Lisa talks with Rebecca Bridges about deciding to leave her successful career and homeschool her children, as well as what it’s like to be part of a blind couple raising a family together outside Washington DC. Check out the newly released audio version of Franke James’s book, "Freeing Teresa" on Audible.com and on freeingteresa.com. Thanks to Chri…

Kimberly interviews disability advocate, Tyler Levy, and Lisa interviews Aaron Lammers, who gives his own first-hand account of living with autism. Plus, Lisa and Kimberly talk about Mattel‘s new line of disability Barbie and Ken dolls. Thanks to Chris Ankin for use of his song, “Change.” The book "A Celebration of Family: Stories of Parents with D…

Kimberly talks with Justin Jeter, public policy coordinator for the Commonwealth Council on Developmental Disabilities, about exciting changes to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. Read the full press release here. Lisa and Kimberly want to hear from you. Email them at demandanddisrupt@gmail.com Thanks to Chris Ankin for use of his song, “Chang…

Carissa Johnson, Episode 6, and roving reporter Keith Hosey interview long time disability community advocate and ally, Beverly Alford, who has had a front row seat to the fight for equality for people with disabilities for over 30 years. Thanks to Chris Ankin for use of his song, “Change.” The book "A Celebration of Family: Stories of Parents with…

Kimberly talks with Allison Hayes about the marriage penalty and the perils and pitfalls of financial planning for disabled people. Visit Alison’s website at: thrivingwhiledisabled.com For coaching services, reach out to her at alison@thrivingwhiledisabled.com Thanks to Chris Ankin for use of his song, “Change.” The book "A Celebration of Family: S…

Kimberly interviews Donna Fox, executive Director of Forever YES. Donna teaches teens and young adults the importance of self-awareness, self determination, and self advocacy. They discuss how public opinion, especially in the areas of healthcare and media representation, is still getting it wrong when it comes to disability. Kimberly and Lisa talk…

On episode 31 of Demand and Disrupt, Lisa speaks with author and advocate Jenny Smith about finding purpose and meaning while living with a disability. When Jenny was 16 years old, she sustained a C6-7 spinal cord injury, leaving her paralyzed from the chest down. Jenny is passionate about helping others work through the grief that is often associa…

Lisa talks with Kevin Kline with Good Maps, an inclusive navigation system that helps people with disabilities move around those tricky indoor spaces safely and with confidence. Speaking of travel, the United States Department of Transportation is seeking input from people with disabilities about a proposed new rule that could be a game changer for…

Kimberly talks with Alexandra Ingram and Sarah Richardson about the Appalachian Assistive Technology Loan Fund, a way for people with disabilities to get 0% interest loans for assistive technology. Since July 1, 2023, the Appalachian Assistive Technology Loan Fund has loaned more than $85,000 to Kentuckians to help with the cost of assistive techno…

Kimberly talks with Laura Reynolds, Miss Wheelchair Kentucky 2006 about her advocacy efforts, adaptive sports and recreation, and tips for travel. Kimberly cohosts this episode with Sam Moore, host of the Blabbin in the Bluegrass podcast. Visit that podcasts page at blabbin-in-the-bluegrassblabbi.pinecast.co. To reach out to Sam, email Bluegrassbla…

This week, Kimberly speaks with award-winning author and musician, Eliza Hull. Eliza is a mother of two, and she lives in Australia. She experienced discrimination when she told her doctor she wanted to become a mother. After that, she began researching everything she could find about disabled parenting and what she found was very little. She began…

On this episode of Demand And Disrupt, Lisa speaks with Canadian author Franke James about her latest book, Freeing Teresa, a true story of heartbreak and triumph. When Franke’s younger sister Teresa was placed in a nursing home against her will by their other siblings, Franke knew she had to act in order to protect Teresa’s civil liberties. Franke…

Brandi Lemay is a special education advocate. She provides parents a range of services at every point in the IEP process to help all students get the supports they need to reach their highest potential. Find out about Brandi and how she can help your family at: lemayzingspedadvocacy.com Thanks to Chris Ankin for use of his song, “Change.” The book …

Gerry Gordon Brown marched with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in Frankfort in 1964. She continues to push for justice for all. Thanks to Chris Ankin for use of his song, “Change.” The book "A Celebration of Family: Stories of Parents with Disabilities." is available from Amazon here. Send comments and questions to demandanddisrupt@gmail.com Demand and…

We end 2023 with a story of Hope and Resilience as Lisa interviews Sydney Kessler. South Central Kentucky Council of the Blind Speak To Me Catalog Thanks to Chris Ankin for use of his song, “Change.” The book "A Celebration of Family: Stories of Parents with Disabilities." is available from Amazon here. Send comments and questions to demandanddisru…

This week, Kimberly interviews David Allgood about upcoming legislative priorities that could have an impact on people with disabilities. Kimberly and Lisa talk turkey and cosmic ovens. Here’s the number for Kentucky’s Department of protection and advocacy. Save it as a contact in your phone in case you ever have problems voting in the future. 1-80…

This week, Kimberly expresses her frustrations at the voting process, and later talks to parent activist Lindsay Brillhart about parenting with a Disability and advocating for a child who also has a disability. The nonprofit group Lindsay mentions, TASP, can be found at Achancetoparent.net Thanks to Chris Ankin for use of his song, “Change.” The bo…

Steve Moore talks with Kimberly about the challenges of finding quality personal care attendants and offers tips to anyone in need of personal attendant care. And Lisa and Kimberly talk about Medicare scams, accessible Halloween costumes, and disability friendly underwear. Oh yes, they really do. Below are links to the items mentioned in the podcas…

