The Ramp. It. Up! Podcast

On The Ramp. It. Up! Podcast, we are celebrating Thanksgiving! It has been a year, and life has been LIFING! But we want to give thanks that we are still thriving despite what life throws at us! I hope you all have a Happy Thanksgiving!Our guests on today's episode are an amazing married couple and dedicated advocates. Cole and Charisma Sydnor or as you may know them from their popular YouTube channel, Roll with Cole and Charisma. After years of following their story and adventures on YouTube, I had the pleasure of meeting them at a conference in 2023. We chat about Cole's injury and recovery journey, their relationship, and their channel. Listen now for the full conversation.Ramp. It. Up!Get To Know Our GuestsCole and Charisma Sydnor, also known as “Roll with Cole & Charisma” on YouTube, are an interabled and interracial couple who started their YouTube channel on the premise of sharing their lives with friends and family who were curious about their relationship. Their content ranges from travel and lifestyle vlogs, to couple’s first times and attempting viral challenges. Their goal from the start has been to destigmatize disability and interabled relationships, and demonstrate that contrary to what many people might think, life with a disability can be exciting and filled with love, laughter, and adventure. Linktree: https://linktr.ee/roll.with.cole TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@coleandcharisma?lang=enFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/RollwithColeCharisma.Vids/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/roll.with.cole/?hl=enhttps://www.instagram.com/happilycharismaYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCA5Zfb-OOm7eDHHa8iu9izQStay Connected to the PodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ramp.it.up.podcast/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ZoeOnWheelz/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZAnH8I6sGEf7SJ9OKw8dEAEmail: rampituppodcast@gmail.comWe want to hear from you!Support the show

On today's episode of The Ramp. It. Up! Podcast, we are closing out Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Month by speaking with Elizabeth Vander Kamp and Suzanne Costello about the Write to Heal study, a program Elizabeth facilitated during the pandemic for individuals with spinal cord injuries as part of a nationwide telehealth research study. Click here for more about the study. As a participant of the study, I am excited to be sharing some of my writing in a follow up stage performance, From Where I Sit, alongside my fellow participants directed by Suzanne.  Ramp. It. Up!Get to Know Our Guests Elizabeth brings decades of facilitation experience to Expressive Writing through her own writing, performing, and storytelling and story-listening work.  She was certified in Write to Heal through Duke University’s Health & Well-Being Program in 2019.  Since then, Elizabeth has facilitated 1on1 and small group expressive writing with scores of people.  Through the University of Alabama at Birmingham Arts in Medicine program, Elizabeth facilitates expressive writing with people living with spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, transverse myelitis, and family members giving care to a relative with ALS.   Website: https://www.summerreddesigns.org/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elizabeth.v.kamp/LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-vander-kamp-64086b23a/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ilovestories63Suzanne Costello began her career in New York and has toured throughout the U.S. and abroad as a dance/theater director, choreographer, performer and teacher for four decades.  She has been at the forefront of the Arts & Health field since introducing the Caring for the Caregiver program in 1991. She is currently working on an extensive project that engages persons with spinal cord injuries in a performance titled From Where I Sit to be presented at the University of Alabama in May, 2025. The cast for this new performance work come from across the country and were brought together through the writing program, Write to Heal, offered by zoom during Covid. These participants’ writings and stories will come to life on stage through movement and voice May 10, 2025 at the Alys Stephens Center. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suzanne-costello-0b8a10217/Website: http://www.stuartpimsler.com/about/artists-staff/Website: https://ormaodance.org/suzanne-costello/Stay Connected to the PodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ramp.it.up.podcast/Facebook: We want to hear from you!Untethered & Wanderwise: Female Travel Over 45A travel podcast for women over 45 who want to explore this big beautiful world.Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifySupport the show

