Traipsin' Global on Wheels Podcast Hour
By Traipsin' Global On Wheels Podcast
If you have any questions/inquiries about the podcast please email traipsinglobalonwheels@gmail.com
Traipsin' Global on Wheels Podcast HourJul 18, 2021
Is it okay to prefer to not date someone with a disability?
Finding a life partner is very much a personal choice. What's important is to understand, reflect, and be aware of what is influencing who we are attracted to and who we are not attracted to.
Diana Pastora Carson: How to advocate for people with autism and developmental disabilities
Diana Pastora Carson, M.Ed. has been an elementary educator for over 30 years, and co-teaches a Disability & Society course at San Diego State University. She is a consultant and educator on diversity as it relates to disability, and is the author of several articles and books including Beyond Awareness: Bringing Disability into Diversity Work in K-12 Schools & Communities, and children’s book, Ed Roberts: Champion of Disability Rights, and Beyond Disability Awareness: An Educator’s Guide. Diana is known for her powerful keynote presentations and educational workshops related to disability awareness and inclusive teaching practices. Her disability awareness work in schools has earned her statewide PTA recognitions in the areas of advocacy and outreach, as well as her elementary school’s designation of Teacher of the Year. In addition to a TEDx Talk and her award-winning podcast, Beyond Awareness: Disability Awareness That Matters, Diana has been featured in several articles and other podcasts. She served two terms on the Board of Directors of Disability Rights California, and currently serves as a board member of Disability Voices United. Although Diana experiences disability herself, she credits her passion for this work to her brother, Joaquin Carson, who endured years of segregated schooling and subsequent institutionalization. She takes the most pride in knowing that after many years of fighting for his release from an institution, Joaquin now lives a life of self-determination, inclusion and quality, in the community, as her next-door neighbor. Along this journey to inclusion, Diana and Joaquin have become advocates for safe community inclusion, especially for people who experience body dysregulation, and as it relates to healthcare access, and access to "durable accommodations", a term coined by Diana's family.
Four lessons having a mobility disability has taught me to do what you want to do in life
What having a mobility disability has taught me:
1. Life is short, do what’s important
a. Lower backaches
b. Shoulder pain
2. Be innovative if you want to do you want do.
a. Using the escalators when elevators go out of service
b. Using an office chair with wheels to reach kitchen counter and cook because the kitchen is not accessible.
c. Climbing the Great Wall by crawling part of the stretch
d. Checking out the camel and Arabian desert by ditching my wheelchair at a hostel
3. Don’t be shy and speak up
a. Asking for help in public places when physical spaces are inaccessible
4. Be persistent
a. Accessible pool entrance
1:1 Chat: A VERY imperfect perfect video about my resistance towards creating digital content
Thank you to the following guests for coming on the podcast show …
1. Emma Farley
2. Izzy Camilleri
3. Danielle Connolly
4. Keisha Greaves
5. Laura Andert
6. Billy Price
7. Lydia X. Z. Brown
8. Mindy Scheier
I’ve been wanting to do a casual monologue episode for a while now, but nine weeks later, we’re still in the same spot. I am going to push through my resistance and release something imperfect and short, but real and honest.
Today I am going to talk about MY top fears to making recorded content … other people may (and probably will) have a different list …
1. Not having all the “correct information”
2. Not saying it the “correct way” that is accepted by all.
3. Not having the privacy to record the contents
4. Not having the right clothes for recording
5. Needing to prepare: shower, look “presentable” and the effort it takes to be “video” ready
6. People’s judgements once the content is released
7. Having my contents be misconstrued or used out of context
8. Not having the right length of contents
9. Being judged by your family members
10. Sounding stupid, uneducated, ill-informed, and unaware.
Emma Farley: Navigating the Inaccessible Work Environment
Emma Farley is a Disability Studies student and disability activist based in Brooklyn, New York. Emma has both visible and invisible disabilities - a rare form of muscular dystrophy, ADHD, and dyscalculia. Emma's involvement within the disability community stretches back to early childhood, when she began public speaking about her lived experience with muscular dystrophy, and she continues to do this as a Diversability Leadership Collective Member, hosting several discussions with the Diversability group about various disability-related topics. Passionate about creating connections with the disability community and taking an intersectional approach to activism, Emma is launching a new podcast called Unsilent: Disability On Our Terms in Spring 2024.
Izzy Camilleri: how to create useful and fashionable clothing for wheelchair users
Izzy Camilleri is one of Canada’s leading and most celebrated fashion designers, and a pioneer in adaptive clothing. Izzy first ventured into the world of accessible clothing after initially doing custom work for a wheelchair user in 2004. It opened her eyes to the huge necessity for this type of clothing in the world.
