Marsh Naidoo chats with Brandon Scarmardo, a Manager at Mental Health and Development Services in Jackson, Tennessee, about the MAPS program. This innovative three-year pilot initiative, facilitated by the Department of Disability and Aging (DDA), is designed to empower individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities by equipping them …

Woody Tatman is an occupational therapist and a certified driving rehabilitation specialist with West Tennessee Healthcare. He evaluates individuals, including those with disabilities, the elderly, and those with cognitive or physical impairments, to determine their ability to drive safely. He can recommend vehicle modifications and provide trainin…

In this insightful episode of Raising Kellan, host Marsh Naidoo sits down with Don Tate and Kim Shofinski from the Tennessee State Parks to discuss the incredible strides being made toward accessibility and inclusivity in outdoor recreation. As the Fall unfolds in Tennessee, there's no better time to explore the state's natural beauty, and the Tenn…

In this episode of Raising Kellan, host Marsh Naidoo reconnects with Dana Kramer to discuss an essential topic for families raising children with disabilities: home accessibility. Dana, a long-time friend and recurring guest, shares her recent experience remodeling her home to better accommodate her son Levi, who has cerebral palsy. The conversatio…

Mia Fox DPT, is a yoga teacher, physical therapist, and rock climber. Mia talks about how she got started in rock climbing and the therapeutic benefits it provides. The conversation then shifts to discussing ⁠Memphis Rox⁠, a rock climbing community, and the adaptive climbing program they offer through the ⁠Adaptive Climbing Group.⁠ Mia explains tha…

Join host Marsh Naidoo in this episode of Raising Kellan as she talks with Dennis Anderson, CEO of Anderson Consulting. Dennis shares his expertise on digital accessibility and safety, providing valuable insights for parents navigating the digital world.00:00 Introduction01:30 Dennis Anderson's background05:00 Business IT services and government co…

In this episode of Raising Kellan, host Marsh Naidoo sits down with Jeff Strand from the Tennessee Disability Coalition to delve into the significant legislative changes in 2024 and what's on the horizon for 2025. Jeff provides an insightful update on key bills, including the successful passage of the TCA cleanup bill, the impactful Right to Repair…

In this enlightening episode of Raising Kellan, host Marsh Naidoo is joined by Rev Dr. Felicia Ingram, the newly appointed pastor at Salters Chapel AME Church in Dyersburg, TN. Felicia is a native of Dyersburg and a graduate of Dyersburg High School. She highlights her plans for engaging the youth and fostering a supportive community. Don't miss ou…

In early May 2024, our Dyersburg First United Methodist Church church family went on a camp retreat to Camp NaCoMe in Centerville, Tennessee. In this episode, Kellan journals his time at Camp as he builds his capacity to tell his story. Enjoy! Other links: https://youtu.be/yWNwOpg_qbA?si=gqPGtHI4V9vqzNBO…

Welcome to episode 115 of Raising Kellan, where we delve into the harmonious world of music therapy. Our guest is Martha Summa Chadwick, a virtuoso pianist, music educator, and advocate for the transformative power of music therapy. Join us as we explore the neural symphony of music's impact on the brain and how it can be a powerful therapeutic too…

In today's episode 114, Carolyn Kiel from Beyond Six Seconds Podcast joins us. Carolyn talks to neurodivergent entrepreneurs, creators, advocates, and more about their lives and identities, their stories, shatters misconceptions, breaks stigma, and showcases the vibrance of neurodiversity. As always, remember, the content on this podcast is for you…

Thank you for joining us on Raising Kellan, a podcast to empower parents raising children with disabilities. Kellan is starting to build his breath control and confidence on the mike! You will be hearing from him more as he begins to tell his own story! Today's episode is dedicated to the memory of Steven Harrell…

