Walk and Roll Live-Disability Stories

In this powerful episode of Walk and Roll Live, Doug Vincent and Addie Rich sit down with lifelong educator Rita Duran and her devoted daughter to share a story of perseverance, purpose, and love. After 38 years of teaching and a life filled with running marathons, supporting students, and giving back to her community, Rita’s world changed following a life-altering accident that forced her into medical retirement. But her story didn’t end there — it evolved. Today, Rita continues her journey of recovery through physical therapy at Casa Colina, finds strength through PossAbilities, and shares her love of literacy by visiting schools to read to students. With honesty and warmth, she opens up about overcoming self-isolation, rediscovering joy, and the powerful bond she shares with her daughter — her greatest advocate and inspiration. Join us for a moving conversation about resilience, rediscovery, and the enduring power of purpose. Walk and Roll Live 

In this uplifting episode of Walk and Roll Live, hosts Doug and Addie sit down with Jeff Mitchell, a man whose life took a dramatic turn but whose determination and positivity never wavered. Jeff shares his journey from a successful career and active lifestyle to facing a life-altering injury that changed everything — except his spirit. With honesty and humor, Jeff talks about the early days of recovery, learning to adapt, and how he found new purpose through community, advocacy, and faith. His story is a reminder that even when life doesn’t go as planned, you can still roll forward and make every day meaningful. Join us as we explore Jeff’s resilience, his advice for others facing challenges, and his message of hope for anyone redefining what independence looks like. Walk and Roll Live 

In the latest episode of Walk and Roll Live, hosts Doug and Addie welcome members of the Workpower team—Angel, Brandi, Linda, and Neshama—for the debut of Workpower Leadership & Communication Strategies for Employers. Developed as part of Kidpower International and supported by Ability Central, this free online resource is designed to help employers and workplace leaders strengthen communication, inclusion, and leadership for people with and without disabilities. Hear firsthand from Workpower ambassadors about the challenges and successes people with disabilities experience in employment—and how practical, empathy-driven strategies can create thriving, connected teams. Walk and Roll Live 

In September, 1973, President Richard Nixon signed the Rehabilitation Act into law. While much of the Act focused on vocational training and services, one section—Section 504—quietly broke new ground. It became the first U.S. civil rights law to prohibit discrimination against people with disabilities in federally funded programs. In this week’s episode of Walk and Roll Live – This Week in Disability History, we explore the origins of the Rehabilitation Act, the hard-fought battle to implement its protections, and how Section 504 laid the foundation for the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Subscribe now to follow the series and learn more about the pivotal moments that shaped disability rights.

In this powerful episode of Walk and Roll Live, we sit down with Bob Millsap to hear his incredible story of perseverance through unimaginable challenges. From losing his fiancée at a young age, to building a life and family with his wife Shelly, to navigating career highs and devastating setbacks, Bob’s journey is one of resilience and faith. After nearly losing Shelly to a freak explosion, becoming her caregiver, and later surviving 53 days in the hospital with Covid-19, Bob now faces long-term health conditions with determination and courage. Through his book Shake Yourself Free and his ongoing writing, Bob shares how he has found meaning and purpose in the midst of pain. His story will inspire anyone facing adversity to keep moving forward with hope. Walk and Roll Live 

September, 1971, Steamboat Springs, Colorado, became the stage for the very first Special Olympics Winter Games. With 500 athletes from the U.S. and Canada, this groundbreaking event showcased the talent, joy, and determination of people with intellectual disabilities in skiing, skating, and other winter sports. This week on Walk and Roll Live – This Week in Disability History, We explore how the Games not only transformed public perception but also helped fuel the growing disability rights movement. From those snowy slopes, a global movement of more than 5 million athletes was born. Subscribe to follow the series and discover more milestones that shaped disability rights. Walk and Roll Live 

At just three years old, Kat’s life was forever changed by a car accident that left her a quadriplegic and full of unanswered questions. For nearly three decades, she carried the weight of what she didn’t know—until she began searching for the missing pieces of her story. What she uncovered not only reshaped her understanding of survival but also gave her the courage to live boldly. Now at 31, Kat is rewriting her life on her own terms. From competing in international adaptive ski competitions to transforming a van into a rolling home, traveling across states with her dog Jada, and embracing the freedom of adaptive sports, Kat refuses to live small. In this powerful episode of Walk and Roll Live, Kat shares her remarkable story of survival, discovery, and what it truly means to live big. Walk and Roll Live 

