The Disability Myth

What happens when a teacher needs a caregiver by their side to do their job?

In this episode of The Disability Myth, we sit down with Janna Leach, a former second-grade teacher and current tutor living with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) Type 2.

Janna takes us through her experiences navigating school as a student with a disability, how those experiences shaped her decision to pursue a career in education, and what it was like working as a teacher while needing a caregiver to support her throughout the school day.

We explore the nuances of disability in the workplace, the complexities of bringing a caregiver into a school environment, both as a teacher and student, as well as the questions that arise when accessibility and professional responsibilities intersect. Janna's story offers a unique perspective on what it takes to create more inclusive educational environments—not just for students with disabilities, but for educators, too.

At The Disability Myth, we're challenging stereotypes, breaking down misconceptions, and having real conversations about disability. Because disability is rarely as simple as people think—and the more we listen, the more we learn.

🎙️ Subscribe to The Disability Myth for more conversations and content that challenge assumptions and change perspectives.

🌐 Website: https://thedisabilitymyth.org 
📸 Instagram: @thedisabilitymyth

Welcome back to The Disability Myth! 🎙️

We’re kicking off a new season with a conversation about where The Disability Myth is headed—and we’re excited to finally share what we’ve been working toward.

In this season premiere, we talk about recording in our new space, reflect on how far the podcast has come, and share our hopes for its future. But more importantly, we talk about our vision for The Disability Myth becoming something bigger than just a podcast.

We want to build a community where disabled people, caregivers, friends, family members, and allies can come together, share their experiences, challenge misconceptions, and advocate for a more accessible and inclusive world.

That means exploring the possibility of expanding The Disability Myth into a nonprofit organization focused on advocacy, community, education, and—most importantly—creating a place where people feel like they belong.

This is just the beginning. Welcome to the next chapter of The Disability Myth.

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🌐 thedisabilitymyth.org

📸 Instagram & Facebook: @thedisabilitymyth

One of the things I (Dom) take most for granted is my ability to communicate—and you probably do too. But what if you couldn’t? What if you tried to talk, but only seemingly arbitrary sounds came out? What if no one believed you when you tried to communicate in the only way you can?

On this episode, we have the pleasure of talking with someone who knows exactly what that’s like—Dom’s buddy, Derek. Derek joins us as a co-host as we interview someone who works every day to give children with chronic illness & disabilities a voice through song: Executive Director and Co-Founder of Hear Your Song, Dan Rubins.

Together, we explore what it’s like to communicate using assistive technology, the magic behind song production, and even discuss what we’d do if we were lost in space with our arch-nemesis.

What if the only thing standing between you and a life-saving treatment was a price tag? For many living with Spinal Muscular Atrophy, that’s the reality—Spinraza, one of three FDA approved treatments for SMA costs about $425,000 per injection. Beyond the medical challenges, families face crushing financial barriers and questions of accessibility that differ drastically from country to country.

This week, we hear from brothers Derek and Justin. Justin lives with SMA type 1, and Derek—his brother and caregiver—has transformed their experience into a mission. He founded SOAR, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting the SMA community by providing community outreach and support. Under SOAR, Derek created the SMA Support Mates Program, which connects kids and young adults with older mentors who know exactly what it’s like to live with SMA. 

Together, we talk about the urgent fight for affordable treatments, the stark contrast in accessibility between the U.S. and Vietnam, and how community can light the path forward.

On the latest episode of The Disability Myth, our friend Victor McConnell returns, but this time, he’s brought someone very special: his mom, Lori!

He was born missing an arm. She lost part of her hand in a childhood accident. Together, they talk about growing up with physical differences in different eras, parenting with disability, and how physical differences have impacted their lives as a whole. Plus, we get more 1 on 1 time with Victor to talk about the ongoing battle of pain-management and how we deal with the mental health struggles that come with it.

Another great conversation that you don’t wanna miss!

According to the World Health Organization, 1 in 100 children worldwide live with autism.

In this episode, we sit down with the founder of The Autism Voyage, a blog, resource home, and consulting service dedicated to helping families affected by autism navigate the often overwhelming world of finances and insurance. We talk about the real-life challenges families face, the gaps in the system, and how The Autism Voyage empowers parents with the tools, knowledge, and confidence to plan for the future. Plus, we get to hear how Michael Pereira navigated his son Christian’s diagnosis and the advice he has for others in similar circumstances.

Whether you're a caregiver, advocate, or just curious, this conversation is filled with insight, compassion, and practical advice.

What’s your favorite restaurant? Who’s your favorite 49ers player? What's one thing you would change about your life and why?

These are just a few of the hard-hitting questions that we answer in this final segment of our high school Q&A. Get comfy and join us as we talk football, retrospection, food, and movies!

If you live with a visible disability, there’s no doubt that at one point in your life, you’ve been asked by a child, “what’s wrong with you,” or “why can’t you walk”. These types of questions can be hard to answer but being patient enough to answer people’s curiosities can lead to common understanding.

On this week’s episode, we answer questions from high school freshman. I recently had the great privilege of being able to speak to the high school that we graduated from about my life. About a week after my presentations, I received a folder full of letters and follow up questions from the students. So join us as we let the students run the show—covering everything from our favorite movies and go-to comfort foods to what really motivates us when things get tough.

Second half coming next week!

What happens when you mix lived experience with SMA and a passion for fashion-forward accessibility?

You get Zipped Brands—a trailblazing business that puts zippers on mainstream shoes like Nikes, Converse, & Doc Martins, making them easier for people with disabilities to put on.

This week on the podcast, we sit down with the computer science major, content creator, and entrepreneur behind Zipped Brands to talk about the inspiration behind the business, the future of adaptive fashion and inclusive design, and communicating inclusivity through fashion and content creation.

Plus, you'll get to hear us get sidetracked over ghosts, video games, and Spinraza! If you’ve ever struggled with shoes that weren’t made with you in mind, this one’s for you.

💡Lights 🎥 Camera 🎬 Action

Our guest this week is an aspiring filmmaker living with Spinal Muscular Atrophy. She’s already created two short films that explore life with disability, and she's won an award at the International Online Film Festival!

Join us this week as we talk to a talented storyteller who’s using film to change the narrative around disability. Kick back and listen as Siara Mason shares what inspired her to get behind the camera, how her condition influences and impacts her creative process, and why authentic representation matters on screen and beyond.