Levi, Drake and Kellan chat on their annual meetup to honor CP Awareness Day. Timeline: 2:52 Drake's new job at Dyersburg State Community College 3:37 Kellan's first podcast! 4:21 Levi's 7th Grade will be at High School! 5:16 Drake's upcoming engagement 5:52 Levi's Trip to Gatlinburg 7:17 Levi's therapy 9:11 Kellans' classes 10:03 Levi's favorite s…

Jeff Strand Coordinator of Government and External Affairs from the Tennessee Disability Coalition will discuss the Priority Bills for Part 2/2 of the 113th Tennessee General Assembly. Here is a link to what we discussed last year (2023) on Episode 78 TDC Priority Bills for 2024 1) TennCare for Working Adults, where persons with disabilities can po…

In this podcast episode, Leanne Pirece from Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) talks about this unique program through the Tennessee Department of Human Services. Pre-ETS is a program that helps students between the ages of 14 and 22 with disabilities prepare for life after high school. The program offers services such as career counselin…

In this episode of the Raising Kellan podcast host Marsh Naidoo interviews Jennifer Cunningham, Vice President of Client Services at the Star Center in Jackson, Tennessee. They discuss assistive technology services such as pencil grips, screen readers, and augmentative communication devices for those who cannot speak. The Star Center provides visio…

Host Marsh Naidoo interviews Dr. Jennifer Graves, the president of the Star Center in Jackson, Tennessee. Dr. Graves discusses her connection to disabilities and her passion for helping individuals with differing abilities. She explains how the Star Center was founded by Margaret and Chuck Doumitt who wanted to provide services for their children w…

In this podcast episode, the host, Marsh Naidoo, interviews Kim Larrick about their experience at Hope Heals Camp. Kim shares that her son, Ben, has a rare genetic condition called Menkes disease, which affects his mobility and other aspects of his health. Her daughter, Kelsey, has cerebral palsy and epilepsy. Kim and her family learned about Hope …

In this podcast episode, Marsh Naidoo interviews Kali Decker, a pediatric physical therapist who recently went on a mission trip to Uganda. Kali discusses her journey to becoming a pediatric physical therapist and the need for specialized care for children with disabilities. She also talks about the equipment drive being organized to collect pediat…

Today we chatted with Ashley Roberts, MRC, CRC vocational rehabilitation field supervisor here in NortWest TN. Timeline: 3:27 What is vocational rehabilitation (VR)? 3:54 Who does VR service and what services does it cover? 4:16 How can parents get connected with VR? 5:47 Is VR part of school and when do you enroll for services? 11:58 Does VR invol…

Drake Box and Marsh Naidoo recap the highlights of 2023, including our first-ever "Day At The Lake" live event held in Dyersburg TN on August 26, 2023. Savannah Pham has contributed a blog of the podcast highlights titled: Navigating Possibilities: A Year of the Raising Kellan Podcast, 2023. (Link to blog) We are enthusiastic about 2024. Here is a …

Melanie Westmoreland's Top 10 Christmas Kid's Gift List Melanie shares the therapy and fun-focused toys that she has discovered for her children. Here are her Top 10 suggestions: 1) Magna-Tiles 2) Bubble Puzzles 3) Kinetic Sand 4) Weighted Stuff Animals 5) Sensory Swings 6) Bubble Lamp 7) Yoto Audio player 8) Osmo Kit for Tablet 9) Amazon Fire Tabl…

In this episode of the Raising Kellan podcast, host Marsh Naidoo interviews Jordan Collins, the Associate Director at Our Place Nashville, an organization that provides housing solutions for individuals with disabilities in the Nashville area. Jordan shares his personal journey and how he became involved with Our Place. He explains that the organiz…

In this podcast episode, Naveh Eldar, host of The Landscape Podcast chats about his experience with Disability First Employment and the Project Search program. He highlights the importance of disability inclusion in the workplace and the progress that has been made in raising awareness and promoting employment opportunities for individuals with dis…

In today's episode, I chat with co-leaders Ashley Parks and Ginna Rauls who tell us the backstory of Joy Life 901 and the Memphis Disability Network! We discuss the origin story and programs such as the Breakfast Club, fitness programs, and the Memphis Joy Prom. They emphasize the importance of community and connection for parents and individuals w…