In 2022, Izzy received 2 awards for her adaptive line. She won the Innovation Award from the Women’s Empowerment Awards and the Fashion Impact Award from the CAFA Awards. In 2006, she received CAFA’s Womenswear Designer of the Year Award. Her adaptive line has been featured in the Royal Ontario Museum.
For more than 39 years, she has designed custom clothing for an international clientele, crafted gorgeous collections featured in fashion magazines from Vogue to InStyle, and dressed celebrities like Daniel Radcliffe, Mark Wahlberg, Meryl Streep, Angelina Jolie and David Bowie. Since 2009, Izzy has focused on inclusive fashion through her brand IZ Adaptive, with the mission to make great looking and well fitting clothes accessible to everyone. To learn more about Izzy, visit www.izzycamilleri.com.
Danielle Connolly: How to have disability pride and advocate for treatment with a rare disease
Danielle Connolly is a rare disease and disability advocate, content creator, and business and marketing professional. Being born with a muscle disease, that still has an unknown origin after twenty-nine years, has given Danielle many unique life experiences that set the course for her various ambitions. After she took her first vacation with friends as an adult, she realized that she is more capable of traveling than she realized. Upon returning from the trip, she swiftly got her own mobility scooter and started planning more adventures. The idea of documenting these adventures and giving accessibility reviews came about, and then many other ideas for content and series (such as “Breaking the 4th Wall of Disability”) followed. Thus, Daniellevates was born! Daniellevates is a play on her name combined with “elevates” because the content is all about elevating ideas about disability, rare disease, and chronic illness through humor, storytelling, education, and adventures.
Keisha Greaves: how to make a difference in other people's lives with muscular dystrophy
At age 24, Keisha Greaves was diagnosed with Limb-Girdle Muscular Dystrophy - at which point, her life changed forever. Rather than be bogged down by her diagnosis, Keisha decided to channel her energy into celebrating those with Muscular Dystrophy and other chronic illnesses. Thus began Girls Chronically Rock and the founding of her other nonprofits: The GCR Adaptive Project and the Trust Your Abilities Nonprofit for People of Color.
Based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Girls Chronically Rock supports individuals in th disability community through inspiring and adaptive tees, hoodies, accessories, and swimwear.
The mission of the GCR Adaptive Project is to make fashion accessible to everyone regardless of ability by providing adaptive fashion supplies and tools to college fashion students so they can learn to design more inclusively.
The Trust Your Abilities Nonprofit for People of Color helps people of color in the disability community access much needed resources and support for their disability (ie. grants for accessible vehicles, uninsured medical equipment, adaptive fitness equipment, and school scholarship, among other needs.)
Laura Andert: How to move forward with career conviction
Laura Andert, born with Cerebral Palsy, is a disability consultant and benefits coach who is training to become a work incentive practitioner in her hometown of St. Paul, Minnesota. As an advocate for herself and for others, Laura’s goal is to help other individuals with disabilities navigate their resources, recognize their worth, and discover their unique abilities. And this is me quoting Laura, “When I set out to do something and I am blocked from it, I don’t just walk away. I will knock down walls to make it happen. I don’t give up until I give it my all!”
Billy Price: How to make universal design footwear accessible to all
As a teenager, Seattle native Billy Price suffered a spinal cord injury and became paralyzed from the chest down, losing the ability to move his fingers. Daily tasks became difficult, but using his creative mind and unyielding spirit, he never gave up. He continued on, facing life's challenges with tenacity and determination.
Born out of a need, BILLY Footwear was founded on the principle of inclusion. Alongside an incredible team, Billy strives to add value to the lives of others and make a measurable difference in the world, one foot at a time.
Lydia X. Z. Brown: how to make real progress in disability justice
Lydia X. Z. Brown is the Director of Public Policy at the National Disability Institute. They have spoken and consulted internationally and throughout the U.S. on a range of topics at the intersections of disability, race, class, gender and sexuality, and has published in numerous scholarly and community publications. Lydia is also a lecturer in disability studies at Georgetown University and founding executive director of the Autistic People of Color Fund. Previously, they served as Policy Counsel at the Center for Democracy & Technology, focusing on disability rights and algorithmic bias; Director of Policy, Advocacy, & External Affairs at the Autistic Women & Nonbinary Network; Justice Catalyst Fellow at the Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law; and Chairperson of the Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council.
Mindy Scheier: how to include people with disabilities fashion
Before starting the Runway of Dreams Foundation in 2014, Mindy spent 20 years working in fashion as a designer for the INC collection and as a stylist for Saks Fifth Avenue.
