Hey, welcome to an episode of Crippled by Culture, where we talk about everything in life and relate it to the disability and chronically ill community. My name is Sean Gold and I am an author, advocate, and nonverbal public speaker for the disability community.

Guest bio: Derek Canas (AKA D-REK), born a sweet, cute, seemingly healthy baby, had everything going for him until the age of 3 months, when he was surrounded by many doctors talking about transposition of the great arteries, pacemakers, and blood transfusions. His parents now had, what they called a “battery operated son”. This was a scary scenario for his parents with so many touch-and-go moments. 16-years later another illness that Derek had been living with started to show symptoms: HIV. This only brought on a more terrifying roller-coaster ride. With courage, unconditional love and sheer determination, Derek was not going to let any one of his health issues get in the way of his dream of becoming a DJ! Spinning music is the passion of his soul. Today, taking his fight against HIV to new hope, He can be found on WEGO health as a patient leader. A survivor of both open heart surgery and HIV, his doctors refer to him as "The Terminator." And that he is!! He is also the creator of the #EndTheStigma Campaign and D-REK's Angels and Warriors. On the weekends he turns into the crazy DJ – living his dreams!!

FOLLOW DEREK

https://www.angelsandwarriors.org/

https://www.facebook.com/DREKSANGELSANDWARRIORS

https://www.instagram.com/dreksangelsandwarriors_/

https://x.com/DREK912

https://www.tiktok.com/@angelsandwarriors

Sean's links:

https://linktr.ee/authorseangold

Hey, welcome to an episode of Crippled by Culture, where we talk about everything in life and relate it to the disability and chronically ill community. My name is Sean Gold and I am an author, advocate, and nonverbal public speaker for the disability community.

Today I would like to thank Josh Rettig for being my voice in this episode. In this episode, we are talking about the intersections of disability and parenting from a nondisabled’s perspective. Now Let’s get to today’s amazing guest(s),

Guest Bios:

Stone Kaufer is an 18-year-old non-speaking autistic individual who, after years of not being able to communicate reliably, found his voice through a spelling methodology at the age of 16. This breakthrough has transformed his life, empowering him to share his unique perspective on the world. Stone’s journey is a powerful testament to resilience, determination, and the belief that everyone has a voice worth hearing. He now speaks to inspire others, offering hope and encouragement to those facing similar challenges.

David Kaufer is Stone's Dad. As a passionate advocate for inclusion and presuming competence, David has become a voice for other parents navigating similar challenges. His experience as a father, coupled with his professional background in marketing and storytelling, equips him to share insights on how families, educators, and healthcare providers can create more inclusive environments. David’s personal journey inspires and encourages others to see potential where others may not.

FOLLOW DAVID

https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidkaufer/

https://www.instagram.com/davidkaufer/

https://www.facebook.com/david.kaufer/

Sean's links:

https://linktr.ee/authorseangold

Hey, welcome to an episode of Crippled by Culture, where we talk about everything in life and relate it to the disabled and chronically ill community. My name is Sean Gold and I am an author, advocate, and nonverbal public speaker for the disability community.

Today I would like to thank Josh Rettig for being my Voice Transcriber in this episode. In this episode, we are talking about the intersections of disability, accessibility, and writing.

Guest Bio: Dr. Jasmine Simmons is a deafBlind audiologist born with Usher syndrome, affecting her hearing, vision, and balance. She received cochlear implants at age two and now advocates for accessible healthcare and inclusion for individuals with sensory impairments. An author and public speaker, Dr. Simmons raises awareness about Usher syndrome and inspires others through her work and advocacy.

FOLLOW DR. SIMMONS:

https://linktr.ee/drjasminesimmons

Book: https://a.co/d/7rkLSsR

Sean's links:

https://linktr.ee/authorseangold