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The Sit Down Stand Out Show

The Sit Down Stand Out Show
Author: Benen Dykstra
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© Benen Dykstra
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The podcast that shares personal stories of people who have adapted and overcome physical and mental challenges to achieve their dreams. To prove to themselves and all of us that your dreams are within reach.
149 Episodes
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Music has been amazing people since the beginning of time for Morgan Codrington groups like Def Leppard, KISS and Pantera left her amazed especially the guitarists. On this episode join us as Morgan shares her journey of learning how to preform while also dealing with the challenges of Spina Bifida and Autism we also discuss her time working with The Rollettes to give other disabled artists a chance to shine. To follow along on Morgan's journey and to find out where she' preforming next click the link below.https://www.instagram.com/headbangershq_2022?igsh=b2Uwbnc0a3B2cXF3&utm_source=qr
Disabilities are something we can get at any time, those who get them can often feel like a burden, useless, or that they will never feel the same again Roneel Gounder's life was changed forever in 2021 after sustaining a spinal cord injury in a tobogganing accident on this episode join us on his journey of Physical and Emotional recovery, we discuss his tie on season 2 of CBC'S Push, how in times of tragedy our true friends are revealed to us, the formation of the BollyWheels dance group and so much more.To follow along or join the BollyWheels on their adventures click the links below.https://www.instagram.com/roneel__gounderhttps://www.instagram.com/bollywheels/ #spinalcordinjuryawarenessmonth #recovery #bollywheels
Trigger warning this episode contains the topic of suicide. The Covid 19 pandemic affected the entire world in many different ways for traveler and content creator Aspen Sage the pandemic and the stresses of life sent her down a dark path. On this episode join us for a deep conversation about Aspen's journey from surviving a suicide attempt, Acquiring FND Functional Neurological Disorder, moving forward thanks to the love of a service dog, and the ups and downs of disabled travel. if you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thought and are in Canada please contact your nearest crisis hotline. call or text 9-8-8: Suicide Crisis Helpline. To follow along on Aspen's journey click the links below. https://linktr.ee/AspenSageBaxter?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=922cf034-b028-49c5-aa38-6c5a3929639c&fbclid=IwY2xjawIpwqVleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHcmF_SxExwbzp1ARST70SqkfRE-3JPNYVA4cce6sfCsSSViVvn1z_m8Myw_aem_RJDZ1m45f0ep6aHY7Pe1SAhttps://www.instagram.com/accessibility_with_aspen_sagehttps://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100088896653501&mibextid=ZbWKwLhttps://www.youtube.com/@accessibilitywithaspensagehttps://www.tiktok.com/@aspen.sage.baxter
Trigger warning this week's episode contains mature subject matter listener discretion is advised. September 10th is recognized as World Suicide Prevention Day if you or someone is experiencing suicidal thoughts please contact your nearest crisis hotline. in Canada call or text 9-8-8: Suicide Crisis Helpline.Art is a form of self expression through painting and poetry we reveal emotions and our thoughts , unknowingly through poetry Diane Kaufman expressed her inner pain which would be later diagnosed as Type 2 Bipolar Disorder on this week's episode join us for a deep look into the life of Diane Kaufman, MD as she shares her journey of surviving her own suicide attempt, her experience with Type 2 Bipolar Disorder, loosing others to suicide, her work as a child psychiatrist, and her work in suicide prevention through art with The Hold On Campaign which you can check out in the links