Independent Idaho: Recent Episodes
Living Independence Network Corporation
Independent Idaho is a podcast dedicated to the exploration of all things disability in the Gem State and beyond. Independent Idaho is a production of the Living Independence Network Corporation, one of Idaho's three Centers for Independent Living. Our mission is to empower Idahoans with disabilities across the lifespan to achieve our desired level of independence.
Our guest today is Non Reyes. Among so many other things, Non is a father, husband, artist, and activist. Non serves on LINC's Board of Directors and I have the pleasure of interviewing Non at his home in Nampa. This is the first of three episodes with Non, where he shares the story of his life and family, his accident and disability, and how he makes a difference in the world each and every day. For more information on Non and to view and purchase his art, go to: http://site.nonsmouthart.com/.
Our guests today are Linda and Mikee, and through their stories, an incredible performance artist named Frank Moore. Linda and Mikee share their experiences with Frank living and loving in the Bay Area in the ‘70s until Franks passing in 2013. Frank, an artist with Cerebral Palsy, led a life that would be impossible to fully describein this introduction, so I will leave you to listen to Frank’s story told through his family of friends. Huge thank you to Linda and Mikee for taking the time to share their stories and their adventures with Frank at a time and in placewhere independent living thrived – Berkeley California, home to the country’s first Center for Independent Living. For more information on Frank's life and art, check out the following links:
Michael LaBash Lava Pen
Home in Berkeley with Mikee and Linda
Frank Moore for President
Web of Possibilities
Our guest today is Theo Braddy. Theo is the Executive Director of the National Council on Independent Living, which is the longest-running national cross-disability, grassroots organization run by and for people with disabilities. Theo shares his personal history of becoming a disability rights leader, as well as the future of the disability rights movement. Click here for more info on NCIL.
Our guest today is Meda Thompson. Meda shares her experience growing up with two parents who are deaf, her travels and adventures in real estate throughout the West, and her work as an IL Specialist with LINC with a focus on the intersection of disability and LGBTQ issues. For more information on the Idaho Pride Business League, click here.
For a transcript of this episode, click here. Our guests today, Rayna Sage and Lillie Greiman, traveled all the way from the University of Montana, Missoula, to meet with LINC staff in Twin Falls and collaborate on our work together empowering Idahoans with disabilities in the rural parts of our service area. Rayna is a rural sociologist who began working with the University of Montana’s Research and Training Center on Disability in Rural Communities in 2016. Lillie’s work, since joining the Center in 2012, has focused on housing, community participation, rural community development, and spatial and demographic analysis. Both Rayna and Lillie are Project Directors with the Center and they join LINC’s own Independent Living Specialist, Emily Petersen, to discuss our ongoing rural outreach and engagement project. For more information on the Research and Training Center on Disability in Rural Communities, click here.
For a transcript of this episode, click here. Our guest today is Nikeela Abrams. Nikeela is an attorney and Idaho Supreme Court approved mediator for family law cases, as well as the founder of the Idaho Mediation Center. She is a former veteran jockey who was injured during a racein 2018 and now uses a wheelchair. As a legacy project, Nikeela founded Idaho for All with the mission of supplying access and use of adaptive outdoor recreational equipment to the public to improve everyone's access to the outdoors. You can find out more information at www.idahoforall.org (website coming soon!) or contact Nikeela at info@idahoforall.org.
For a transcript of this episode, click here. Our guest today is Tarey Potter. Tarey is the Assistive Technology and Durable Medical Equipment Specialist at LINC, as well as an artist and all around tinkerer. We speak with Tarey about his life, keeping people independent in their homes and communities, and what his plans are for the future.
Our guest today is Nick Wyatt. This is Nick's second time on Independent Idaho and he gives us an update on his new job as a LINC Transportation Specialist, his adventures shooting an AR-15 for the first time, and his upcoming podcast series.
For a transcript of this episode, click here. Our guest today is Tricia Dunne. Tricia is a mother, an advocate, and a resident of Idaho's Wood River Valley. She shares the story of her journey out west and her life in a small, rural Idaho community.
For a transcript of this episode, click here. Today, our guest is Sean Spence. Sean is the author of a new book titled, "Breaking Barriers: Disability History in the United States." The book is available for purchase online, and profits will go to charity. More information, including how to purchase the book, can be found at: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/disability-history-book#/.
For a transcript of this episode, click here. Our guest today is Blue Hadden. Blue is a born and raised Idahoan who grew up as a hunting guide, ranch hand, and horse trainer in Shoshone, Idaho. Blue shares his story of surviving a serious automobile accident, learning to live life in a wheelchair, and fighting for his life as a person with a disability who was incarcerated. Blue also shares how he is moving forward and charting a course for an independent future, including a career in cybersecurity. Warning: this episode contains detailed discussions of illness, suicide, and the realities of being incarcerated with a disability.