On this episode of The Ramp. It. Up! Podcast we are talking about love and relationships with documentary filmmaker, Benjamin Duffy. Take a Look at this Heart is an open and honest conversation with people living with disabilities about their love lives and their searches for love. We go in depth about his experiences with the subjects of the film and discuss perceptions about disability, sex and intimacy. Watch the trailer here. Ramp. It. Up!Get to know our Guest Ben Duffy, a 34-year-old from New York has been an independent documentary producer/director/editor for 14 years. Ben has made 12 documentaries, 4 of which have been feature-length and have been distributed worldwide by 1091 Pictures, formerly known as "The Orchard". Ben has now found a new passion for writing and directing narrative films. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ben.duffy.16503YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@benduffy3044Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/takealookatthisheart/Stream:https://tubitv.com/movies/610601/take-a-look-at-this-heartStay Connected to the PodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ramp.it.up.podcast/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ZoeOnWheelz/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZAnH8I6sGEf7SJ9OKw8dEAEmail: rampituppodcast@gmail.comWe want to hear from you!Untethered & Wanderwise: Female Travel Over 45A travel podcast for women over 45 who want to explore this big beautiful world.Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifySupport the show

On this episode of The Ramp. It. Up! Podcast, I have some good news. Your favorite podcast host Rhonel, is officially a Certified Professional in Accessibility Core Competencies (CPACC). Check out the IAAP Website for my information on the certification. Also, joining me for the episode is Natalia Mendez, Founder and Executive Director of Women on Wheels. She shares how she turned her experiences post-SCI led to her advocacy.Ramp. It. Up! Get to Know our GuestNatalia Mendez is Founder and Executive Director of Women on Wheels, a non-profit organization that educates and empowers women with spinal cord injuries. She is currently Vice President of the United Spinal Association’s New York City Chapter and has over 14 years experience working as a Youth Advocate for children with disabilities at the Bronx Independent Living Center. She also serves as a peer mentor for the newly injured, and has a deep passion for promoting awareness and inclusivity for people of all abilities, especially women. Website: https://www.womenonwheelsnyc.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/womenonwheelsnycFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/womenonwheelsnyc/Email: womenonwheelsnyc@gmail.comStay Connected to the PodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ramp.it.up.podcast/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ZoeOnWheelz/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZAnH8I6sGEf7SJ9OKw8dEAEmail: rampituppodcast@gmail.comWe want to hear from you!Untethered & Wanderwise: Female Travel Over 45A travel podcast for women over 45 who want to explore this big beautiful world.Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifySupport the show

On this episode of The Ramp. It. Up! Podcast, avid traveler, and certified travel agent, Spencer Blomquist joins me to talk about traveling and his recovery journey. Planning a vacation can be a hassle and exponentially more so when traveling as a wheelchair user. Spencer specializes in coordinating travel for people with disabilities and shares a few tips during the interview.Ramp. It. Up!  Get to know our Guest Spencer Blomquist is a dedicated disability advocate and accomplished professional in the travel industry. Serving on several prestigious boards, including the Center for Independent Living of Northwest Florida, the NWF Rehab Foundation, and The 7 Project Adaptive Fitness Gym, Spencer is a powerful voice and influential leader in the disability community.As a brand ambassador for ABLE United in Florida, Spencer passionately promotes financial empowerment for people with disabilities. Beyond state-level advocacy, Spencer is actively involved with national disability organizations, tirelessly working to enhance accessibility and inclusivity for all.Since 2018, Spencer has been a certified travel agent with Expedia Cruises, specializing in booking accessible vacations. With a personal understanding of the challenges faced by travelers with disabilities, Spencer brings a unique and empathetic perspective to the industry, ensuring that every journey is not only enjoyable but also accommodating.A C4 quadriplegic since 2008 due to an armed robbery, Spencer has transformed personal adversity into a mission of advocacy and support. Through unwavering commitment and resilience, Spencer has become a beacon of hope and inspiration, demonstrating that obstacles can be overcome with determination and a positive outlook.In all endeavors, Spencer continues to champion the rights and needs of the disability community, striving to create a world where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.Website: https://www.expediacruises.com/en-US/SpencerBlomquist Blog: https://wheelieawesomeadventures.com/Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/spencer.blomquistYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WheelieAwesomeAdventuresPhone:  850-293-8548Stay Connected to the PodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ramp.it.up.podcast/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ZoeOnWheelz/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZAnH8I6sGEf7SJ9OKw8dEAEmail: rampituppodcast@gmail.comWe want to hear from you!Untethered & Wanderwise: Female Travel Over 45A travel podcast for women over 45 who want to explore this big beautiful world.Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifySupport the show

