KPFA - Pushing Limits

A week ago, on April 5, 61-year-old Brett Estes took his own life by moving his wheelchair in front of a BART train. He was a quadriplegic and a member of a Quad-Squad which was active in the disability movement. Despite the kind, long-term help of a man named John, Brett had recently struggled with finding enough attendants. We don’t know all the reasons behind this tragedy but this death raises the issue of our current, very-inadequate attendant-care system. Another member of our community, Brian Larsen, also took his life a few years ago when he was unable to secure adequate attendant support. California’s IHSS, (In Home Supportive Services) system is failing severely disabled people. Our guest, Connie Arnold sees the problems in her own life and she’s been attending state meetings, reading legal and policy regulations and generally working to improve IHSS for 35+ years. She graduated from UC Berkeley in 1984 with a degree in Social Welfare, and in 2009 from Sonoma State University (SSU) with a Master’s degree in Health Services & Public Administration Policy. With her wide range of academic and professional expertise, Ms Arnold gives specific advice on how we can each play a part in saving lives and advocate for change. You can reach her by emailing: IHSS underscore advocate at yahoo.com.k Connie Arnold MORE DETAILS: Many people with disabilities living in the community are suffering because they cannot find competent, reliable, trustworthy, and stable non-relative IHSS care provider-attendants. Attendants who can perform paramedical services are few and far between. The State of California makes every IHSS recipient the “employer” responsible for finding their own care providers, but the recipients do not set the terms of employment for wages, health benefits, and job incentives. Currently, IHSS wages vary from county to county and is not a living wage. Under the IHSS program alone family members care for 72.1% of people with disabilities and they are often willing to work long hours for near minimum wages. But when family and friends are ill, move away or age out, who takes their place? This situation is especially obvious in the case of developmentally disabled people who live with elderly parents, but it affects people with all kinds of severe disabilities, including dementia, Lou Gehrig’s Disease (ALS), children with severe disabilities, and many others. If you have a severe disability you may quality for extra help through a Medi-Cal or HCBA waiver. Here’s how to apply: California Department of Health Care (DHCS) Medi-Cal Waivers: https://www.dhcs.ca.gov/services/Pages/Medi-CalWaivers.aspx DHCS Home and Community-Based Alternative (HCBA) Waiver and scroll down to see which local agency serves your zip code: https://www.dhcs.ca.gov/services/ltc/Pages/Home-and-Community-Based-%28HCB%29-Alternatives-Waiver.aspx Connie Arnold Currently, individuals requiring multiple daily attendants are struggling to live independently in the community. People who rely primarily on non-relative providers are most at-risk of being forced into institutions. This, despite the U.S. Supreme Court Olmstead decision which gave people with disabilities the right to live in the least restricted environment with supportive services. Knowing what they know about the institutions, many severely disabled individuals consider alternative actions like suicide. Plus: “Who’s in Charge Here?” Commentary by Shelley Berman. Produced and hosted by Shelley Berman and Adrienne Lauby. With thanks to the Berkeley-Disabled E-group who sparked the attendant-shortage discussion. To subscribe to the Berkeley Disabled e-group, send an email to: berkeley-disabled+subscribe@googlegroups.com ——————————Want to Learn More?—————————— In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) – California State Association of Counties. This group put a ceiling on IHSS wages so that they can be no higher than $1.25 an hour greater than minimum wage. More details about how wages and benefits are...

Adrion Garcia & Bella Gonzalez Love is love, whether you live with a disability or not. However, those in interabled relationships face unique challenges that stem from within the relationship as well as from outside factors. These challenges can include finding a balance between needing care and being a reliable partner, as well as dealing with the financial limitations that governmental programs such as social security place on married couples. In this program, three people with disabilities discuss their experiences with dating, intimacy, marriage and much more. Denny Daughters We talk to Denny Daughters, one of the Pushing Limits’ producers, about the unique challenges of being a blind man married to a sighted woman. Genevieve Werner Genevieve Werner shares her high school (and beyond) dating experiences while living with Spinal Muscular Atrophy. And, she details the difficulties of intimacy for those who require caregivers. Adrion Garcia tells us how he met his fiancé and the changes they’ve stared down since he became a quadriplegic after a work accident. This episode of Pushing Limits is produced, edited, and hosted by Dominick Trevethan. The post Interabled Relationships – Pushing Limits – April 5, 2024 appeared first on KPFA.

