Bitmoji in the Disability Community

/in /by

I’m sure most of you listening have created or seem a Bitmoji. But did you know there is NO disability representation? My guest today, Caitlin Goerlich is looking to change that.

After being paralyzed from the waist down due to complications in surgeries for kyphoscoliosis at the age of three, Caitlin Goerlich went on to be an adaptive athlete, motivational speaker, YouTuber, and advocate for people with disabilities. Goerlich started a campaign called #InclusiveBimojis in 2019 to try and get Bitmoji to add disability options to their app so people with disabilities can better represent themselves.

https://www.change.org/p/snap-inc-facebook-bitmoji-facebook-avatar-need-disability-options-inclusivebitmojis-inclusiveavatars

Please take some time to listen to her story, the campaign, and more interesting facts! You can follow Caitlin below:

@CGoerlich
www.youtube.com/user/TheCGoerlich
FB: WriterCaitlinGoerlich

Find me at @offthecrutch and all social media platforms!

The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of PT

/in /by

I’m back to my normal Monday schedule! I’ve done physical therapy for as long as I can remember. For the past month, I have needed to get some work done on my legs. I thought I would share my experiences with physical and how I feel about it!

Also, I recently reached 1500 downloads. Thank you so much for all your support. It really means a lot.

Feel free to follow me on social media (FB, IG, and Twitter) at @offthecrutch

Flying During COVID And A Special Announcement

/in /by

Thought I disappeared? I am back with a new episode and it’s about flying with a disability! In this episode I discuss why I didn’t release an episode on Monday, flying during COVID and a special announcement!

Follow me on Twitter, FB, and Instagram at @offthecrutch

How My Wheelchair Changed My Life

/in /by

This podcast is called “Off The Crutch”. But, did you know that I ALSO use a wheelchair, a lot? In this episode, I share my first experience using a wheelchair and how that has changed my life for the better! 

Madison Cawthorn at the RNC

/in /by

Today I’m sharing my thoughts on Madison Cawthorn’s speech at the Republican National Convention and the backlash he received from the disability community. I also reference an article written by Kristen Parisi. No interview today–just me. Enjoy!

Madison Cawthorn interview
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NoQuSvRHisQ

Kristen Parisi’s Medium article
https://medium.com/@kristenann.parisi/the-audacity-of-madison-cawthorn-5e0aab01c986

People vs Identity First Language and Poetry

/in /by

This episode is all about words and language! I discuss the difference between people vs identify first language. Then, I share my brief time in Chico, California which had a huge impact on me because I met Susan Wooldridge, my guest on today’s podcast!

Susan Wooldridge is the author of the book “poemcrazy: freeing your life with words”. Susan presents writing and creativity workshops around the U.S. She’s in her sixteenth year of a series to foster creative expression among people of all ages and backgrounds in rural California libraries sponsored by Poets and Writers organization and the California Center for the Book.

Susan helps people begin to play with language and imagery. She encourages everyone to begin a journal and some of her workshops now include collages with found objects. Her workshops have been featured in Poets and Writers magazine.

Susan’s home base is a co-housing village in Chico, California, at the edge of Bidwell Park (or Sherwood Forest)–where Errol Flynn’s Robin Hood was filmed.

You can check her work out at http://susanwooldridge.com/

The Disabled Lived Experience & SMA Awareness Month

/in /by

In this episode, I share 3 statements from a social media post that can be frustrating as a disabled person! In case you don’t know, August is SMA Awareness Month. Spinal Muscular Atrophy is a genetic degenerative neurological disease that attacks the central nervous system. Because I feel strongly about raising awareness of all disabilities, my guest is Sarah Bartlett.

Sarah Bartlett lives and works in Mississauga, Ontario. She is a high school Media Art teacher specializing in graphic design, photography video. She and her husband Myles have two children. Her daughter Stella was born in 2010 and was diagnosed a year later with a degenerative neuromuscular condition called Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA).
Since then the Bartlett family has become involved with fundraising for treatment and family support, and advocates for disability rights.

She can be reached at http://thisisstella.com/

ABLE Account Information can be accessed at: https://www.ablenrc.org/

School is Back in Session

/in /by

In today’s episode, I talk about my high school and first teaching experience. It actually started at my alma mater, Bosque School, an independent 6-12 school in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Having a physical disability during high school and then, teaching, gave me unique perspectives, and I share those. Later, I speak with Andy Wright, who was instrumental in my early teaching career while at Bosque School.

Andy Wright holds a Master of Education degree in Private School Leadership, a Bachelor of Arts in Geology, and a teaching credential in K-12 Mathematics. Throughout his many years in education, Andy has served as a science, math, and computer teacher; an Associate Dean of Students; an Associate Middle School Head; and a Head of Middle School in various settings across the country, including independent schools in Pennsylvania, Utah, New Mexico, and California. He is currently the Head of School at EAGLE School, in Madison, WI

You can find me at @offthecrutch on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook!

How To Become a TEDx Speaker

/in /by

Have you ever wondered what it takes to become a TEDx speaker? In this episode, I share my experience with TEDx, share my talk, and have a wonderful discussion with the person that helped make this all happen for me, Angie Alley.

Angie Alley is currently a Communication Instructor at Central New Mexico Community College. It is a dream job and she loves helping students learn how to be a confident public speaker, learn effective and healthy communication skills, and ultimately help people find their voice. Outside the classroom, Angie is an avid performer with musical theater. Angie always wants to help people with their public speaking skills and is humbled and honored to coach people with their speeches.

My TEDx Talk:

Celebrating The 30th Anniversary of the ADA

/in /by

The ADA is officially 30 years old and I am releasing this episode a day early! In this episode, I speak briefly about what the ADA means to me and my experience at Azusa Pacific University. Then, I have a timely conversation with my friend from APU, Joosung Kwon, about race, Crip Camp, and disabilities. Enjoy!

Joosung Kwon is a documentary filmmaker in London. His work can be viewed at:
https://vimeo.com/kinetoscopestudios

Some ADA resources:
https://www.ada.gov/ada_fed_resources.htm
https://adata.org/resources
http://www.adaresources.org/

Please feel free to follow me on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook at @offthecrutch