In this episode, we interview Katie Haynes from Youngsville, North Carolina. She is the first person to compete in the Miss United States Agriculture pageant in a wheelchair and we talk about her pageant experience in many competitions. She has Gastroparesis and a rare form of dysautonomia called AAG, Autoimmune Autonomic Ganglionopathy. She formed…

In this episode, Jada Babcock discusses her son and his diagnosis of Chromosome 13 Deletion, writing her book “An Exceptional Life: A story of Faith, Missing Chromosomes, & Unconditional Love,” and the JOYHeartCollective she created with Emily Wolf on Etsy. Support the Show. Thanks for listening to This Ability Podcast. If you are enjoying our podc…

In this episode, we interview Craig Oser, Marketing Director for Special Olympics of Louisiana. He discusses the new vision for Special Olympics Louisiana and how it embraces diversity, equity and inclusion in all communities. Other topics that we discuss are the Law Enforcement Torch Run, how to volunteer, fundraisers and success stories of athlet…

In this episode, Coach Damon, Founder and Owner of Train Unique in Lafayette, Louisiana, talks about his quest to start a gym for special needs individuals. Not one to shy away from a challenge, Coach Damon has become a mentor, friend and motivational leader to many of the athletes to he encounters on a daily basis. Listen to his podcast episode to…

In this episode, we talk to Paul Ganucheau, Board Member with the Autism Society of Acadiana. As the first board member on the spectrum, Paul discusses peer support groups, how to be a better advocate/self-advocate, and partnerships with with other grassroots advocacy groups such Families Helping Families of Acadiana & LACan. Support the Show. Than…

In this episode, we sit down with Jade Viator, Director, and Caroline Billeaudeau, Community and Career Coordinator for the UL LIFE Program. The UL LIFE (Learning Is For Everyone) Program is a highly individualized certificate program for young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. They discuss the UL LIFE Program which focuses o…

In this episode, Molly Guidry discusses the programs with the Down Syndrome Association of Acadiana, having a teenager with Down syndrome and her significant accomplishments. Support the Show. 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 o…

Original recording date: April 2019 In this interview, She discusses her’s sons rare disease diagnosis, Facebook Support Groups, Trisomy and Drew’s Journey. Support the Show. 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…

Original Recording Date: March 2019 In this interview, Liam Doyle discusses: Maneuvering in inaccessible areas and how to go about making change Places/events in Acadiana that are accessible and wheelchair/mobility friendly Tips on traveling-advance preparation- for traveling in a wheelchair Support the Show. Thanks for listening to This Ability Po…

Podcast Recorded in April 2019: In this episode, Molly discusses her journey with daughter Ellie Grace, who has Down syndrome. We also talk about the various types of Down Syndrome: Trisomy 21: About 95% of people with Down syndrome have Trisomy 21.2 With this type of Down syndrome, each cell in the body has 3 separate copies of chromosome 21 inste…