On this episode of The Ramp. It. Up! Podcast we are highlighting fathers. Carlton Brown, podcaster, dedicated husband, loving father, and C5-C7 quadriplegic, joins me on the podcast to share his injury story and life as a dad after acquiring a spinal cord injury. We discuss mental health, parenting, and his "Wheelchair Chronicles" podcast.   Ramp. It. Up!Get to know our guest YouTube: youtube.com/@WheelchairChroniclesInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/wheelchair_chroniclesFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/cnote.brown.52Stay Connected to the PodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ramp.it.up.podcast/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ZoeOnWheelz/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZAnH8I6sGEf7SJ9OKw8dEAEmail: rampituppodcast@gmail.comWe want to hear from you!Untethered & Wanderwise: Female Travel Over 45A travel podcast for women over 45 who want to explore this big beautiful world.Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifySupport the show

On this episode of the Ramp. It. Up! Podcast, husband, father and motivational speaker Felton Brown joins me to talk about his recovery journey and fatherhood. Ramp. It. Up!Get to know our guest Felton Brown is a dynamic, ambitious, and faith-driven individual from the great city of Opa-Locka, Florida. he is an  inspiring motivational speaker and a thriving small business entrepreneur, and most importantly a devoted husband to Joi Brown, and loving father to their remarkable daughter, Nia. At the age of 15, Felton faced a life-altering moment when a traumatic  cervical spinal cord injury struck him during a high school football game on October  15, 1998. The diagnosis of quadriplegia was both terrifying and devastating for him  and his family. Nevertheless, Felton's unwavering faith and resilience set him on an  extraordinary journey of triumph over adversityAfter high school, He earned a bachelor's  degree in business administration from the University of Phoenix and later a master's degree in entertainment business from Full Sail University. In 2021, he  partnered with Branden Jones to establish Alpha International Transport LLC, a 3PL  freight brokerage logistics firm, contributing to the flourishing business landscape. Recognizing the transformative power of his own experiences, he  wholeheartedly embraced the idea of being a positive force in the lives of others,  nurturing his dream of becoming a beacon of motivation and encouragement for all.LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/feltonkapitalbrown/Website: https://aitransport.us/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FeltonKapitalBrownStay Connected to the PodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ramp.it.up.podcast/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ZoeOnWheelz/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZAnH8I6sGEf7SJ9OKw8dEAEmail: rampituppodcast@gmail.comWe want to hear from you!Untethered & Wanderwise: Female Travel Over 45A travel podcast for women over 45 who want to explore this big beautiful world.Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifySupport the show

On today's episode of the Ramp. It. Up! Podcast I am recapping my recent trip to Las Vegas to attend the United Spinal Association's Strong Wheeled Together Conference.  Ramp. It. Up!Stay Connected to the PodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ramp.it.up.podcast/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ZoeOnWheelz/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZAnH8I6sGEf7SJ9OKw8dEAEmail: rampituppodcast@gmail.comWe want to hear from you!Untethered & Wanderwise: Female Travel Over 45A travel podcast for women over 45 who want to explore this big beautiful world.Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifySupport the show