On today’s episode of Demand And Disrupt, Lisa speaks with Jason Koger, the first person in the world to receive two bionic hands. In March of 2008, Jason suffered major tissue damage after coming in contact with a downed powerline. In order to save his life, doctors were forced to amputate both arms below the elbow. Jason recounts the day of his a…

Roving reporter, Keith Hosey, tells us about innovative approaches to finding work for people with disabilities. Plus, Kimberly and Lisa talk about pets problems and the news that Walmart is making a push into the disability accessories market. Thanks to Chris Ankin for use of his song, “Change.” The book "A Celebration of Family: Stories of Parent…

Lisa speaks with Amanda Mobley, Executive Director of The Center for Accessible Living about the history, as well as the services offered by the center. Amanda shares how a house fire led to her father becoming disabled and how this experience gave her a greater appreciation and understanding of the disabled community. Inspired by her father and hi…

Kimberly talks to Esther Ratajeski and Grace Jeter from the Statewide Independent Living Council, and Lisa interviews Bobby Begley, a long time supporter of the SILC and participant in the independent living movement in Kentucky. Thanks to Chris Ankin for use of his song, “Change.” The book "A Celebration of Family: Stories of Parents with Disabili…

Roving reporter, Keith Hosey, interviews Beth Metzger with the Department for Protection and Advocacy. Protection and Advocacy phone number is 1-800-372-2988. http://www.kypa.net To let your federal elected officials know that you oppose the continued existence of a subminimum wage, call the United States capital at (202) 224-3121 They will ask you…

Decades ago, Kentucky was the epicenter of the movement to make public transportation accessible to people with disabilities. In this episode, Maria Kemplin joins Kimberly to talk about how far we’ve come, where we are now, and the hope for making transportation accessible to everyone in the future. To find out more about accessible transportation …

Matt Davis, Assistant Director of the Student Accessibility Resource Center at Western Kentucky University, talks to Lisa about self advocacy. Thanks to Chris Ankin for use of his song, “Change.” The book "A Celebration of Family: Stories of Parents with Disabilities." is available from Amazon here. Send comments and questions to demandanddisrupt@g…

Lisa interviews Kimberly about her past life as a romance writer, being a life skills coach, and about having compassion for yourself. Thanks to Chris Ankin for use of his song, “Change.” The book "A Celebration of Family: Stories of Parents with Disabilities." is available from Amazon here. Send comments and questions to demandanddisrupt@gmail.com…

Jerry Wheatley is a wonderful person who I have given the worst superhero name ever "Blindness Mentor". Thanks to Chris Ankin for use of his song, “Change.” The book "A Celebration of Family: Stories of Parents with Disabilities." is available from Amazon here. Send comments and questions to demandanddisrupt@gmail.com Demand and Disrupt is sponsore…

Kimberly talks with Lisa McKinley, blind mother of two teenage boys. They talk about the benefits of being a blind mother. It might shock some people to know that there are some. Thanks to Chris Ankin for use of his song, “Change.” The book "A Celebration of Family: Stories of Parents with Disabilities." is available from Amazon here. Send comments…

I talk to Rick and Marissa Roderick about how Marissa came to be adopted by Rick and his wife, Carol, and my daughter, Sayer, puts in an appearance to ask a burning question from one child of a disabled parent to another. Thanks to Chris Ankin for use of his song, “Change.” The book "A Celebration of Family: Stories of Parents with Disabilities." i…

Gerry Gordon Brown marched with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in Frankfort in 1964. She continues to push for justice for all. Thanks to Chris Ankin for use of his song, “Change.” The book "A Celebration of Family: Stories of Parents with Disabilities." is available from Amazon here. Send comments and questions to demandanddisrupt@gmail.com Demand and…

Keith Hosey and I talk about the hard things; the genetic implications of having children, disability pride, and multiple disabilities. We end on a high note. Keith is working to bring a chapter of ADAPT, a Disability activism organization, to Kentucky. If you are interested in helping get the ADAPT chapter off the ground, email demandanddisrupt@gm…

Traditional is not a word Carissa Johnson would ever use to describe her upbringing, but one thing that upbringing taught her was that love can be found anywhere. Her disability had nothing to do with her choice to adopt, but it does shape how she teaches her seven year old son, Will, that all people everywhere are worthy of love. I talk with Caris…

How to register to vote or change your registration, go to vote.org. The deadline for voter registration in Kentucky is October 11, 2022. You can register in person, online, or by mail. Vote.org Then Kimberly tells a story about how she almost died (not really) by poisoned yogurt and we hear part two of Kimberly‘s interview with Cass Irvin. After y…

Sandra Williams refused to let anything stand between her and motherhood. Starting out as a foster mom, she is now the grandmother of three little girls. She reflects on her own mothering journey, as well as that of her mother and grandmother. Thanks to Chris Ankin for use of his song, “Change.” The book "A Celebration of Family: Stories of Parents…

Cass Irvin was disabled by polio when she was nine years old and is a wheelchair user. In her thirties she began serving on local and state boards of disability organizations and has been involved with civil rights and arts organizations most of her life. She was a co-founder of The Disability Rag magazine and contributing editor from 1984-92. She …

August 14, 2022 I talk to Dr. Kara Ayers, disability parenting researcher and parent of three children. We talk about the decisions around weather and how to begin our families. You can follow Kara’s work on Twitter @DrKaraAyers or her family life on Instagram @KaraAyers. Thanks to Chris Ankin for use of his song, “Change.” The book "A Celebration …

July 27, 2022 Dave Matheis is a lifelong advocate and Ally for people with disabilities. Despite not being disabled himself or having anyone in his family who is disabled, he has devoted himself to improving the lives of people with disabilities. Listen to his story and how he got here. Jason Jones is a husband, father, and one of the people featur…

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