In this episode, military veteran Dez Del Barba shares his story of surviving medical malpractice during basic training where he contracted streptococcus A that evolved into necrotizing fasciitis, leading to the amputation of his left leg. Despite enduring 43 surgeries and grueling therapy, Dez transformed his ordeal into a mission to advocate change in military healthcare and give back through his non-profit, Operation Dez Strong, aiding children facing amputations.
Transcript of episode 22 of The Pushing Forward with Alycia podcast, featuring Dez Del Barba, a military veteran and survivor of army medical malpractice, who shared his harrowing tale of overcoming life-threatening infections and multiple surgeries. Dez’s medical nightmare originated from an untreated strep throat, which eventually led to a flesh-eating disease during his time at basic training. Since then, Dez has become an influential advocate against military medical malpractice and established a foundation called ‘Operation Dez Strong’ to support others, particularly children, facing similar situations. Additionally, Dez has excelled in wheelchair tennis and hopes to compete in the Paralympics.
Alycia interviews personal trainer Nikki Walsh, a wheelchair user who promotes fitness and nutrition accessibility for everyone. Nikki underscores the importance of strength training for wheelchair users and dispels nutrition myths. Furthermore, she emphasizes the need for gym facilities to be adaptive and create an inclusive environment for the wheelchair community. Lastly, both highlight how a shift in perspective can spark significant change and help individuals achieve their fitness goals.
Title:Adaptive Fitness and Nutrition with Nikki Walsh Subtitle:Empowering Wheelchair Users to Achieve Their Fitness Goals Transcript: Alycia Anderson: Welcome to Pushing Forward with Alycia, a podcast that gives disability a voice. Each week we will explore topics like confidence, ambition, resilience and finding success against all odds. We are creating a collective community that believes … read more… Episode 21 Transcript
This week Brian McComak joins Alycia Anderson on her podcast, Pushing Forward with Alycia, to talk about disability in the workplace and finding a place of belonging in DEI. He is the CEO of Hummingbird Humanity, an expert in DEI, HR culture change and employee experience, and an openly gay man with a disability. Brian shares his experiences with mental health, depression, anxiety and the challenges of living with HIV, emphasizing the need to break free from outdated stigmas surrounding HIV, and how ultimately learning to live with his disabilities has enriched his ability to help corporations create workplace environments where all humans thrive.
Transcript of episode 20 of “Pushing Forward with Alycia,” Alycia Anderson talks with Brian McComak, founder of Hummingbird Humanity. They discuss the importance of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in the workplace, mental health awareness, and fostering environments where people can thrive. McComak, a gay man and person living with disabilities, shares his experiences advocating for more human-centered workplaces. He emphasizes the significance of considering employees’ unique needs when crafting well-being programs.
Alycia and Marty share some astounding numbers that look at the barriers faced by people with disabilities in the workplace, and they emphasize the transformative potential of disability inclusion in diversity and inclusion programs, urging companies to recognize the untapped potential of the 80% of unemployed disabled individuals. Alycia’s stories reveal the transformational power of embracing diversity, advocating for inclusion, and turning disability into corporate assets. In honoring National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) Alycia inspires change and pushes forward towards a more inclusive and accessible future.
Title:From Waitress to Workplace Warrior : Alycia’s NDEAM Story Subtitle:Reflecting on NDEAM: Marty turns the tables and interviews Alycia Transcript: Alycia Anderson: Welcome to Pushing Forward with Alycia. A podcast that gives disability a voice. Each week we will explore topics like confidence, ambition, resilience and finding success against all odds. We are creating a … read more… Episode 19 Transcript
Dani Izzie, a powerhouse woman who is also a quadriplegic, shares how she navigated the complexities of motherhood with unwavering determination, inspiring us all. Her remarkable journey, has been turned into a poignant documentary, Dani’s Twins, and it defies the misconceptions surrounding disability and parenthood. Dani champions inclusivity in the disability consumer marketplace through her pioneering venture, Access Social, a company that she has created to provide her digital marketing expertise to the world.
In this episode of Pushing Forward, Dani Izzie shares her journey as a mother, entrepreneur, and disability advocate. Living with a spinal cord injury, she navigates life as a wheelchair user and a mother of twins. Dani discusses her documentary, Dani’s Twins, her advocacy for disabled parents, and the importance of representation in media and marketing for the disability community, emphasizing the need for inclusive and accessible business practices.
