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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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.

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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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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. 

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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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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



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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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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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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.   

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Get to know our guest

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



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On this episode of the Ramp. It. Up! Podcast, husband, father and motivational speaker Felton Brown joins me to talk about his recovery journey and fatherhood.

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Get to know our guest

Felton Brown is a dynamic, ambitious, and faith-driven individual from the great city of Opa-Locka, Florida. he is an  inspiring motivational speaker and a thriving small business entrepreneur, and most importantly a devoted husband to Joi Brown, and loving father to their remarkable daughter, Nia. 

At the age of 15, Felton faced a life-altering moment when a traumatic  cervical spinal cord injury struck him during a high school football game on October  15, 1998. The diagnosis of quadriplegia was both terrifying and devastating for him  and his family. Nevertheless, Felton's unwavering faith and resilience set him on an  extraordinary journey of triumph over adversity

After high school, He earned a bachelor's  degree in business administration from the University of Phoenix and later a master's degree in entertainment business from Full Sail University. 

In 2021, he  partnered with Branden Jones to establish Alpha International Transport LLC, a 3PL  freight brokerage logistics firm, contributing to the flourishing business landscape. 

Recognizing the transformative power of his own experiences, he  wholeheartedly embraced the idea of being a positive force in the lives of others,  nurturing his dream of becoming a beacon of motivation and encouragement for all.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/feltonkapitalbrown/
Website: https://aitransport.us/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FeltonKapitalBrown



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On today's episode of the Ramp. It. Up! Podcast I am recapping my recent trip to Las Vegas to attend the United Spinal Association's Strong Wheeled Together Conference. 

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On this episode of the Ramp. It. Up! Podcast we are chatting with Lesly St. Louis.  October is Disability Employment Awareness Month, and Lesly, a fellow wheelchair user, is the Director of the Pathways to Employment program at the United Spinal Association.

Ramp. It. Up!
 

Get To Know Our Guest
 
Lesly St. Louis is grateful to have the opportunity to facilitate people with disabilities obtaining gainful employment, and to replace fear and prejudice against people with disabilities with mutual understanding. Having continuously encountered barriers from employers, he sees the common challenges individuals with disabilities have to overcome are not their disabilities, but the stigma surrounding them. He hopes that creating employment opportunities will increase confidence within these individuals and inspire them to conquer more challenges and achieve even higher levels of success. Lesly was born with Spina Bifida, diagnosed with the most severe form called myelomeningocele, and is a wheelchair user. He holds a Master’s degree from Long Island University, C.W. Post, and regularly participates in adaptive sports. Through his involvement in adaptive sports, and in his professional life, he strives to advocate for individuals with disabilities and restore dignity through productivity.

Click Here to register for Employment Empowerment Series: Navigating Employment with a Disability

Website: https://unitedspinal.org/pathways-to-employment/
Email: [email protected]


Resources 

• Observed each October, National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) celebrates the contributions of America’s workers with disabilities past and present and showcases supportive, inclusive employment policies and practices that benefit employers and employees. ODEP has chosen "Advancing Access and Equity" as the theme for NDEAM 2023. https://www.dol.gov/agencies/odep/initiatives/ndeam
• People with disabilities have long strengthened our economy and expanded our Nation’s possibilities.  During National Disability Employment Awareness Month, we recognize the immense contributions of disabled Americans, and we recommit to delivering America’s full promise of equal dignity, respect, and opportunity for every American.  https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2023/09/29/a-proclamation-on-national-disability-employment-awareness-month-2023/

Check out these related episodes:

• United Spinal Assoc. Tech Talks: Re-employment with Lesly St. Louis
• Ramp. It. Up! Podcast Season 3 Episode 9: All About the (SSI/SSDI) Benefits Baby with Atty. Jeffery Minde
• Ramp. It. Up! Podcast Season 4 Episode 10: SCI Awareness Month 2023: Atty. Joshua Basile

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