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Ask Win

Win Charles

Welcome to Ask Win conversations about being awesome with a disability and raising awareness at the same time and absolutely Yes sometimes you have to say F…..CK you to your own mindset and especially your disability! 

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  • S22 · E8
    Today · 6 min

    I Am Choosing Surgery Now To Avoid A Knee Replacement Later

    Send us Fan Mail We share a direct health update, including an upcoming knee hardware removal surgery and what it could mean for pain relief and long-term mobility. We also talk candidly about painful skin breakdown, the steps we are taking to get treatment, and a new podcast idea built to center caregivers. • knee surgery scheduled and expected time away from work and recording • why knee clicking and popping may come from hardware irritation • decision path toward partial or total knee replacement if needed • three skin breakdowns and why one is especially painful • seeing a doctor, trying medication, and considering a specialist and biopsy • launching a caregiver focused podcast with day in the life episodes • gratitude for listeners and community support If you haven't listened to Coach Willie's interview with me, go ahead and listen to it. Support the show

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  • S22 · E6
    Sunday · 20 min

    A Dietitian With Cystic Fibrosis Explains Daily Care

    Send us Fan Mail Doctors once refused to test Nick Kelly for cystic fibrosis because of a dangerous assumption about who can have CF. His mom did the research, pushed for answers, and changed the course of his life. Nick joins us with a rare blend of credibility: he’s a 39-year-old man living with cystic fibrosis and a registered dietitian who understands both the patient seat and the clinician seat. We get practical about what cystic fibrosis actually does to the body, from thick, sticky mucus in the lungs to impacts on the pancreas and GI system. Nick walks through the real-world routine behind “pulmonary hygiene,” including airway clearance tools like the vibrating vest, breathing treatments such as albuterol, and devices that use pressure to help loosen mucus. If you’ve ever wondered what CF care looks like day to day, this conversation turns medical jargon into clear, human language. Then we zoom out to the bigger picture: the communication gap between clinicians and patients. Nick explains why misunderstandings happen so easily, how compassion and clarity improve patient outcomes, and why living on both sides of healthcare can be a superpower. We also talk about purpose and productivity with disability, how to find your passion by trying more things, and how hope holds up even when uncertainty and hospital stays are part of the calendar. Hear it, share it with someone who needs it, and then subscribe, leave a review, and tell us: what helps you feel hopeful when life gets unpredictable? Support the show

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  • S22 · E7
    Sunday · 42 min

    Choosing A Niche Can Change Who You Help

    Send us Fan Mail Willie Blake Tuesday, September 1, 2026 Ask Win: http://askwinpodcast.weebly.com/. Please donate to Ask Win by going to Payment Venmo Win1195 at https://venmo.com/. Park Land with Win: https://parklanejewelry.com/rep/winc?_k=bb50de368afeec410814b4cd07e5b80c95da0353b25774d8fe4f5a53ebf0b753. On Ask Win today (Tuesday, September 1, 2026), Best-Selling Author, Win C welcomes Willie Blake. Coach Willie is a dyslexic performance coach, speaker, and podcast host who helps dyslexic and neurodivergent professionals get out of their own head and into motion. Diagnosed with dyslexia himself, Willie spent years thinking he was behind before realizing his brain was built differently, not broken. Through his GPS Method, one on one coaching, and his podcast Light Beyond Limits, he helps people get clear, find their path, and actually start moving. Willie believes the brain everyone told you was the problem might be your greatest advantage. To learn more about Willie visit http://coachwillieblake.com We talk about what it really takes to build a platform around disability, accessibility and the people who carry the load behind the scenes. Coach Will and I get honest about dyslexia, cerebral palsy, the resource cliff after 18 and why I’m choosing caregivers as my true niche moving forward. • Coach Will’s background as a dad, coach, speaker and podcast host • Dyslexia challenges and advantages, then leading with it • Why community matters for disabled people and families • Why I started podcasting after publishing my book • The myths and assumptions people place on disability in hospitals and rehab • The conversation that sticks with me most and why first episodes matter • Titles that feel true, and titles younger us never expected • The lack of adult resources after 18 for disability and dyslexia • My decision to become a cheerleader for caregivers and parents • Caregiver burnout, low pay and why support has to include the supporters • Where to find Coach Will and his podcast Please leave a review in Apple Podcast or and on Spotify, because all that does is make the Apple Podcast monster happy, feed him his whatever we feed Apple Podcast monsters, I don't know. Support the show

