Épisodes

  • Dating while Disabled, romantic gestures, and removing shame (Enable: The Disability Podcast)

    Dating while Disabled, romantic gestures, and removing shame (Enable: The Disability Podcast)
    Feb 18 2026
    We all know dating can be tough, but what's it like for people with disabilities? Liz McCormick and Lauren Ennis, organizers of EmpowHer Capital's "Dating while Disabled" event in Upstate New York, share their experiences, advice for meeting people, how to talk about special needs on dates and dating apps, and the importance of finding support groups. "As a disabled person, it does definitely come up. And, I know in the past and my relationships, my disability has been a source of contention a little bit, especially when I'm dating able-bodied people," said Lauren, who has an autoimmune disease that affects her vision and also has hearing loss. "It's just ten times harder for disabled people and especially disabled women," added Liz, a wheelchair user. "I noticed that the times where I removed my disability from my dating profiles were times where I was feeling shame... I think being direct and open about my disability, removes that shame. It makes me feel proud of my disabled identity." Liz also shared advice for people dating someone with a disability, and how it can be a "romantic" gesture to ensure a date setting is accessible: "I think it is really an act of love to make sure that everything is accessible for someone. And obviously I'm willing to do that work. And, you know, I know how to scope out to see if a place is accessible or not, which someone else may not have as much skill in. But to be able to show that I care, and I want to take this burden off you that you usually have to do yourself. I think that's romantic.” For more info about EmpowHer Capital and the Disability EmpowHer Network, visit https://www.disabilityempowhernetwork.org/empowher-capital “Enable: The Disability Podcast,” which highlights amazing people with disabilities and different abilities, releases new episodes weekly on YouTube and all major podcast platforms. Follow facebook.com/enablepodcast or @enablepodcast on Instagram and TikTok for more. Note: Views expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect the views of Advance Local. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    27 min
  • 'If you are struggling, you are not alone': MS and chronic illness (Enable: The Disability Podcast)

    'If you are struggling, you are not alone': MS and chronic illness (Enable: The Disability Podcast)
    Feb 11 2026
    Nicole Pedra is a disability advocate, influencer, actress and model who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis at age 10, but chose to keep it private for two decades. In this episode of "Enable: The Disability Podcast," she talks about MS treatments, wanting to live a "normal" life (including in college at Syracuse University), the spoon theory, and the healing power of finally sharing her chronic illness journey. "I want everyone to know that if you are struggling, you are not alone," Pedra said. "I know how isolating it can feel when you're struggling, and that there's people out there who are and aren't relating and whatnot, but there are people there." "You don't know what it's like to be in someone else's body and you have to acknowledge the difficulties that you're going through, right?" Pedra added. "You're not weak, and what you're dealing with is hard. Being diagnosed with a disease and not being able to do maybe what you used to do is not a case of failure. You are not failing. You can still have the life you wanted. It's just going to look a little different." For more, visit https://nicolepedra.com/ or follow @nicolepedra on Instagram and @thenicolepedra on TikTok. “Enable: The Disability Podcast,” which highlights amazing people with disabilities and different abilities, releases new episodes weekly on YouTube and all major podcast platforms. Follow facebook.com/enablepodcast or @enablepodcast on Instagram and TikTok for more. Note: Views expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect the views of Advance Local. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    28 min
  • 'Don't give up': Advocating for college students with disabilities (Enable: The Disability Podcast)

