Shows
When Life Gives You LemonsParenting on the Spectrum: A Mother's JourneySend us a textThe mystery of autism becomes deeply personal in this intimate conversation with Jessica, a mother whose journey with her autistic son ultimately inspired her own career in special education. Jessica takes us through the pivotal moment when her toddler son seemed to change overnight around his second birthday – suddenly struggling with motor skills despite previously reaching developmental milestones early.What makes this episode particularly valuable is Jessica's honest portrayal of both the challenges and triumphs. She shares her initial denial upon getting the diagnosis, followed by her fierce determination when medical pr...2025-07-1625 minWhen Life Gives You LemonsAutism Spectrum: Beyond the LabelsSend us a textWhat does it really mean to be on the autism spectrum? Beyond stereotypes and misconceptions, autism spectrum disorder (ASD) represents a fascinating variation in how human brains develop and function.We dive deep into understanding autism as a neurodevelopmental condition that affects how people interact, communicate, and experience the world around them. The spectrum nature of autism means presentations range widely - from individuals with subtle social differences to those facing significant challenges in daily functioning. You'll learn why many autistic people find comfort in routine and predictability, how sensory sensitivities...2025-07-0324 minWhen Life Gives You LemonsLungs Under Lock and Key: The Smoky Path to COPDSend us a textBreathing is something most of us take for granted—until it becomes difficult. In this deep dive into Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Kevin and Palmy explore the complex reality of living with compromised lungs.The hosts break down COPD's telltale signs: shortness of breath during physical activity, persistent coughing with mucus production, wheezing, chest tightness, frequent respiratory infections, chronic fatigue, and unexplained weight loss. While cigarette smoking tops the list of causes, they also examine how air pollution, genetics, and secondhand smoke contribute to this progressive lung condition. Palmy shares a...2025-06-1823 minWhen Life Gives You LemonsBeyond Diagnosis: The Evolution of Modern Cancer CareSend us a textCancer treatments have evolved dramatically from automatic death sentences in the 1970s to manageable conditions where patients can live for additional years or even decades with proper care.• Ruth's experience with her oncology team demonstrates the importance of having specialists who collaborate effectively with primary care physicians• Different types of cancer treatments include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, hormone therapy, and stem cell transplants• Immunotherapy represents a breakthrough approach that helps the immune system recognize and fight cancer cells naturally• Cancer can affect virtually any organ or system i...2025-06-0438 minWhen Life Gives You LemonsLemons to Lemonade: When Cancer Becomes Manageable, Not TerminalSend us a textCancer has evolved from a terrifying death sentence to a manageable condition for many patients, thanks to remarkable advances in treatment approaches. This transformation lies at the heart of our latest episode, featuring a candid conversation with Ruth Henry about her personal journey with biliary cancer.Ruth shares how her diagnosis began with severe abdominal pain that led to the discovery of a malignant growth blocking her bile duct. Rather than focusing solely on eliminating her cancer, Ruth's medical team employs a strategy aimed at controlling the disease's growth while maximizing...2025-05-2124 minWhen Life Gives You LemonsWhen Life Gives You DiabetesSend us a textKevin and Palmi explore the complexities of diabetes management through a disability perspective, sharing personal experiences and discussing the newly recognized Type 5 diabetes linked to malnutrition.• Different types of diabetes explained, including the rarely discussed pre-diabetic condition• Managing diabetes through diet, especially increasing fiber intake to help regulate blood sugar• Adapting exercise recommendations for people with mobility limitations• How Kevin monitors blood sugar as someone with pre-diabetes• The fascinating history of insulin discovery and how the scientists chose not to patent their life-saving discovery• The newly classified T...2025-05-0736 minWhen Life Gives You LemonsNavigating Financial Markets with Disabilities: Smart Investment Strategies for EveryoneSend us a textMoney matters can be overwhelming for everyone, but for those navigating life with a disability, financial markets often seem doubly intimidating. What happens to your benefits if you start investing? Is trading even accessible? Can you practice without risking real money?Today we tackle these questions head-on with practical, straightforward advice from disability advocates who understand both sides of the equation. The good news? Social Security offers a six-month grace period before investment income affects your benefits, giving you time to test trading strategies risk-free. We walk through completely free paper...2025-04-2329 minWhen Life Gives You LemonsInvesting on a Disability Budget: A Talk with PaulSend us a textFinancial independence while living with disability might seem like an impossible dream, but this episode shatters that misconception. Our guest Paul, a self-taught investor, breaks down realistic investment strategies that work even on limited disability incomes.Starting with just $15-20 per month, Paul explains how platforms like Robinhood make investing accessible to beginners. He takes us through the pros and cons of various investment vehicles, from penny stocks (which offer quick returns but require constant attention) to cryptocurrency (highly volatile but educational for beginners). Most valuable is his breakdown of "paper...2025-04-0930 minWhen Life Gives You LemonsFacing Disability Bias: Maria's Campus Police EncounterSend us a textDisability bias doesn't always announce itself with slurs or obvious discrimination—sometimes it lurks in the assumptions of those meant to protect us. Maria's powerful story of being detained by campus police after a late-night study session reveals how quickly cerebral palsy can be misinterpreted as intoxication by untrained eyes.Following an exhausting midterm study marathon at the university library, Maria and her friends were stopped while returning to their dorms after 2 AM. Despite her friends' attempts to explain her condition, an officer subjected Maria to a series of sobriety tests sh...2025-04-0218 minWhen Life Gives You LemonsCP Won't Define Me: Maria's StorySend us a textMaria's first breath came 15 minutes after she was born. In those critical moments, as a midwife performed mouth-to-mouth resuscitation in rural Missouri, the trajectory of her life was forever altered. What followed was an emergency helicopter evacuation to a distant hospital, while her parents were left wondering if they'd ever see their newborn daughter alive again.This remarkable story kicks off our conversation with Maria, who shares her journey living with cerebral palsy from those dramatic first moments through childhood developmental challenges and beyond. With extraordinary candor and unexpected humor, she...2025-03-2028 min