True Tales by Disability Advocates - Keep Calm and Carry On

Keep Calm and Carry On

10/10/23 • 40 min

This episode features storytellers sharing their experiences of overcoming challenges while thriving with disabilities. Cindy Massey, a photographer and artist, tells her story titled "Finding Family." She recounts her journey to Africa, facing various unexpected hurdles during a safari. Despite the obstacles, she finds strength through the support of fellow alcoholics in Africa, emphasizing the importance of resilience and overcoming challenges. In part two, Kamand Alaghehband, a Special Olympics athlete with Autism, shares her story of perseverance after a morning crisis before a track competition thanks to the support of her teammates, highlighting determination and teamwork. The episode explores the power of resilience, adaptability, and finding strength within a community.
Guest: Cynthia (Cindy) Massey is a photographer and artist. For more than 10 years, she built a successful career in weddings, sports, and animal photography. In 1992, her life changed forever, when she was in a near-fatal automobile accident that left her with a traumatic brain injury. The experience was a wake-up call and the road to recovery meant re-learning simple tasks like walking, talking, eating, reading, and even photography. It gave her the chance to take a long, hard look at who she was, and it led to a new direction in the way she approaches life. She believes she has been given a second chance to begin a new life with a greater appreciation of the beauty of our earth and its creatures. You can see and purchase her work on her website https://www.creativeimagesbycynthia.com/ and Fine Art America

Host Kaye Love - Kaye has over eight years of experience working with individuals with developmental and learning disabilities, including Intellectual Disability and Autism Spectrum Disorder, in Special Education and Vocational Rehabilitation. She has experience providing spiritually sensitive counseling to clients who identify with diverse belief systems. LinkedIn: J. Kaye Love, MSSW/MBA, LPC, Counseling on Thrive: Thriveworks Counseling - Janet Kaye Love
Guest Kamand Alaghehband: Kamand Alaghehband was born in Austin, TX, and has autism. Kamand has spent her life supporting all generations with disabilities. Kamand loves the Special Olympics; her favorite sports are swimming, basketball, and track. She is a member of the Executive Committee of Special Olympics Athletes Leadership in Texas. She creates podcasts, TikTok videos, video games, and health activities. Kamand’s mission within her population is to bring peace today and create a vision for tomorrow’s disabled population. Watch Kamand’s videos on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@mespecial8588.
Host Jennifer McKinney was born legally blind. She has always enjoyed reading and writing. Some of her work has been published in Soupstone Literary Anthology. Despite the challenge of being visually impaired, Jennifer graduated from American Broadcasting School. She went on to work for KOOP 91.7 FM, a community radio station in Austin. An active

Click here to listen with the full transcript.
For more details about our programs go to Art Spark Texas, True Tales Podcast Page.
Segments of this podcast were read by an automated voice. Inconsistencies in pronunciation and tone may occur.

Previous Episode

Someone to Light My Fire

Step into the life of Albert 'Sparky' Metz, a relentless disability rights activist and country music fan who's been championing the rights of the disabled since his formative years. From his institutionalized childhood to his fiercely independent adulthood, Sparky's journey is as captivating as it is inspiring. Through it all, Sparky's spirit remained undeterred, fueling his passion for advocacy and his love for music.
Join host Joey Gidseg, who chats with Sparky and his attendant Pansy as they shed light on Sparky's experiences and challenges in his quest for independence and true love. Get familiar with the Speaking Advocates program, a virtual training initiative designed to teach people with Disabilities to use storytelling as a form of advocacy. As we listen to Sparky's 2015 performance at the Vortex Theatre in Austin and hear his story through his personal AAC device, we realize the transformative power of stories in advocating for change, inclusivity, and disability rights. So, buckle up, lend us your ears, and support our mission of amplifying the voices of people with disabilities. Rate us on iTunes, share this episode, and join our movement towards a more inclusive world.
Sparky is an actor and disability activist. He is a member of ADAPT of Texas and a big country music fan. He leads an active life and depending on the day you can find him at Morgan’s Wonderland, going shopping, or attending Christian concerts. Sparky lives in Austin, Texas with his attendant and two cats, Smoke and Phoenix.

Keep up with Sparky on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/albert.metz3

To learn more about Adapt click this link.

Joey Gidseg is an enthusiast of podcasts and disability policy who works to close the Justice Gap for disabled Texans through their organization Justice in Reach. A former multimedia producer, Joey is thrilled to collaborate with other disabled creators on the second season of Art Spark Texas’ podcast,True Tales by Disability Advocates.You can connect or keep up with Joey on their Facebook, Twitter or Linkedin:
https://www.facebook.com/joeygidsegfortexas/
https://twitter.com/joeyinatx
https://www.linkedin.com/in/joeygidseg/
Learn more about closing the justice gap at https://www.justiceinreach.org/

Next Episode

Smashing Ableism: Tales of Resilience

Hey there, listeners! Welcome back to episode twenty of our podcast 'True Tales by Disability Advocates'. Ready for a deep dive into the theme of 'Smashing Ableism: Tales of Resilience'? Well, we've got two fantastic disability advocates with us - the brilliant Alina Arredondo and the charming Peter Richter. In this episode, they open up about their own life journeys filled with challenges, advocating for disability rights, supportive grandparents, and above all, demonstrating immense resilience. Alina pours her heart out about standing up for her rights and Peter shares golden nuggets on how gratitude supports his resilience. So, tie your seatbelts, folks! Tune in, and get ready for these genuinely enlightening narratives. Trust us; it's not just an episode, it's a vibe that will
spark transformations!
Guest 1
Alina G. Arredondo is a native El Pasoan who was diagnosed with Phocomelia. She does not allow her disability to be an excuse for why she cannot do certain things. Alina has a license Master in social work and currently works at the local independent living center where she empowers adults with disabilities to live as independently as possible. During her spare time, she enjoys spending time with family, dogs, and friends, panting, and singing. However, what she enjoys the most is helping out her community by volunteering with multiple agencies around the El Paso area.
https://www.gograd.org/resources/students-with-disabilities/

Guest 2
Peter Richter grew up in San Antonio and attended school and graduated from the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired. He has two brothers and one sister and a dog he loves named Winnie. He lives with two roommates and enjoys working at his job at Whataburger. Peter has been involved with Art Spark and was an original actor with TILT Performance Group where he was in productions for 10 years.
Hosts: Jennifer Howell and Joey Gidseg

True Tales by Disability Advocates - Keep Calm and Carry On

Transcript

Kristen00:00:09.900

Welcome to True Tales by Disability Advocates podcast, authentic voices of people thriving with disabilities. Where individuals use the art of storytelling to change the world. True Tales is produced by Art Spark Texas Speaking Advocates Program. Keep listening to hear how life's challenges can spark a desire to speak out and advocate for ourselves and others.

MsBoye00:00:50.676

Welcome to a new episode of True Tales