CP Conversations: Recent Episodes
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Join Internationally acclaimed Nicole Luongo as she talks with advocates, leaders, and educators in the Cerebral Palsy world.
In this episode of CP Conversations, I talk to Dr. Christine Astarita, a physical therapist and the founder of Breakthrough Intensive PT: Long Island’s intensive therapy center which helps people with neurological diagnoses while focusing on the whole family. Christine is also the author of “Breaking Through Special Needs” which was ranked #1 on Amazon, and the podcast host for “Breaking Through Special Needs”. She’ll also be a presenter at the upcoming 6th Annual Virtual Cerebral Palsy Conference on October 1st and 2nd (registration is FREE). www.cerebralpalsyconference.org
We discuss what inspired her to become a pediatric therapist, how a well-rounded, community-based approach to the entire family sets her practice apart, why she’s passionate about providing resources, support to her patients, and her upcoming 85-mile ultra run — while wheeling some of her patients — from the Montaulk Point Lighthouse to her office, which will raise money for Angela’s House, a local non-profit. Plus, she shares her #1 tip for how to choose the right therapist for your child. Follow Breakthrough Intensive PT on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/breakthroughintensivept and on Instagram @breakthroughintensivept. Visit their website at: https://www.breakthroughptli.com/.
In this episode of CP Conversations, I talk to Jacquie Robison, the founder of WAWOS, which stands for "We're All Working On Something.” It’s a multi-national nonprofit with a mission to celebrate children with neuromuscular delays and physical differences.
We discuss getting a cerebral palsy diagnosis, how a trip to the park with her daughter, Sofia, inspired her to create walker capes for children, and the birth, meaning behind WAWOS. Since July is Disability Pride Month, Jacquie shares how she encourages Sofia to be proud of all of who she is, why cerebral palsy is the least interesting thing about her.
Follow WAWOS on Facebook + Instagram @wawosorg. Visit their website at: https://www.wawos.org.
Learn more about our Cerebral Palsy Conference on October 1st and 2nd at: www.cerebralpalsyconference.org.
In this episode of CP Conversations, I talk to Caroline Naif from Briella & Me, a mom on a mission to raise awareness for cerebral palsy by sharing her daughter’s (Briella) journey.
We discuss the challenges of navigating a cerebral palsy diagnosis, how SDR (selective dorsal rhizotomy) surgery changed Briella’s life, what motivated her to become an advocate on social media and why being connected to other warrior families is so important. Since July is Disability Pride Month, Caroline also talked about how she instills confidence in young Briella. Plus, the soon-to-be 7-year-old makes a brief appearance!
Follow Briella & Me on Instagram (and across all social media) @briellaandme.
Learn more about our Cerebral Palsy Conference on October 1st and 2nd at: www.cerebralpalsyconference.org.
In this episode of CP Conversations, I talk to Zahra Brown, a Black lesbian with mild cerebral palsy who is hard of hearing.
We discuss what caused her hearing loss as a baby, moving from Jamaica to Canada, and why her family is her greatest advocate. Since June is Pride Month, Zahra also talked about the importance of coming out, liberation, and self-love. She gives sage advice for anyone who is struggling with their sexual identity. Plus, we learn one simple thing LGBTQ allies can do to help.
Follow Zahra on Instagram @sweetlikez.
Learn more about our Cerebral Palsy Conference on October 1st and 2nd at: www.cerebralpalsyconference.org.
In this episode of CP Conversations, I talk to Jeris Getter, the first coach with cerebral palsy in the University of Dayton’s history.
We discuss what it was like growing up on a farm, the difficulty of making friends in school, his passion for football, and how he made his dream of coaching a reality. Since June is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Awareness Month, Jeris also talked about his symptoms, how asking for help drastically changed the quality of his life. Plus, we learn what’s coming up on the field, why he’s in talks with ESPN!
Follow Jerris on Instagram + Twitter @coachgetter. Read more about his journey in the Dayton Daily News at https://www.daytondailynews.com/sports/archdeacon-assistant-coach-flyers-lean-each-other/dVS1mUiDObgFxGTysvyRaK/
Learn more about our Cerebral Palsy Conference on October 1st and 2nd at: www.cerebralpalsyconference.org.
