The Hardest Chapter Doesn’t Decide How Your Story Ends: The Karla Ruelas Story

In this powerful episode of The Wheelchair Roundtable, we sit down with Karla Ruelas to talk about the woman she was before the wheelchair, the battles nobody could see, and the journey that changed her life forever.

Before her injury, Karla was a college graduate, interior designer, athlete, and independent young woman building her life in Houston TX. But behind that independence, she was also dealing with clinical depression.

Then, on August 21, 2021, at just 28 years old, Karla was involved in a car accident caused by a drunk driver. She survived with a C5-C6 complete spinal cord injury.

Karla takes us through the accident, the uncertainty of those first days, rehabilitation at Memorial Hermann, Kindred, and TIRR, and the difficult reality of coming home and becoming dependent on her parents again.

But this isn't just a story about paralysis.

It's about depression, identity, family, independence, and learning how to find yourself again.

Karla opens up about rebuilding her relationship with her parents, redefining what independence means, confronting the emotional challenges of life after injury, and discovering the strength to keep moving forward.

And we lighten things up with a rapid-fire showdown between the Rio Grande Valley, San Antonio, and Houston!

This is a conversation about resilience, family, mental health, and the realization that the hardest chapter of your life doesn't get to decide how your story ends.

🎧 Listen, share, and join the conversation.

The Wheelchair Roundtable — Crushing Stigmas, One Episode At A Time!

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In this episode of The Wheelchair Roundtable, it’s just the three of us — Rico, Jody, and S.J. — and we’re covering some big issues that could directly impact wheelchair users.

We break down the new Medicare prior authorization changes being discussed for ultralightweight manual wheelchairs, what they could mean for people who rely on complex mobility equipment, and why these changes matter.

Then we turn our attention to the Department of Transportation and the proposed changes affecting airlines and wheelchair users, including the growing discussion around airline liability and responsibility when a wheelchair is damaged, lost, or needs to be replaced.

We also talk WABC, adaptive sports, and what’s happening in the world of wheelchair athletics.

But this episode isn’t all policy and serious conversation. With no guest this week, you get the three of us doing what we do best — talking, debating, joking around, and having a few laughs. Rico and Jody get into a conversation that takes some unexpected turns, and it’s a reminder that sometimes the best podcast moments happen when we’re just being ourselves.

Rico also takes a moment to reflect on the Quadfather’s injury, the impact it had on him personally, and how that experience helped inspire the creation of The Wheelchair Roundtable in the first place.

Important information. Real conversations. A little controversy. A lot of personality.

Just Rico, Jody, and S.J. — and an episode you’re going to want to hear.

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Donny Wright’s story is a powerful reminder that life can change in a moment—but that moment doesn’t have to define the rest of your life.

In 1978, Donny was just 15 years old. A motorcycle ride that happened because of a simple change of plans would forever change his life. Donny suffered a devastating spinal cord injury, underwent two open-heart surgeries, and faced the unimaginable loss of his friend Ricky Grammar that same day.

But this episode isn’t just about the accident.

It’s about what happened after.

We take Donny from those early days of recovery and rehabilitation at Rancho Los Amigos, to the people who helped shape his mindset, to the spiritual experiences that stayed with him for decades. We hear the incredible story of his journey to Mazatlán and the experience that would give him a completely different perspective on the events of his life.

And then… Donny becomes a sports badass. 💪

We all talk with Donny about adaptive sports, competition, becoming an athlete, becoming a mechanic, figuring out how to do things differently, and refusing to accept the words “you can’t.”

Together, Jody, Rico, and SJ take Donny on a journey back to that 15-year-old kid who had no idea what his future would hold—and explore the incredible man he would become.

This is a story about loss, survival, faith, resilience, reinvention, and ownership.

Most importantly, it’s a story about understanding that your circumstances may change your path—but they don't get to decide where the road ends.

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Season 4 Premiere — The Wheelchair Roundtable Podcast

Season 4 is here, and we’re kicking things off with some big changes and even bigger conversations.

In this episode, we talk about the Quad-Father taking a well-deserved break from the show and introduce our new in-person co-host, Jody Bennett — WABC Heavyweight Wheelchair Boxing Champion, CEO, and adaptive athlete.

Jody takes us inside the world of adaptive football, sharing what it’s like playing for the NFL-approved Las Vegas Raiders Wheelchair Football team and what adaptive sports mean for athletes looking to compete, challenge themselves, and redefine what’s possible.

SJ also brings the conversation back to the Rio Grande Valley, talking about the growth of adaptive sports and the opportunities being created for athletes in South Texas.

And then we turn the microphone over to you.

We close the episode by answering questions from our listeners — and these aren’t easy questions. They’re real, personal, and heavy, leading to some of the most honest conversations we’ve had on the show.

New season. New co-host. New perspectives.

Same mission: real people, real stories, and real conversations that drive change.

Welcome to Season 4 of The Wheelchair Roundtable.

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What happens when life gives you a second chance?

In this powerful episode of The Wheelchair Roundtable, we sit down with Antonio "The Roller" for an honest conversation about redemption, resilience, and refusing to let your past define your future.

Antonio shares his journey from going to prison at just 17 years old to sustaining a life-changing spinal cord injury and learning to navigate life with hand controls and a wheelchair. Along the way, he opens up about the people who helped shape his new perspective—including his beloved grandmother, "Grand Dog."

Joining the conversation, Dr. San Juanita Cimijotti and The Quad Father break down what muscle spasms really are, why they happen after a spinal cord injury, and how they impact everyday life. Their clinical insight, combined with Antonio's lived experience, creates an educational discussion that's both informative and relatable.