below.https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/mental-health-services/mental-health-get-help.htmlhttps://www.holdoncampaign.orghttps://www.instagram.com/holdoncampaignhttps://www.facebook.com/holdoncampaignforsuicidepreventionhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2C797bUbAXvsg8RK8z0l2ghttps://www.linkedin.com/in/dianekaufmanmd-artsandhealingresiliencycenterhttps://www.amazon.com/Marble-Block-Poems-Inspired/dp/1734299185/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1INECK0CZV4U4&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.2fn2qEsLN4o4eRwhSKs3J2mNGW-OfaPlwH5K9IAAsUc.tv0HcgsBISg073pUz8uJ9RZ-TU1M5WpToQmaDE80UJ4&dib_tag=se&keywords=the+marble+block+and+the+poems+it+inspired&qid=1722895577&s=books&sprefix=the+marble+blcok+and+the+poems+it+inspired%2Cstripbooks%2C165&sr=1-1 https://www.imdb.com/name/nm15530656/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_0_nm_8_q_diane%2520kaufman%252C%2520MDTo support The Sit Down Stand Out Show please consider leaving a 5 star review here. https://www.rollingdragonmedia.com #suicidepreventionawareness #bipolarawareness#suicidepreventionday #september10th #rollingdragonmedia#sitdownstandoutshow  
Human beings aren' t perfect we all have flaws from bad memories to stoping at a drive thru to often. What matters is that we recognize our flaws and try our best to improve ourselves. On this episode join me as I sit down with Maria Garcia as she shares her journey as an ER Doctor, how that knowledge helped her when she suddenly lost feeling in her legs due to a blood clot in the spinal cord, her life as a T-10 Paraplegic in her home country of Spain, advocating for the disability community in English, Spanish and so much more. To follow along click the links below. https://www.instagram.com/wheeliedoc_maria?igsh=MjFjaDJ0YXUwaXdn&utm_source=qrTo support The Sit Down Stand Out Show please consider leaving a 5 star review here. https://www.rollingdragonmedia.com #spinalcordinjuryawarenessmonth #erdoctor #disabilitycommunity#spain #sitdownstandoutshow #rollingdragonmedia
Regardless of the challenges we face everyone at some point wants to get dressed up and have a good time. Keisha Greaves has always had a passion for fashion inspired by Tommy Hilfiger and many others, despite a diagnosis of Limb-Girdle Muscular Dystrophy at age 24 Keisha has gone on to create her own adaptive wear brand Girls Chronically Rock a brand that celebrates strength and resilience in the disability community. The brand offers adaptive clothing designed for ease of wear, along with empowering slogans like “Chronically Rocking” to promote confidence and self-love . Keisha has also collaborated with fashion schools to raise awareness about adaptive fashion among students . To avoid being fashionably to the party check out Keisha's Girls Chronically Rock podcast, her work as the Massachusetts State Ambassador for the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) . To follow along on her journey click the links below. https://girlschronicallyrock.comhttps://open.spotify.com/show/5qVnP7Q4xwcUIEPcfjUeTNhttps://www.instagram.com/ownerofgirlschronicallyrock?igsh=a3RnYTFicHd6czFs&utm_source=qrhttps://www.facebook.com/share/16idV994Ww/?mibextid=wwXIfrhttps://youtube.com/@keishagreaves6070?si=CXJMP1C-e3Ge1prjhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/keisha-greaves-7a1000b?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_apphttps://www.tiktok.com/@keishagcr?_t=ZP-8wvkpexrhmB&_r=1 To support The Sit Down Stand Out Show please consider leaving a 5 star review here. https://www.rollingdragonmedia.com  
Each individual we meet is unique with things they can and can't do, Leanne Pritchett was diagnosed as learning disabled in the 1980s. Despite teachers telling her mother that she would have a limited future, through dedication, hard work, and a desire to help others Leanne went on to become a Special education teacher, Join us on this episode as we discuss the characteristics needed to be an effective teacher, how to modify lessons for students with different challenges, the importance of reading a students IEP or, Individual Education Plan and much more. To follow along on Leanne's journey checkout the links below.https://linktr.ee/thems.leanne?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAacc41HvC7B8Kscwixc4I5ii0eup208crU1NuGgrcDSiHYHerA7lGPRlhnET_A_aem_QCjTvjH8ebpg9EEjz1KY1w https://swellcast.com/thems.leannehttps://www.instagram.com/leannerena23
