In this extended episode of This Ability Podcast, we sit down with Justina Plowden, Miss Wheelchair Louisiana and founder of We Matter, a support and advocacy group for individuals with disabilities across the Acadiana region. Justina shares her journey as a powerful advocate for accessibility, inclusion, and representation. From her experience competing in the Miss Wheelchair America pageant to leading regional conversations around disability rights, Justina speaks candidly about the challenges she’s faced, the community she’s built, and her mission to uplift others through visibility and action.

As Miss Wheelchair Louisiana and founder of We Matter, Justina is a true SCI warrior whose work embodies strength, advocacy, and inclusion. In honor of Spinal Cord Injury Awareness, this episode is especially meaningful. 

She shares her powerful journey as an advocate for accessibility, representation, and community empowerment across Acadiana and beyond. This episode also includes inspiring excerpts from two other guests:

Sam Primeaux — who shares how his life was transformed after a motorcycle accident at 17 and how he continues to push forward with grit, faith, and determination.

Katie Haynes — who made history as the first person to compete in the Miss United States Agriculture pageant in a wheelchair, and who spreads hope through her nonprofit

Together, these stories highlight resilience, leadership, and the power of representation in the disability community.

Through We Matter, Justina works to unite individuals across all parishes in Louisiana, focusing on advocacy, peer support, education, and outreach. In this conversation, she reflects on the importance of community empowerment, her commitment to changing perceptions, and how her lived experience fuels her work. Whether you're a caregiver, advocate, or part of the disability community, Justina’s voice is a meaningful reminder that everyone deserves to be seen, heard, and valued.

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Extended Episode: Empowerment in Action – Donielle Watkins & Coach Damon Vincent

In this extended edition of This Ability Podcast, we revisit our conversation with Donielle Watkins, Executive Director of the DREAMS Foundation of Acadiana, and expand the story by weaving in insights from Coach Damon Vincent, founder of Train Unique.

Donielle shares the heartfelt journey behind DREAMS—an organization dedicated to creating inclusive opportunities for individuals with disabilities through sports, art, theater, galas, summer camps, and more. She also highlights their one-of-a-kind meat pie manufacturing food truck, which not only serves delicious food but also employs individuals with disabilities in meaningful ways. Her deep faith and unwavering commitment to community are at the heart of this powerful conversation.

But the story doesn’t stop there.

Because many DREAMS participants also train with Coach Damon at Train Unique, we’ve enhanced this episode with a special excerpt from his interview. Coach Damon talks about his inclusive approach to fitness, the athletes he trains, and the role that confidence, respect, and tailored support play in helping people reach their full potential—on and off the gym floor.

Together, Donielle and Damon offer a shared vision of what’s possible when we invest in ability, inclusion, and community.

Tune in for an inspiring, two-voice conversation filled with passion, purpose, and real impact across Acadiana.

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In this extended episode, we discuss the topic of autism with Season One guest Paul Ganucheau and interview the 2024 Acadiana Teen Spirit Award Winners who are making a difference in the community.

🏆 Aubrey David – 9th-grade student at Teurlings Catholic High School
🏆 Chloe Songne – 9th-grade student at New Iberia Senior High School

Aubrey David is an inspiring teenager with a heart for service and a drive to make a meaningful impact in her community. Through her initiative, Aubrey’s Amazing Grace, she has raised thousands of dollars to support families facing hardships, from cancer patients to those in need of housing assistance. Motivated by the example of her former teacher and her own family’s experience with fundraising, Aubrey has turned her compassion into action, organizing bake sales and fundraisers that not only provide financial relief but also bring hope to those in need. Beyond her philanthropic efforts, she is an active member of multiple school organizations and has ambitious goals for the future, aiming to become a chiropractor. Her dedication, empathy, and relentless pursuit of helping others demonstrate wisdom and kindness beyond her years, making her a role model for her peers and a young leader with a bright future ahead.

Chloe Songne is an inspirational teenager whose compassion, dedication, and vision for inclusivity set her apart as a true changemaker. As the oldest sibling to six brothers, including two with autism, she is deeply committed to advocating for individuals with special needs. Her work with the Autism Society of Acadiana, her efforts to improve accessibility at festivals, and her involvement in the Very Special Pageant highlight her drive to create a more inclusive world. Beyond her advocacy, Chloe’s leadership as Miss Teen Scott Boudin Festival Queen and her involvement in 4H and Beta Club demonstrate her well-rounded ambition and determination to make a difference. With a heart for service and a passion for education, Chloe’s future is undeniably bright, and she will continue to leave a lasting impact on her community and beyond.

We provide some background information about Aubrey's Amazing Grace, the Scott Boudin Festival as well as current statistics in the United States on the topic of autism.

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In this extended interview, our host Mary Baudoin provides listeners with some background information about the ULL LIFE Program and a little background about our guest Mary Frances Avera.

In this inspiring interview, Mary Frances Avera opens up about her rare ZMIZ1 diagnosis, the profound role faith plays in her life, her deep love for animals, and her journey to graduating from the ULL LIFE (Learning Is for Everyone) Program. 

At end of the episode, our host wraps up the highlights of the conversation and announces the featured guests for next week's episode. 

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In this extended interview, our host Mary Baudoin provides listeners with some background information about the teens featured in this podcast episode. These autistic teens from Red Oaks Coping Cottage School in Lafayette, LA, join us for an engaging and eye-opening conversation. 

Hear them share what they love about attending Red Oaks School, their experiences with fitting in, their favorite video games, and their unique perspectives on life as autistic individuals. Tune in for an authentic and uplifting discussion that celebrates individuality and community. 

At the end of the interview, Mary wraps up the conversion with highlights of the interview and provides a sneak peek of guest featured in the next podcast episode, who is Mary Frances Avera.

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In this extended interview, our host Mary Baudoin recaps Part One of Ashley Benoit Olivier's episode from Season with an introduction before starting the part two content. 

Ashley gives us an update about her son Drew and the positive impacts of the Early Intervention program. She also talks about Mercy Medical Angels and Miracle Flights (the team that provided airplane trip free of charge for medical appointments), her family's incredible experience while staying at the Ronald McDonald House in Pennsylvania and Drew's involvement with sports, church and school. At the end of the interview, Mary summarizes the organizations that provide free room and board, transportation and other services when traveling with a loved one for medical appointments. 

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Kim Lanclos Smith shares her experience as the mother and full-time caregiver of her son BJ, a traumatic brain injury (TBI) survivor and artist. They discuss how art has become a tool for healing and expression in their lives.

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Rachel, a licensed clinical social worker and dedicated mental health advocate, shares her personal journey navigating her son’s pediatric bipolar disorder diagnosis at just five years old. 

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Sam Primeaux shares how a life-changing motorcycle accident left him paralyzed at 17 — and how he's faced every day since with grit, faith, and determination. From intensive therapy to strength training and stem cell treatments, Sam opens up about reclaiming independence and redefining possibility.

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In this episode, Laynie Stevens shares her journey as a college student with cerebral palsy, her leadership as past president of Alpha Delta Pi for students with disabilities & her advocacy work on the Lafayette Mayor-President’s Awareness Committee. As she prepares to graduate with a degree in Accounting, Laynie reflects on accessibility, inclusion & student representation. 

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Thanks for listening to This Ability Podcast. If you are enjoying our podcast, be sure to like us on Facebook at This Ability Podcast page and subscribe to our YouTube channel.