In today's episode of the Raising Kellan podcast, Marsh interviews Lori Green, the Executive Director of the Down Syndrome Association of Memphis and the Mid-South. Their mission is to empower and advocate for individuals with Down syndrome. Lori also talks about the various programs and services they offer, such as self-advocate classes, tutoring,…

In episode #98 of the Raising Kellan podcast, host Marsh Naidoo is joined by Professor Alex Capps who was interviewed on Episode #92, and four students from the Fab Lab at the Wond’ry Vanderbilt's Center of Innovation. They discuss their work in adaptive fashion and the impact it has on the disability community and beyond. The students share their …

Houston High School in Germantown Tennessee is on fire!!! They host a transition school-to-work program and today I chat with Catherine Sadler and O'Malley two incredible teachers who lead the program together with Mr Brian. Timeline 01:29 Memphis Disability Network 02:27 Introductions 04:09 What is the backstory of the transition program at Housto…

Today we are going to chat about the Eagle Access Program, a post-secondary program for Students with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. We are joined by: Dr. Brigham Scallion, who is a co-founder of the program, as well as the Northwest Representative of the Tennessee Council for Developmental Disabilities; Dr. Jimmy Barham, who is the D…

Today we are joined by Rob Wrubel, CFP® AIF® AEP®. He is a best-selling, award-winning author of Financial Freedom for Special Needs Families, 30 Days to Your Special Needs Trust and Protect Your Family. He has been a contributing source for local and national media and is a sought-after speaker who regularly gives highly-rated, entertaining, and i…

Today Jay Camperlino presents information on a new program being rolled out by the Tennessee, Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, called MAPs Timeline: 01:56 Jay Camperlino's background and how he came to join the MAPs initiative. 08:11. What is MAPs? 17: 46 Selection Criteria to enroll in the program: 1) Transitional-aged st…

In today's episode, I chat with Debra Run a global disability inclusion strategist. She is the CEO of Ruh Global Impact, as well as Chairperson of a nonprofit, which is called Billion Strong. Timeline: 02:30 What is the benefit of visual description in a podcast? 03:31 What put you on the trajectory to become a disability and inclusion strategist? …

Today I chat with Alex Sargent Capps, Allie Schmidt and Stella Barron about Adaptive Fashion. Alex has served on the Vanderbilt University Theatre faculty since 2001. She is currently the director of the Fiber Arts Build (FAB) Lab at Vanderbilt’s Wond’ry Center for Innovation, serving the Vanderbilt and Nashville community by providing sewing and c…

Eric Jorgensen is the Founder of True North Disability Planning, the go-to resource for families who have children with intellectual/developmental disabilities and the professionals who serve them. He is the host of the “ABCs of Disability Planning” podcast which introduces listeners to organizations and resources they may have never heard of or we…

In today's episode, I chat with Kirst Nordstrom who is a Developmental Therapist in Nashville TN. Kirsti talks about the Family Guided Routines Based Intervention framework which she uses to coach families to help their children with developmental delays or disabilities maximize function with strategies to promote feeding, reading, play, movement, …

In this conversation Erin Riehle talks about Project Search as an intensive transitional program from high school to competitive integrated workplaces as part of a 9-month program Timeline 03:00 What lead to the formation of Project Search? 08:30 How does the program work? 21:30 How does it work as far as employer buy-in? 26:30 Project Search Confe…

In today's episode, we chat with Sophie Poost, Director of Programs at Disability EmpowHer Network, an organization that empowers girls and young women with disabilities through skills building, community, and mentorship. Their flagship program is a Camp held in June in the Adirondack mountains of Northeastern New York, followed by a project comple…

I spoke with Colleen Starkloff of the Starkloff Disability Institute last year on Episode #66 when we discussed workplace diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, disability as part of the diversity, and the Disability Rights Movement. Today we talk: Universal Design and Accessibility. Timeline: 3:29 What is universal design? 4:46 Colleen's Kit…