In September, 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) into law. This landmark legislation provided federal funding to schools serving low-income students and laid the foundation for later reforms that extended educational rights to students with disabilities. In this second episode of our new series, This Week in Disability History, we explore how the ESEA opened doors for inclusive education and set the stage for laws like the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Each week, we highlight a pivotal moment that shaped disability rights. Subscribe now so you don’t miss a single story. Walk and Roll Live 

On this episode of Walk and Roll Live – Disability Stories, we sit down with Jose “Junior” Dominguez, who was diagnosed at just five years old with dermatomyositis, a rare autoimmune disease that mostly affects older adults but can be especially dangerous in children. Now, 38 years later, Jose shares his journey of growing up with this condition, the challenges and victories along the way, and how love from his girlfriend, his daughters, and family has kept him going. This conversation is about resilience, family, and finding joy in the ups and downs of life. Jose’s story is proof that even with rare conditions, people can live meaningful, love-filled, and empowered lives. Subscribe to Walk and Roll Live for more stories from the disability community. Walk and Roll Live 

This episode marks the launch of our new series, This Week in Disability History. Each week, we’ll revisit a milestone that shaped the path toward equality and access for people with disabilities. On September 4, 1957, nine courageous Black students—known as the Little Rock Nine—integrated Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas. Their bravery, and the national battle that followed, reshaped the civil rights landscape and opened legal and cultural doors that would later influence the disability rights movement. Be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss a single story in this powerful journey through history. Walk and Roll Live 

In this brand new episode of Walk and Roll Live – Disability Stories, hosts Doug Vincent and Addie Rich sit down with Gilmar Arana, a 25-year-old athlete and advocate who was born with spina bifida and hydrocephalus in Guatemala City. At just eight years old, Gilmar moved to the United States and discovered adaptive sports through Rancho Los Amigos. From his early days under Coach Rick Tirambulo to competing at the Division 3 Wheelchair Basketball Nationals with coaches Héctor Duran and Ray Cervantes, Gilmar shares how sports have shaped his resilience, teamwork, and determination. He also talks about his time with the Los Angeles Chargers Wheelchair Football Team, his role as a Spanish interpreter at Rancho Los Amigos, and his current pursuit of an AA degree at Cerritos College—a path made possible by the encouragement of Coach David Rodarte. This episode is a celebration of perseverance, community, and the power of adaptive sports to transform lives. Walk and Roll Live 

Jeff Whittle spent years behind the microphone as a DJ, newsman, and sportscaster. Today, he’s traded in the airwaves for dumbbells and resistance bands. As the founder of Silver Strong Fitness, Jeff helps older adults and people with disabilities regain their strength, restore mobility, and stay active—whether in his gym or through online sessions around the world. In this episode of Walk and Roll Live, Doug reconnects with his former radio colleague to talk about Jeff’s career shift, the passion that drives his work, and how fitness can transform lives at any age or ability. Walk and Roll Live 

In this episode of Walk and Roll Live – Disability Stories, we welcome back Jen Larios to continue her powerful conversation about living with multiple sclerosis. The first time Jen joined us, she shared her two-year struggle to get an M.S. diagnosis and what it was like living with an invisible disability. Now, as she spends more time using a wheelchair, Jen opens up about how her life has changed — from how people see her to how she sees herself. Jen shares the challenges, misconceptions, and unexpected positives of transitioning from invisible to visible disability, along with her ongoing work in advocacy and research through the Beat-MS study at Stanford. Her story is a reminder of resilience, awareness, and the importance of community. Walk and Roll Live 

On this episode of Walk and Roll Live, we welcome back Brandi and introduce Neshama as we continue our deep dive into invisible disabilities. Neshama opens up about living with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Panic Disorder, and Sensory Processing Disorder, while Brandi shares her experiences with a rare nerve disease, being Hard of Hearing, fibromyalgia, and learning disabilities. Both women reveal the daily challenges they face—often in the shadow of skepticism from others—simply because their disabilities aren’t visible. From sensory overload to slow information processing, and from physical pain to emotional resilience, they shed light on the realities that can’t be seen but are deeply felt. This is a powerful conversation about breaking stereotypes, finding coping strategies, and advocating for understanding and inclusion. Walk and Roll Live 

In this episode of Walk and Roll Live, we continue our exploration of invisible disabilities with guest Therese Adjivon-Theodore, who shares her journey living with Sickle Cell Anemia. From her earliest memories to the challenges she faces each day, Therese opens up about the physical, emotional, and social realities of a condition that often goes unseen. She also educates us on what Sickle Cell is, how it’s managed, and what she wishes people understood about invisible disabilities. This heartfelt conversation shines a light on resilience, advocacy, and the importance of empathy. Walk and Roll Live