Mindy was inspired to start Runway of Dreams after her son Oliver, who has Muscular Dystrophy, dreamed of wearing jeans like everyone else. In 2016, Mindy partnered with Tommy Hilfiger to make fashion history creating the first mainstream adaptive clothing line in the market. Runway of Dreams was founded on the basis that clothing is a basic human need.
In 2022, the Runway of Dreams fashion show was recognized as one of the top seven NYFW shows by Forbes, highlighting the latest designs from the Adaptive category featuring brands such as Kohl’s, Target, JCPenney, Zappos.com and Tommy Hilfiger.
Due to the overwhelming amount of requests Mindy received at Runway of Dreams from a multitude of brands and industries for connection to PWDs, in 2019, Mindy created GAMUT Management. GAMUT is a trailblazing consulting and talent management company that represents people with disabilities (PWDs), across the fashion, lifestyle, and entertainment industries. GAMUT exists to lead brand’s towards doing better, more inclusive business, helping to engage with, and develop new products for PWDs. GAMUT works with a diverse range of clients including Adidas, Victoria’s Secret, Footlocker, Kohls & QVC.
Podcast Relaunch Introduction
Traipsin’ Global on Wheels Podcast Relaunch – Inaugural Episode
Welcome back to the Traipsin’ Global on Wheels Podcast! I am back!! It’s been a long minute since the last episode. This the inaugural episode of my podcast relaunch.
As some of you may know, this podcast show has been on pause for quite some time. I think the last released archival episode was over a year and a half ago. However, this was a much-needed pause for both personal and professional reasons.
Because of this pause, I will be able to show up more authentically and vulnerably. This pause has also given me the time to decide on a more effective format for the podcast show. Instead of just interview style episodes, this podcast will incorporate more of me intimately sharing one-on-one with you.
As for what kinds of topics will be covered, it will, hopefully, be all topics that will help you shift to a more positive mindset and discover what it is that lights up your soul. I hope these episodes will encourage and challenge you to be the best version of yourself and do the thing that you’ve always wanted to do. My mission in life is to help people be the most pure, authentic and natural form of themselves. They say most people die with their inner music box locked tightly in them. I don’t want that to happen to you so I want to help you excavate that magic out of you and share with those you care about. I want each and every single one of us to live a life that is vibrant, uninhibited and purposeful.
I am also a sucker for continuous improvement in all aspects of life. If any of this interest you, feel free tune in! Since I am someone with a mobility disability due to scoliosis and polio, perhaps some of these topics I cover will be particularly interesting to those of you who also have a mobility disability.
I hope the relaunch of this podcast will be even engaging, informative, and helpful to you. By form of recap, the contents will focus more on self-development and living your best life. And instead of just formal interview style podcast episodes, I will also be release more informal, casual and intimate 1:1 segments where I just pick up the microphone and share stories and lessons from my journey with you. Regardless of your background or vantage point, if you find any of my episodes useful, chances are, others will, too. So please share with ONE person who you think may enjoy and benefit from this podcast show. Thank you and talk to you again soon!
Including Youth with Disabilities in the Climate Change Movement with Jhannel Tomlinson
In this podcast episode Jhannel Tomlinson tells me more about the catalyst to her activism work. She then discusses the inclusion of disability youth in climate change activism. Jhannel also shares about climate change’s impact on people with disabilities.
Climate Change's Impact on People with Disabilities with Alex Ghenis
In this podcast episode Alex Ghenis tells us more about climate change's impact on people with disabilities. He then discusses the issues of climate related migration. Alex also shares about disaster responsiveness for people with disabilities.
Dating Advice from A Wheelchair Perspective with Aaron Fotheringham
In this podcast episode Aaron tells us more about his passion for wheelchair motocross (WCMX). He then discusses with us about his Guinness World Records. Aaron also shares with us about wheelchair malfunctions encountered as an extreme athlete. Finally, Aaron gives us some dating advice as a person with a visible physical disability.
Making the World Polio Free with Dr. Erin Stuckey
In this podcast episode Dr Erin Stuckey tells us more about the presence and eradication of polio by the Gates foundation. She then discusses with us about the resources that can facilitate the eradication of polio. Dr. Stuckey also shares with us about response to COVID-19 and vaccinations.
The Importance of True Representation in Theater and the Arts with Amy Trigg
In this podcast episode Amy Trigg tells us more about getting into theater as a person with a physical disability. Amy then discusses with us about playing a Shakespearean character on a wheelchair. Finally, she shares with us about the importance of representation of persons with disabilities in the arts.