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  • S21 · E5
    August 3 · 15 min

    My Knee Is Clicking So Loud It’s Practically A Guest

    Send us Fan Mail My knee is at the point where I can’t ignore it anymore, and saying that out loud is hard. We share a real life update about worsening knee pain, instability, and the possibility that the next step is a knee replacement. I describe what it feels like when your knee clicks, pops, and won’t “find itself,” even after prior reconstruction surgery and implanted hardware, and why that daily struggle can turn simple things like sitting down into a constant negotiation with your body. We also get practical about cerebral palsy and orthopedics: why X-rays and MRIs don’t always show the full story when hardware is in the way, how to think about second opinions, and what it can take to find a doctor who understands CP biomechanics. I talk about what we tried, including Botox for spasticity and a toe contracture, why it didn’t work, and why surgery may be the only real fix for the toe. We also share the very real wildcard that nobody warns you about enough: insurance approval and how it can dictate the order of toe surgery versus knee surgery. There are bright spots too. I’m finally getting in and out of caregiver vehicles with help, we’ve got a long-awaited friend visit coming up, and we’re staying busy and stable even while hiding from the Arizona heat. Daniel checks in, we touch on the “who is Matt?” question without forcing the story before it’s ready, and we celebrate Danielle’s work bringing bubbles to kids. If you’re navigating chronic pain, disability, or major surgery decisions, listen along, then subscribe, share, and leave a review to help more people find us. Support the show

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  • S21 · E4
    July 15 · 20 min

    Healing With Humor

    Send us Fan Mail Dave Mowry Wednesday, July 15, 2026 davemowry.com Ask Win: http://askwinpodcast.weebly.com/. Ask Win sponsor: https://melodyclouds.com. Please donate to Ask Win by going to Payment Venmo Win1195 at https://venmo.com/. Win Kelly Charles’ Books: https://www.amazon.com/Win-Kelly-Charles/e/B009VNJEKE/ref=dp_byline_cont_book_1. Win Kelly Charles' MONAT: https://wincharles.mymonat.com. Flying Has Become Hell for Passengers with Wheelchairs: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRntgEiTHIY. PodMatch: https://podmatch.com. Win Charles’ TiTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@a.winning.heart?_t=ZT-8yE9mRvWmz1&_r=1 . Win Charles has given you an exclusive offer of $50 off of delicious chef-prepared meals: https://www.cookunity.com/referral?utm_campaign=wch3003078&utm_source=referral&utm_content=link&promo=wch3003078. How Cdiff changed my life: https://open.substack.com/pub/wcharles622/p/how-cdiff-changed-my-life?r=1baro&utm_medium=ios. A gentle voice: https://blubrry.com/3955765/. Win Charles’ YouTube: https://youtube.com/@she13win?si=WaPoCCwM1C0z6W4A. Win Charles' LimeLife: https://www.limelifebyalcone.com/Win/home. On Ask Win today (Wednesday, July 15, 2026), Best-Selling Author, Win C welcomes Dave Mowry. Dave was a successful businessman until Dave lost it all due to his bipolar disorder. When Dave had his breakdown, Dave began his 14 lost years and dark days of being unable to work or interact socially. Dave slowly recovered with the help of finding the humor in his challenges. Today, Dave teach stand-up to others with mental health challenges and see their lives transform and Dave is the author of "OMG That's Me!" and "Healing with Humor", two award winning books. To learn more about Dave visit davemowry.com Support the show

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  • S21 · E1
    July 5 · 17 min

