Two Disabled Dudes

Nic Novicki is an actor, comedian and producer who has performed on six continents.  He is founder and director of the Easterseals Disability Film Challenge which gives filmmakers – with and without disabilities – the opportunity to collaborate and tell unique stories that showcase disability in its many forms and support Easterseals’ goal to change the way the world defines and views disability, so everyone can reach his or her potential.

Les is a past recipient of the Ataxian Athlete Initiative (AAI) - curefa.org/aai

**CHECK OUT OUR NEW ONLINE STORE AT: twodisableddudes.com/shop**

It's time to clean out our heads.  So in this episode we cover multiple topics including Kyle's recent interview on the Know Ataxia Podcast (https://apple.co/2HTFWy7), clinical trials, goals for the year (including today's release of our NEW ONLINE STORE! twodisableddudes.com/shop), #DontForgetTheCrew dontforgetthecrew.com), and Friedreich's ataxia awareness.  It's a lot in only 40 min.  Enjoy! 

We are joined in this episode by Arash Bayatmakou, author of the new memoir  Little Big Steps. Arash talks to us about his sudden transition to the world of disability, after a spinal injury when he was 30 years old left him nearly paralyzed. He was shocked to discover that medical treatment of spinal injuries hadn’t changed in twenty years. Rather than succumb to the paradigm that the medical field sentenced him to, Arash decided to fight for hope. He defines acceptance as the ability to cope with your life in the present moment, but not being complacent and nodding along when you are told what to expect in the future.

“Be okay with ambiguity.” -Arash

Arash started a nonprofit called No Limits Collaborative, which seeks to help people with spinal disorders pursue activities that they didn’t think was possible.

If you are in the area, please join Arash on Sunday, May 6, 2018, at 7pm, at the Blue Stockings bookstore in New York City for a book signing. Tell him The Dudes sent you.

Check out Arash Bayatmakou’s website at arashrecovery.com  for more info on him, his book, and his nonprofit.

The first three of you, our listeners, to email us at [email protected] with the subject line either “Team Sean” or “Team Kyle” will receive a link to download the audio copy of Arash’s book FOR FREE. We’ll let you know which team wins.