Episode Description

In this powerful and deeply personal episode, we reconnect with Eric as he shares life updates since his last appearance on the show, including the heartbreaking loss of his mother and the impact it has had on his mental health journey.

Together, we have an honest conversation about grief, depression, resilience, and the often-overlooked mental health challenges faced within the disability community. Eric opens up about navigating life after spinal cord injury while coping with loss, the importance of seeking support, and why mental health deserves the same attention as physical health.

This episode is a reminder that strength isn't just about overcoming physical obstacles—it's also about facing emotional struggles and continuing to move forward one day at a time. Whether you're living with a disability, supporting a loved one, or dealing with your own mental health challenges, Eric's story offers insight, encouragement, and hope.

We wrap up the episode with a fun and engaging rapid-fire Q&A session featuring Eric and the Quad Father, covering everything from life lessons and personal reflections to a few laughs along the way.

Join us for a heartfelt conversation about loss, healing, mental health, and the power of community.

Facebook: Eric Rodriguez

IG: wcroundtable2025

At 22 years old, Michael Divel experienced a life-changing spinal cord injury after a tragic accident at a Fourth of July party left him with a T-12 complete SCI. What followed was not only the challenge of paralysis, but a brutal years-long fight against a stage 4 pressure wound complicated by MRSA and bone infection — resulting in 10 skin flap surgeries, months confined to bed, and some of the darkest moments of his life.

In this powerful episode, we dive deep into the realities of pressure relief, pressure wounds, wheelchair seating, and survival after spinal cord injury. Rico Segovia ATP/QRP also breaks down the insurance criteria surrounding pressure relief equipment and custom wheelchair cushions, explaining why proper seating technology can literally become lifesaving for wheelchair users.

Despite years of setbacks, Michael refused to quit. Today, he’s back competing at the highest level of adaptive sports and helped lead the Arkansas Rolling Razorbacks to a 2025 NWBA Championship.

We first met Michael at the Ocean Drive 3-on-3 Wheelchair Basketball Tournament in Corpus Christi, and after hearing his story, we knew this conversation needed to be shared.

This episode is about resilience, pressure wound awareness, adaptive sports, mental toughness, and the relentless mindset required to keep moving forward when life changes forever.

Please welcome Michael Divel.

Facebook: Michael Divel

IG: wcroundtable2025

In this powerful and deeply inspiring episode, we sit down with Corpus Christi TX native Alma Lee Garcia, a disability advocate whose life changed forever at just 24 years old after surviving a violent home invasion. Alma was shot in the neck with a 9mm round that entered the left front side of her neck and exited through her right scapula, leaving her with a T6 incomplete spinal cord injury. Doctors at Memorial Hospital gave her only 18–24 hours to live as she remained in a coma for a week. But everything changed when she heard the voice of her son saying, “Get up, mom.” That moment sparked her fight for survival.

Alma opens up about the physical and emotional challenges that followed, including living with autonomic dysreflexia, navigating mental health struggles, and learning to accept a completely new way of life. She shares the daily realities of living with a spinal cord injury while finding strength, purpose, and resilience through advocacy and community involvement.

We also discuss her work with WAVE in Corpus Christi, where she continues to empower and advocate for individuals with disabilities throughout South Texas. As someone from our own backyard here in Corpus Christi, Alma brings an honest, raw, and uplifting conversation that will leave listeners inspired by her perseverance and determination.

Facebook: Alma Lee

IG: almalee_361

We are joined by Henry C. Falcon, JR., PTA, CCI, MBA, CSCS, and take a deep dive into the world of Physical Therapy — from the evolution of the profession in the 1990s to where it’s headed in today’s healthcare landscape. Henry shares his journey into PT, the lessons learned over decades in the field, and what it takes to build a long-lasting career in rehabilitation.

The conversation breaks down the real differences between the PTA and DPT paths, including schooling, scope of practice, pay scales, burnout, and the realities clinicians face in today’s healthcare system. SJ brings valuable insight into the DPT perspective while Henry offers the experienced voice of someone who has worked across multiple settings and built his own practice.

The crew also discusses the future growth of the Rio Grande Valley medical community, opportunities for young professionals entering healthcare, and what employers are really looking for in new graduates. The episode closes with a fun Q&A session where Rico opens up about what inspired him to start The Wheelchair Roundtable Podcast and the mission behind giving healthcare professionals, patients, and advocates a platform to share real stories and real experiences.

Whether you’re a student considering Physical Therapy, a clinician navigating the profession, or someone passionate about the future of healthcare in the RGV, this episode delivers honest insight, education, and laughs along the way.