May 20, 2021, is the tenth Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD). The purpose is to get everyone talking, thinking, and learning about digital access and inclusion, and the more than One Billion people with disabilities and/or impairments.
In this episode of CP Conversations, I talk to Mary Fashik, the founder of Upgrade Accessibility, a movement designed to challenge accessibility standards while amplifying voices in the disabled and chronically ill communities.
We discuss the ways inaccessibility affects her life as an adult with cerebral palsy, how Upgrade Accessibility started, and simple steps companies (and people in general) can take to make their content more accessible. Since May is Mental Health Awareness Month, Mary also talked about seeking help for depression, the lack of medical accessibility, and how the pandemic has affected her mental health.
Follow Upgrade Accessibility on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/upgradeaccessibility Follow Upgrade Accessibility on Instagram @upgradeaccessibility.
For more information about Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD), visit their website at https://globalaccessibilityawarenessday.org.
Learn more about our Cerebral Palsy Conference on October 1st and 2nd at: www.cerebralpalsyconference.org.
May is Pediatric Stroke Awareness Month. In this episode of CP Conversations, I talk to Steph Degodny, a warrior Mama to Max (a pediatric stroke survivor) and the Founder of Max & Me, a company that creates funky socks made to be worn with AFOs (ankle-foot orthosis) — inspired by Max but made for everyone. She’s also a proud fighter in the Inclusion Revolution.
We discuss the story surrounding Max’s birth, how hemiplegic cerebral palsy affects him, and the impetus behind Max and Me. Steph also talked about the Inclusion Revolution, her partnership with WAWOS (We’re All Working on Something), and why she prefers the term Extra Needs instead of Special Needs. Plus, we get a peek at the beautiful socks she creates, and the scoop on when Max & Me will be featured in JCPenney’s new adaptive department.
Follow Max & Me on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/maxandmegear. Follow Max & Me on Instagram @maxandmegear. Visit Max & Me’s website at https://maxandmegear.com.
Learn more about our Cerebral Palsy Conference on October 1st and 2nd at: www.cerebralpalsyconference.org.
It’s the first week of May which means it’s Teacher Appreciation Week! In this episode of CP Conversations, I talk to David Figueroa, a former multisport athlete and a three-time state champion cyclist, who is currently a middle school teacher in Florida.
We discuss life with spastic hemiplegia, a doctor’s prediction that he would never read, write or talk, and how losing his mom at a young age willed him to succeed. David also shares the challenges of living in his native Puerto Rico versus the United States, the importance of letting your actions, not your disability define who you are, and how the decision to move his body changed his life.
Check out David’s YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbBwDx9ba9wHPfnNCobD9XA. Follow him on Instagram @davidscpfitness.
Learn more about our Cerebral Palsy Conference on October 1st and 2nd at www.cerebralpalsyconference.org.
April is Autism Awareness Month and Autism Acceptance Month. In this episode of CP Conversations, I talk to Eliza Sledge, an author, a single mom who left corporate America to take care of her children. Her main priority is her son Charles, who has autism, cerebral palsy, and other disabilities.
We discuss the challenges of raising a child with multiple diagnoses, the importance of finding a community, and practical advice for parents of adults, children with disabilities. Eliza also talked about her children’s book and One Break, the not-for-profit organization she created to serve the socially disenfranchised, provide a voice to those unable to communicate.
Buy Eliza’s book Preemie Charles Brings The Christmas Spirit: Look At Charles at https://www.amazon.com/Preemie-Charles-Brings-Christmas-Spirit/dp/B08RBCHCRL/.
Visit One Break’s website at https://onebreak.org.
Follow Eliza + Charles’ daily adventures on Instagram @look_at_charles.
Learn more about our Cerebral Palsy Conference on October 1st and 2nd at www.cerebralpalsyconference.org.
April is Autism Awareness Month and Autism Acceptance Month. In this episode of CP Conversations, I talk to my friend Marie Dagenais-Lewis, a pridefully disabled artist who starts the hard conversations surrounding life with a disability, chronic and mental illnesses, ableism and disability rights.
