In this episode of The DIS/Ableist Report, we speak with guest Dawson Grey about the LGBTQ+ community, physical disability, autism, chronic illness, and how these mix together in their life. Dawson tells stories about Pride, and the frustrating accessibility issues that they faced during it. We also explore feelings of isolation, and discuss how the LGBTQ+ community can be more inclusive to disabled people.

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Hurricanes are terrifying, but they'll never affect you. Right? Even if it's a slim chance, don't risk things and put off stuff like repairing your wheelchair, preparing equipment like ventilators, etc. In this episode, Jody sits down with us to go over preparation for hurricane season. Christine and Kyle talk about their own limitations, and explore how they've dealt with issues like these.

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In this episode, Kyle speaks with ADA Certified Coordinator, avid traveler, and wheelchair user Kelly Narowski. Together, we go through some legal rights reserved for disabled passengers, many of which Kyle didn't know about. We share travel and airline stories with each other, lament about the times that our chairs have been bent, broken, lost, obliterated, etc., and discuss why airlines need to be held more accountable.

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What?! You mean to tell me that rehab and PT doesn't have to suck?! Depending on the goals of their clients, Me And U Abilities Academy supports disabled people in our desire to live healthier lives. Despite being a new business, we talk about the ways that fitness has already impacted the lives of their clients. We explore the impact of COVID-19, and how it actually helped to shape the platform that Tina and Anne have created.

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The space between disability and gender identity isn't given the attention that it deserves. In this episode, we speak with former Representative Jennifer Webb about her political journey, and how her invisible disabilities and gender identity have impacted her work. The closet is a violent space for people who aren't "out" about their disabilities and/or gender, so we touch on some approaches for navigating this difficult process. The experiences are different, but attempting to "pass" as either able-bodied or straight is extremely volatile. When we restrict people or shame them for being their authentic selves, we continue to limit and exclude others, just because they are different. Lastly, we speak of the beauty and necessity for minority communities to unite and fight for equal rights.

If you'd like to speak with Jennifer, or need help finding LGBTQ+ and/or disability resources, feel free to connect with her over Facebook:

www.facebook.com/jenniferwebbfl

Call or text:

(727)320-6275

On this episode of The DIS/Ableist Report, we have a candid conversation with Rachel Barcellona about autism, modelling, acting, pageantry, and more. We talk about the general concept of beauty, and how society is beginning to include disabled people in that conversation. We brush up against the #freethestim movement, the outdated topic of "passing." As disabled people, we should be allowed to be openly disabled, and be comfortable with ourselves and our bodies. Rachel draws an important distinction between Autism Acceptance vs. Autism Awareness, as well as the language used to describe autistic people. She also talks about the Neurodiversity symbol (which looks like an "infinity" symbol), and how it is a better representation of autistic people than the infamous puzzle piece, which "...enforces the idea, especially by neurotypical society, that we're a puzzle that needs to be solved."

In this episode of The DIS/Ableist Report, host Kyle speaks with fellow, bacterial meningitis survivor Andy Marso. Andy describes his experiences of contracting while he was in college, where he underwent eight surgeries within four months. Kyle and Andy also talk about their different experiences with prosthetics, and how some doctors try to use prosthetics to "fix" the bodies of amputees. We close things out by talking about the importance of vaccinating against meningitis, and our intimate relationships with the practice of vaccination on a fundamental level. Also, shoutout to the University of Kansas for the support that they provided to Andy and his family during his recovery. If you want to support our cause, you can purchase our merch! https://www.cafepress.com/thedisableistnetwork

To get in touch with Andy, you can find him on Twitter @andymarso, or send him an email: [email protected]

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In this episode of The DIS/Ableist Report, we sit down with Lauren Taylor and talk about her experiences as a service dog owner. We go through experiences that she's shared with Buchanan, her "goofy" yellow lab, and the support that he gives her on a daily basis. From the process of getting a service dog from Canine Companions For Independence (CCI), to the ways that Buchanan helps her every day, to episodes involving poop emergencies, we talk about the incredible impact that this exceptional dog has has had on Lauren's life. Like us on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/disableist

To send Lauren an email, you can reach her at: [email protected]

Learn more about The DIS/Ableist Network by visiting our website: https://www.disableist.org

If you are interested to learn more about Canine Companions For Independence, visit them at: https://www.cci.org/

If you'd like to be on an episode of The DIS/Ableist Report, email us at: [email protected]

In this episode, we speak with Brendan Garrison about wheelchair accessibility. We explore the difference in accessibility for manual and power wheelchair users, speak about the pitfalls of universal design, beach accessibility, and why wheelchair users shouldn't have to wait in line for things like amusement park rides. By befriending more disabled people, as Brendan so aptly puts, we would all gain a better perspective about the concept of accessibility for disabled people. And finally, Brendan mentions that anybody can become disabled at any time. This principle should be the main reason why able-bodied people should care about the concepts of disability and accessibility.

**The views expressed in this episode are the opinions of the individuals on the show. The views presented DO NOT reflect those of any entities or persons outside of The DIS/Ableist Network.

In the ACTUAL first episode of The DIS/Ableist Report, Christine and Kyle wheel up and sit down with para-equestrian athlete Bryanna Tanase. We go through the in's and out's of Bryanna's journey to the sport of paradressage, how that fostered a growing love for horses, and the positive impact that it has on her body and mind. Through dancing with horses, Bryanna discusses us how it has impacted her outlook on life, and why she now appreciates each achievement. We also talk about Bryanna's goal to compete in the Paralympic games, where she'll begin work toward achieving her first goal: making it onto the Emerging Athletes List for paradressage. To get on this list, she'll have to score a 60% or above, on at least two dressage tests that her and her horse perform. After that, she can graduate to the Developing Athletes List, and ultimately to the Elite Athletes List, where most international athletes are classified. We lament about the cost of competing as a paradressage athlete, and how Bryanna will need financial contributions to continue competing. Lastly, we speak about how she cares for horses, how her power wheelchair allows her to do those things, and how that bolsters the relationship between her and these beautiful creatures.

If you'd like to learn more about her journey to the Paralympics, you can get in contact with Bryanna by reaching out to her on Facebook or Instagram @bt.paradressage. She also has a blog at: https://parapiaffe.wixsite.com/blog/blog.

If you are interested in horseback riding, paradressage, or any other para-equestrian sport, you can get in touch with Quantum Leap Farm at: www.quantumleapfarm.org. Reach out to Emerald M Therapeutic Riding Center at: www.emeraldmtherapeuticridingcenter.org.

Want to learn more about The DIS/Ableist Network? Visit our website at: www.disableist.org

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