Accessible Travel for All with Sylvia Longmire
In this podcast episode Sylvia Longmire tells us more about her mission as an accessible travel business agent. She then shares with us some travel tips and important gadgets. She then discusses with us the pros and cons of being a miss wheelchair from the wheelchair pageant.
Inclusion Through Digital Accessibility with Marla Runyan
In this podcast episode Marla Runyan shares with us about her parenting experience and the challenges she encountered as a mother who is visually impaired. Marla also discusses with us about the importance of digital accessibility.
Including PwDs in the Climate Change Decision Making Process with Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse
In this podcast episode Senator Sheldon Whitehouse tells us more about the importance of universal and accessible design. He then shares with us about the inclusion of people with disabilities in disaster evacuation planning. Senator Whitehouse also discusses with us about the importance of tackling climate change.
The Importance of Representation in the Entertainment Industry with Jay Ruderman
In this podcast episode Jay Ruderman tells us more about the disability rights movement in Israel. He then discusses with us about the issues facing the disability community and the role of the Ruderman Family Foundation in tackling these issues.
Supporting You to Reach Your Independency Goals with Jesi Straham
In this podcast episode Jesi Stracham tell us more about the Wheel with Me Foundation. She then discusses with us about the importance of representation through her series about a wheelchair user by a wheelchair user. Jesi also shares with us about her passion for adaptive sports.
Tackling Climate Change While Growing the Economy with Gwen Buck
Gwen Buck joined me in this podcast hour, to share her thoughts about climate change, how this passion for the environment started and the inclusion of the disability community in the climate change discussion.
Fighting Climate Change Through Solidarity with Bill McKibben
Bill McKibben honored me by joining me in this podcast hour to share with us his passion for the environment and where it came from, he also shares with us about 350, their rallies and how they are more accessible for people with disabilities.
Together We Can Solve the Climate Crisis with Juliet Davenport
Juliet Davenport joined me in this podcast episode to share her passion for atmospheric physics, her involvement in the climate change fight as well as her achievements in this arena.
Climate Change and the Impact on People with Disabilities with Erik Solheim
Erik Solheim joined me in this podcast to discuss climate change issues and solutions, the win win win policies, his involvement in disability advocacy and the impact of climate change on people with disabilities.
Empowerment through Goal Orientation with Curtis McGrath
In this podcast episode Curtis McGrath tells us more about the attitudinal barriers and discrimination faced post injury and how he overcame these challenges. He then discusses with us about the physical barriers encountered in the "real" world. Curtis also shares with us about his relationship with an able-bodied person and the obstacles faced post injury after transitioning to becoming a person with a disability.
Representation of People with Invisible Disabilities with Dana Vollmer
In this podcast episode Dana Vollmer discusses with us about the advantages and disadvantages of having an invisible disability and the misconceptions and discrimination faced. Dana Vollmer also shares with us about her misdiagnosis experience and how it affected her life.
Accessible Tourism in Morocco with Jeremy Schmidt and Erik Neufeld
In this podcast episode Jeremy Schmidt and Erik Neufeld tell us more about their accessible tourism company. Erik then discusses with us about his disability advocacy work in morocco. Finally both Erik and Jeremy share with us about the accessible cities in Morocco.
Overcoming Physical and Attitudinal Barriers with Ade Adepitan
In this podcast episode, Ade Adepitan shares with us about the physical and attitudinal challenges faced in travel journalism and how he overcomes them. He then shares with us his working experience as it relates to his physical disability. Ade also tells us more about the innate and inherent skills needed to be a journalist. He also shares with us about the impact of climate change on the disability community.
Empowering People with Disabilities through Sexual Orientation Diversity with Chella Man
In this podcast episode Chella Man shares with us about his transition journey and process into becoming the person he Identified into. Chella then discusses with us about his advocacy work for the LBTQ and disability communities and its impact on his life. Chella also shares with us about the behind the scenes story of the superhero story, Titans and what it's like to be an actor in that show.
Dating from a Disability Perspective with Ashley Lyn Olson
In this podcast episode Ashley Lyn Olson tells us more about her injury and how that impacted her life. She then discusses with us about dating life as a person with a physical disability.
Advocating for the Increase Employment of the Disability Community with Janet Labreck
In this podcast episode Janet Labreck tells us more about her disability and how it impacted her life. She then shares with us the challenges she faced as a person of color and with a disability. Janet also discusses with us about the importance of technology in improving the life of people with disabilities.
