My blurred opinion

Survivor to thriver

In this episode we talked to Carey, She is a woman who became disabled due to a horrible car accident that also caused pain, and PTSD to her two daughters.  we go in-depth on that night and how it all unfolded and how her life changed forever. We discussed the bone and nerve damage that was caused by the accident and the constant chronic pain that she goes through on a daily basis. She also talks about how the accident changed her for the good, how she feels things that she never felt before, and that she has more of an open mind and an understanding of how precious life is. She then opens up about her family with her two daughters, and her husband and how supportive they have been through her traumatic recovery.
Her website https://careyportell.com
Her Facebook https://www.facebook.com/CPSTY
Her Instagram https://www.instagram.com/cp_sty/
 

Who will love me because of my disability?

In this episode, I get to interview my friend Dorsey who is a sweet guy, but he's been through a lot in his life, and I hope you listen to him even though it's sometimes hard to understand what he saying, because of his speech in pediment, he is a really smart guy and worth listening to. He was born with a congenital disability known as Apert’s Syndrome. He described in the episode how his condition deformed his facial structure, fused his fingers and toes, and more. Are we discuss bullying, and how he pushes himself to do events like basketball and rock climbing even though they are more of a challenge for him. He is on a mission to find his true love which is very heartbreaking, but also inspiring at the same time. We should wish him nothing but the best, I know he will find her
Dorsey's podcast
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dorsey-ross-podcast/id1495921329?i=1000530285405
 
 

It all takes practice

In this episode I sit down with Maxwell, A man who has a lot to say, We discuss what life is like while being blind, his family situation growing up, his constant fluctuation of weight loss and gain, and dealing with sleep apnea. He tells us about being a failed carnival owner and now he is considered the blind blogger who is on a mission to reach as many people like him who feel they cannot do anything But need just a little push and motivation.
His podcast network  http://www.wyexcuse.com/

90% energy

This episode is with  Shelly houser, She is a congenital Hemi amputee, Who uses her story and experiences and combat it with humor, Knowledge, and empowerment. She is a Resource Manager in a CIL- Center for Independent living, we talk about what it's like to be born without one of her hips and part of her leg where her hip would normally be. She also discusses how it was like to have three children at the same time as having her condition. We have of course discuss mental health, and her thorough knowledge of the ADA, and how people with disabilities need to be more informed about how to live better lives and get around these hidden restrictions.
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/aimshelly/
Her podcast
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/disability-talks-dont-dis-my-ability/id1499122781

Flight by the foot

This episode is with Jessica Cox, she is a woman that defies all odds, because she is a woman with no arms, but she will never allow that to stop her. We discuss her learning how to fly with her feet, how she uses her feet as hands during her daily regimens, and how she got over her anxiety of people staring at her and judging her. We discuss why she no longer uses mechanical arms, mental health, and advocacy for people with disabilities. She talks about obtaining her black belt, and the adversity that came with that
Her website https://www.jessicacox.com

Systematic abuse

Sonia Frontera and is a very beautiful, and smart woman, but for a part of her life, she didn't really know that, Because she was stuck in a marriage with someone who did not appreciate and love her for who she is, But instead mentally, and verbally abused her and eventually physically. Our conversation though is about her fighting through adversity and then overcoming by leaving and making a better life for her. She is a divorce lawyer, a domestic violence Survivor advocate, and an empowerment trainer. 
The national domestic violence hotline 1800 799 7233
Her website https://www.soniafrontera.com

Cheering for Hope

In this episode our guest is Barbie Ingle, she is a woman who had many hopes and dreams and she even succeeded in one by going to a really good college and becoming a cheerleader. She not only performed but she also trained others as well, But she was derailed with chronic illness and excruciating pain that forced her out of the dream that she loved so much. She has battled it since 1997 and along the way, she has had endometriosis which also caused a hysterectomy, next she was plagued with a Progressive Neuro autoimmune condition called Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD). But then we talk about her diagnosis and how long it took her to get it, and how she overcame it by being her own doctor through Hope and determination.
Facebook -
www.facebook.com/BarbyIngleOfficial
Instagram –
www.instagram.com/kenandbarbyshow
Twitter -
www.twitter.com/BarbyIngle
Website –
www.barbyingle.com
Website -
www.internationalpain.org
 

Stuntman john

In this episode I found a great speaker Named John Davis, he's a former stunt man, comedian, college professor, and much more.  He had a horrific back injury that paralyzed him for a good amount of time until he taught himself and pushed himself to strengthen his back muscles in an unorthodox way.  He's done so much in a short amount of time, and he has never let any limitation get in his way. 

Making sure you know what you can do

To kick off season two, I knew who my first guess would be, a woman who I mentioned many times in previous episodes, and a person who I love dearly, and has done a lot for me in my life. Her name is Lois Robins, she has many titles like a social worker, vision itinerant, teacher, my favorite the feisty little Jewish lady. We take a trip down memory lane of her being my fourth-grade teacher, and she talked about how she got into teaching, and how she transitioned to being more of a social worker for people with disabilities. She has helped so many people along her journey, and I couldn't think of a better person to interview for this episode. One of the things I want to focus on in season two is not only the people with disabilities, but the people who are close to those with they are conditions. For instance parents, teachers, caregivers, and much more, so Mrs. Robins will be the first of many who I have that fit this category.

Confronting your pain

This episode is our 1 year anniversary, And I wanted to celebrate it and do this episode alone, so I went and recorded a separate episode, but then I did an interview with Wayne, and everything Wayne and I talked about just made sense to put this episode out, And delete the other one. This episode has multiple meanings, but on the surface, it's about a father struggling in life trying to deal with his mental pain, his life is spinning out of control, and his absence in his children's life. We talk about all these issues also him being homeless, being in the service, and has many issues with his mother, but the overall feeling of this episode is positivity and confronting the pain that floats in the background that you have yet to confront. And at the very end of this episode I acknowledge the pain that has always been there with my father.