True Tales by Disability Advocates

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For our Season 3 finale, we have a special episode detailing the founding of Actual Lives, the performance project that originally brought the stories you've heard this season to life. Terry Galloway tells us the full story through audio from our conversation in the previous episode and audio from an interview she had with Celia Hughes on the Art Spark Texas Radio Hour.

Guest Bio:

Deaf since nine, queer since forever, and Texan by cruel twist of fate, Terry Galloway is the author of "Mean Little deaf Queer", a memoir about growing up on the margins andmaking a ruckus there. In Austin, Texas she was known for co-founding Actual Lives, a performance project for adults with disabilities. Now in Tallahassee, Florida, she and Donna Marie Nudd, her wife and creative partner, run the 38 year-old community theater for the weird community, the Mickee Faust Club—a theatrical haven for locals of all stripes, including straights, queers, crips with attitude, Mennonites and men-in-tights. Galloway has toured the world with her three solo shows. Her op-eds, scholarly articles, poems and plays have been widely published and anthologized.

Check out the special 15th Anniversary edition of Terry's memoir "Mean Little deaf Queer" with a new Afterword, written after Galloway received the cochlear implants that allowed her the mixed miracle of being “cured,” on Amazon or its own website at https://www.meanlittledeafqueer.com/

For more details about our programs go to Art Spark Texas, True Tales Podcast Page.

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In this episode, Kurt Wilkinson and John Beer have an eye-opening conversation with Rand Metcaffe, his wife Rebecca Metcaffe, and Actual Lives founder Terry Galloway. Rand with the help of Rebecca and Terry is able to tell three of his stories from Actual Lives. "Drive By Healing" shows how Rand can take a moment of ableism and turn it into a moment of comedy, "Body Amnesia" gives us a look at Rand's unique relationship with his body-mind, and "You Can Call Me Al" shows how wide misconceptions of people with similar disabilites can lead to new friendships.

Guest Bios

Before meeting at a fundraiser, Rand and Rebecca spent years just missing each other as they criss-crossed the country. Rand mainly dedicated himself to disability advocacy, protesting for accessible buses, and passage of the ADA. He was also the Executive Director of the Houston Center for Independent Living. Meanwhile, Rebecca was a wildlife biologist working various seasonal positions. On one black bear study at a marine corps base, the marines nicknamed her 'snack'. Now married and retired in Tallahassee, they enjoy sometimes deep, often hilarious, porch chats with their across the street neighbor, Terry Galloway. When they are not playing a cat and mouse game of chess (Rand the cat, Rebecca, the poor mouse), they listen to audiobooks, ride trikes, watch Dr Pol with their dog, and enjoy spectacular meals made by their son Joey, who is a professional chef. They also regularly test their marriage by writing and performing together for The Mickee Faust Club.

Deaf since nine, queer since forever, and Texan by cruel twist of fate, Terry Galloway is the author of Mean Little deaf Queer, a memoir about growing up on the margins and making a ruckus there. This year Beacon/Penguin issued a special 15th Anniversary edition of her memoir with a new Afterword, written after Galloway received the cochlear implants that allowed her the mixed miracle of being “cured.” In Austin, Texas she was known for cross-dressing her way through two legendary local theaters—Shakespeare at Winedale and Esther’s Follies; and for co-founding Actual Lives, a performance project for adults with disabilities. Now in Tallahassee, Florida, she and Donna Marie Nudd, her wife and creative partner, run the 38 year-old community theater for the weird community, the Mickee Faust Club—a theatrical haven for locals of all stripes, including straights, queers, crips with attitude, Mennonites and men-in-tights. Galloway has toured the world with her three solo shows. One show, Lardo Weeping–was adapted into an opera. After getting cochlear implants, she wrote two other musicals, one which toured the UK as a work in progress. Her op-eds, scholarly articles, poems and plays have been widely published and anthologized. And yes, she was once an Apple+ crossword clue. Across, not down.

For more details about our programs go to Art Spark Texas, True Tales Podcast Page.

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In this episode, Jennifer McKinney welcomes Kaye Love back to the podcast after many years . Kaye shares her story, "Solitary Confinement with Seizures and Watergate," about living in a time when disability was much less understood by the public. Jennifer and Kaye are able to discuss the importance of disability education and the need for accessible and inclusive child care centers.

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For more details about our programs go to Art Spark Texas, True Tales Podcast Page.

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In this episode, Kurt Wilkinson talks with his friend and fellow host of the show, Adam Griebel, and his wife, Laura Griebel. Laura shares her story, "Floaters," about proving her abilities in the swimming pool at a summer camp. Adam and Laura both share their story, "Lonely No More," and talk about finding each other and how their relationship has evolved over the decades. And finally Adam shares his stories, "Krishna" and "Lotus Blossom", opening up about his spirituality post head-injury. 

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For more details about our programs go to Art Spark Texas, True Tales Podcast Page.