Henrycfalcon@msn.com

IG: wcroundtable2025

In this episode, we sit down with Yvette Barrera-Molina, an educational diagnostician with over 20 years of experience supporting students with disabilities and their families. Yvette began her career as a special education teacher and has since dedicated her work to evaluation, eligibility, and developing meaningful instructional plans that truly support student success.

We take a deep dive into the critical role diagnosticians play within the education system—helping identify student needs, guiding families, and collaborating with educators to create pathways for growth. Yvette also breaks down key insights on dyslexia and ADHD, offering clarity on how these challenges present in the classroom and why early identification matters.

A big part of our conversation focuses on the role teachers play in recognizing early signs of developmental and learning differences, and how those observations can change the trajectory of a child’s education.

What makes this conversation especially powerful is Yvette’s personal journey. As a mother, she shares the story of her son Ethan, who was diagnosed with epilepsy as an infant and has undergone multiple brain surgeries due to severe seizures. Through that experience, Yvette brings a deeply personal perspective to her work—one that goes beyond professional expertise and into true advocacy.

She also discusses her involvement with the Epilepsy Foundation of Central South Texas and how she continues to be a voice for families here in the Rio Grande Valley.

This is a conversation about education, advocacy, resilience, and the power of understanding every child’s unique journey.

Yvette, thank you for being here and for sharing your story with us.

IG: @youniquediag

Facebook: Yvette Barrerra-Molina

TikTok: Yvette B. Molina

YvetteBMolina@gmail.com

On this episode of The Wheelchair Roundtable, we’re joined by Mason Branstrator —an athlete, creator, and powerful voice for resilience whose life changed in an instant, but whose purpose only grew stronger.

At just 17 years old, Mason sustained a spinal cord injury in a skiing accident that left him paralyzed from the waist down. But what followed wasn’t the end of his story — it was the beginning of a new one. From intensive rehab to rediscovering independence through his wheelchair, Mason leaned into challenge, adaptation, and ultimately, transformation.

Today, Mason is not only thriving — he’s pushing limits. From adaptive sports like hand cycling and surfing to completing a marathon in a racing chair, he’s redefining what’s possible and showing the world that a wheelchair is not a limitation, but a gateway to freedom.

Through his growing social media presence, Mason shares the real, unfiltered moments of life with a disability — from daily routines to outdoor adventures — inspiring hundreds of thousands of people across the globe. His mission is simple but powerful: help others see possibility, no matter their circumstances. Mason’s story isn’t just about overcoming — it’s about evolving, adapting, and leading from the front.

link.me/mason_branstrator

mason@kannco.com

IG: Mason_branstrator

FB: Mason Branstrator

Today’s episode is a powerful reminder of what resilience truly looks like—and we’re joined by guest host S.J. Cimijotti, DPT, bringing clinical insight and perspective to the conversation.

At just 10 years old, Peter Berry’s life was forever changed by a tragic car accident that left him and his brother paralyzed, injured his sister, and took the lives of both of his parents. It’s the kind of moment that could define a life—but for Peter, it became the beginning of a new one.

Now 24, Peter is a professional wheelchair basketball player competing in Germany, driven by a relentless mindset and a clear goal: representing Team USA at the 2028 Paralympics in Los Angeles.

In this episode, we dive into Peter’s journey through recovery, the role of family and support systems, and how discovering wheelchair basketball gave him not just purpose—but direction. Alongside S.J.’s expertise in rehabilitation, we explore the physical and mental resilience required to rebuild after trauma, the discipline behind competing at an elite level, and what it truly means to keep moving forward.

This isn’t just a story about sports—it’s about perspective, growth, and the decision to rise, no matter the circumstances.

Let’s get into it.

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In this episode, we sit down with Esmer Perez LBSW, MSW, CART, a dedicated case manager at a Health Rehabilitation Hospital, to break down what really happens after a life-changing injury or illness.

Esmer gives us an inside look at the critical role of a case manager—often acting as the “in-house attorney”—guiding patients and families through one of the most complex and emotional healthcare journeys. From the moment a patient is admitted, she helps coordinate care, navigate funding sources, and ensure every piece of the recovery plan is aligned.

We dive into the importance of therapy in regaining independence and how physicians, therapists, and caregivers work together behind the scenes to support each patient’s progress. Esmer also sheds light on the difficult realities of healthcare—what happens when a patient doesn’t have insurance, and how funding directly impacts the equipment and services that can be provided.

This conversation is a must-listen for anyone wanting a clear, honest look at the rehab process and the road to recovery after a life-altering event.