This Ability Podcast

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

Join us as we sit down with Rachel Foreman, LCSW, a Lafayette psychotherapist and mom who bravely shares her family’s journey with pediatric bipolar disorder—from the first signs at age five to years of treatment, advocacy, and hard-won stability. Rachel opens up about stigma, school challenges, marriage stress, finding the right clinicians, and why community and honest conversation matter.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

In this powerful episode of This Ability Podcast, host Mary Baudoin sits down with Jayce Romero, a young DeafBlind advocate from Lafayette, Louisiana, who lives with Usher Syndrome Type 1B. Jayce shares his deeply personal story—from his early diagnosis, educational journey, and family discoveries to his commitment to raising awareness about DeafBlindness. With the help of his interpreter Shirley Delahousie, Jayce offers insight into what life is like navigating the world with both hearing and vision loss, and why visibility and representation matter.

Listeners will hear about Jayce’s training experiences at Affiliated Blind of Louisiana and the Helen Keller National Center, his passion for helping others with Usher Syndrome, and his plans to attend Gallaudet University. He also opens up about his battles with depression, his dreams of entering politics or psychology, and how the DeafBlind community has shaped his sense of identity and independence.

This episode is a reminder of the resilience and strength within the disability community. Whether you're a parent of a child newly diagnosed with Usher Syndrome, an educator, or simply someone wanting to learn more, Jayce’s story is both educational and inspiring. A full transcription is available on the Buzzsprout website, and a visual podcast version will premiere on YouTube on May 31st.

Part Two of Jayce's Episode will launch as the season two finale. Stay tuned to our social media pages for release date. 

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.

In this 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.

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. Tune in for a story of strength, leadership, and the power of representation.

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.

In this episode, we sit down with Kristie Curtis — a fierce advocate for disability rights, a passionate community leader, and a devoted mom to three amazing sons, each with unique abilities. Kristie shares her powerful journey into advocacy, her work with LaCAN (Louisiana Council’s Advocacy Network), and the role her unshakable faith has played in helping her overcome life's biggest challenges. Her story is a reminder of the strength found in perseverance, community, and believing in something bigger than yourself.

If you’ve ever wondered how to get involved in advocacy, how to navigate the education system, or how to stay grounded through life’s toughest moments, you won’t want to miss this conversation. Tune in now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you listen to podcasts — and be inspired by Kristie’s incredible heart, resilience, and commitment to making a difference.  

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.

In this episode of This Ability Podcast, we sit down with Cheryl Laws Tessier, a nurse practitioner, mother, and powerful advocate for the disability community. Cheryl shares her personal journey navigating her son Howard’s autism diagnosis—from early signs and initial dismissals by healthcare providers to securing vital therapies and support services. Her story highlights the importance of trusting your instincts as a parent, understanding your rights, and pushing for early intervention. Cheryl’s persistence led to transformative care for her son, and ultimately, her path into advocacy.

As a graduate of the Partners in Policymaking program and former board chair of St. Landry Abilities, Cheryl discusses the critical role of local and state-level advocacy in creating lasting change. She emphasizes the power of personal storytelling to influence policy, the need for support networks like Families Helping Families, and the importance of community connections in rural parishes. With heartfelt honesty, Cheryl also shares how her faith has sustained her through the challenges of parenting and advocacy. This episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking inspiration, empowerment, and practical insights into navigating life as a special needs parent and advocate.

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.