(Transcript below) People with mental, emotional and cognitive disabilities face significant limitations in their daily life. They’re considered disabled under the law. Yet, some people with mental health conditions feel their needs are ignored by those with mobility and other physical disabilities. And, some people with mental health issues choose not to identify as disabled due the stigma of the category. We talk to Brian Hollander from Disability Rights California, who identifies himself as someone with mental health challenges. Hollander gives his perspectives on why there seems to be division in the community and the steps both groups can take to work together. Natasha Vita More at the AND Festival Salon Also, we talk to “Megan” a community organizer from L. A. about the journey she is on in becoming comfortable with identifying as someone with a mental health disability. This episode of Pushing Limits is produced by Jacob Lesner-Buxton, with editing and voicing by Dominick Trevelham. Photo Credits: “Hands Over Face” Created by Jose Luis Navarro Copyright- CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 from MyRetrospect.com “How will we decide” by Andy Miah Natasha Vita-More @ANDfestival Salon, Flicker Transcript: Disability Movement Tension Spots Dominick Trevethan (Dominick): Good afternoon and welcome to Pushing Limits, KPFA’s program by and about people with disabilities. We air every Friday at 2:30pm. This is Dominick Trevethan and today I’m voicing a script written by Jacob Lesner-Buxton. In recent years, there’s been a lot of conversation about an idea known as the hierarchy of disability. This theory suggests that people of certain races genders, and disability are treated better than others both in and outside the community. People who believe this theory suggest that white men in wheelchairs have historically monopolized leadership roles in the community. The leaders have been accused of ignoring the needs of people of color and those with non-apparent disabilities who find themselves low in the pecking order. Often, those at the bottom of the totem pole tend to have challenges with their mental health. Jacob has talked with others who work for disability organizations feeling like they couldn’t share about their mental health issues. Recently, he talked to a therapist with a disability who seemed to suggest that people with mental health challenges are from separate communities. So, on today’s show, show, we will discuss how the disability community can better accommodate its members with mental health issues. Our first guest is Brian Hollander, a person with a mental health disability who has worked as a public policy advocate in both California and New York. Brian Hollander: (Brian) My name is Brian Hollander. I am a disability rights advocate and a public policy advocate. I work with Disability Rights California and much of my work is focused on mental health, especially the intersection of mental health and other disabilities. And right now what I do is supervise advocates who are protecting the civil rights of people with mental health disabilities who live in state forensic psychiatric hospitals. Dominick: Hollander gives us some historical context as to why it seems there’s this division between people with mental health challenges and those with other disabilities. Hollander: Well, you know, it’s an interesting question because it sort of has two answers. I think that my philosophy, my hope is that both of those communities of advocates should be working together especially as it relates to centers for independent living and even protection and advocacy organizations to some degree. I think mental health has sort of been like, you know, left behind. not left behind, but historically it’s been the invisible disability that nobody really talks about. Now it’s getting a lot of play, but in some cases for the long reasons. But I definitely think that more can be done to conjoin the voices of different groups that are doing this work to...