Grief and disabilities have a lot in common we could experience them at any time, nobody asks for it, but what matters is how we respond to it. Join me as I sit down with handbag designer Chelli Look and the directors behind the award wining film Dawn Dusk which premiers on Tubi August 15. We discuss everything from their first meeting in 2016, to documenting Chelli's healing journey after loosing her sister to domestic violence, and her transformation into the woman she is today. https://www.dawnduskfilm.comhttps://www.instagram.com/dawnduskfilmhttps://www.facebook.com/dawnduskfilmhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/chelli-look/To support The Sit Down Stand Out Show please consider leaving a 5 star review here. https://www.rollingdragonmedia.com
We all need exercise but, members of the disability community require a little something extra for Catarina Guimaraes what started as a Cerebral Palsy symptom management transformed into a love of athletic competition. On this episode join us for a fascinating discussion about Catarina's athletic journey in Para Track and Field, Soccer, Triathlon, and more, we also discuss her work in fantasy writing with her two books in The Death Garden series, her work on an upcoming third book as well as how we both have Cerebral Palsy but face it with different levels of difficulty. To check out Catarina's books, book her for speaking engagements, or just follow along on the journey click the links below. https://catarina-guimaraes.comhttps://www.instagram.com/catarinaguimaraes04?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qrTo support The Sit Down Stand Out Show please consider leaving a 5 star review here. https://www.rollingdragonmedia.com
Emilee Schevers was born with a rare genetic condition called Cone Dystrophy which has caused her to be colour blind and legally blind but, not completely blind. Emilee has always had a vision for creating more opportunities for members of the disability community, On this episode join us on Emilee's journey sometimes traveling two hours for lessons at W. Ross McDonald School, to studying Early Childhood Education, entering the pageant industry, to along with her sister creating TRU Faces an online community designed to bring members of the disability community closer together check it all out in the links below. https://www.trufaces.cahttps://www.instagram.com/emileeschevers?igsh=MTFzeHpyMGgxN3dhbA%3D%3D&utm_source=qrhttps://www.facebook.com/share/1AcVDHrUZL/?mibextid=wwXIfrhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/emilee-schevers-294a00168?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_appTo support The Sit Down Stand Out Show please consider leaving a 5 star review here.https://www.rollingdragonmedia.com
They say that big things come in small packages you may know our guest as Mini Producer, or Jay from TLC's Jay and Pamela but, on this week's episode we talk with Jay Manuel as he shares his incredible journey from being born with Osteogenesis Imperfecta Type 3 a form brittle bones disease, to getting into making beats and internet content in 2014, to the creation of the Jay and Pamela show and so much more. Osteogenesis Imperfecta Type 3 might cause Jay's bones to easily fracture but his desire to educate people about disabilities and his creative spirit are unbreakable. To follow along on Jay's journey or to buy some his beats click the links below.https://www.miniproducer.comhttps://www.instagram.com/miniproducerhttps://youtube.com/@miniproducer https://www.tiktok.com/@miniproducerTo support The Sit Down Stand Out Show please consider leaving a 5 star review here.https://www.rollingdragonmedia.com #jayandpamela #osteogenesisimperfecta
Trigger Warning: This episode contains topics of suicide and sexual abuse listener discretion is advised. "Every Challenge Has a Chewy Nougat Center Made of Opportunity: Persevere to find the hidden lessons in every struggle." Andy Campbell We will all experience emotional and physical pain in life, but can we learn anything from the experience if we try to forget and avoid it? On this episode I sit down with Andy Campbell as he shares his journey from surviving sexual abuse as a child, loosing loved ones to and fighting cancer to the creation of his book “Overcoming Life’s Toughest Setbacks” and so much more. To follow along on Andy's journey click the links below.https://askandycampbell.comhttps://x.com/AskAndyCampbell To support The Sit Down Stand Out Show please consider leaving a 5 star review here.https://www.rollingdragonmedia.com
