Welcome to Rarely Familiar! In this episode, we’re joined by Katrina—advocate, Minnesota LEND fellow, and host of the “Boldly Challenging Ableism” podcast for an honest and eye-opening conversation about ableism.

We dive into what ableism really means, how it shows up in everyday life, and why it matters for families, educators, and allies. Katrina shares her personal journey from Camp Courage (now called Camp True) to disability advocacy and podcasting, offering real-life examples and practical advice for building a more inclusive world.

Topics include:

• Defining ableism: physical, structural, and internalized

• Personal stories from parents and advocates

• The impact of language, assumptions, and “inspiration porn”

• Shifting from independence to interdependence and supportive care

• Tips for allies and families

Whether you’re new to the topic or looking to deepen your understanding, this episode is packed with insights and inspiration. 

Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations on inclusion and advocacy!

TIPS for confronting Ableism:

1. Understand the definition of Ableism and how it shows up day to day.  

2. Recognize the two main types of Ableism: physical and mental. 

3. See person first vs. disability first

4. Ask first, don’t make assumptions based on one’s physical or mental limitations.

Resources: 

Camp True

Boldly Challenging Ableism Podcast
Autism Self-Advocacy Network

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E-mail: info@rarelyfamiliar.com

Special thanks to:

Katrina for sharing her story⁠

Eli Brunelle⁠⁠ for Intro and outro Music "New Love"

Todd Piper Hauswirth at ⁠All-Good⁠ for logo and brand identity

Emily Rodvold at https://lift-creative.com/ for Web Design and Development