The 'P.U.S.H' Project

'In order to reduce our Footprint, maybe we can do a lot better in terms of saving energy, and water'
- Baris Girit
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Hey all!

Welcome back to Season 4 of the PodCast.

We're kicking this Season off with Baris Girit of Izmir, Turkey.

In this conversation Baris & Danny spend some time catching up, and reflecting, after meeting 11 years ago at an International Conference for Spina Bifida & Hydrocephalus in Izmir, and where the idea of 'P.U.S.H' was born.

Baris shares about his love for Video Games and dives into some of the things that he looks for in a game that he enjoys playing.

He also talks about the power of gaming in building Community & Connection.

Baris speaks to growing up inside of the Spina Bifida & Hydrocephalus Association of Turkey, and how he has developed his own independence & ability to create his own life.

Danny & Baris discuss growing up in households that didn't label/define/limit them because of living with Hydrocephalus/Spina Bifida.

They also talk about, regardless of where we are in the world, how many similarities we share across our SB&H Community, despite any of our differences.

Baris, it was SUCH a pleasure to have you on, and to connect again after so many years.

Until the next time!

❤️
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The 'P.U.S.H' Project Podcast
(People, United for Spina Bifida, and Hydrocephalus)
A Song, A City
http://www.asongacity.com/podcast

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'It's a child like any other child'
- Everlyne Jepkosgei

Hey all!

Welcome back to Season 4 of the PodCast, ALLIES EDITION.

We're kicking the first ever Episode of 'The Parent Perspective' with Everlyne Jepkosgei of Kitale, Kenya.

In this conversation, Everlyne talks about being a parent to a young person who lives with SB&H.

She shares some of his story, some of the Stigma, and Mis-Conceptions, and some of the things that she does in her Community to create positive change.

Everlyne, you're great, and we're greater because of parents like yourself.

Thank you so, SO much.

Please come back anytime.

:)

❤️
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The 'P.U.S.H' Project Podcast
(People, United for Spina Bifida, and Hydrocephalus)
A Song, A City
http://www.asongacity.com/podcast

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Support the show

'Don't be afraid to reach out to somebody'
- Rob Van Manen
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Hey all!

Welcome back to Season 4 of the PodCast.

We're kicking this Season off with Rob Vanen of Niagara Falls, by way of Oshawa, ON, Canada.

In this Episode, Rob talks about working in a Group Home, and working with people with Disabilities.

Rob also talks in depth about his Skill/Ability/Passion for helping people, and supporting the 'Underdog' in making sure that everybody feels included.

Rob talks about the power of our experiences to make us Community minded people, and he talks about building Self Confidence, as well as some of the ways in which he has continued to step out of his Comfort Zone.

It was so incredible to have you on Rob! GO LEAFS GO.

:)

❤️
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The 'P.U.S.H' Project Podcast
(People, United for Spina Bifida, and Hydrocephalus)
A Song, A City
http://www.asongacity.com/podcast

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

'Being an Ally means that you have to be humble, and get rid of the fear of learning, and be okay as a learner'
- Julia Duff

Hey all!

Welcome back to Season 4 of the PodCast, ALLIES EDITION.

We're kicking this Season off with the Executive Director of Spina Bifida New York State, Julia Duff of Albany, New York.

Julia shares some of her background, and incredible Journey to getting involved within our SB Community, what led her to SB NYS, and how she eventually became the Executive Director.

She talks about how learning about some of the many inequities that exist within our Local & Global Systems encouraged her to continue to dig deeper into how to address these issues through a Social Justice lens.

Julia talks about Stigma & Ableism, as well as the many different Micro-Aggressions engrained in our Society, that can often occur without bad intention, but still exist in ways that create negative Impact to the Spina Bifida, Hydrocephalus and/or Disability Narrative in general.

She shares some of the incredible VALUE that her experiences have had in continuing to create a positive Impact through the work of SB New York State.

Danny & Julia talk in depth about some of the many layers of Systemic Issues, and Systemic Bias, that still exist in the world, and how SB New York State is continuing to work to Re-Write the Narrative & change the perception of how Society sees people who live with Spina Bifida, Hydrocephalus and/or a Disability.

Julia, you're the absolute BEST.

Please come back anytime.

:)

❤️
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The 'P.U.S.H' Project Podcast
(People, United for Spina Bifida, and Hydrocephalus)
A Song, A City
http://www.asongacity.com/podcast

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

'You have to find things that make you happy'
- Dan 'BigDan' Jeffares
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Hey all!

Welcome back to Season 4 of the PodCast.

We're kicking this Season off with Dan 'BigDan' Jeffares of Cambridge, Canada.

In this Conversation, Dan shares some of his incredible story, including parts about his family, his kids in particular, and his musical Journey.

Dan talks about a song that he wrote, and released, called 'Lucky Me', which is about some of experiences living with Spina Bifida.

He talks about Accessibility when it comes to venues and playing gigs, as well as some of the many layers to Accessibility through the lens of Musicianship, Music Venues, and our own personal experience through living with Spina Bifida/Hydrocephalus.

Dan talks about some of the places of which he gets Inspired, and the importance of having a Community of people around you (like a band or family).

:)

❤️
.
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The 'P.U.S.H' Project Podcast
(People, United for Spina Bifida, and Hydrocephalus)
A Song, A City
http://www.asongacity.com/podcast

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

'Communication is the key to success'
- Esther Njuguna
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Hey all!