Independence and the freedom to make our own choices is something we strive for but disabilities can make it extra challenging. Jesi Stracham has lead an active lifestyle before and after sustaining a spinal cord injury. Join us as she shares her journey creating more accessible ways for people to workout and heal from injuries through holistic methods, the need for members of the disability community to create lasting change through collaboration, universal designed and so much more. To help contribute to organizations like the WHEELWITHME Foundation or to follow along on Jesi's journey click the links below https://jesistracham.comhttps://media.rss.com/rainbowsandunicorns/feed.xml?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAadXMmA9Q2urdcU0dJML0XZbaMp9w-yenKEHS1GwFn2uTFt4IeZi5dpdtLtK-w_aem_JPI5Aijgnq-FKxYeOmNWPQ https://x.com/wheelwithmehttps://www.instagram.com/jesistracham https://www.facebook.com/jesistracham https://www.threads.com/@jesistracham To support The Sit Down Stand Out Show please consider leaving a 5 star review here.https://www.rollingdragonmedia.com
"You can’t change what you don’t acknowledge." Dr Phil for Luke Anderson it was hard for him to acknowledge the struggles of the disability community as he enjoyed a very athletic , able-bodied lifestyle. On this episode join us as Luke shares his story of sustaining a spinal cord injury, the struggles of the disability community across Canada, the creation of the StopGap Foundation how its created temporary ramps for organizations across the country. To find out how you can volunteer, donate, or get a temporary ramp for your organization click the links below. https://stopgap.ca/https://www.instagram.com/stopgapfoundation/https://www.facebook.com/StopGapFoundationThis episode is sponsored by Community Living Trent Highlands and Job Quest https://www.clth.ca To support The Sit Down Stand Out Show please consider leaving a 5 star review here.https://www.rollingdragonmedia.com
Music has been bringing people together since the beginning of time. Ivory Snow has loved music since she was a little girl join us as she shares her journey on how she and her husband formed the Alternative Rock group SUNGAZE, how she manages her diagnosis of P.O.T.S while traveling and preforming, the creative process behind their music and so much more. For tickets and information click the links below. https://www.sungazemusic.comhttps://www.instagram.com/sungaze_officialhttps://www.facebook.com/sungazehttps://youtu.be/e9CSq1iwHX0?si=XoKq5mbf1TyopG3t https://www.tiktok.com/@sungaze_officialThis episode is sponsored by Community Living Trent Highlands and Job Quest https://www.clth.ca To support The Sit Down Stand Out Show please consider leaving a 5 star review here.https://www.rollingdragonmedia.com
We invite you this week for ALS awareness month to Listen back to one one of our most emotional episodes episode 84. Be Real Right here Right Now with Jules and Maria Rodriguez.2020 was a difficult year for many people, a time of fear, uncertainty, and lockdown for Jules and Maria Rodriguez 2020 was a difficult year in a very different way as Jules was diagnosed with ALS a terminal condition with a life expectancy between three and five years. Despite these difficult circumstances the love between these two has grown stronger through sharing their journey on The Couples Shift Podcast, raising awareness, and living by the motto Right Here Right Now. This is a story of love and dedication that Disney couldn't recreate if they tried to follow along click the links below and remember to try your best to live in the present moment it is a gift after all. Until next time Keep Calm and Roll Onhttps://www.teamhighoctane.comhttps://thecoupleshift.captivate.fm/listenhttps://www.instagram.com/teamhighoctanejules#ALSAwarnesmonth#lovestory #liveforthemoment#Family This episode is sponsored by Community Living Trent Highlands and Job Quest https://www.clth.ca To support The Sit Down Stand Out Show please consider leaving a 5 star review here.https://www.rollingdragonmedia.com