On this episode of the Ramp. It. Up! Podcast we are chatting with Lesly St. Louis.  October is Disability Employment Awareness Month, and Lesly, a fellow wheelchair user, is the Director of the Pathways to Employment program at the United Spinal Association.Ramp. It. Up! Get To Know Our Guest Lesly St. Louis is grateful to have the opportunity to facilitate people with disabilities obtaining gainful employment, and to replace fear and prejudice against people with disabilities with mutual understanding. Having continuously encountered barriers from employers, he sees the common challenges individuals with disabilities have to overcome are not their disabilities, but the stigma surrounding them. He hopes that creating employment opportunities will increase confidence within these individuals and inspire them to conquer more challenges and achieve even higher levels of success. Lesly was born with Spina Bifida, diagnosed with the most severe form called myelomeningocele, and is a wheelchair user. He holds a Master’s degree from Long Island University, C.W. Post, and regularly participates in adaptive sports. Through his involvement in adaptive sports, and in his professional life, he strives to advocate for individuals with disabilities and restore dignity through productivity.Click Here to register for Employment Empowerment Series: Navigating Employment with a DisabilityWebsite: https://unitedspinal.org/pathways-to-employment/Email: lstlouis@unitedspinal.orgResources Observed each October, National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) celebrates the contributions of America’s workers with disabilities past and present and showcases supportive, inclusive employment policies and practices that benefit employers and employees. ODEP has chosen "Advancing Access and Equity" as the theme for NDEAM 2023. https://www.dol.gov/agencies/odep/initiatives/ndeamPeople with disabilities have long strengthened our economy and expanded our Nation’s possibilities.  During National Disability Employment Awareness Month, we recognize the immense contributions of disabled Americans, and we recommit to delivering America’s full promise of equal dignity, respect, and opportunity for every American.  https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2023/09/29/a-proclamation-on-national-disability-employment-awareness-month-2023/Check out these related episodes:United Spinal Assoc. Tech Talks: Re-employment with Lesly St. LouisRamp. It. Up! Podcast Season 3 Episode 9: All About the (SSI/SSDI) Benefits Baby with Atty. Jeffery MindeRamp. It. Up! Podcast Season 4 Episode 10We want to hear from you!Untethered & Wanderwise: Female Travel Over 45A travel podcast for women over 45 who want to explore this big beautiful world.Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifySupport the show

On this episode of the Ramp. It. Up! Podcast, Ian Ruder joins the show for SCI Awareness Month.Ramp. It. Up!Get To Know Our Guests Ian Ruder is the Editor-in-Chief of New Mobility, the longest-running, most-trusted magazine and web site for active wheelchair users (newmobility.com). A quadriplegic himself, Ruder joined the New Mobility team in 2011 when the magazine was purchased by United Spinal Association, a non-profit focused on mobility-related disability. Prior to working for New Mobility, he worked as a freelance journalist in the Pacific Northwest. When he is not working to promote authentic voices and stories from the disability community, he can likely be found enjoying the culinary delights in his hometown of Portland, Oregon, or rooting for his San Francisco Giants.About: https://newmobility.com/author/iruder/Website: https://newmobility.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/newmobilitymagTwitter: https://twitter.com/NewMobilityMagStay Connected to the PodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ramp.it.up.podcast/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ZoeOnWheelz/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZAnH8I6sGEf7SJ9OKw8dEAEmail: rampituppodcast@gmail.comWe want to hear from you!Untethered & Wanderwise: Female Travel Over 45A travel podcast for women over 45 who want to explore this big beautiful world.Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifySupport the show

Welcome back for another episode of the Ramp. It. Up! Podcast. In the month of September we are observing Spinal Cord Injury Awareness month. My guest for this episode is attorney, advocate, and father, Joshua Basile. He shares how he dedicated his life to advocacy after acquiring his SCI. Ramp. It. Up!Get To Know Our Guests Meet Josh Basile a C4-5 quadriplegic, power wheelchair user, disability rights advocate, trial attorney, inventor, and proud father. In 2004 at the age of 18, Josh was paralyzed below the shoulders in a beach accident. Soon after he formed the Determined2Heal Foundation, a 501(c)3 nonprofit, to empower newly injured families. Josh created the world's largest paralysis video mentoring network through SPINALpedia.com with 30,000 videos searchable by physical functionality. As a medical malpractice lawyer and disabilities rights advocate, Josh serves persons with disabilities both in the courtroom and through policy initiatives. As a community leader and changemaker, Josh works tirelessly to improve the quality of life the people with disabilities and to continuously break down existing barriers to access and inclusion, independent living, transportation, employment, and web accessibility.Website: https://spinalpedia.com/https://www.determined2heal.org/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spinalpedia/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/SPINALpedia Stay Connected to the PodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ramp.it.up.podcast/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ZoeOnWheelz/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZAnH8I6sGEf7SJ9OKw8dEAEmail: rampituppodcast@gmail.comWe want to hear from you!Untethered & Wanderwise: Female Travel Over 45A travel podcast for women over 45 who want to explore this big beautiful world.Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifySupport the show