We talked about growing up with a rare bone disease called Multiple Hereditary Exostoses (MHE), ableism in the workplace, why discovering she’s autistic at 26 was a game-changer, how she’s using her voice through art, her book, and more!
Buy Marie’s book Chronically Spooky: A Coloring Book Inspired by Chronic Illness at: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08KMN2JK4?ref_=pe_3052080_397514860
Follow her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/R.A.R.E.Advoc8 and on Instagram @r.a.r.e.advoc8.
Learn more about our Cerebral Palsy Conference on October 1st and 2nd at: www.cerebralpalsyconference.org.
In this special edition of CP Conversations for Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month, I talk to General Hospital’s Maurice Benard. He’s a two-time Daytime Emmy winner (for his portrayal of the popular character Sonny “Michael” Corinthos, Jr.), a New York Times best-selling author, and a National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Visionary Award Honoree.
Maurice is revered for his illustrious career, however, his most important roles are that of a husband, a father, and an advocate who is a beacon of hope to millions on his YouTube Channel, State of Mind.
We talked about why he decided to become an advocate for cerebral palsy, his journey with bipolar disorder, the need and importance for more disability representation in Hollywood, "Sonny” + much more! You’ll enjoy learning about the man behind the mob boss.
For more information about Maurice, visit his website at https://www.mbstateofmind.com/about/.
Watch State of Mind on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_rEI_NNc5pLloK0YEBVUsg
Check out his book “Nothing General About It - How Love and Lithium Saved Me on and Off General Hospital” on Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/Nothing-General-About-Lithium-Hospital/dp/0062973371/
Follow Maurice on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @MauriceBenard. You can also follow @mbstateofmind on Instagram and Twitter.
In this special edition of CP Conversations for Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month, I talk to General Hospital’s Maurice Benard. He’s a two-time Daytime Emmy winner (for his portrayal of the popular character Sonny “Michael” Corinthos, Jr.), a New York Times best-selling author, and a National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Visionary Award Honoree.
Maurice is revered for his illustrious career, however, his most important roles are that of a husband, a father, and an advocate who is a beacon of hope to millions on his YouTube Channel, State of Mind.
We talked about why he decided to become an advocate for cerebral palsy, his journey with bipolar disorder, the need and importance for more disability representation in Hollywood, "Sonny” + much more! You’ll enjoy learning about the man behind the mob boss.
For more information about Maurice, visit his website at https://www.mbstateofmind.com/about/.
Watch State of Mind on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_rEI_NNc5pLloK0YEBVUsg
Check out his book “Nothing General About It - How Love and Lithium Saved Me on and Off General Hospital” on Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/Nothing-General-About-Lithium-Hospital/dp/0062973371/
Follow Maurice on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @MauriceBenard. You can also follow @mbstateofmind on Instagram and Twitter.
In this episode of CP Conversations, I talk to Lawrence Seiler, the Executive Producer of Abled and On Air, which is produced by Orca Media in Montpelier, Vermont.
We talked about what it was like growing up with cerebral palsy in New York, his 25-year career as a journalist, the importance of advocating for accessible services, and why people with disabilities should never give up.
For more information about Abled and On Air, go to https://www.orcamedia.net/series/abled-and-air Check out Lawrence’s article “God Wants Me to Make Lemonade” at https://www.aish.com/authors/573891241.html
Learn more about our Cerebral Palsy Conference on October 1st and 2nd at: www.cerebralpalsyconference.org
In this episode of CP Conversations, I talk to Lawrence Seiler, the Executive Producer of Abled and On Air, which is produced by Orca Media in Montpelier, Vermont.
We talked about what it was like growing up with cerebral palsy in New York, his 25-year career as a journalist, the importance of advocating for accessible services, and why people with disabilities should never give up.
For more information about Abled and On Air, go to https://www.orcamedia.net/series/abled-and-air Check out Lawrence’s article “God Wants Me to Make Lemonade” at https://www.aish.com/authors/573891241.html
Learn more about our Cerebral Palsy Conference on October 1st and 2nd at: www.cerebralpalsyconference.org
In this episode of CP Conversations, I talk to my good friend Liz Venendaal, the Director Fowler International Academy (FIA) of Professional Coaching's We Live Without Limits division, which provides rewarding, profitable career options for individuals who have overcome adversity and are often perceived as “limited.”