Amy SP Wilson Are you ready? Ready for whatever comes at you? No one can answer “yes” 100% of the time. But we can take steps to be prepared. And Pushing Limits is here to help. This week, Amy SP Wilson brings a wealth of ideas about the perennial problem of strangers who are intrusive when they try to help people with disabilities. Amy SP Wilson is the CEO and founder of the Safety Positive Foundation, a nonprofit in the business of solving the personal safety needs of the blind and visually impaired community. Serra Rae And, Serra Rea explains how emergency centers teamed up with local Independent Living Centers to help keep people with disabilities safe during the recent Southern California Floods. Serra Rae is the Disability Disaster Access & Resources Program Manager for the California Foundation for Independent Living Centers. Listen up; Stay Safe; Be Prepared! Interviewers and producers: Chelsea Lesner-Buxton, Bonnie Elliot and Dominick Trevethan. Audio editing: Denny Daughters, Dominick Trevethan and Adrienne Lauby. Host: Adrienne Lauby More about Amy SP Wilson: Amy SP Wilson’s commitment to personal safety has been a lifelong pursuit. From playfully wrestling with her cousins during her early years to becoming the first female wrestler at the Missouri School for the Blind in 1996, her passion for wrestling led her to the United States Association of Blind Athletes nationals in 1997, where she discovered Judo. In 1998, Amy proudly represented her country in the World Championships for the Blind in Judo, as a member of the inaugural women’s Judo team of the USABA, all before graduating from high school. Amy’s eye condition, Stargardt’s, diagnosed at the age of 10, prevented her from continuing her martial arts journey. Amy earned her first bachelor’s degree in psychology, only to become a survivor of domestic violence shortly after. This was not her first experience as a survivor, and she is deeply passionate about addressing the alarming rates of mental and emotional abuse within relationships involving individuals with disabilities. Amy’s pursuit of knowledge led her to earn a second bachelor’s degree in social work. For the past decade, Amy has been involved in instructing and developing self-defense programs specifically designed for the blind and visually impaired. However, she found that these programs and organizations often had limited expectations for the Blind and Visually Impaired community, which did not align with her mission. Through the establishment of the Safety Positive Foundation, Amy shares her skills and empowers her community to embrace a safety-positive lifestyle. More about Serra Rae: While working with the County of San Bernardino in the Public Works department, Serra Rae learned a lot about wildland fires, flooding, and earthquakes. Preparing for the next emergency and working as a Emergency Communications Specialist in the FireCorps, Serra attended American Military Academy and obtained a bachelor degree in Disaster and Emergency Management with a focus on Terrorism and Geological Disasters. Later becoming certified as an Emergency Management Specialist with California Specialized Training Institute. Serra Rae was introduced to the DDAR program while working at Rolling Start, an Independent Living Center member with CFILC. Working with the program at the center level gave her a good foundation to help the community open up the discussion of resources available to the community before, during and after an emergency or disaster event. The post Be Prepared – Disability – Pushing Limits – March 22, 2024 appeared first on KPFA.

Shirt by Bruno Henrique Denny Daughters interviews people from The Braille And Talking Book Library in Sacramento, Director Mike Marlin and Technology Specialist Morgan Pershing. The Braille And Talking Book Library is part of a larger national network of libraries called The National Library Service For The Blind And Print Disabled. NLS for short. Learn how can you sign up for services, how these libraries are different from commercial audio book companies, some of the devices you can borrow, the Marrakesh Treaty, and more. Braille and Talking Book Library in Sacramento: btbl.ca.gov To reach Mike Marlin and/or Morgan Pershing call: (800) 952-5666, (916) 654-0640 Mike’s email is: mike.marlin@library.ca.gov; Morgan’s email is: morgan.pershing@library.ca.gov The National Library Service website is: l Washington Talking Book and Braille Library oc.gov/nls The bard website to download books is nlsbard.loc.gov This program was edited, hosted and produced by Denny Daughters. Photo Credits: T-shirt Design by Bruno Henrique on Printerval , photo by Joe Wolf, license CC BY-ND 2.0 Deed The post “Braille & Talking Books” – Pushing Limits – March 15, 2024 appeared first on KPFA.

This week’s show is preempted by special fund drive programming. The post Special Fund Drive Programming appeared first on KPFA.

Today’s episode is preempted by special KPFA Winter Fund Drive programming. The post Special KPFA Fund Drive Programming appeared first on KPFA.

Today’s episode is preempted by special KPFA Winter Fund Drive programming. The post Special KPFA Fund Drive Programming appeared first on KPFA.

A half-hour radio show providing critical coverage of disability issues and bringing the insight of the grassroots disability movement to the general public. The post Pushing Limits – February 16, 2024 appeared first on KPFA.

A half-hour radio show providing critical coverage of disability issues and bringing the insight of the grassroots disability movement to the general public. The show alternates weekly and airs on even weeks Friday 2:30pm. The post Pushing Limits – February 9, 2024 appeared first on KPFA.

Adam Cureton Philosophy is about knowledge, truth, right and wrong, religion, the meaning of life and disability. Yep, when Adam Cureton speaks, disability fits right into that list of basics. In this program Cureton brings an overview of the field of Disability Philosophy to Pushing Limits listeners. He’ll talk about “coming out” as a person with a disability and his work prompting the social model of disability in society. Adam Cureton is Professor of Philosophy at the University of Tennessee and has written & edited four books, including The Oxford Handbook of Philosophy and Disability. Take a look at Adam Cureton’s webpage, his Ted Talk and his article about the difference between social and medical model of disability. BONUS: We return for more conversation with Denver City Councilman Chris Hinds about the unique challenges of being Colorado’s first elected official with a physical disability. We began this program with audio from a great presentation about the social model of disability which you can find (and watch) here. It’s from a course at the Disability Advocacy Resource Unit in Melbourne, Australia. We appreciate their solidarity. This program was produced and interviews were done by Jacob Lesner-Buxton. Editing and voicing by Denny Daughters. Chris Hinds The post Philosophy, Politics & Disability – Pushing Limits – February 2, 2024 appeared first on KPFA.