Welcome back for another episode of the Ramp. It. Up! Podcast. In the month of June we celebrate Father’s Day and men’s mental health, so today’s episode is dedicated to the gentleman! Author, podcast host, educator and motivational speaker, Coach David Cooks joins us to share about his life experiences. At the age of 15, a spinal aneurysm rudely interrupted his high school basketball aspirations. Not allowing that to slow him down, David dedicated his life to pursuing his education, as insisted by his parents, but also his passion for basketball. Tune in to find out how he went from being paralyzed to finding his purpose.Ramp. It. Up!Get to Know our Guest David Cooks, a T-6 paraplegic, is a Speaker, a Podcast Host, a Certified Business Coach and an award -winning Author of the book “Getting Undressed – From Paralysis to Purpose”.  In his book, David encourages the reader to keep moving forward regardless of life’s challenges and to put Purpose into action by helping others.  David suffered a spinal aneurysm at the age of 15. Click here for more. Website: davidcooksspeaks.comPodcast: paralysis2purpose.comLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/david-cooksspeaks-mba-20001210/ Linktree: www.linktr.ee/dcespeaksResourceshttps://discoverymood.com/blog/national-mens-health-awareness-month/https://menshealthmonth.org/Click the link below to register for the United Spinal Association's TechTalkshttps://unitedspinal.org/events/techtalks/Stay Connected to the PodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ramp.it.up.podcast/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ZoeOnWheelz/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZAnH8I6sGEf7SJ9OKw8dEAEmail: rampituppodcast@gmail.comWe want to hear from you!Untethered & Wanderwise: Female Travel Over 45A travel podcast for women over 45 who want to explore this big beautiful world.Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifySupport the show

On today's episode of the Ramp. It. Up! Podcast, Dr. David W. McMillan joins me again. On his last visit we talked about nutrition and eating right during the holidays (Season 1 Episode 13: What's on your plate?). This time around we talk about Hurricane season and emergency preparedness. Dr. David is a part of the Subtropical Climate & Health Hub (STiCHH), a collective of researchers sharing reliable information about (sub)tropical climate and health, with an emphasis on sub—or marginalized—populations. We discuss steps to prepare for the season, local resources and ways to have a safe season.Ramp. It. Up!Get to Know Our Guest In 2010 David was involved in a community research project involving exercise and people with SCI. This experience set David on a trajectory, and he is now a clinical researcher using metabolic science to learn about SCI and identify low-tech / low-cost strategies for targeting obesity in people with SCI. David earned his Bachelors and Masters in Exercise Science and his Ph.D. in Exercise Physiology.His dissertation pertained to the role of the autonomic nervous system in the absorption, trafficking, and fates of dietary fat. He is now refocusing his efforts to align with regional demands and affordances—aiming at the disproportionate risks and rewards posed by the Tropical Atlantic on Patients with SCI. Regarding risks, he studies the vulnerabilities of Patients with SCI to climate hazards in the form of flooding, heat, and hurricanes.  Website: http://mkysml.com/ https://subtropclimatehealthhub.wordpress.com/Twitter: @DrDWMcMillanResources https://unitedspinal.org/ready-to-roll/https://disasterstrategies.org/surviving-ida/https://www.redcross.org/about-us/news-and-events/news/time-to-get-ready-for-hurricane-season.htmlhttps://www.numotion.com/blog/september-2017/seven-tips-to-prepare-your-wheelchair-for-a-hurrichttps://www.fema.gov/press-release/20210318/hurricane-preparedness-persons-disabilities-and-access-and-functional-needsClick the link below to register for the United Spinal Association's TechTalkshttps://unitedspinal.org/events/techtalks/Stay Connected to the PodcastInstagram: We want to hear from you!Untethered & Wanderwise: Female Travel Over 45A travel podcast for women over 45 who want to explore this big beautiful world.Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifyHandiCupGet 15% OFF when you buy your HandiCup with Discount Code RAMPITUP15Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show