This episode is filled with laughter, hard truths, inspiration, and real conversations about accountability, forgiveness, perseverance, and finding purpose after life's biggest setbacks.

No matter where you've been or what obstacles you're facing, this conversation is a reminder that your greatest chapters can still be ahead of you.

Because your story isn't defined by your worst decision—it's defined by what you choose to do next.

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In this episode of The Wheelchair Roundtable, we sit down with Izzy for a powerful and deeply human conversation about survival, service, and rebuilding life after unimaginable turning points.

Izzy shares his time in the United States Navy aboard the USS Saratoga (CV-60) during the era of Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm, reflecting on the intensity of military life and the experiences that shaped his early adulthood.

He also recounts a life-altering moment at just 19 years old a split second decision to step out of a ferry line that ultimately saved his life when the ferry sank, claiming the lives of 21 sailors, some of them his friends.

Years later, after building a full life and career, Izzy faced another defining moment: a spinal cord tumor at the T1 level that led to paralysis. A second MRI confirmed the diagnosis, forcing him to rebuild his understanding of identity, independence, and purpose from the ground up.

This conversation explores survival, loss, faith, military service, and what it truly means to adapt when life changes without warning. Izzy’s story is one of resilience not just in surviving life’s hardest moments, but in continuing to move forward after them.

Tune in for an episode that reminds us how quickly life can change, and how powerful it is when we choose to keep going.

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In this powerful and deeply personal episode, we reconnect with Eric as he shares life updates since his last appearance on the show, including the heartbreaking loss of his mother and the impact it has had on his mental health journey.

Together, we have an honest conversation about grief, depression, resilience, and the often-overlooked mental health challenges faced within the disability community. Eric opens up about navigating life after spinal cord injury while coping with loss, the importance of seeking support, and why mental health deserves the same attention as physical health.

This episode is a reminder that strength isn't just about overcoming physical obstacles—it's also about facing emotional struggles and continuing to move forward one day at a time. Whether you're living with a disability, supporting a loved one, or dealing with your own mental health challenges, Eric's story offers insight, encouragement, and hope.

We wrap up the episode with a fun and engaging rapid-fire Q&A session featuring Eric and the Quad Father, covering everything from life lessons and personal reflections to a few laughs along the way.

Join us for a heartfelt conversation about loss, healing, mental health, and the power of community.

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At 22 years old, Michael Divel experienced a life-changing spinal cord injury after a tragic accident at a Fourth of July party left him with a T-12 complete SCI. What followed was not only the challenge of paralysis, but a brutal years-long fight against a stage 4 pressure wound complicated by MRSA and bone infection — resulting in 10 skin flap surgeries, months confined to bed, and some of the darkest moments of his life.

In this powerful episode, we dive deep into the realities of pressure relief, pressure wounds, wheelchair seating, and survival after spinal cord injury. Rico Segovia ATP/QRP also breaks down the insurance criteria surrounding pressure relief equipment and custom wheelchair cushions, explaining why proper seating technology can literally become lifesaving for wheelchair users.

Despite years of setbacks, Michael refused to quit. Today, he’s back competing at the highest level of adaptive sports and helped lead the Arkansas Rolling Razorbacks to a 2025 NWBA Championship.

We first met Michael at the Ocean Drive 3-on-3 Wheelchair Basketball Tournament in Corpus Christi, and after hearing his story, we knew this conversation needed to be shared.

This episode is about resilience, pressure wound awareness, adaptive sports, mental toughness, and the relentless mindset required to keep moving forward when life changes forever.

Please welcome Michael Divel.

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In this powerful and deeply inspiring episode, we sit down with Corpus Christi TX native Alma Lee Garcia, a disability advocate whose life changed forever at just 24 years old after surviving a violent home invasion. Alma was shot in the neck with a 9mm round that entered the left front side of her neck and exited through her right scapula, leaving her with a T6 incomplete spinal cord injury. Doctors at Memorial Hospital gave her only 18–24 hours to live as she remained in a coma for a week. But everything changed when she heard the voice of her son saying, “Get up, mom.” That moment sparked her fight for survival.

Alma opens up about the physical and emotional challenges that followed, including living with autonomic dysreflexia, navigating mental health struggles, and learning to accept a completely new way of life. She shares the daily realities of living with a spinal cord injury while finding strength, purpose, and resilience through advocacy and community involvement.

We also discuss her work with WAVE in Corpus Christi, where she continues to empower and advocate for individuals with disabilities throughout South Texas. As someone from our own backyard here in Corpus Christi, Alma brings an honest, raw, and uplifting conversation that will leave listeners inspired by her perseverance and determination.

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We are joined by Henry C. Falcon, JR., PTA, CCI, MBA, CSCS, and take a deep dive into the world of Physical Therapy — from the evolution of the profession in the 1990s to where it’s headed in today’s healthcare landscape. Henry shares his journey into PT, the lessons learned over decades in the field, and what it takes to build a long-lasting career in rehabilitation.

The conversation breaks down the real differences between the PTA and DPT paths, including schooling, scope of practice, pay scales, burnout, and the realities clinicians face in today’s healthcare system. SJ brings valuable insight into the DPT perspective while Henry offers the experienced voice of someone who has worked across multiple settings and built his own practice.

The crew also discusses the future growth of the Rio Grande Valley medical community, opportunities for young professionals entering healthcare, and what employers are really looking for in new graduates. The episode closes with a fun Q&A session where Rico opens up about what inspired him to start The Wheelchair Roundtable Podcast and the mission behind giving healthcare professionals, patients, and advocates a platform to share real stories and real experiences.

Whether you’re a student considering Physical Therapy, a clinician navigating the profession, or someone passionate about the future of healthcare in the RGV, this episode delivers honest insight, education, and laughs along the way.

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