Welcome back to Season 4 of the PodCast.

We're kicking this Season off with Esther Njuguna of Kabete, Kenya.

Esther talks about being an Extraverted person, building Confidence, and Self Awareness, as well as not being defined by her Disability.

She also shares about her dreams of becoming a Motivational Speaker and why she wants to become a Speaker.

Esther also talks about some of the people that Inspire her, as well as some of the ways in which they Inspire her, and she talks about some of the ways in which her and her Father have done a lot of learning about each other, through each other.

Esther, keep up the incredible work that you do through Advocacy, and we cannot wait to continue to keep following your journey & life!

:)

❤️
.
.
The 'P.U.S.H' Project Podcast
(People, United for Spina Bifida, and Hydrocephalus)
A Song, A City
http://www.asongacity.com/podcast

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

'We are all dependant, one to each other'
- Dominik Drdul
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Hey all!

Welcome back to Season 4 of the PodCast.

We're kicking this Season off with Dominik Drdul of Drnava, Slovakia, just outside of Bratislava. 

In this conversation, Dominik talks about some of his work in Politics & Law, as well as some of the reasons as to WHY he wanted to get into politics.

He also shares about his passion for Sports, Fitness, and reading, as well as his Sport of choice, and some of the things that he's reading right now.

Dominik also talks about finding a routine that works for you, through the lens of Fitness, and Training, and how Sport has continued to inspire Creating Community, some of the Social, and Social Change, that he's continued to pursue, and create alongside friends in his life.

Man, Dominik, you're the best, and I'm so grateful that we were able to connect on the Podcast to have the conversation that we did. I can't wait until the next time!

:)

❤️
.
.
The 'P.U.S.H' Project Podcast
(People, United for Spina Bifida, and Hydrocephalus)
A Song, A City
http://www.asongacity.com/podcast

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

'Connect with your Community. Your Community can help you'
- Kateryna Shcherbyna
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Hey all!

Welcome back to Season 4 of the PodCast.

We're kicking this Season off with Kateryna Shcherbyna of Odesa, Ukraine, now living, and working, in Brussels, Belgium.

In this conversation, Kateryna talks about her passion for taking part in events that encourage Justice, and Positive Change. She also speaks to the power of people coming together over a common goal.

Danny & Kateryna talk about some of the layers of challenges that people across our SB&H/Disability Community have faced throughout the War, and Kateryna puts focus on all of the incredible things that she is doing, and people can do, to do something good in the world.

Kateryna talks about Stereotypes, and how geography, and travel, can shape our perspective, and she shares about one of the abilities that she's most proud of which is being a problem solver, and finding solutions.

She shares about Ukranian Culture, and home.

Kateryna, you are incredible & we are so grateful to have been able to have you on the Podcast, and we look forward to keeping in touch!!

:)

❤️
.
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The 'P.U.S.H' Project Podcast
(People, United for Spina Bifida, and Hydrocephalus)
A Song, A City
http://www.asongacity.com/podcast

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

'Don't keep quiet. Reach out. Speak about it'
- Simon Gisore Omboga
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Hey all!

Welcome back to Season 4 of the PodCast.

We're kicking this Season off with Simon of Nairobi, Kenya.

In this conversation, Simon talks about his biggest dream to see his projects be established with structures & discipline, shares some of his story, and WHY his experiences continue to influence, and inspire, the work he does to motivate our Community into the future.

Simon talks about knowing a lot about the world, and Danny & him dive into some of the History Of Canada, and some of the many injustices that Indigenous Canada has faced from past to present.

He shares some of the things that have challenged him, like his Health & Finances, and elaborates more on how he stays inspired through the challenges that he faces in life.

Simon, you're incredible.

Thank you so, so much for doing the work that you do, and we're so incredibly excited to keep in touch.
 
:)

❤️
.
.
The 'P.U.S.H' Project Podcast
(People, United for Spina Bifida, and Hydrocephalus)
A Song, A City
http://www.asongacity.com/podcast

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

'Act Locally, Think Globally'
- Laura Rosillo Beneyto
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Hey all!

Welcome back to Season 4 of the PodCast.

We're kicking this Season off with Laura Rosillo Beneyto of Alicante, Spain (named the Sunniest City in Europe *2023*), before moving to Barcelona to do her Masters, and now living, and working, in Brussels, Belgium.

In this conversation, Laura talks about so much of the work that she does across Social Justice Issues like Womens Rights, Disabilities Rights, representation in the workplace, and the Intersectionality through her experience, and all of these conversations.

She works to give us an understanding of what Social Justice actually means, and why it's important to everybody!

Danny & Laura talk about thinking 'outside of the box', and Laura shares some incredibly powerful Metaphors related to Society, and how we can all work together to create positive change.

She also talks about how being born with a Disability forces you to think outside of the Box, which can also be tiring.

Laura talks about the importance of Heroes & Role Models, and seeing ourselves in people across our SB&H Community, and why that, that can be so impactful in empowering our Community into the future.

Danny & Laura dive even deeper into the concept of 'Intersectionality', and how important it is to better understand, and de-mystify, big concepts.

Laura Rosillo, thank you.

Your honesty, transparency, work, and integrity is incredible, and I, Danny, look so forward to keeping all of these conversations alive for years to come!

:)

❤️
.
.
The 'P.U.S.H' Project Podcast
(People, United for Spina Bifida, and Hydrocephalus)
A Song, A City
http://www.asongacity.com/podcast

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show