    'Don't give up': Advocating for college students with disabilities (Enable: The Disability Podcast)
    Feb 4 2026
    *Note: The audio version of this podcast episode features an AI voice for guest Helena Schmidt's answers exactly as she wrote them. A video version of her interview appears on the YouTube version of "Enable: The Disability Podcast" with her voice and subtitles.* What challenges do college students with physical disabilities face? Helena Schmidt, who was born with cerebral palsy, speaks with "Enable: The Disability Podcast" about her experiences with CP, becoming an advocate for herself and others with special needs, and making efforts to improve accessibility on campus. "Advocating is not easy, but it is super important to help bring about change for yourself and others. You have to be confident in yourself and believe in yourself," Helena said. "You can't let others tell you that you are wrong, or that you should give up, or that it will never work. There are people who are on your side; you just have to find them and work together. Having support from others is vital. Try not to over-extend yourself. Get in touch with your emotions because your emotions will actually help you to keep fighting. Be nice to yourself and give yourself grace, and don't give up. Even small victories can have a huge impact." "I hope more people learn NOT to judge others just because they look different, move differently, or speak differently," she added. “Enable: The Disability Podcast,” which highlights amazing people with disabilities and different abilities, releases new episodes weekly on YouTube and all major podcast platforms. Follow facebook.com/enablepodcast or @enablepodcast on Instagram and TikTok for more. Note: Views expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect the views of Advance Local. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    9 min
  • Tourette's is a daily 'adventure' for comedian Pamela Rae Schuller (Enable: The Disability Podcast)

    Tourette's is a daily 'adventure' for comedian Pamela Rae Schuller (Enable: The Disability Podcast)
    Jan 28 2026
    What is Tourette Syndrome really like? It's often misrepresented in the media with people simply shouting bad words, but the neurological disorder can include involuntary physical movements, vocal tics, chronic pain, and awkward social interactions. But comedian Pamela Rae Schuller sees the humor in sharing her experiences, calling it a daily "adventure." "Tourette's is what we call an umbrella disorder because most of us have a grab bag of other fun things, from ADHD to sleeping challenges, right?" noted Schuller, who also has obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and anxiety. "They often work together. I joke that they're best friends. Sometimes I'll do something from Tourette's and then OCD will be like, 'Did you think you were done? Make it even!' (laughs) And then I'm doing it not because of Tourette's but because OCD is at the wheel." Schuller is a stand-up comedian and a disability and mental health advocate who turns neurological chaos into messages of inclusion. For tour dates and more info, visit https://pamelacomedy.com/ or follow ⁨@PamelaComedy⁩ on YouTube and social media. “Enable: The Disability Podcast,” which highlights amazing people with disabilities and different abilities, releases new episodes weekly on YouTube and all major podcast platforms. Follow facebook.com/enablepodcast or @enablepodcast on Instagram and TikTok for more. Note: Views expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect the views of Advance Local. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    18 min
  • ABLE accounts: How to save money for people with disabilities, special needs trusts

    ABLE accounts: How to save money for people with disabilities, special needs trusts
    Jan 21 2026
    What are ABLE accounts? Special needs trust attorney Ellen Cookman talks with "Enable: The Disability Podcast" about 529 ABLE (Achieving a Better Life Experience) accounts, a tax-advantaged savings program for eligible people with disabilities (designated beneficiaries). Distributions are tax-free if used for qualified disability expenses. Cookman, whose son has autism, also spoke about estate planning with a special needs trust, the importance of a durable power of attorney, and how to avoid losing SSI or SSDI benefits if they're working a job. "I think that estate planning and special needs planning is (like learning) a new language. So I just want to encourage everybody to be patient with yourself," Cookman says. "There's a lot to learn. Even though it seems like it's in English, it's not really (laughs)... so definitely equip yourself with knowledge." For more info, visit https://cookmanlaw.com/ or follow @ellencookman-EstatePlanningSNT on YouTube. You can also learn more about ABLE accounts on the IRS website: https://www.irs.gov/government-entities/federal-state-local-governments/able-accounts-tax-benefit-for-people-with-disabilities “Enable: The Disability Podcast,” which highlights amazing people with disabilities and different abilities, releases new episodes weekly on YouTube and all major podcast platforms. Follow facebook.com/enablepodcast or @enablepodcast on Instagram and TikTok for more. Note: Views expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect the views of Advance Local. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    14 min
  • Adaptive clothing for people with disabilities - Intotum fashion (Enable: The Disability Podcast)