    From Pulpit To FBI

    Send us Fan Mail He went looking for less stress and ended up in the FBI. Retired agent Eric Robinson joins us to tell the true story behind a career jump that sounds impossible on paper: Baptist pastor one Sunday, FBI Academy in Quantico the next, then years spent investigating drug cartels, gangs, public corruption, organized crime, crimes against children, financial crimes, and national security. If you have ever wondered whether you can outgrow a calling and still serve people with integrity, this conversation is for you. We talk candidly about burnout and compassion fatigue, including why carrying other people’s pain in ministry triggered daily headaches and why those symptoms vanished the day Eric got accepted as an FBI agent. From there we get into the reality of FBI SWAT life, the adrenaline and the aftermath, plus what it is like to face the darkest cases without losing yourself. Eric also shares what sex trafficking stings looked like on the ground, how trauma shapes the choices of vulnerable teens, and why rapport-building and simple kindness can make the difference between silence and a conviction. You will also hear what the FBI hiring process demands, from education and background checks to the nerve-racking polygraph, and why Eric believes justice can be part of faithful service. We close on a challenge that applies to every job, every community, and every relationship: stay curious, treat people like humans, and choose compassion in the small moments. Subscribe, share this with a friend who loves real-life stories, and leave a review if it helps you see service and justice in a new way. Support the show

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  • S21 · E2
    July 5 · 1 hr 5 min

    When The Soccer Ball Goes Sideways

    Send us Fan Mail Abuse, disability, and trauma have a way of twisting the story we tell about ourselves until one clear answer snaps everything into focus. Wynn sits down with Amelia, CEO and founder of Evolve Ventures Technologies, for a raw conversation about surviving harm, living as a disabled adult, and reclaiming neurodiversity as a real strength instead of a label that limits you. Emilia Smith Saturday, July 4, 2026 Ask Win: http://askwinpodcast.weebly.com/. Ask Win sponsor: https://melodyclouds.com. Please donate to Ask Win by going to Payment Venmo Win1195 at https://venmo.com/. Win Kelly Charles’ Books: https://www.amazon.com/Win-Kelly-Charles/e/B009VNJEKE/ref=dp_byline_cont_book_1. Win Kelly Charles' MONAT: https://wincharles.mymonat.com. Flying Has Become Hell for Passengers with Wheelchairs: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRntgEiTHIY. PodMatch: https://podmatch.com. Win Charles’ TiTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@a.winning.heart?_t=ZT-8yE9mRvWmz1&_r=1 . Win Charles has given you an exclusive offer of $50 off of delicious chef-prepared meals: https://www.cookunity.com/referral?utm_campaign=wch3003078&utm_source=referral&utm_content=link&promo=wch3003078. How Cdiff changed my life: https://open.substack.com/pub/wcharles622/p/how-cdiff-changed-my-life?r=1baro&utm_medium=ios. A gentle voice: https://blubrry.com/3955765/. Win Charles’ YouTube: https://youtube.com/@she13win?si=WaPoCCwM1C0z6W4A. Win Charles' LimeLife: https://www.limelifebyalcone.com/Win/home. On Ask Win today (Saturday, July 4, 2026), Best-Selling Author, Win C welcomes Emilia Smith. True high performance isn’t about hiding your vulnerabilities; it is about converting them into your competitive edge. Emilia Smith built a career operating across high-stakes industries like neuroscience, biotechnology, and aviation... all while quietly navigating 21 years of chronic traumatic memory loss (and the mental health challenges that came with it). By refusing to mask her neurodivergence, she unlocked a data-backed blueprint for sustainable leadership that resonates with corporate executives and neurodivergent professionals alike. Today, as a certified trauma recovery coach, CEO of Evolve Ventures Technologies, and host of a Top 200 global podcast with over 400 episodes, Emilia bridges the gap between boardroom metrics and cognitive reality. She proves that nervous-system compliance, emotional safety, and radical self-awareness are the ultimate keys to unlocking elite human performance. To learn more about Emilia visit https://evolveventurestech.com/ Amelia shares her experience of chronic traumatic memory loss and the long road to understanding how trauma can reshape the brain, including how memory and threat systems get rewired. Wynn connects that to her own journey with cerebral palsy, from early moments of realizing her body moved differently, to the adult reality of needing help with daily tasks, and the shock of experiencing emotional and physical abuse. We also talk about what happens when you are both a mandatory reporter and the person who needs protection, why Adult Protective Services can feel terrifying, and how much courage it takes to speak when your nervous system wants to freeze. One of the biggest takeaways is about anger. We don’t treat it as something to fear or suppress, but as a signal that your values matter and that something needs to change. We also dig into inner child healing, anxiety that gets dismissed, and why trauma-informed support can make all the difference, especially during vulnerable moments like medical care. We wrap with practical ways to connect, including Amelia’s free consultation and community resources, plus a push for accessibility through video podcasting and captions. If this conversation hits home, subscribe, share it with someone who needs hope, and leave a review so more survivors and disabled listeners can find it. Support the show

