper wages for those who work with those with disabilities and their families.

This week we talk to Samantha, a TBI survivor. Samantha went through a tragic car accident, being hit by an 18-wheeler. She was not breathing after being pulled from the car, technically dead. After being in a coma, followed by months of rehab, Samantha was able to begin what she calls her “rebirth.” Despite the obstacles placed in front of her, she shows what the true meaning of determination and perseverance is. She has been checking off goals that she has wanted to accomplish since before the accident, and today, Samantha says “I am ready for the next challenge to come my way.”

This week is our season one finale and we wanted to end in a very special way. Our guest is Chris Whirl and he joins Dr. Christopher Long to discuss Traumatic Brian Injuries. It is a topic that he knows very well as he himself suffers from a Brain Injury. This episode was recorded as Chris was getting ready to celebrate ten years since the night of his accident. His ability to stay positive and rehab his way back from his injuries to re-enter the education system, have a job and be a role model for others is truly inspiring. 

Timestamps: 

00:30 - Chris Whirl Introduction

01:04 - What is a Traumatic Brain Injury

02:32 - Chris’ Injury

04:29 - How life changed after Chris’ injury

07:10 - The night of the injury

09:30 - Rehab and the journey back

13:59 - TBI Waiver Services and Goals 

17:08 - How to improve services

19:00 - Current Challenges for Chris

21:00 - Re-Entering the Education System

26:48 - Setting Goals/Using the SMART System

30:20 - Future Goals for Chris

35:10 - Chris on relationships and marriage

To learn more about the services that Family Residences and Essential Enterprises, Inc. offer, please visit https://www.familyres.org to learn more.

This week’s guest is Tyler. Tyler has an amazing journey that has taken him from the Ukraine, to being adopted by an amazing family in the United States before accomplishing great feats while pushing himself harder than he ever thought possible. Tyler is fully employed, loves his life, helps others like him through advocacy and has even created his very own podcast and music library. 

Timestamps:
00:37 – Born, Adopted in Ukraine

01:11 – Getting used to living in America

02:46 – Deal with Parents

04:00 – A Personal Breakthrough

06:24 – Post-High School Transition

06:55 – Saddle Rock Ranch Arrival

07:41 – What’s life on the Ranch like?

08:31 – Advocacy and what it means to Tyler

10:28 – Advocacy leads to Employment Success

13:30 – Tyler’s Future Goals

14:35 – Tyler’s Own Podcast Efforts - Autism Circle

16:01 – Advocating for State Funding

16:35 – Access to Services and Employment

18:25 – Housing Options for those in Need

19:15 – Support from Family

20:30 – Tyler’s Mom Became an Author to Tell His Story 

23:08 – The Importance of Music and Podcasts

27:17 – What can Providers do to Improve Their Services

To purchase the book about Tyler's Life; He Just Needs to Be Loved; visit:
https://www.amazon.com/He-Just-Needs-Be-Loved/dp/150052042X

To listen to Tyler and Josh's podcast; Autism Corner visit: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/autism-corner/id1633023396

To Find out more about Tyler and Josh's music studio visit:
https://www.stuartbroadcastingstudios.com

To learn more about the services that Family Residences and Essential Enterprises, Inc. offer, please visit https://www.familyres.org to learn more.

Bullying is something that feels like it’s gotten worse over the years than better. In this episode, Chris and Bradley talk about their experiences with bullying, the connection between bullying and people with disabilities and their ideas on how to make things better and possibly educate today’s youth.

Timestamps:
0:26 – Why is Bullying important?

01:30 – What might cause bulling?

02:53 – Bradley’s experience with Bullying

09:49 – Did Bullying ever get better?

11:05 – Overcoming challenges 

11:58 – The challenges of learning in school

13:21 – Navigating learning while being disabled and bullied

15:37 – Chris’s experience’s with his family

17:20 – How can we be proactive against bullying

19:23 – Educating all parties about bullying

20:20 – Creating a healthy environment in School

21:59 – How Bradley reached the bottom and overcame 

24:11 – Bradley’s closing advice

To learn more about the services that Family Residences and Essential Enterprises, Inc. offer, please visit https://www.familyres.org to learn more.