Is toe-walking something we outgrow? These are some of the questions answered in today's podcast with Liesa Ritchie PT, DPT, PCS from Know To Change for both parents and health providers alike. 1:35 Liesa's Background. 4:57 What sparked Liesa's interest in toe-walking? 7:08 "KnowToChange" as a resource guide for both parents and healthcare provider…

In today's episode, Dr. Jerry Kartzinel tells us more about the work he and his family are doing at Home Life Community and their goal of establishing a forever home for persons with disabilities to address the increasing housing crisis. Look what they have planned right here in NortWest Tennessee. TimeLine: 03:00 Dr. Jerry's backstory 06:30 What i…

April is Autism Awareness Month. Today we chat with Rachel Jenkins and Colin Peterson. Rachel is an educational consultant, and part of TRIAD, which is an acronym for the Treatment and Research Institute for Autism Spectrum Disorders at Vanderbilt Kennedy Center which is part of Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, TN. As part of this…

Mark is the Founder & CEO of Camp Conquest, an overnight camp for children and adults with special needs and disabilities in Millington, TN. He and his wife, Amanda, are blessed with 5 great kids, ages 15 to 27, and 2 grandchildren. Mark and his family live in Arlington, TN. He grew up in Dallas, TX, where his parents took in 28 foster children whe…

In this episode of the podcast with catch up with our friends Dana Kramer and Levi Ervin (mom and son) from Georgia and Drake Box from the podcast, The Box Factor. We chat about what Cerebral Palsy Awareness Day means from the perspective of lived experience and what has been going on since we last talked two years ago on Episode 12 of the Raising …

Mike Poole of Walk This Way Oxford is well known as The Coach for children with Cerebral Palsy. In today's episode topics covered and timeframes are: 02:00 Expectations 04:00 Mindset 07:00 Massage and Manual Therapy 09:00 Training, Therapy, and Emotional Responses. 12:00 Teaching kids how to fail 13:00 Mike's Background 20:00 St Louis Children's Ho…

In today's episode, we chat with Katrina VanBuren Ed.S and Annette Graves, MEd, MACR from Arc Tennessee, Family Engagement Project. Timeline: Introduction to Annette Graves and Katrina VanBuren 03:40 What is an IEP and 504 plan and how are they similar/different? 10:14 Abbreviations commonly used in Special Education: FAPE, LRE, PLEP, accommodation…

John Shouse and his wife Janet are parents to 3 adult children, Emma Shouse Garton, and twin boys Evan and Brendan who are now 27. Evan is on the autism spectrum. John has been involved at the local, state, and national levels in the disability advocacy community, including stints as presidents of both Autism TN, and The Arc TN. He was on the natio…

In today's episode, I chat with Jeff Strand who is the Coordinator of Government and External Affairs at the Tennessee Disability Coalition. The Tennessee Disability Coalition is an alliance of organizations and individuals joined to promote the full and equal participation of people with disabilities in all aspects of life. This year TDC will be h…

Pete Hixon of Woodstock GA has been married to his wife Hollie for 25 years. They have 2 girls - Addie, a freshman at Samford University, and Hope, in her second year at Shepherds College. By occupation, Pete is a speaker and business coach. By passion and as a parent, he is an advocate for the special needs community. Pete and his wife lead an org…

In this episode, we chat with Lia Stoll of DisabilityWriter.com. Lia is a mom, wife, writer, co-founder of Lara Guide Dog in Greece and founder of Disability Writer, a boutique writing studio voicing accessibility and inclusion for disabled people. Timeline: 00:14 Introduction 04:16 What is the origin story of DisabilityWriter.com 06:57 Lia's conne…

Ange Anderson M.Ed opened and led an innovative specialist school in North Wales for 10 years, introducing over 25 different therapeutic/technological interventions to support pupils with learning differences. She’s written a number of books focused on SEN (Special Educational Needs) on therapeutic and technological interventions including VR, AR &…