The Ramp. It. Up! Podcast

On this episode of the Ramp. It. Up! Podcast we are observing Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Awareness Month.  MS is a chronic neurological disease where the immune system attacks the central nervous system (brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves), causing symptoms like fatigue, vision loss, pain, and mobility issues.

The month of March is set aside to raise awareness, promote early diagnosis, and support funding to find a cure. Our Guest for this episode of the podcast is Regina Beach, an author, an adventurer, a fellow performer of the From Where I Sit project, and a person living with MS. 

Regina shares about her life, her work in the arts, navigating living with MS, and how to keep things sexy with your partner, even with a disability. 

Ramp. It. Up!

Get to Know Our Guest

Regina Beach is a disabled poet and essayist. Originally from the American Midwest, she now calls the U.K. home. She is a freelance writer and editor passionate about accessibility in the arts. She is the founder of the literary magazine Lesions | Art + Words, featuring the work of creators living with chronic conditions. She hosts Writers’ Hour and is the editor of the London Writers' Salon’s Writing in Community anthology. She facilitates creativity workshops for the MS-UK charity and is the producer of the Living Well with MS podcast. 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reginabeach_creativewellbeing
Facebook: http://facebook.com/ReginaBeachCreativeWellbeing/
Substack: http://reginagbeach.substack.com/
Website: http://www.reginagbeach.com/ 

Click the links below to watch the From Where I Sit performance presented by UAB:

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JfCYWhId-48
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DvBSsiIQODQ

Click the link below to watch the From Where I Sit documentary directed by Ingrid Pfau:

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6M3qmd4WoPg

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Love is in the air on this episode of the Ramp. It. Up! Podcast. We are just a few days away from Valentine's Day… are you ready to take that special someone out? Dating as a wheelchair user isn't always easy, especially if you've been out of the game for a while. On this episode of the podcast, I'm getting you ready for your next big date. I share some tips to help you get back in the dating mindset, and a few steps to follow to get you ready for a day/night on the town

Ramp. It. Up!

Indoor Dates

• Wine tasting
• Dinner and a show
• Comedy show
• Coffee/ice cream/dessert
• Movies
• Bookstore 

Outdoor Dates 

• Picnic at the accessible park
• Stroll on the boardwalk
• Botanical or similar garden
• Accessible Water Taxi
• Accessible sunset Cruise
• Accessible City/celebrity tour

Fun Dates

• Outdoor/indoor festival
•  Escape room/ treasure Hunt
• Game night
• Cooking class
• Sporting event
• Sip and paint
• Comic book convention
•  Interactive museum experience
• Karaoke night
• Bar Crawl

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Email: [email protected]

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We are back with a brand new season of the Ramp. It. Up! Podcast! We are kicking off Season 7 on a high note. Singer, wife, fellow quad, and all-around ray of sunshine, Cherelle "CJ" Jackson, joins me on the show to share her story. We talk about her passion for music, finding strength in her faith, and how he put a ring on it.  Tune in to the episode for all the details.

Ramp. It. Up!

Get to Know Our Guest

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/egyptiancake/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cyancai
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@seatedcovers4034
Bible Verse: https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Ephesians-6-12/

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Email: [email protected]

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On today's episode of the Ramp. It. Up! Podcast, we are joined by singer, songwriter, composer, director, actress, and advocate Anita Hollander.  

Get to Know Our Guest

Anita Hollander has worked throughout Europe, Asia, Russia and America as an actress, singer, composer, lyricist, director, producer, and teacher.  She has premiered new works of composers and playwrights at Carnegie Hall, Playwrights Horizons, and New York Shakespeare Festival, where she sang original work of Philip Glass. She received a Helen Hayes Award nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Musical for the Olney Theatre premiere of The Fifth Season and originated the title role in the award-winning play Gretty Good Time at the Kennedy Center in Washington. As a two-time cancer survivor, Anita has negotiated over half her 50-year performing career on one leg, using her disability not only to enhance her roles, but to enlighten the world about disability and promote greater visibility and employment for performers with disabilities. 