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  • S20 · E53
    June 17 · 14 min

    Why A Psychiatrist Walked Away From Diagnoses

    Send us Fan Mail A doctor gets told to keep patients. He tries to discharge them. That moment captures a bigger tension inside modern mental health care and it’s what finally pushed Dr. Fred to step away from conventional practice and lean fully into what he calls “restorative care” as an “undoctor.” Dr. Fred Moss Tuesday, June 16, 2026 Ask Win: http://askwinpodcast.weebly.com/. Ask Win sponsor: https://melodyclouds.com. Please donate to Ask Win by going to Payment Venmo Win1195 at https://venmo.com/. Win Kelly Charles’ Books: https://www.amazon.com/Win-Kelly-Charles/e/B009VNJEKE/ref=dp_byline_cont_book_1. Win Kelly Charles' MONAT: https://wincharles.mymonat.com. Flying Has Become Hell for Passengers with Wheelchairs: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRntgEiTHIY. PodMatch: https://podmatch.com. Win Charles’ TiTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@a.winning.heart?_t=ZT-8yE9mRvWmz1&_r=1 . Win Charles has given you an exclusive offer of $50 off of delicious chef-prepared meals: https://www.cookunity.com/referral?utm_campaign=wch3003078&utm_source=referral&utm_content=link&promo=wch3003078. How Cdiff changed my life: https://open.substack.com/pub/wcharles622/p/how-cdiff-changed-my-life?r=1baro&utm_medium=ios. A gentle voice: https://blubrry.com/3955765/. Win Charles’ YouTube: https://youtube.com/@she13win?si=WaPoCCwM1C0z6W4A. Win Charles' LimeLife: https://www.limelifebyalcone.com/Win/home. On Ask Win today (Tuesday, June 16, 2026), Best-Selling Author, Win C welcomes Dr. Fred Moss. Dr. Moss is a renowned mental health advocate, keynote speaker, and psychiatrist with a passion for helping people find their authentic selves. As the founder of the Welcome to Humanity movement and True Voice Mastermind, Dr. Fred's work is centered on the power of communication to heal and connect people. He is the author of "Creative 8 - Healing Through Creativity and Self-Expression" and "Find Your True Voice!" and has written numerous articles for Psychology Today. Dr. Fred's most recent work includes the "True Voice Course," which helps people rediscover their voice and share their message with the world, and "Healing the Healer," a virtual course and mastermind designed to support transitioning healers. To learn more about Dr. Moss visit Whoisdrfred.com If this helped you, subscribe, share the episode with someone who needs it, and leave a review with your biggest takeaway. Support the show

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  • S20 · E51
    June 7 · 38 min

