Episodes
16
Latest episode
Feb 2025
Language
EN-US
See Us, Hear Us is a place for the disabled community to have meaningful conversation. We will explore the challenges faced by the disabled community and how we can come together to overcome obstacles, raise awareness and work toward positive social change.
We are joined on this episode with Angel Athenas! Angel won 4 gold medals in powerlifting at the 2019 Special Olympics World Games in Abu Dhabi. Prior to her feats at the World Games, Angel broke the women’s deadlifting record at the 2018 New York Special Olympics in Albany. She speaks on her huge list of achievements as well as what motivates her to keep going.
Join us for a conversation about the importance and benefits of continuing education with Marsha, a Direct Support Professional (DSP) at Family Residences and Essential Enterprises (FREE) Inc. Marsha has a graduate degree and recently completed a new micro-credential program available at SUNY Farmingdale. Listen on to hear her experience with returning to the classroom and her advice for new and returning students.
We are privileged and honored to have Assemblyman Jarett Gandolfo on See Us, Hear Us! Assemblyman Gandolfo represents the 7th Assembly District on Long Island, and is the ranking member on the Committee of Mental Health. Listen on to hear more about services for mental health in schools, staffing challenges faced in our industry, and the integration of the Office of Addiction Services and Supports into mental health services.
We are so thankful to be speaking with Assemblyman Jake Blumencranz about issues currently facing our community! On this episode, we speak about employment for those with disabilities, employment issues facing Direct Support Professionals (DSPs), housing on Long Island, and more. Assemblyman Blumencranz represents New York's 15th State Assembly district.
This week, we meet Angelo, a TBI survivor due to an arterial vein malformation. Angelo had begun feeling sick, passed out after a night out, and was quickly brought to the hospital by his family, unsure of the cause. Once the cause was determined, 2 liters of blood was drained from his brain and he had awoken from his coma, Angelo had been transported to multiple hospitals and facilities that would be able to accommodate his needs, including occupational therapy, physical therapy, cognitive therapy and speech therapy. Through this process Angelo experienced sadness, but knew he had to push through for his family. His goal was to leave his last facility walking with a cane, no wheelchair, and he did just that, making his promise to his mother come true.
This week on See Us, Hear Us, we are speaking with Taylor Darling, NYS Assemblywoman for the 18th District located on Long Island. Taylor is both passionate for helping those with disabilities, as well as becoming an advocate for those in her community. Her passion for helping those with disabilities shines through her work as she sits on the Committee for People with Disabilities, and recognizes the inequities within the community of people with disabilities. Taylor Darling will discuss her views on streamlining access to resources, training needed to work with people with disabilities, and the importance of paying the proper wages for those who work with those with disabilities and their families.
This week we talk to Samantha, a TBI survivor. Samantha went through a tragic car accident, being hit by an 18-wheeler. She was not breathing after being pulled from the car, technically dead. After being in a coma, followed by months of rehab, Samantha was able to begin what she calls her “rebirth.” Despite the obstacles placed in front of her, she shows what the true meaning of determination and perseverance is. She has been checking off goals that she has wanted to accomplish since before the accident, and today, Samantha says “I am ready for the next challenge to come my way.”
This week is our season one finale and we wanted to end in a very special way. Our guest is Chris Whirl and he joins Dr. Christopher Long to discuss Traumatic Brian Injuries. It is a topic that he knows very well as he himself suffers from a Brain Injury. This episode was recorded as Chris was getting ready to celebrate ten years since the night of his accident. His ability to stay positive and rehab his way back from his injuries to re-enter the education system, have a job and be a role model for others is truly inspiring. Timestamps: 00:30 - Chris Whirl Introduction01:04 - What is a Traumatic Brain Injury02:32 - Chris’ Injury04:29 - How life changed after Chris’ injury07:10 - The night of the injury09:30 - Rehab and the journey back13:59 - TBI Waiver Services and Goals 17:08 - How to improve services19:00 - Current Challenges for Chris21:00 - Re-Entering the Education System26:48 - Setting Goals/Using the SMART System30:20 - Future Goals for Chris35:10 - Chris on relationships and marriageTo learn more about the services that Family Residences and Essential Enterprises, Inc. offer, please visit https://www.familyres.org to learn more.
This week’s guest is Tyler. Tyler has an amazing journey that has taken him from the Ukraine, to being adopted by an amazing family in the United States before accomplishing great feats while pushing himself harder than he ever thought possible. Tyler is fully employed, loves his life, helps others like him through advocacy and has even created his very own podcast and music library. Timestamps:00:37 – Born, Adopted in Ukraine01:11 – Getting used to living in America02:46 – Deal with Parents04:00 – A Personal Breakthrough06:24 – Post-High School Transition06:55 – Saddle Rock Ranch Arrival07:41 – What’s life on the Ranch like?08:31 – Advocacy and what it means to Tyler10:28 – Advocacy leads to Employment Success13:30 – Tyler’s Future Goals14:35 – Tyler’s Own Podcast Efforts - Autism Circle16:01 – Advocating for State Funding16:35 – Access to Services and Employment18:25 – Housing Options for those in Need19:15 – Support from Family20:30 – Tyler’s Mom Became an Author to Tell His Story 23:08 – The Importance of Music and Podcasts27:17 – What can Providers do to Improve Their ServicesTo purchase the book about Tyler's Life; He Just Needs to Be Loved; visit:https://www.amazon.com/He-Just-Needs-Be-Loved/dp/150052042XTo listen to Tyler and Josh's podcast; Autism Corner visit: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/autism-corner/id1633023396 To Find out more about Tyler and Josh's music studio visit:https://www.stuartbroadcastingstudios.com To learn more about the services that Family Residences and Essential Enterprises, Inc. offer, please visit https://www.familyres.org to learn more.
Bullying is something that feels like it’s gotten worse over the years than better. In this episode, Chris and Bradley talk about their experiences with bullying, the connection between bullying and people with disabilities and their ideas on how to make things better and possibly educate today’s youth.Timestamps:0:26 – Why is Bullying important?01:30 – What might cause bulling?02:53 – Bradley’s experience with Bullying09:49 – Did Bullying ever get better?11:05 – Overcoming challenges 11:58 – The challenges of learning in school13:21 – Navigating learning while being disabled and bullied15:37 – Chris’s experience’s with his family17:20 – How can we be proactive against bullying19:23 – Educating all parties about bullying20:20 – Creating a healthy environment in School21:59 – How Bradley reached the bottom and overcame 24:11 – Bradley’s closing adviceTo learn more about the services that Family Residences and Essential Enterprises, Inc. offer, please visit https://www.familyres.org to learn more.
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