Disability and Palestine Teach-In: A Conversation with Sawsan Zakaria, Marina Salman and Allie Cannington. Monday, February 5, 3-4 pm On-line zoom event. ASL/CART provided. How does the ongoing attack on Palestine relate to disability communities and disability justice? For other access needs please contact us at pklinst@sfsu.edu Register here. (See below for biographies of the presenters) Events Coordinator Shaina Ghuraya talks about the upcoming online Palestine Teach-in on Feburary 5. and other ongoing work at the Paul Longmore Institute at S.F. State. Cafe Crip: Neurodiverse and Neurotypical Cross-Cultural Communication Friday, Feb. 2, 2024 12:00, noon PST by zoom Go here for accessibility information and to register. Cafe Crip returns regularly. See the Longmore Institute’s twitter page for more events. —————————— Shaina Ghuraya Our guest, Shaina Ghuraya jokes that she’s a triple threat – she’s female, South Asian, and a wheelchair-user. She’s written on two Netflix animated series and is a 2021 fellow of the Sundance Institute’s Accessible Futures Initiative. She loves creating bold stories about scheming women disrupting the status quo (like herself), and is an activist who supports the teachings of Disability Justice. Her films surrounding topics of disability have screened at Slamdance, Superfest, and Hollyshorts. Originally from Elk Grove in Northern California, Shaina attended USC and majored in Film and TV Production where, after graduating, she was featured in Forbes. Learn more here: www.shainaghuraya.com Eddie Ytuarte produced and hosts. Sawsan Zakaria (she/her) is an actress/advocate who also works at the Autism Society as the Operations Lead. She assists with all operational and admin tasks to efficiently teach people with and without disabilities within the community to navigate state services to receive proper care to live independently. Sawsan has also made a name for herself in the commercial space, representing people with disabilities being featured in Disney, Sephora, and GoRV commercials. Sawsan is Palestinian and grew up in a Muslim household in Chicago, however currently lives in Los Angeles advocating for people with disabilities in the media. Marina Salman (she/her) is the SOAR (SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access, and Recovery) Case Manager in the Community Reintegration Department at Access Living. In 2018, Marina completed a master’s degree in counseling psychology. Her current research and advocacy work includes addressing disability and ableism in the healthcare and justice system, as well as incorporating Independent Living philosophy in all aspects of life. Marina is of Middle Eastern descent, enjoys working out at the gym, and is an advent Chicago Bears fan. Allie Cannington (they/she) Allie Cannington (they/she) is a white, jewish, queer, disabled activist and organizer. For over 15 years, they have organized people with disabilities on local, state, and national levels for over ten years – centering on people with disabilities who live at the margins, including LGBTQIA, Black, Indigenous, people of color, low/no income, and youth with disabilities. Currently, Allie lives in Denver, Colorado and is an active member of Jewish Voice for Peace Denver/Boulder chapter. The post Disability & Palestine Teach In, Longmore Institue – Pushing Limits – January 26, 2024 appeared first on KPFA.