    Pride, Disability, And Real Allyship

    Send us Fan Mail Elisa Neven-Pugh Saturday, June 6, 2026 A Different Shaped Heart: http://adifferentshapedheart.weebly.com/. A Different Shaped Heart sponsor: https://melodyclouds.com. Please donate to A Different Shaped Heart by going to Payment Venmo Win1195 at https://venmo.com/. Win Kelly Charles’ Books: https://www.amazon.com/Win-Kelly-Charles/e/B009VNJEKE/ref=dp_byline_cont_book_1. Win Kelly Charles' MONAT: https://wincharles.mymonat.com. Flying Has Become Hell for Passengers with Wheelchairs: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRntgEiTHIY. PodMatch: https://podmatch.com. Win Charles’ TiTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@a.winning.heart?_t=ZT-8yE9mRvWmz1&_r=1 . Win Charles has given you an exclusive offer of $50 off of delicious chef-prepared meals: https://www.cookunity.com/referral?utm_campaign=wch3003078&utm_source=referral&utm_content=link&promo=wch3003078. How Cdiff changed my life: https://open.substack.com/pub/wcharles622/p/how-cdiff-changed-my-life?r=1baro&utm_medium=ios. A gentle voice: https://blubrry.com/3955765/. Win Charles’ YouTube: https://youtube.com/@she13win?si=WaPoCCwM1C0z6W4A. Win Charles' LimeLife: https://www.limelifebyalcone.com/Win/home. On A Different Shaped Heart today (Saturday, June 6, 2026), Best-Selling Author, Win C welcomes Elisa Neven-Pugh. Elisa is a young woman with cerebral palsy who has a strong belief in personal accountability and in every aspect of life and to be real with one's emotions. Elisa have written a book called For Heaven’s Sake, Get on the Boat! A quadriplegic’s guide to walking by faith. It is Elisa’s hope that this book and her motivational speaking services will help people get on the boat of their lives to truly live to their full potential. To learn more about Elisa visit Positivelyadaptive.com Coming out can be risky even when you already know who you are. Win sits down with Eliza for a candid, sometimes funny, sometimes heavy conversation about what it took to live openly as a gay woman after growing up with a homophobic parent, and why she waited until after her dad died to come out. Pride Month is the backdrop, but the heart of this talk is everyday safety, family grief, and the kind of acceptance that changes how you breathe in your own life. We also get practical about LGBTQ+ allyship and how to support the community without being intrusive, fake, or performative. Eliza lays out a simple approach: make contact, be kind, give people space, and let trust do its work. We dig into how to learn about identity and sexuality without overwhelming yourself, why pressure can push people back into hiding, and what “I’m here for you” looks like when you actually mean it. Then we widen the lens to disability advocacy and cerebral palsy, including what happens when healthcare treats CP like it only belongs in childhood. We talk wheelchairs, mobility, chronic pain, and the reality of navigating hospitals while worrying about bias. If you care about inclusive healthcare, disability rights, LGBTQ+ support, and honest conversations about faith and resilience, you’ll find a lot to sit with here. Subscribe, share this with someone who wants to be a better ally, and leave a review with the biggest takeaway you’re bringing into your own life. Support the show

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  • S20 · E52
    June 7 · 19 min

    I Explain Exactly Why I Ended Up In The ICU After Surgery

    Send us Fan Mail We catch you up on why the show name changes back to Ask When, then we get real about what recovery looks like when a “better hip” comes with a painful dislocated toe. We also share the full story behind landing in the ICU on a ventilator after surgery, plus what we’re doing next for school and support. • changing the podcast name back to Ask When and why it matters for finding the show • asking for help with professional podcast cover art and logo design • hip recovery update and how a bedbound injury dislocates a toe • deciding between Dysport injections and toe surgery for a contracted toe • the cost of repeated Botox style treatments versus a surgical fix • what leads to intubation, aspiration concerns, and time on a ventilator • failing a class twice, losing a spot at a university, and transferring to ASU • looking for a tutor and adjusting to an aide transition If there's any professional designers out there who know about podcasting, please help me. If anyone wants to help me, we can do it virtually. Support the show

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  • S20 · E50
    June 5 · 38 min

