In Episode 64 of Pushing Forward with Alycia | A Disability Podcast, Alycia Anderson interviews Cassidy Huff, a disability rights advocate diagnosed with congenital scoliosis and Goldenhar syndrome. Cassidy’s viral social media moment propelled her into advocacy, where she uses her platform to challenge stereotypes and promote inclusion. With over 40 surgeries behind her, Cassidy shares her journey, insights on changing perceptions of disability, and her vision for a more inclusive future.
Alycia and Marty’s adventure at the 2024 Paris Paralympics was an inspiring journey filled with excitement, exploration, and celebration of inclusivity. From exploring Parisian landmarks and Paralympic venues like Roland Garros and Versailles, to meeting athletes and advocates, their trip highlighted the spirit of resilience and sportsmanship. Embracing accessibility and local culture, they experienced the city’s dynamic energy and left with memories of a remarkable global celebration of athletic achievement and human spirit.
In Episode 63 of “Pushing Forward with Alycia,” hosts Alycia and Marty Anderson share their experiences attending the 2024 Paris Paralympics. They discuss enjoying events like wheelchair tennis at Roland Garros and para-equestrian at Versailles while navigating accessibility challenges in Paris. Marty reflects on his lifelong dream of attending the Paralympics and their dedication to disability advocacy through their nonprofit, Adaptive Athletics Association. They also announce Alycia’s upcoming participation in New York Fashion Week.
In this episode of “Pushing Forward with Alycia,” host Alycia Anderson and her husband Marty recount their experience at the 2024 Paris Paralympics. They discuss attending wheelchair tennis at Roland Garros, para-equestrian events at Versailles, and overcoming accessibility challenges in Paris. Marty shares insights as a former Team USA wheelchair tennis player, while Alycia emphasizes their commitment to disability advocacy and their upcoming participation in New York Fashion Week.
In this episode of “Pushing Forward with Alycia,”
Dana Mathewson, the top-ranked American wheelchair tennis player, shares her journey from being diagnosed with transverse myelitis at age 10 to becoming a Paralympic athlete. Overcoming the challenges of using a wheelchair, she found empowerment in sports, especially tennis. Dana is a Wimbledon champion, two-time Parapan American Games gold medalist, and the first American woman in wheelchair tennis to win a Grand Slam title. She’s now preparing for the 2024 Paris Paralympics.
In Episode 62 of “Pushing Forward with Alycia,” Paralympic wheelchair tennis athlete Dana Mathewson discusses her journey from being diagnosed with transverse myelitis at age 10 to becoming the top-ranked American woman in wheelchair tennis. She highlights her discovery of the sport at 13, the pivotal role of her mother, and her focus on the 2024 Paris Paralympics while advocating for the impact of para sports on disability perceptions.
In this episode of Pushing Forward with Alycia, Julie Sowash, a disability advocate and co-host of Changing Minds and Changing Lives, discusses her journey with neurodiversity and mental health. She emphasizes the importance of creating inclusive workplaces, collaborating with companies like PepsiCo to transform hiring practices, and overcoming biases. Julie shares success stories and encourages both employers and employees to embrace inclusivity, offering actionable advice to create lasting change in the workplace.
In Episode 61 of Pushing Forward with Alycia, Alycia Anderson interviews Julie Sowash, a disability advocate and co-host of Changing Minds and Changing Lives. Julie shares her personal journey with neurodiversity and mental health, and discusses her work in creating inclusive workplaces. Highlighting her collaborations with companies like PepsiCo, Julie emphasizes the importance of integrating disability inclusion into hiring practices and overcoming biases in the workplace.
I recently traveled to Michigan, where I had the privilege of delivering my “Heart of Inclusion” keynote to Bay-Arenac ISD educators and teachers in Pinconning. The energy, dedication, and passion I witnessed were inspiring, reinforcing our shared commitment to creating inclusive educational spaces for every student. I am grateful for this opportunity and excited to see the impact of the conversations we started together!
Jayne Mattingly, a disability advocate, discusses body grief, a concept she coined, which involves mourning the loss of living in a familiar body. She shares her journey through significant health challenges and disability, which led to her advocacy work and the development of adaptive jeans. Jayne also co-founded Disabled Voters for Harris, aiming to empower disabled voters. Her message highlights the importance of embracing body grief and fostering community support.