We are back with another episode of The Ramp. It. Up! Podcast. On today's episode we are closing out the month of May with some updates and good news for the wheelchair user community. Ramp. It. Up! GAAD May 18,2023https://unitedspinal.org/adaptive-technology-equals-independence-for-the-disability-community/https://unitedspinal.org/five-ways-you-can-promote-global-accessibility-awareness-day/CMS Seat Elevation https://unitedspinal.org/disability-community-celebrates-newly-expanded-medicare-benefit-for-power-wheelchairs/https://www.cms.gov/medicare-coverage-database/view/ncacal-decision-memo.aspx?proposed=N&ncaid=309#:~:text=All%20%7C%20Collapse%20All-,Decision%20Summary,durable%20medical%20equipment%20(DME).FDA Approves Neuralinkhttps://www.cnbc.com/2023/05/25/elon-musks-neuralink-gets-fda-approval-for-in-human-study.htmlhttps://fb.watch/kQIBL24VIh/https://twitter.com/neuralink/status/1661857379460468736?s=20AI Helps Paralyzed Manhttps://www.goodmorningamerica.com/wellness/story/artificial-intelligence-medical-procedure-paralyzed-man-walk-99588314https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Wellness/artificial-intelligence-medical-procedure-paralyzed-man-walk/story?id=99588314https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-65689580https://fb.watch/kQIqEajVvv/Click the link below to register for the United Spinal Association's TechTalkshttps://unitedspinal.org/events/techtalks/Stay Connected to the PodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ramp.it.up.podcast/Facebook: We want to hear from you!Untethered & Wanderwise: Female Travel Over 45A travel podcast for women over 45 who want to explore this big beautiful world.Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifyHandiCupGet 15% OFF when you buy your HandiCup with Discount Code RAMPITUP15Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show

Welcome back for another episode of the Ramp. It. Up! Podcast. On this episode I am joined by Fouzan Alam and Bliss Chapman from Neuralink, a neurotechnology company founded by Elon Musk. Neuralink is currently developing implantable brain–computer interfaces: building devices now that have the potential to help people with paralysis. Fouzan is a project manager on their clinical team and Bliss is a software engineer on the brain-computer interfaces team. We discuss where the company is in the process, how it will impact the SCI community, and what the future of brain-computer interface holds.Ramp. It. Up!Get To Know Our Guests:Fouzan is a biomedical engineer and ex-doctor working on technologies that improve people’s lives and lower the barriers for access to care. His previous work includes an implantable sensor startup, a new brain scanning modality based on TMS and EEG, and low-cost high-performance spinal fusion implants. He is currently at Neuralink, on clinical data and operations. On the side, he is an angel investor, advises frontier-tech startups, and runs a small product design studio.Bliss is a lead software engineer at Neuralink. He gets very excited about anything related to 1) his new puppy and 2) how to turn brain signals into computer control. Before Neuralink, Bliss worked at Apple as a machine learning engineer in the Camera & Photos group with the explicit goal of building experiences that make his momma cry happy tears. Bliss grew up dancing classical ballet in Central Illinois where he was homeschooled alongside his 5 awesome siblings.If you are part of the SCI/D community and wanted to join the Neuralink Patient Registry click the link below.https://neuralink.com/patient-registry/ Website: https://neuralink.com/Twitter: https://twitter.com/neuralinkYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@neuralinkResources:https://www.youtube.com/shorts/ogANQE4l5YUhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EPUHsnN9R9Ihttps://www.wired.com/story/all-the-actually-important-stuff-neuralink-just-announced/https://www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/neuralink-musk-fda/Click the link below to register for the United Spinal Association's TechTalkshttps://unitedspinal.org/events/techtalks/Stay Connected to the PodcastInstagram: We want to hear from you!Untethered & Wanderwise: Female Travel Over 45A travel podcast for women over 45 who want to explore this big beautiful world.Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifyHandiCupGet 15% OFF when you buy your HandiCup with Discount Code RAMPITUP15Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show