    Coming Out After Loss While Living With Cerebral Palsy

    Send us Fan Mail Elisa Neven-Pugh Saturday, June 6, 2026 A Different Shaped Heart: http://adifferentshapedheart.weebly.com/. A Different Shaped Heart sponsor: https://melodyclouds.com. Please donate to A Different Shaped Heart by going to Payment Venmo Win1195 at https://venmo.com/. Win Kelly Charles’ Books: https://www.amazon.com/Win-Kelly-Charles/e/B009VNJEKE/ref=dp_byline_cont_book_1. Win Kelly Charles' MONAT: https://wincharles.mymonat.com. Flying Has Become Hell for Passengers with Wheelchairs: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRntgEiTHIY. PodMatch: https://podmatch.com. Win Charles’ TiTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@a.winning.heart?_t=ZT-8yE9mRvWmz1&_r=1 . Win Charles has given you an exclusive offer of $50 off of delicious chef-prepared meals: https://www.cookunity.com/referral?utm_campaign=wch3003078&utm_source=referral&utm_content=link&promo=wch3003078. How Cdiff changed my life: https://open.substack.com/pub/wcharles622/p/how-cdiff-changed-my-life?r=1baro&utm_medium=ios. A gentle voice: https://blubrry.com/3955765/. Win Charles’ YouTube: https://youtube.com/@she13win?si=WaPoCCwM1C0z6W4A. Win Charles' LimeLife: https://www.limelifebyalcone.com/Win/home. On A Different Shaped Heart today (Saturday, June 6, 2026), Best-Selling Author, Win C welcomes Elisa Neven-Pugh. Elisa is a young woman with cerebral palsy who has a strong belief in personal accountability and in every aspect of life and to be real with one's emotions. Elisa have written a book called For Heaven’s Sake, Get on the Boat! A quadriplegic’s guide to walking by faith. It is Elisa’s hope that this book and her motivational speaking services will help people get on the boat of their lives to truly live to their full potential. To learn more about Elisa visit Positivelyadaptive.com Support the show

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  • S20 · E49
    April 12 · 19 min

    Hiatus And A Healing Update

    Send us Fan Mail We hit pause on new releases while I deal with heavy stress, school, and medical recovery on 24-hour care until May 19. I share a real update on my hip healing, mobility with cerebral palsy, and how I’m planning future foot surgery without losing my independence. • Taking a short podcast hiatus to reorganise life until May 19 • Managing stress while juggling school, home life, medical appointments and care support • Hip replacement recovery update and what walking looks like right now • Cerebral palsy gait realities and why wheelchairs and power chairs matter for long distances • Meeting listeners in person and remembering there are real people behind the mic • Foot surgery timing, Arizona heat, and the decision to delay for better healing • The moment I realised I broke my hip after a speech and why ER choices get complicated • Using humour to frame CP as “the gift that keeps on giving” • Plans to update cover art, the feed, and share more once I’m able Thank you for following us, and we’ll see you guys on the nineteenth. Support the show

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  • S20 · E47
    April 8 · 15 min

    We Are Trying To Delay Surgery While We Find Reliable Accessible Transportation

    Send us Fan Mail https://gofund.me/0400dcee2 Foot pain sounds simple until you’re the one staring at your shoes thinking, “I can’t do this today.” We’re checking in with a blunt, personal update on severe bunion pain, what the podiatrist says, and why we’re trying hard to keep surgery as a last resort. Recovery isn’t just inconvenient, it can mean months off your feet, lost strength, and a huge hit to independence. After a past hip replacement spiral that ended with aspiration pneumonia and an ICU stay, the risk calculation looks very different. Then we pivot to the other half of the same problem: transportation. If you don’t have reliable mobility, every medical decision gets heavier. We talk about raising money through a GoFundMe, visiting a dealer, and trying to line up a wheelchair accessible van in Phoenix, Arizona. We get specific about what “handicapped accessible vehicle” needs to include, from a ramp to a workable seating and transfer setup. We also share what we’re looking for brand-wise, why a newer Chrysler Pacifica is the goal, and why the used market can be a minefield when you’ve already dealt with breakdowns. We also touch the real-world obstacles people rarely say out loud: grant hunting, credit issues, the need for a co-signer, and the safety concerns that come with ride share, especially as a woman. If you’ve ever dealt with chronic pain, disability logistics, or just the stress of keeping your life moving when your body refuses to cooperate, this conversation will feel familiar. Subscribe for more honest updates, share this with someone who understands accessibility, and leave a review to help more listeners find us. What’s your best tip for finding grants or affordable accessible vans? Support the show

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  • S20 · E48
    April 8 · 9 min