    Adaptive clothing for people with disabilities - Intotum fashion (Enable: The Disability Podcast)
    Jan 14 2026
    Intotum founder Hanan Tantush is a UK-based fashion designer who makes adaptive clothing for people with disabilities. In this episode of "Enable: The Disability Podcast," she speaks about being diagnosed with ADHD and making clothes for people like herself with sensory issues, the inspiration that came from her grandfather's style journey, and a desire to help people of all abilities feel good about themselves. Examples include replacing buttons with magnets; using soft and sensory-friendly materials; stretchy waistbands that aren't sweatpants; and backless trenchcoats for wheelchair users. "Adaptive fashion is really for anybody," she explains. "At is core, it's obviously for the disabled community... It gives you back that independence that we're all craving all the time, especially the people that acquire their disabilities later in life." For more info, visit https://intotumfashion.com/ or follow @intotum_fashion on Instagram and TikTok. “Enable: The Disability Podcast,” which highlights amazing people with disabilities and different abilities, releases new episodes weekly on YouTube and all major podcast platforms. Follow facebook.com/enablepodcast or @enablepodcast on Instagram and TikTok for more. Note: Views expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect the views of Advance Local. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    18 min
  • Indigenous artist born with one arm, one leg creates colorful world (Enable: The Disability Podcast)

    Indigenous artist born with one arm, one leg creates colorful world (Enable: The Disability Podcast)
    Jan 7 2026
    Frank Buffalo Hyde, an Indigenous artist who's been featured at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian and other museums across the United States, was born with one arm and one leg due to a birth defect after his father was exposed to Agent Orange. In this episode of "Enable: The Disability Podcast," he speaks about the use of prosthetics and other resources, the ways he tried to avoid feeling different as a child, the healing power of humor and pop culture in his colorful artwork, and even Bigfoot, Sasquatch, UFOs and cryptozoology. "For me, I came into the art scene and became a professional artist at a time where I had to fit into a world that wasn't necessarily made for me so I didn't necessarily let my disability define me," Hyde says. "People would find out later when I sign my work and... [be] pretty shocked. And a lot of people would ask me, you know: 'Are you left-handed?' (laughs) I'm like, 'Yes.'" Frank Buffalo Hyde's website: https://frankbuffalohyde.com/ “Enable: The Disability Podcast,” which highlights amazing people with disabilities and different abilities, releases new episodes weekly on YouTube and all major podcast platforms. Follow facebook.com/enablepodcast or @enablepodcast on Instagram and TikTok for more. Note: Views expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect the views of Advance Local. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    18 min
  • Spina Bifida Warrior: Facing challenges head on (Enable: The Disability Podcast)

    Spina Bifida Warrior: Facing challenges head on (Enable: The Disability Podcast)
    Dec 18 2025
    Derrek Cooke, who was born with Spina Bifida, speaks with “Enable: The Disability Podcast” about what it means to be a "Spina Bifida Warrior" and facing challenges head on. He also spoke about who his heroes are, the resources and support he receives, and the near-death experience that taught him to enjoy life to the fullest. He created Derrek's Bags for other people with disabilities to carry catheters and similar medical equipment, featuring positive phrases like "Disability is not a bad word," and donates 34% of the proceeds to the Spina Bifida Association of New York State. Derrek's Bags: https://www.etsy.com/shop/DerreksBags Spina Bifida Association of New York State: https://sbanys.org/ National Spinia Bifida Association: https://www.spinabifidaassociation.org/ “Enable: The Disability Podcast,” which highlights amazing people with disabilities and different abilities, releases new episodes weekly on YouTube and all major podcast platforms. Follow facebook.com/enablepodcast or @enablepodcast on Instagram and TikTok for more. Note: Views expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect the views of Advance Local. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    24 min