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 list of upcoming events to mark your calendar. 1) Disability Day on the Hill on February 28, 2024, followed by Disability Advocacy Day on Monday, March 11, 2024, organized by the Tennessee Disability Coalition. 2) Podfest Media Expo from 25-28 August 2024 in Orlando, Florida. 3) Resource Ability Fair at Vocational Rehabilitation on Morgan Rd, Dyersburg TN on 28 March 2024 from 5-7 pm. Happy New Year! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/marsh-naidoo/message

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 Tablet 10) Gabb Phone DISCLAIMER: The suggestions on this list are general in nature and for individualized advice for your child's therapeutic toys an evaluation, assessment or conversation must happen with your physical therapist, occupational therapist, or speech therapist. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/marsh-naidoo/message

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 organization aims to create inclusive communities where individuals with disabilities can live independently and thrive. They offer affordable housing options and rely on partnerships with other organizations to provide additional support services such as employment. Jordan emphasizes the importance of community and discusses the concept of Ubuntu, which means "I am because we are." He encourages listeners to visit the Our Place Nashville website to learn more about the organization and get involved. Check out episodes #77 and #85  on the podcast which also discusses housing solutions for our community. 2:25  Introduction of Jordan Collins from Our Place Nashville 4:15 Discussion on housing options for individuals with disabilities 5:54 Description of Our Place Nashville's mission and goals 7:48 Explanation of the Friendship House model 9:39 Overview of the onboarding process for joining the community 13: 00 Information on the locations of Our Place Nashville's properties 15:29 Emphasis on the importance of community and support 18:12 Explanation of the role of Our Place Nashville in providing housing and support 23:29 Mention of the concept of Ubuntu and its significance 28:38 Invitation to learn more about Our Place Nashville and contact the organization. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/marsh-naidoo/message

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 disabilities. Naveh encourages advocates to approach others with love and understanding, recognizing that everyone has something to learn. October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month #NDEAM Timeline:  3:25 Introduction and Background Experience of Naveh Eldar 9:46 Association for People Supporting Employment First (APSE). 12:35 Project Search and how Naveh was part of the team that implemented a Project Search at their company. Please check out Season 1, Episode 1 and Season 2, Episode 17 on The Landscape Podcast to learn more about. 18:33 Bias and the importance of workplace disability training. Challenges of finding employers and programs for persons with disabilities in rural areas. 26:15 Changing the narrative 30:35 Closing Remarks --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/marsh-naidoo/message

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 with disabilities centered on Christ. Timeline: 2:49 Ashley Parks and Ginna Rauls talk about the origin story of Joy Life 901. 4:39 Ginna's introduction to the disability community. 5:31 Ashl --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/marsh-naidoo/message

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, and social events. She mentions their upcoming fundraiser, the Step Up for Down Syndrome Walk, which will take place on October 29, 2023. Timeline: 2:10 Lori's background 3:38 Tennessee transitioned from institutionalization to community-dwelling for persons with disabilities. 4:17 Services provided by DSA of the Mid South. 10:02 Service area of DSA. 11:49 Is DSA an affiliate or chapter organization? 14:18 October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month and Oct 29 is STEP UP Walk for Down Syndrome. 17:26 Closing Remarks. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/marsh-naidoo/message

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 experiences and the skills they have gained through their work at the Wond’ry, highlighting the importance of collaboration and problem-solving. They also discuss the future of adaptive fashion and its potential to create a more inclusive world. The episode concludes with closing remarks from the students, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to be part of the Wond’ry and their excitement for the future of their work. Students interviewed: Brinda Ambal, Trieu Vy Trong, Sophia Potter, and Jeremiah Crosswhite. Timeline: 2:00 Introductions and Visual Descriptions 4:09 Impetus for this podcast episode. 5: 16 What put y'all on the trajectory to join the Wond'ry and what are some of the adaptive fashion projects y'all have collaborated on? 13: 08 Y'all come from such diverse backgrounds? So has fashion always been something on your radar? 16:46 Student current majors? 17:52 Your experience with regard to the disability community. 20:55 How do you believe the experience at the Wond'ry is going to add a layer to your future work experience? 23:21 Closing Remarks. A copy of the transcript will be shortly available at www.raisingkellan.org --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/marsh-naidoo/message

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 Houston High 11:24 When do you start transitional planning for a student with an IEP 12:40 Pre-vocational training 16:38 ADL Training 19:34 How do y'all facilitate community opportunities for your students to gain workplace skills 24: 33 What opportunities are available to students after they graduate? 29:58 Project Search 24:22 Future Plans 29:58 Closing Remarks The transcript will be soon available at www.raisingkellan.org --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/marsh-naidoo/message

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 Dean of Arts and Sciences and Technology and part of the Planning and Implementation Committee at Eagle Access Program going at DSCC; Dr. Amanda Walker the Vice President for Institutional Advancement at the College and Nikki Erickson who is the current director of the Eagle Access Program. Timeline: 00:19 Introduction with Visual Descriptions. 02:28 What is Eagle Access 03:22 Backstory of the Program 04:20 Planning and Implementation. 06:56 Pathways and referral sources to access the program 08:55 Transportation to College 09:33 Vision for the Program 13:04 Where to after the completion of the 2-year program 16:53 Mentoring as part of the program 18:16 Application Process to the program 20:49 Future wishes for the program 24:45 Service Area that the program serves. 26:04 Closing Remarks. A transcript of the podcast is available at www.raisingkellan.org For further information about the program contact: Nikki EricksonEagle Access Program [email protected] --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/marsh-naidoo/message

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 informative workshops on special-needs planning. His books, workshops, and educational talks help families plan for the future, preserve benefits and achieve financial freedom. Rob has three children and his middle daughter has Down syndrome and is the President of Cascade Investment Group in Colorado Springs. Timeline: 1:48 Rob's background and how he got into financial planning for families with special needs. 5:01 What are some of the benefits persons with disabilities can enroll in once they turn 18? 6:09 What is SSDI? 8:20 What is SSI? 10:16 Special Needs Trust 14:32 Protecting your child's future benefits such as medical care. 15:12 Rob's advice for parents. 17:05 Future planning helps you live a great life today. 19:16 Contact information: Rob Wruble The transcript will be soon available at www.raisingkellan.org This episode is brought to you by Anderson Consulting in Dyersburg TN --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/marsh-naidoo/message