Confidence: the Key to Success with Miles O'Brien
In this podcast episode Miles O’Brien shares with us about his post injury life experience and equipment/tools used to support him in his daily life. He then discusses with us about confidence and ways to cultivate it.
Including People with Disabilities in the Climate Change Discussion with El Gibbs
In this podcast episode, El Gibbs tells us more about Australia’s immigration policy and discrimination. She also discusses with us about climate change and its impact on people with disabilities.
The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on People with Disabilities with Dr. Dinesh Palipana
In this podcast episode Dinesh Palipana shares with us some advice for people with disabilities regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. He then tells us more about his post-injury experience and the way that changed his view towards human nature. Dinesh also gives us some advices about dating for people with spinal cord injury.
Raising Awareness on Disability Challenges at NASA with Dana Bolles
In this podcast episode Dana Bolles tells us more about her career as an engineer and the role model that helped her pursue that path. She then discusses with us about the role of her family in shaping her career trajectory. Dana also shares with us about employee resources group and their mission.
The Key to Accessible Travel with Eric Lipp
In this podcast episode Eric Lipp explains to us in details about his disability and its impact on his life. He then tells us about the services provided by the Open Doors organization. Moreover, Eric shares with us about the United States Air Carriers Access Act and his involvement in its implementation.
Disability Empowerment in the Middle East with Karen Saba
In this podcast episode Karen Saba tells us about disability advocacy work in the middle east. She then discusses with us about the biggest barriers to equal opportunities and access for people with disabilities in the Middle east. Karen also discusses with us about the key to collaborating with a diverse group of people in an international level.
The Importance of Adaptive Fitness with Devon Palermo
In this podcast episode Devon Palermo tells us more about DPI adaptive fitness. He also discusses with us about the skills needed to create a useful adaptive fitness program for people with disabilities. Devon also shares with us some tips on staying fit for people with disabilities.
Empowerment Through Social Media Representation with Steph Aiello
In this podcast episode Steph Aiello tells us more about her passion of doing makeup. She also shares with us about social stigma towards people with disabilities and changes needed to shape the image of the disability community. Steph then discusses with us about her responsibilities as a role model and influencer for people with disabilities.
Courage and Activism with Kings Floyd
In this podcast episode, Kings Floyd shares with us about the importance of representation. She also tells us more about her role as the co-chair of the Dc Metro Adapt. Kings also discusses with us about her experience of protesting with ADAPT and being arrested at the Capitol Building.
Making a Change Through Representation with Amy Currotto
In this podcast episode Amy Currotto shares with us her dream of becoming an opera singer. Amy also tells us more about her international disability advocacy work as well as Model UN Program. She also discusses with us about how her family and friends advocated for her with her specific disability.
Empowerment Through Social Networking and Confidence Building with Charlotte McClain-Nhlapo
In this podcast episode, Charlotte McClain-Nhlapo shares with us about her post injury experience and the role models that helped her overcome and embrace her disability and shaped her identity. She also discusses with us about the tools that helped her succeed in life. Charlotte McClain-Nhlapo also shares with us about people’s misconceptions and fears towards disability.
The Inclusion Movement in Adaptive Clothing with Lucy Jones
In this podcast episode, Lucy Jones tells us more about her dream and how working with people with disabilities helped her achieve it. Lucy also discusses with us about her takeaways from her exposure to the disability community. She also shares with us about her company Ffora, its mission and gives us some insights on how to grow a startup.
Empowering People with Disabilities through Senate Legislations with Sen. Tom Harkin
In this podcast episode, Tom Harkin discusses with us the laws that could help people with disabilities live a fulfilling life. Tom also tells us more about his work at the United States Senate and his choice of working in public service. He also shares with us about empowering youth with disabilities to get involved in politics.
Pushing the Disability Rights Movement Forward Globally and in Guatamala with Silvia Quan
In this podcast episode Sylvia Quan discusses with us in details the challenges faced by people with disabilities in Guatemala. She also tells us more about disability advocacy at a global level. Quan also shares with us her motivation and inspiration to pushing forward with disability rights work.
The Importance of Universal Design in Our Infrastructure with architect, Karen Braitmayer
In this video, Karen Braitmayer shares with us about her parenting experience as well as the adoption process. Karen also discusses with us about her disability advocacy work as well as her proudest achievements. She also gives us some advices in terms of gaining economic stability and finding a career path.
Accessibility and Inclusion in Adaptive Clothing with Grace Jun
In this segment, Grace Jun shares with us about Open Style Lab, its mission and long term vision. She also tells us more about her passion for creating adaptive clothing. Grace also discusses with us about the importance of adaptive clothing for people with disabilities.