Anita Hollander has performed throughout the world, including such places as Carnegie Hall, Kennedy Center, London’s West End & NY Shakespeare Festival, and her award-winning original solo musicals, Still Standing & Spectacular Falls and film, Everyday Mermaid, have played nationally & internationally. She’s guest starred on Law & Order, FBI: Most Wanted, and Welcome To Flatch, and appeared in films such as Handsome Harry and Musical Chairs. A favorite theatrical role was Grizabella in CATS, which she played as a 3-legged cat and won a Broadway World citation. www.anitahollander.com

Website: https://www.anitahollander.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/anita.hollander.56
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anitahollander/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@anitahollander 

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Email: [email protected]

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On The Ramp. It. Up! Podcast, we are celebrating Thanksgiving! It has been a year, and life has been LIFING! But we want to give thanks that we are still thriving despite what life throws at us! I hope you all have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Our guests on today's episode are an amazing married couple and dedicated advocates. Cole and Charisma Sydnor or as you may know them from their popular YouTube channel, Roll with Cole and Charisma. After years of following their story and adventures on YouTube, I had the pleasure of meeting them at a conference in 2023. We chat about Cole's injury and recovery journey, their relationship, and their channel. Listen now for the full conversation.

Ramp. It. Up!



Get To Know Our Guests

Cole and Charisma Sydnor, also known as “Roll with Cole & Charisma” on YouTube, are an interabled and interracial couple who started their YouTube channel on the premise of sharing their lives with friends and family who were curious about their relationship. Their content ranges from travel and lifestyle vlogs, to couple’s first times and attempting viral challenges. Their goal from the start has been to destigmatize disability and interabled relationships, and demonstrate that contrary to what many people might think, life with a disability can be exciting and filled with love, laughter, and adventure.
 

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/roll.with.cole
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@coleandcharisma?lang=en
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RollwithColeCharisma.Vids/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/roll.with.cole/?hl=en
https://www.instagram.com/happilycharisma
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCA5Zfb-OOm7eDHHa8iu9izQ


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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZAnH8I6sGEf7SJ9OKw8dEA
Email: [email protected]

We want to hear from you!

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On today's episode of The Ramp. It. Up! Podcast, we are closing out Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Month by speaking with Elizabeth Vander Kamp and Suzanne Costello about the Write to Heal study, a program Elizabeth facilitated during the pandemic for individuals with spinal cord injuries as part of a nationwide telehealth research study. Click here for more about the study. As a participant of the study, I am excited to be sharing some of my writing in a follow up stage performance, From Where I Sit, alongside my fellow participants directed by Suzanne. 

Ramp. It. Up!


Get to Know Our Guests

Elizabeth brings decades of facilitation experience to Expressive Writing through her own writing, performing, and storytelling and story-listening work.  She was certified in Write to Heal through Duke University’s Health & Well-Being Program in 2019.  Since then, Elizabeth has facilitated 1on1 and small group expressive writing with scores of people.  Through the University of Alabama at Birmingham Arts in Medicine program, Elizabeth facilitates expressive writing with people living with spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, transverse myelitis, and family members giving care to a relative with ALS.   

Website: https://www.summerreddesigns.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elizabeth.v.kamp/
LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-vander-kamp-64086b23a/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ilovestories63


Suzanne Costello began her career in New York and has toured throughout the U.S. and abroad as a dance/theater director, choreographer, performer and teacher for four decades.  She has been at the forefront of the Arts & Health field since introducing the Caring for the Caregiver program in 1991. She is currently working on an extensive project that engages persons with spinal cord injuries in a performance titled From Where I Sit to be presented at the University of Alabama in May, 2025. The cast for this new performance work come from across the country and were brought together through the writing program, Write to Heal, offered by zoom during Covid. These participants’ writings and stories will come to life on stage through movement and voice May 10, 2025 at the Alys Stephens Center. 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suzanne-costello-0b8a10217/
Website: http://www.stuartpimsler.com/about/artists-staff/
Website: https://ormaodance.org/suzanne-costello/


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Email: [email protected]

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On this episode of The Ramp. It. Up! Podcast we are talking about love and relationships with documentary filmmaker, Benjamin Duffy. Take a Look at this Heart is an open and honest conversation with people living with disabilities about their love lives and their searches for love. We go in depth about his experiences with the subjects of the film and discuss perceptions about disability, sex and intimacy. Watch the trailer here.

Ramp. It. Up!



