In Episode 65 of Pushing Forward with Alycia, Jess Gregory discusses her journey with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) and how poetry became a powerful outlet for healing from medical gaslighting. Despite years of misdiagnosis, Gregory channeled her frustrations into advocacy and writing, particularly through her 2023 book Burn’s Unit. Gregory emphasizes self-trust, the importance of disability-informed therapy, and hopes her work empowers patients to find strength amidst chronic illness and trauma.

In Episode 65 of Pushing Forward with Alycia, Jess Gregory, a poet and advocate with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hEDS), shares her journey from medical gaslighting to empowerment. Through her poetry, particularly in Burns Unit, she channels frustration into advocacy, offering hope and healing. Jess discusses challenges with misdiagnosis, the importance of disability-informed therapy, and advice for both patients and medical professionals. Her story inspires others facing similar struggles with chronic illness.

Cassidy Huff, a disability advocate, began her journey accidentally by going viral on social media at 18. Born with a rare form of dwarfism, Cassidy has had over 40 surgeries. She uses her platform to share her experiences, educate others, and advocate for disability rights. Recently, she co-founded “Disabled Voters for Harris” to amplify disabled voices in politics, and she continues to advocate through content creation, public speaking, and her podcast.

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.

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.