    We Finally Put Danielle’s Name On The Podcast For A Reason

    Send us Fan Mail Danielle landed a radio interview and I hadn’t even heard it yet, so we press play on the story behind the story. What starts as a quick recap turns into a real look at how local media moments can boost confidence, widen visibility, and shine a light on disability inclusion work that actually changes lives. We talk about what the interview focused on, including Best Buddies and the personal connection that made the segment feel meaningful instead of performative. Danielle also got to sing her own songs on air, which is its own kind of brave, and we share the details on her next round of DJ duties coming up on May 3 and May 5. If you love behind-the-scenes podcast conversations, artist journeys, and community-centered storytelling, this one has all of it. Then I drop a surprise announcement Danielle doesn’t know is coming: we’re renaming the podcast to reflect what’s already true, that we co-host this together. The rebrand is about credit, clarity, and building something that feels honest for long-time listeners and brand-new ones. Also, yes, Arizona decides to add dramatic rain and wind right in the middle of our recording. Stick around to hear what we’re changing, why we’re changing it, and what we’re covering next, including Special Olympics and Special Olympics snowboarding. If you enjoy the show, subscribe, share it with a friend, and leave a review so more people can find us. Support the show

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  • S20 · E46
    April 2 · 9 min

    I’m Recovering From Surgery And Rebuilding My Next Step

    Send us Fan Mail Tomorrow the cast comes off, and that one moment has me thinking about everything at once: healing, mobility, patience, and what it means to live with cerebral palsy while your body forces you to slow down. I’m home after a hip replacement and hamstring lengthening, following a month in the hospital, and I’m walking you through the real in-between stage where you’re not fully “back,” but you’re finally moving toward what’s next. We get into the practical side of post-surgery recovery: the knee immobilizer, the bandaging questions, the frustration of not being able to do much with a cast, and the relief of knowing the hip replacement feels stable. Then we talk rehab decisions that can make or break momentum, including why neurological physical therapy may be a better fit for CP than standard orthopedic PT, and how it feels to wait for answers while knowing your leg will be weak at first. The surprise turn is that recovery is also triggering a bigger life update. I’m dropping one project and picking up another as fall approaches, and I’m even making a college major shift that feels like a full reset. If you’re navigating cerebral palsy, disability, surgery recovery, physical therapy, or any life change that demands flexibility, you’ll hear the messy, honest thought process behind rebuilding a plan. Subscribe, share this with someone in rehab, and leave a review with the change you’re trying to make next. Support the show

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  • S20 · E45
    March 7 · 10 min

    From Infection And OT Confusion To Standing Again

    Send us Fan Mail Some days feel like a gauntlet: a hip that’s healing, an incision that went itchy-to-infected, a possible pneumonia flare, and a tangle of OT and PT notes that don’t quite line up. We walked through the whole maze with honesty, humor, and one bright anchor—standing again after a string of setbacks. That single moment of progress reframed the day and gave us a target to steer toward: by April, walk to the bathroom on our own. We talk about what makes recovery so mentally hard: not just pain or fatigue, but mixed instructions that burn precious energy. Clear occupational therapy goals matter. Accessible physical therapy routines matter. So do the small rituals that keep you going—antibiotics on time, breathing treatments to keep lungs calm, and permission to check in with school tomorrow instead of pushing past exhaustion today. Along the way, a surprise delivery shifts the mood: a cat made of flowers carrying a tiny medical bag, plus chocolates. Support like that is more than cute; it’s fuel for resilience. We also open the door to what’s next. The show is moving to Tuesdays and Thursdays, and we’re planning a feature on Special Olympics, spotlighting lived experience, training, and community. And yes, there’s a spicy take: Apple’s move into video podcasting doesn’t serve listeners who are driving or juggling life; we’re staying audio‑only to keep the show safe, accessible, and focused. Expect more real talk, fewer medical play‑by‑plays, and steady progress behind the scenes. If this story gave you a nudge—whether you’re navigating rehab, chronic illness, or just a hard week—hit play, share it with a friend who needs courage today, and leave a quick review so others can find the show. Support the show

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  • S20 · E44
    February 28 · 9 min