Wendy Patrice Williams Wendy Patrice Williams is on a mission – a mission to save others from the severe symptoms of trauma from infant surgery without anesthetic. Wendy underwent infant surgery for pyloric stenosis when she was 26 days old. The surgery was called a success but its after-affects included decades of suicidal depression and extreme anxiety. Wendy’s book, Autobiography of a Sea Creature: Healing the Trauma of Infant Surgery, chronicles the steps she took to learn why she was hurting and to find ways to reclaim joy. And it’s being offered for free at the publisher’s website. She discovered that, before 1986, infant surgeries were routinely done without anesthesia to prevent harm to a fragile infant from the powerful drugs. It was thought that an infant’s nervous system was not developed enough to feel pain. Also, it was common to give a paralytic so the baby would be completely still as the surgeon did their delicate cutting work. Neither Wendy nor her parents were told anything about possible emotional consequences. Many of us in the disability community have undergone infant surgery, often more than one. Today, we introduce you to Wendy Patrice Williams’ research and healing work in the hope that, if it resonates with you, you can find a road to healing. Since 2009, Ms Williams has written a blog, Healing Infant Trauma and, through it, met and supported others who have undergone surgeries without anesthetic. One of them, Roey Shmool produced a film called, Cutdown: Infant Surgery without Anesthesia. Wendy’s blog includes posts about coping with and healing from PTSD and reviews of articles and books about trauma. Surviving Infant Surgery, a blog by Fred Vanderbom, also includes posts more specifically about infant surgery for pyloric stenosis or stomach blockage. Dr. Liza Morton, a woman born with congenital heart disease, writes about the need to add Medical Trauma to the ACE (Adverse Childhood Experience) tool. You can find her article at https://www.traumascience.org/newsletters. Scroll down to: “Medical Trauma-The Forgotten Adverse Childhood Experience” by Dr. Liza Morton. For general help for PTSD and Trauma response, Wendy recommends: Help for Trauma, where you can watch videos about the Instinctual Trauma Response and find a therapist. She also recommends body-based psychological therapies: -EMDR, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (Look for a local therapist who works with this technique) —Somatic Experiencing where you can find resources and learn about Dr. Peter Levine’s work. Infant trauma is pre-verbal trauma and, as Wendy Patrice Williams discovered, often requires non-verbal, somatic treatments. Through friendship, community resources, therapy, art and an important year in the California Synanon community, Wendy has greatly reduced her PTSD symptoms. Now, she is helping others to find a path through theirs. Autobiography of a Sea Creature – Healing the Trauma of Infant Surgery University of California Health Humanities Press The post The Trauma of Infant Surgery – Pushing Limits – January 19, 2024 appeared first on KPFA.

(Due to technical problems, this program is a rerun of the previous week.) ‘Chief of the Office of Access and Functional Needs at the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services‘ is a long title, but an important one. Vance Taylor, diagnosed with Muscular Dystrophy at the age of seven, tells us how his lived experience as a person with a disability molded him for this extremely rare position that gives him access to the ear of the governor. Join us as Vance Taylor explains the intricacies of his job, which include visiting actual areas impacted by disasters and assessing the accessibility of the systems in place to keep impacted individuals safe. Additionally, he details the need for more disability representation in government across the country. L. Vance Taylor Most importantly, listen in as he reminds us that our ability to recover from disasters is just as imperative as preparing for them. Produced and Hosted by Bonnie Elliot, with production assistance and audio editing by Dominick Trevethan. Born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, Vance was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy as a child and uses a power wheelchair. He has worked in Washington, D.C. as an advisor for two different members of Congress, directed security policy at a national water association, and been a principal at a top-ranked homeland security and emergency management consulting firm. Vance is a nationally recognized public speaker and advocate for individuals with disabilities. Interview by Bonnie Elliot, Editing and hosting by Dominick Trevethan The post Emergency Preparedness – Pushing Limits – January 12, 2024 appeared first on KPFA.

L Vance Taylor ‘Chief of the Office of Access and Functional Needs at the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services‘ is a long title, but an important one. Vance Taylor, diagnosed with Muscular Dystrophy at the age of seven, tells us how his lived experience as a person with a disability molded him for this extremely rare position that gives him access to the ear of the governor. Join us as Vance Taylor explains the intricacies of his job, which include visiting actual areas impacted by disasters and assessing the accessibility of the systems in place to keep impacted individuals safe. Additionally, he details the need for more disability representation in government across the country. Most importantly, listen in as he reminds us that our ability to recover from disasters is just as imperative as preparing for them. Produced and Hosted by Bonnie Elliot, with production assistance and audio editing by Dominick Trevethan. L. Vance Taylor Born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, Vance was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy as a child and uses a power wheelchair. He has worked in Washington, D.C. as an advisor for two different members of Congress, directed security policy at a national water association, and been a principal at a top-ranked homeland security and emergency management consulting firm. Vance is a nationally recognized public speaker and advocate for individuals with disabilities. The post Emergency Preparedness and Disability – Pushing Limits – January 5, 2024 appeared first on KPFA.