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This episode is dedicated to MsBoye and those that we have lost from "Actual Lives." After a tribute to MsBoye from Jennifer McKinney, Adam and Celia discuss Maggie Jochild's "Crip Ward Tango" and do a reenactment of it with music. Celia also reads Maggie Jochild's "Elvis Lives" piece. Celia and Adam talk about their memories of MsBoye and Mike Burns, and Celia reads Mike Burns' "Mop Boy." We end with John Beer's tribute to MsBoye.

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For more details about our programs go to Art Spark Texas, True Tales Podcast Page.

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Welcome to the return of the "True Tales By Disability Advocates" podcast! In Episode 24, hosts MsBoye, Jennifer McKinney, and Adam Griebel hear multiple stories from Tanya Winters about "Maurice," the arm of her friend Susie Angel that has its own personality. This episode was recorded in September of 2024, and it will be the last episode hosted by Ms Boye due to her unfortunate passing. In Ms Boye's final episode she, Jennifer, and Adam discuss with Tanya about remembering our friends who have passed, learning to love your own body, and how important dance can be in expressing your disability.

Links

Art Spark Dance

DanceAbility International

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For more details about our programs go to Art Spark Texas, True Tales Podcast Page.

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In Episode 23 of True Tales by Disability Advocates, hosts MsBoye, Jennifer McKinney, and Adam Griebel welcome storyteller, actor, dancer, and friend Juan Munoz. Juan shares with MsBoye touching and humorous stories about his friendships, his childhood, and his enduring love with his late wife Susie. They discuss his journey as a dancer and his involvement with Actual Lives Austin Theater Group.  Juan's reflections on love and loss offer a poignant exploration of his life and relationships. He opens up with vulnerability & honesty,  about the challenges and blessings he encountered in his life.  Listen to hear how Juan's radical decision to embrace dance and his unwavering bond with Susie shaped his extraordinary journey and have become the foundations for his future adventures.

Guest Bio

Juan Munez, born in Santa Maria, California, is a storyteller, actor, and certified dance instructor. Passionate about inclusive dance, Juan initially focused on teaching dance to individuals of all abilities. His journey later took him to Austin, Texas, where he performed with the Actual Lives Austin Theater Group and shared poignant, often humorous stories about his experiences. A devoted person of faith, Juan advocates for religious communities to be inclusive and accessible. His life reflects a deep commitment to community, connection, and creativity, showing how challenges can spark advocacy and the desire to build empathy and understanding through storytelling. His enduring dedication to his late wife Susie and their shared adventures exemplify a life richly lived with love and resilience.

Links

Art Spark Dance

Body Shift Collective

DanceAbility International

For more details about our programs go to Art Spark Texas, True Tales Podcast Page.

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Making Connections and Changing Lives

In this episode of the True Tales by Disability Advocates Podcast, hosts MsBoye, Jennifer McKinney, and Adam Griebel present stories from disability advocates. The episode includes a reflection on Mesko's early advocacy and a reading of his story "Glen," followed by an interview with advocate Kyle Cox, highlighting the importance of community connections and perseverance. Guest host Toby Al-Trabulsi engages with Kyle about his advocacy journey, emphasizing the need for self-advocacy and the role of supportive relationships.

Podcast logo ID:   Bottom left Mesko wearing glasses and a flat cap smiles into the camera. Bottom right Kyle Cox male with short brown hair smiling, seated wearing a light blue button-down shirt, red tie. All above TRUE TALES BY DISABILITY ADVOCATES SEASON 3 Art Spark Texas

Guest Bio 

Kyle Cox graduated from Texas A&M in 2018 with a degree in Political Science, then received his Master of Public Administration from the Bush School of Public Service and Government in 2020.  

Born in El Paso, Texas with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, a progressive muscle disorder that is the leading fatal genetic disorder in children, Kyle has learned to navigate a world not designed for people with disabilities.   He has fully immersed himself in both the disability and the “abled” communities and has adopted the mantra “It’s not the disability, it’s the ABILITY” choosing to focus on his abilities.

While at Texas A&M, Kyle was involved in numerous campus organizations including the Diversity Commission, Beta Upsilon Chi (BYX) Christian fraternity, Aggie Adaptive Sports, the Bush School Ambassador's Council, the Symphonic Band, and the Hullabaloo Pep band.   He was twice elected to the Student Senate and was elected to the Bush School Ambassador Council.  He was also Chairman and Founder of the Disability Subcommission.

Kyle served on the Student Advisory Board for Disability Services and the planning committees for the Student Services Building and the 21st Century Classroom Building.   Kyle served as a delegate for the MSC Fall Leadership Conference and the Abbott Family Leadership Conference and has worked with many Texas A&M officials, Disability Services, and the Center on Disability and Development to improve inclusion and accessibility on the A&M campus.  

In the Spring of 2018, Kyle received the Gary Grey Accountability, Climate, and Equity (ACE) Award for his work in advocacy, and in the Spring of 2020, the Buck Weirus Award. 