    Life Update: Hip Replacement, CP, And A New Path

    Send us Fan Mail The quiet after a hospital stay can feel louder than the beeps and hall lights. Coming home post–hip replacement and hamstring lengthening, we open up about the messy middle of recovery with cerebral palsy: the hope of cast removal, the wobble of weak muscles, and the puzzle of choosing the right physical therapy. Six weeks plus a few days in, the hip feels secure, but the next move matters—orthopedic PT for joint safety or neurological PT for tone, gait, and motor control. We walk through what each path offers, where they overlap, and how to advocate for a plan that fits a CP body healing from an orthopedic surgery. We also share the life reframe that follows any major procedure: dropping one project, starting another this fall, and reshaping a college path that better aligns with health and energy. Think of it as changing majors without the meltdown—clear-eyed choices, paced goals, and a schedule that respects rehab. Along the way, we trade small hacks that make a big difference, from retiring the trash-bag shower routine to setting up recovery stations and using movement snacks instead of marathon sessions. The theme is simple and strong: protect the new hip, honor the nervous system, and let purpose guide the calendar. If you’re navigating CP, orthopedic surgery, or the foggy space between medical timelines and real life, this conversation offers practical takeaways, honest moments, and a reminder that progress is personal. Hit play, then tell us: would you choose neurological PT, orthopedic PT, or a blend? Subscribe for updates, share with a friend who needs a lift, and leave a review to help others find the show. Support the show

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  • S20 · E43
    February 20 · 16 min

    From Hip Surgery To A New Path In Counseling

    Send us Fan Mail The first night home after surgery always tells the truth. We’re honest about the itch you can’t scratch, the cast you can’t ignore, and the stubborn hope that keeps you showing up for PT when the bed feels like the only safe place. This update pulls back the curtain on what recovery really looks like—two incisions, a knee immobilizer, and a plan to earn back each step with patience and grit. We walk through the rehab blueprint: outpatient PT to rebuild strength and mechanics, home PT to reinforce safe movement, and the messy admin that comes with clarifying diagnoses, negotiating PT vs OT, and threading the needle of insurance and scheduling. Along the way, we pivot our academic path toward counseling with a focus on disability, caregivers, and families—because lived experience belongs at the therapy table. That choice comes with real-world fights for tutoring and accessible support, plus the mental load of tracking paperwork, classes, and energy on days defined by pain. On the home front, we simplify: moving to an all-Apple smart speaker setup to cut friction, planning repairs and device resets for after the cast comes off, and building routines that save willpower for healing. We cap it with a promise—new episodes every Tuesday and Thursday—because consistency builds community and community makes the hard days doable. If you’re navigating recovery, disability advocacy, or just trying to design a home and school life that fits a changing body, this one’s for you. Subscribe, share with a friend who needs a boost, and leave a quick review to help more listeners find the show. Your support keeps us moving—one careful step at a time. Support the show

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  • S20 · E42
    February 8 · 14 min

    Chocolate Cake Tried To Kill Me, But Insurance Might Finish The Job

    Send us Fan Mail A single bite changed everything. What began as a straightforward recovery from hip and hamstring surgeries veered into aspiration pneumonia, a fight for air, and a crash course in medical advocacy. We walk you through the minute-by-minute reality: the warning signs that were missed, the plea for intubation that took too long to land, and the moment a routine anesthesia choice nearly collided with a known allergy. It’s unvarnished, emotional, and grounded in practical takeaways you can use if you or someone you love ever faces a similar crisis. We open up about how a caregiver’s voice can cut through chaos when yours won’t, why documenting allergies and repeating them matters, and how to handle transfers when hospitals are out of ICU beds. From the suction that cleared thick mucus to the sedation that fogged memory, we share the clinical steps alongside the human ones—staying calm, asking direct questions, and pushing for the right level of care. You’ll hear how our aides balanced fear and focus, how a medical liaison showed up before sunrise, and how community support steadied the ground under our feet. Then we turn to rehab reality: a heavy cast, energy budgeting, and building a plan that integrates physical therapy and occupational therapy when insurance only funds so much. We map out practical strategies for continuity of care, including choosing facilities that fit your needs, pacing progress to protect surgical gains, and preparing for the first days back home. If you’ve navigated disability, chronic illness, or complex post-op care, you’ll recognize the small victories and the stubborn barriers. If you haven’t, consider this a guide to speaking up, writing things down, and not apologizing for persistence. If this story resonates, follow the show, share it with a friend who’s advocating inside the system, and leave a review with your best tip for surviving hospital chaos. Your words help others breathe a little easier. Subscribe and stay with us as we work our way back home. Support the show

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