What does it take to run for office as a person with a disability? Rebecca LaMorte We talk to Rebecca Lamorte, who ran for city council in New York on a platform on disability rights. Listen as she talks about her experiences running for a major office in the Big Apple. We also talk to Ventura City Council Member Liz Campos about working at a city hall that is inaccessible, her challenges finding accessible housing, and how she ran a successful campaign on only $3,000. Liz Campos Lastly, we talk to Denver City Councilman Chris Hinds about the unique challenges of being Colorado’s first elected official with a physical disability. Chris Hinds This episode of Pushing Limits is hosted and edited by Denny Daughters, and produced and written by Jacob Lesner-Buxton. Check out this database of elected officials with disabilities. Add your favorite politician with a disability to the list. Rebecca Lamorte Website Campaign website for Liz Campos Website for Council Member Chris-Hinds Transcript Denny Daughters: Welcome to Pushing Limits, KPFA’s program by and about people with disabilities. We air every Friday afternoon at 2.30 p.m. I’m Denny Daughters and I’ll be voicing a script written by Jacob Lester Buxton. According to a 2019 estimate by Rutgers University, 10.3% of elected officials serving in federal, state, or local government have a disability. People with disabilities are twice as likely to serve as local officials rather than as state or federal representatives. Today we will be talking to people with disabilities who have run for public office at the local level. Our first guest is Rebecca Lamorte. She’s a lobbyist for a labor union and she lives in Manhattan. In 2021, she ran for a seat on the New York City Council. There were a total of seven candidates. Unfortunately, she lost the election, coming in at third place. We asked Rebecca. What motivated her to run? Rebecca Lamorte: Anger, honestly. When I was pushed on the subway, I was 22 years old. And I had just finished college. I had just moved in to my first apartment alone in New York City. You know, I had my student loans, I had my bills, I had my friends. And in an instant, everything changed for me where I went from taking my body for granted and not looking at a flight of stairs, for example, and thinking twice about them to not being able to really leave my own apartment building for a long time because it had stairs and dealing with rude and invasive questions and comments and being faced with discrimination on the job and in public places. The most egregious thing for me that really made me and pushed me to take that step to decide I am gonna run for office is one day I was at New York City Hall for work. I’m a lobbyist, I work for a labor union, and I have for 12 years now. And at City Hall that day with union members, I was there with my cane and security told me if I couldn’t walk up the stairs, maybe I didn’t belong there. And I got so angry. I almost couldn’t speak. I was so angry because I felt if this is happening to me, what’s happening to other people? Who cares about us? Who’s fighting for us? Who else is experiencing this? And so angry and so upset right now when they’re just living life and going about their day like everybody else. And I wanted to take my anger and do something positive from it. And for me, working in the government space and being interested in politics, that was running for office to give disabled people like myself and others a seat at the table where decisions are made. Where I was now witnessing and now very aware that those decisions were being made in ways that harmed us and harmed our community and ignored our needs, ignored accessibility, ignored disability rights and the inclusive society and city we could have. And that’s what made me throw my hat in the race for 2021. Denny: Lamorte put disability front and center of her campaign. It raised some eyebrows among political people in the city. Rebecca: Yes and no. So,...