We talked about how selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR) surgery changed her life, the challenges, rewards of parenting with CP, being selected as HBO’s Inspiration Room winner, her upcoming children’s book, and more!
For more information, check out lizvenendaal.com & https://www.welivewithoutlimits.com/about-liz-venendaal (Read her HBO journal entry here). Follow Liz on Instagram @lifecoachlizv.
learn more about our Cerebral Palsy Conference on October 1st and 2nd at: www.cerebralpalsyconference.org
In this episode of CP Conversations with Nicole Luongo, I talk to Pro-adaptive surfer Jacob Pacheco. We discuss the challenges he faced growing up with cerebral palsy, and how shifting his mindset — and changing his career— turned adversity, disability into opportunity.
Jacob also talks about his decision to become a professional surfer at the age of 25, how he uses social media to empower people to take action, and the nine-month journey to being selected as a speaker for the TEDxCSUF Spring 2021 Conference on February 12th.
For more information, follow Jacob on Instagram @pronetoride at visit his website at https://www.pronetoride.com. Watch his Tedx Talk on YouTube at https://youtu.be/QseXb9WdN8
In this episode of CP Conversations with Nicole Luongo, I talk to my good friend Daryl Perry about what motivated him to become a personal trainer, how having CP and being able to adapt sets him apart in the fitness industry, and what it takes to build a brand (and start a podcast) on the Internet. Daryl also shares his weight loss journey, overcoming insecurities, and the importance of being flexible on the journey toward reaching your goals. He also gives tips on modifying workouts and making fitness adaptable.
For more information, check out yourlevelfitness.com & darylperry.com. Follow Daryl on Instagram @yourlevelfitness at https://www.instagram.com/yourlevelfitness.
Learn more about our podcast at: cerebralpalsyconference.org
In this episode of CP Conversations with Nicole Luongo, I talk to my good friend Daryl Perry about what motivated him to become a personal trainer, how having CP and being able to adapt sets him apart in the fitness industry, and what it takes to build a brand (and start a podcast) on the Internet. Daryl also shares his weight loss journey, overcoming insecurities, and the importance of being flexible on the journey toward reaching your goals. He also gives tips on modifying workouts and making fitness adaptable.
For more information, check out yourlevelfitness.com & darylperry.com. Follow Daryl on Instagram @yourlevelfitness at https://www.instagram.com/yourlevelfitness.
Learn more about our podcast at: cerebralpalsyconference.org
In this episode of CP Conversations with Nicole Luongo, I talk to my good friend Kathy O’Connell about self-love, what it was like growing up with cerebral palsy, how she met her husband, and her upcoming live online workshop How to Put Yourself Out There for Dating Success on February 10, 2021 from 6:00 - 8:00pm EST. Kathy also shares the two most important things parents of children with disabilities need to do to instill a healthy sense of self in their child.
For more details and to register for the workshop, go here: https://radiantabilities.com/product/online-workshop-out-there-for-dating-success/
Download 10 Affirmations for Living Confidently with a Disability here: https://radiantabilities.com/affirmations-for-living-confidently-with-a-disability-download/
Kathy’s Radiant Abilities FB page: https://www.facebook.com/radiantabilities Follow Kathy on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/radiantabilities
In this episode of CP Conversations with Nicole Luongo, I talk to my good friend Kathy O’Connell about self-love, what it was like growing up with cerebral palsy, how she met her husband, and her upcoming live online workshop How to Put Yourself Out There for Dating Success on February 10, 2021 from 6:00 - 8:00pm EST. Kathy also shares the two most important things parents of children with disabilities need to do to instill a healthy sense of self in their child.
For more details and to register for the workshop, go here: https://radiantabilities.com/product/online-workshop-out-there-for-dating-success/
Download 10 Affirmations for Living Confidently with a Disability here: https://radiantabilities.com/affirmations-for-living-confidently-with-a-disability-download/
Kathy’s Radiant Abilities FB page: https://www.facebook.com/radiantabilities Follow Kathy on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/radiantabilities