Our guest today is Cecile Atimango. Cecile is an Independent Living Peer Support Specialist with LINC who moved to the United States from a refugee camp in Uganda when she was 14 years old. Cecile shares her journey of growing up in a refugee camp without a wheelchair, to completing high school, learning to drive, and finding employment. Cecile talks about her recent trip back to Uganda to spend time with family and friends.
For a transcript of this episode, click here. Our guests today are Ritchie Eppink, Noll Garcia, and Delray Warner. We talk about the KW vs. Armstrong class action lawsuit in Idaho over the Idaho Medicaid program for adults with Developmental Disabilities. You can find more information about the lawsuit at https://ourhealthandwelfare.org/.
Our guest today is Nick Wyatt. Nick, originally from Las Vegas, shares his journey of becoming a self-advocate working towards his first job. Nick is a graduate of the Partners in Policymaking program and LINC's Self-Advocacy and Leadership Training program. He lives in Boise with his wife.
For a transcript of this episode, click here. Our guest today is Ian Bott. Ian is an Idahoan who loves the outdoors and being an advocate for social change. A self-described painter outside the lines, we talk with Ian about growing up with autism, his time in college, and life lessons for young people.
For a transcript of this episode, click here. In this episode, we talk with Marilyn Sword about the Idaho Caregiver Alliance, family caregivers, and more. For more information on the Idaho Caregivers Alliance, go to https://idahocaregiveralliance.com/.
For a transcript of this episode, click here. In this episode, we talk with the Vice President of Molina Healthcare of Idaho, Marnie Packard, and Molina Healthcare of Idaho's Senior Community Engagement Specialist, Mary Mlot. Marnie and Mary share with us the work of MolinaCares Accord serving under and unserved communities in Idaho. For more information on MolinaCares Accord, go to https://molinacares.com/.
For a transcript of this episode, click here. In this episode, we visit with Dana Ard, Affiliate President of the National Federation of the Blind. Dana shares her experience growing up as a person who is blind and her recent work advocating for Idaho's blind community. To learn more about the National Federation of the Blind in Idaho, go to https://nfbidaho.org/.
For a transcript of this episode, click here. In this episode, we talk with Griselda Camacho who helped found, and now works with, Las Senoras. Las Senoras is a community-based group helping families navigate disability services and resources. Griselda shares her personal story, as well as the experiences of Idaho families trying to overcome barriers in order to secure support for family members with disabilities. To donate to Las Senoras, donate here and in the comment section note it is for Juntos Creando Cambios.
For a transcript of this episode, click here. In this episode, we talk with Jen Grush-Dale, President of the Snake River Valley Chapter of Little People of America, about life as a little person, the national organization Little People of America, and much more. To learn about Little People of America, go to https://www.lpaonline.org/.
For a transcript of this episode, click here. In this episode, with talk with Lorraine Poor who leads accessible birding events in the Boise area with the Golden Eagle Audubon Society. Learn more about accessible birding at www.birdability.org and sign-up for an accessible birding trip with the Golden Eagle Audubon Society at www.goldeneagleaudubon.org.
For a transcript of this episode, click here. In this episode, we talk with Erik Kingston about creating visitable single family homes and neighborhoods. You can find more information on Visitability at www.visitability.org. Other resources include www.rampupidaho.org and www.fairhousingforum.org.
For a transcript of this episode, click here. In this episode, we talk with Kelly Buckland, Disability Advisory with the Department of Transportation, about his work making public transportation more accessible. We discuss changes in rules to the commercial airline industry, rail systems like Amtrak, and how rideshare and e-scooters have changed our landscape, good and bad.
For a transcript of this episode, click here. In this episode, we talk with Germán Parodi, Co-Director of the Partnership for Inclusive Disaster Strategies (The Partnership), about living with a disability and being prepared for a disaster or emergency. We also discuss how disaster response has fallen short when it comes to issues of access, and what the impact has been from past and current disasters, such as Hurricanes Katrina, Maria, and Harvey. Finally, we take a look at the impact on people with disabilities from the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine. The Partnership is the only U.S. disability-led organization with a focused mission of equity for people with disabilities and people with access and functional needs throughout all planning, programs, services and procedures before, during and after disasters and emergencies. For more information on The Partnership, go to www.disasterstrategies.org. For more information on being prepared for a disaster, or to get involved in local emergency planning activities, contact LINC.
For a transcript of this episode, click here. In this episode, we'll talk with Mark Leeper, Executive Director of Disability Action Center Northwest about independent living history, philosophy, movement, and programs. For more information on the Disability Action Center Northwest, go to https://www.dacnw.org.