Sarah Rodriguez In a world where she could be anything, Sarah Rodriguez became a certified professional dog trainer. Many would have imposed limitations on her in their minds because Sarah Lives with Spinal Muscular Atrophy. Spinal Muscular Atrophy is a rare neuromuscular disease that affects individuals’ control of their voluntary muscles. She is living proof that individuals living with disabilities are just as capable dog trainers and pet owners as their able-bodied counterparts. On this pet-friendly program, Sarah shares her expertise and experience as owner of Homeschooled Hound, the business she started to teach others how to grow closer with their furry friends. We hear where her passion for animals began and the science behind positive reinforcement. Listen in for Sarah’s tips for more accessible pet training and pet caring for those across the spectrum of mobility. Produced and edited by Dominick Trevethan. This program originally aired in a longer form on the Disability Myth. TRANSCRIPT ♪ Keep on pushing, keep on pushing ♪ ♪ I’ve got to keep on pushing, keep on pushing ♪ ♪ I can’t stop now ♪ ♪ Move up a little higher, some way, somehow ♪ Dominick Trevethan: Welcome to Pushing Limits, KPFA’s program by and about people with disabilities that airs every Friday at 2:30pm. My name is Dominick Trevethan and I will be your host today as I am joined by my friend Sarah Rodriguez, owner of Homeschooled Hound. Sarah also lives with spinal muscular atrophy, the same genetic condition that I was born with. Essentially, we both have extremely limited range of motion, as the motor neurons that control our voluntary muscles lack a protein needed to stay alive and healthy. As a result of this, our muscles are extremely atrophied, which has led us to live our lives as power wheelchair users. As you will hopefully come to learn throughout the rest of this program, despite the fact that we look different, we are adaptable and we can accomplish anything that anyone else can. On today’s program, we will be talking about ways in which people with disabilities can adapt to become capable dog trainers and pet owners, despite the misconception that we may struggle to do so. Additionally, this program aired as a one hour-long discussion on my podcast, “The Disability Myth,” which I co-host with my caretaker and best friend, Uriel Ruelas. If you’d like to learn more about me, Uriel, and our takes on the disabled experience, check us out on Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify, and /or YouTube. Also, be sure to keep up with us on socials, such as Facebook and Instagram @thedisabilitymyth, all one word. In the meantime, here are Sarah’s thoughts on those misconceptions that I mentioned earlier: Sarah Rodriguez: So I know that a lot of people think like, “Oh, you can’t you know make physical contact with your dog if you’re like in a wheelchair, so you can’t provide comfort and love to them,” or, “You mustn’t be able to feed them, because physically it’s hard for you to move,” and I think there’s so many different ways to meet the dog’s needs or any animal’s needs for that matter. And like for example you know I think so many people think like ‘oh I just love to hug my dog’ and as a dog trainer I can tell you like most dogs actually hate to be hugged. Humans love to like hug people and that’s how they show affection. But when you look at like dogs together and they’re like have a deep bond, they like to curl up next to each other. They’ll lick them, they’ll like be near them. But it’s not like they’re like petting each other or hugging them. So even if a dog like sleeps with you or curls up next to you, that’s a lot of what they need as far as social and physical contact. And there are definitely ways that we can love on them, give them scritches and just have fun with them, play with them. As a dog trainer, I do a lot of adaptive training with people. So I make it accessible for them so if they have a disability, we work around how we can make...

Last day of the fund drive. Great programming today. The post Special Fund Drive Programming – Pushing Limits – December 15, 2023 appeared first on KPFA.

A half-hour radio show providing critical coverage of disability issues and bringing the insight of the grassroots disability movement to the general public. The show alternates weekly and airs on even weeks Friday 2:30pm. The post Special Fund Drive Programming – December 8, 2023 appeared first on KPFA.

Hilary Blackerby What do a dance teacher, a pastor, a community advocate, and a home care worker have in common? If you said they all could be allies to those with disabilities, you’re right! Rev. Dr. David Moore Jr. On this episode of Pushing Limits we will be talking to individuals with those labels – all of whom work to support and empower those with disabilities. Hannah Jo Karpilow Join us for a journey into the mind of these allies to find out what motivates them to be in solidarity with those with disabilities, and get tips on how to join them in this important work. Reports on People with Disabilities and the Israel-Palestine conflict (From DisabilityDebrief.org by Peter Torres Fremlin) Eric Kupers From Palestine, there’s relatively extensive coverage of the situations of disabled people in Gaza. Maha Hussaini, a Gazan journalist, writes about families trying to get out with disabled people after losing their homes. CNN reports on a range of struggles including the impossible dilemma of a director of an orphanage for disabled people: “Where will I leave these children, on the street?” As well as the investigation from Human Rights Watch, Time has explored the additional barriers disabled people are facing in conflict. Aljazeera offers some short videos on the hardship faced and the experience of a deaf couple: “The planes bomb us. We are deaf so it scares us. There is no one to help us and [we] cannot hear.” For more of Peter’s news on Palestine go here. In Israel, one estimate suggests over 50,000 people with disabilities have been evacuated from areas close to the border, to get further from rocket fire. The war is challenging for disabled people, but one hotel is hosting disabled and elderly evacuees for free, and the Shalva National Center has also become a refuge. The so-called “Special in Uniform” unit of the Israeli Defence Forces have been packing and distributing supplies. For more of Peter’s news on Israel, go here. For further news on the Israel-Palestine Conflict, including some of the conflict’s ripples beyond the Middle East, go here. ————————- This program was produced, interviewed and written by Jacob Lesner-Buxton. Edited and voiced by Adrienne Lauby. The post Disability Allies – Pushing Limits – December 1, 2023 appeared first on KPFA.