Upon graduation, Kyle chose to remain in Aggieland and launched his own consulting company, Cox Consultants, which offers policy consulting and analytics to businesses and agencies.

Links:

https://www.facebook.com/KylesKomrades/

https://kylecoxeportfolio.weebly.com/

https://www.facebook.com/CoxConsultants/

Videos:

https://vimeo.com/269928141/236823631

https://vimeo.com/269928141/269928141

Highlights

00:43 Welcome

01:23 Episode Intro

03:10 Mesko Intro

06:32 Story - "Getting Older" by Mesko

07:44 Hosts & Chris Chat

07:47 Phenomena, not Conclusion

12:15 Toby Welcomes Kyle

14:02 Story - "Advocacy, Education, and Relationships" by Kyle Cox

18:32 Toby & Kyle Chat

18:32 Being a Self-Advocate

22:23 Creating a Community & Being of Service

29:14 FAITH

33:31 Kyle Goes to Prom

37:00 Hanging Out With the Guys

40:15 Passions for Dancing & Dogs

43:57 Final Thoughts

45:50 How to Connect with Kyle

For more details about our programs go to Art Spark Texas, True Tales Podcast Page.

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Laughter, Legacy, and New Voices

"Who Will Remember Us? The Warrior Spirit of Disability Advocates" is the kickoff episode of Season 3 of the True Tales by Disability Advocates Podcast, coming to you during Disability Pride Month. The new host team of MsBoye, Jennifer McKinney, and Adam Griebel bring fresh energy and humor to the show. Together, they introduce listeners to the impactful legacy of early advocates celebrating the legacy of early disability advocates with heartwarming and playful storytelling. Featuring guest Chris Strickling, one of the original creators of Actual Lives Austin, the episode shares engaging and humorous stories about advocates who have passed, like Terrell and Felix Briones. Their personal narratives provide a raw and honest glimpse into their lives, highlighting the power of storytelling as an advocacy for the right of people with disabilities to live full adult lives. Produced by Art Spark Texas' Speaking Advocates Program, the podcast highlights the importance of humor and authenticity in advocacy through storytelling while underscoring the importance of reclaiming lost voices and celebrating the contributions of those who have paved the way for future generations.

Introduction to True Tales by Disability Advocates

​Welcome to True Tales by Disability Advocates Podcast, authentic voices of people thriving with disabilities, where individuals use the art of storytelling to change the world....

Meet the Hosts of Season 3

Hello, everyone, I'm MsBoye....

Honoring the Pioneers of Actual Lives Austin

We are starting Season 3 by looking back at folks who have paved the way for us ....

Chris Strickling on the Power of Storytelling

Tell us a little about those early days and the power of storytelling as a form of advocacy....

Terrell's Morning Routine

If you're ready, let's hear the first story. " Morning Routine" by Ter-rell...

Felix Briones' Speed and Humor

The next, uh, stories are from Felix....

Memories and Impact of Actual Lives Austin

Chris, do you have a favorite memory or story from your time with Actual Lives Austin?...

Final Thoughts and Farewell

Well, you know, this has just been so great....

Closing Remarks and Call to Action

Thank you for listening to episode one of the third season of True Tales by Disability Advocates Podcast....

For more details about our programs go to Art Spark Texas, True Tales Podcast Page.

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Hey there, listeners! Welcome back to episode twenty of our podcast 'True Tales by Disability Advocates'. Ready for a deep dive into the theme of 'Smashing Ableism: Tales of Resilience'? Well, we've got two fantastic disability advocates with us - the brilliant Alina Arredondo and the charming Peter Richter. In this episode, they open up about their own life journeys filled with challenges, advocating for disability rights, supportive grandparents, and above all, demonstrating immense resilience. Alina pours her heart out about standing up for her rights and Peter shares golden nuggets on how gratitude supports his resilience. So, tie your seatbelts, folks! Tune in, and get ready for these genuinely enlightening narratives. Trust us; it's not just an episode, it's a vibe that will
 spark transformations!

Guest 1
Alina G.  Arredondo is a native El Pasoan who was diagnosed with Phocomelia. She does not allow her disability to be an excuse for why she cannot do certain things. Alina has a license Master in social work and currently works at the local independent living center where she empowers adults with disabilities to live as independently as possible. During her spare time, she enjoys spending time with family, dogs, and friends, panting, and singing. However, what she enjoys the most is helping out her community by volunteering with multiple agencies around the El Paso area.

https://www.gograd.org/resources/students-with-disabilities/

Guest 2
Peter Richter grew up in San Antonio and attended school and graduated from the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired. He has two brothers and one sister and a dog he loves named Winnie. He lives with two roommates and enjoys working at his job at Whataburger. Peter has been involved with Art Spark and was an original actor with TILT Performance Group where he was in productions for 10 years.

Hosts: Jennifer Howell and Joey Gidseg

For more details about our programs go to Art Spark Texas, True Tales Podcast Page.