Life has a strange way of giving and taking from us. Briana Rice's life was changed forever from a marathon running biologist to a business woman and pageant queen. On this episode Briana Rice shares her journey surviving a major car accident, her daily challenges dealing with a spinal cord injury a traumatic brain injury and PTSD. We also discuss her work creating a sense of community with blackberry Merlot winning MRS US Woman of Achievement 2025 and so much more. To follow along on her journey click the links below.https://brianarice.comhttps://www.instagram.com/bri_from_the_ie?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qrhttps://www.facebook.com/briana.rice.16?mibextid=wwXIfr&mibextid=wwXIfrhttps://youtube.com/@loveandlightmovement?si=yO_8ODs-wgb9nXfN This episode is sponsored by Community Living Trent Highlands and Job Quest https://www.clth.ca To support The Sit Down Stand Out Show please consider leaving a 5 star review here.https://www.rollingdragonmedia.com #ptsdawareness #tramaticbraininjury #biologist #soundtherapy#mrscaliforniaafricanamarican2024 #survivor #author #spinalcordinjuryawarness
ALS or Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in its first discoveries was thought of as a disease that could only be contracted by people in certain demographics older, white, male, and that patience only live between three to five years between diagnosis and death. Fortunately for the last 10 years Sunny Brous has been proving that statistic incorrect on this episode join us as we discuss everything from The Ice Bucket Challenge, to how our understanding of ALS has changed over the decades, to her work advocating for the ALS community and so much more. To help raise awareness, purchase some unique ALS life hacks, or just follow along on Sunny's click the links below.http://www.sunnystrong.comhttps://twitter.com/sunnystrongalshttps://instagram.com/sunnystrongalshttps://facebook.com/sunnystrongalshttp://tiktok.com/sunnybrous This episode is sponsored by Community Living Trent Highlands and Job Quest https://www.clth.ca To support The Sit Down Stand Out Show please consider leaving a 5 star review here.https://www.rollingdragonmedia.com #alsawarenessmonth #icebucketchallange #lifehack#rollingdragonmedia #keepcalmandrollon #celebrate
Life can surprise us both in terms of what we can and can't control. Mary Tibbetts was diagnosed with MS in 2024 and had to make the difficult choice to sell her successful flower shop. On this episode we discuss how being diagnosed with a disability can help create a better understand of the struggles others face, the importance of looking after your body and mind, and how to live a Fearless life. To follow along with Mary Tibbetts on her journey as an advocate for people with MS check out her podcast Fearless With Mary here https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fearless-with-mary-podcast/id1698240232for Speaking engagements and other inquiries click the links below.https://www.fearlesswithmarytibbetts.ca https://www.instagram.com/fearlesswithmaryhttps://www.facebook.com/fearlesswithmarytibbettshttps://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-tibbetts-fearlesswithmary This episode is sponsored by Community Living Trent Highlands and Job Quest https://www.clth.ca To support The Sit Down Stand Out Show please consider leaving a 5 star review here.https://www.rollingdragonmedia.com #msawarnessmonth#fearlessmarypodcast #sitdownstandoutshow#rollingdragonmedia
Born in the late 1970s Jennifer McKinnon's family was told many times that she wouldn't reach many millstones after being diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis a rare genetic condition that shorten many individuals lives. On this episode Jennifer discusses her CF journey rising twin girls despite fertility challenges, how treatment methods for CF and mental health have evolved, her work with her CF chapter in Maryland and so much more. To see how Jennifer McKinnon lives her best life with grit and grace click the links below.https://jennifer-mckinnon.comhttps://www.instagram.com/just.onemorebreath/https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573889810950https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-mckinnon1/https://www.tiktok.com/@just.onemorebreath This episode is sponsored by Community Living Trent Highlands and Job Quest https://www.clth.ca To support The Sit Down Stand Out Show please consider leaving a 5 star review here.https://www.rollingdragonmedia.com #cysticfibrosisawareness #justonebreath #cfawarenessmonth#rollingdragonmedia #sitdownstandoutshow #parenting#medicalevolution