Get to know our Guest

Ben Duffy, a 34-year-old from New York has been an independent documentary producer/director/editor for 14 years. Ben has made 12 documentaries, 4 of which have been feature-length and have been distributed worldwide by 1091 Pictures, formerly known as "The Orchard". Ben has now found a new passion for writing and directing narrative films.
 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ben.duffy.16503
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@benduffy3044
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/takealookatthisheart/
Stream:https://tubitv.com/movies/610601/take-a-look-at-this-heart



Stay Connected to the Podcast
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Email: [email protected]

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On this episode of The Ramp. It. Up! Podcast, I have some good news. Your favorite podcast host Rhonel, is officially a Certified Professional in Accessibility Core Competencies (CPACC). Check out the IAAP Website for my information on the certification.

Also, joining me for the episode is Natalia Mendez, Founder and Executive Director of Women on Wheels. She shares how she turned her experiences post-SCI led to her advocacy.

Ramp. It. Up!

 


Get to Know our Guest

Natalia Mendez is Founder and Executive Director of Women on Wheels, a non-profit organization that educates and empowers women with spinal cord injuries. She is currently Vice President of the United Spinal Association’s New York City Chapter and has over 14 years experience working as a Youth Advocate for children with disabilities at the Bronx Independent Living Center. She also serves as a peer mentor for the newly injured, and has a deep passion for promoting awareness and inclusivity for people of all abilities, especially women. 

Website: https://www.womenonwheelsnyc.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/womenonwheelsnyc
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/womenonwheelsnyc/
Email: [email protected]


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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ramp.it.up.podcast/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ZoeOnWheelz/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZAnH8I6sGEf7SJ9OKw8dEA
Email: [email protected]

We want to hear from you!

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On this episode of The Ramp. It. Up! Podcast, avid traveler, and certified travel agent, Spencer Blomquist joins me to talk about traveling and his recovery journey. Planning a vacation can be a hassle and exponentially more so when traveling as a wheelchair user. Spencer specializes in coordinating travel for people with disabilities and shares a few tips during the interview.

Ramp. It. Up! 


Get to know our Guest

Spencer Blomquist is a dedicated disability advocate and accomplished professional in the travel industry. Serving on several prestigious boards, including the Center for Independent Living of Northwest Florida, the NWF Rehab Foundation, and The 7 Project Adaptive Fitness Gym, Spencer is a powerful voice and influential leader in the disability community.

As a brand ambassador for ABLE United in Florida, Spencer passionately promotes financial empowerment for people with disabilities. Beyond state-level advocacy, Spencer is actively involved with national disability organizations, tirelessly working to enhance accessibility and inclusivity for all.

Since 2018, Spencer has been a certified travel agent with Expedia Cruises, specializing in booking accessible vacations. With a personal understanding of the challenges faced by travelers with disabilities, Spencer brings a unique and empathetic perspective to the industry, ensuring that every journey is not only enjoyable but also accommodating.

A C4 quadriplegic since 2008 due to an armed robbery, Spencer has transformed personal adversity into a mission of advocacy and support. Through unwavering commitment and resilience, Spencer has become a beacon of hope and inspiration, demonstrating that obstacles can be overcome with determination and a positive outlook.

In all endeavors, Spencer continues to champion the rights and needs of the disability community, striving to create a world where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

Website: https://www.expediacruises.com/en-US/SpencerBlomquist
Blog: https://wheelieawesomeadventures.com/
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/spencer.blomquist
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WheelieAwesomeAdventures
Phone:  850-293-8548


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Email: [email protected]

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On this episode of The Ramp. It. Up! Podcast we are highlighting fathers. Carlton Brown, podcaster, dedicated husband, loving father, and C5-C7 quadriplegic, joins me on the podcast to share his injury story and life as a dad after acquiring a spinal cord injury. We discuss mental health, parenting, and his "Wheelchair Chronicles" podcast.   

Ramp. It. Up!



Get to know our guest

YouTube: youtube.com/@WheelchairChronicles
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wheelchair_chronicles
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cnote.brown.52



Stay Connected to the Podcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ramp.it.up.podcast/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ZoeOnWheelz/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZAnH8I6sGEf7SJ9OKw8dEA
Email: [email protected]

We want to hear from you!

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Support the show