On today's episode of The Ramp. It. Up! Podcast we are wrapping up Women’s History Month with a good friend of mine, Erin Taylor.Get To Know Our Guest For more than 15 years, Erin Taylor has dedicated herself to advocating for health equity and promoting wellness by helping eliminate barriers and health disparities for disabled people throughout Oregon. She does this by interweaving equity, inclusion, and accessibility throughout her work and being intentional in her commitment to diversifying awareness of the vast range of disability experiences and identities. Ensuring that disabled people's voices are heard, their intersectionality is acknowledged, and their needs are met is imperative in Taylor's work. Even though Taylor's roots are with people with intellectual disabilities, she does her current work through a cross-disability lens.Taylor holds an M.A. in Disability Studies from City University New York (CUNY) and a B.A. in Communications Studies focusing on Community Health Education from Western Oregon University. She has built a strong foundation as a master trainer with expertise in creating accessible, universal, and inclusive materials for trainings, workshops, and curricula for Oregon Health and Science University's Oregon Office on Disability and Health and University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities. During the pandemic, Taylor saw a need to bring education and awareness around disability because of the injustices she saw. She recognizes that the topic of disability is very complex, nuanced, and layered, so Taylor and her partner started AIM-4-Access (Accessibility and Inclusion Matters). Creating a business allows Taylor and her partner to hold space for these conversations in ways that will leave people understanding the 'why' you should care to make our world inclusive and accessible. This business also allows Taylor to bring her passion for health promotion back into her work.Erin identifies as having non-apparent disabilities and is deeply involved and integrated with her peers from the local cross-disability, LGBTIA2S+, and social justice communities. In her free time, Taylor is a musician who enjoys photography and the beauty of the PNW. She enjoys kayaking, camping, hiking, and spending time at the coast with her partner and two dogs, Millie and Lilah.Email: Taylorridler@aim-4-access.comClick the link below to register for the United Spinal Association's TechTalkshttps://unitedspinal.org/events/techtalks/Stay Connected to the PodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ramp.it.up.podcast/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ZoeOnWheelz/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZAnH8I6sGEf7SJ9OKw8dEAEmail: rampituppodcast@gmail.comWe want to hear from you!Untethered & Wanderwise: Female Travel Over 45A travel podcast for women over 45 who want to explore this big beautiful world.Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifySupport the show

On this episode of The Ramp. It. Up! Podcast, in honor of Women's History Month, I am joined by Jean L. Minkel, PT, ATP. We chat about her early years as a Physical Therapist, her influence on early assistive technology, and her crusade to effect insurance policy change.Ramp. It. Up! Get To Know Our Guest  Ms. Minkel is a physical therapist and master clinician well recognized for her work in Assistive Technology.  Jean has a passion for ensuring that people with a mobility disability have access to the products and services needed to support full participation in life. Jean works directly with the disability community to identify unmet needs in product development, ableist practices in the therapy community and restrictive coverage policies which prevent access to the devices that meet the needs of the wheelchair user. Jean is currently actively involved in a campaign to revise the highly restrictive Medicare coverage policy, used by many private insurers to deny coverage of wheelchairs and accessories needed to be fully mobile in routine environments, both in the home and the community. Have you been denied for a new wheelchair or wheelchair function? Click the link below to share your story.https://unitedspinal.org/share-your-wheelchair-denial-story/Submit a Comment to CMSAre you a wheelchair user? Medicare wants to hear from YOU! Take action by March 17, 2023. We need to show Medicare that wheelchair users and people with disabilities strongly support this coverage and urge Medicare to go even further to ensure that all those who need access to these systems can get it. As you know, these systems are vital for wheelchair users to be able to:Safely transfer from a wheelchair to another surface, particularly if it is not level with your chairIncrease your reach to access higher surfaces across the homePrevent and reduce stress injuries from repetitive transfers and reachingFunction independently at home as much as possibleDescribe that seat elevation is needed for functional reach in your homeCMS is currently accepting public comments through Friday, March 17 before they finalize their decision on coverage for power seat elevation systems. Please share your story and let Medicare know how you could or do benefit from these technologies. Submit your comment hereClick the link below to register for the United Spinal Association's TechTalkshttps://unitedspinal.org/events/techtalks/Stay Connected to the PodcastInstagram: We want to hear from you!Untethered & Wanderwise: Female Travel Over 45A travel podcast for women over 45 who want to explore this big beautiful world.Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifyHandiCupGet 15% OFF when you buy your HandiCup with Discount Code RAMPITUP15Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show

Welcome back for another episode of the Ramp. It. Up! Podcast. It's that time of year again, Valentines Day! But before you go out and buy flowers and chocolates, you have to find yourself a date! Ryan DeRoche, peer mentor, United Spinal Association member and the host of After Dark: for men with SCI, joins me on the podcast to talk about dating after SCI from the male perspective.  Ramp. It. Up!Question of the day:What was your best/worst date experience post SCI?Get To Know Our Guest In 2011, Ryan had a mountain bike accident in Girona, Spain. He injured his C3, C4, C5, vertebrae with incomplete damage to his spinal cord at C4. When he was stable enough to fly home he spent six months at Spaulding Rehab in Boston. Since his injury he has been a peer mentor and advocate for other individuals with SCI through the Greater Boston Chapter of United Spinal Association (GBC) and Empower SCI. He also works as the Digital Media Coordinator, is a Board Member of, and leads a support group for the GBC. The long running support group he leads is called After Dark: for men with SCI which  is a safe and supportive space to discuss intimacy, sex, and relationships after a spinal cord injury. After Dark: for MEN with SCIDescription: This bi-weekly group is a safe and supportive space to discuss intimacy, sex, and relationships after a spinal cord injury. This group is for MEN only with a spinal cord injury. When: Meets the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month at 7:00pm-8:00pm ESTZoom Meeting Link (Same every meeting): https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82370780730?pwd=TlFUaE81UlFoT0UzK0RwUTEvUXk3QT09Meeting ID: 823 7078 0730Password: gbc1Phone in Number: +1 929 205 6099 US (New York)Email:  ryan@sciboston.org  Website: https://www.sciboston.org/groups Click the link below to register for the United Spinal Association's TechTalkshttps://unitedspinal.org/events/techtalks/Stay Connected to the PodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ramp.it.up.podcast/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ZoeOnWheelz/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZAnH8I6sGEf7SJ9OKw8dEAEmail: rampituppodcast@gmail.comWe want to hear from you!Untethered & Wanderwise: Female Travel Over 45A travel podcast for women over 45 who want to explore this big beautiful world.Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifySupport the show

Welcome back for another episode of The Ramp. It. Up! Podcast. Accessibility is an important and frequent topic of concern for wheelchair users and people with disabilities as a whole. This episode we cover some of the pain points of "accessible" transportation and what can be done to improve them. Ramp. It. Up!Question of the day:What was your worst/best experience with accessible transportation? Click here to learn how to report transportation issues.Resources:  Retired Veterans of America (RVA) Full VideoRVA Video ClipSteve Wright interview with USDOT Secretary Airlines should wheelchair spaces on airplanes All Stations Accessibility Program ADA Transportation Regulations: Provision for ParatransitFederal Transit Administration The Mobility ResourcePassenger Testimonials:Vincenzo Piscopo on the future of air travel Passenger dropped by airline staff Tanisha's transportation story Kristen's transit story Click the link below to register for the United Spinal Association's TechTalkshttps://unitedspinal.org/events/techtalks/Stay Connected to the PodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ramp.it.up.podcast/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ZoeOnWheelz/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZAnH8I6sGEf7SJ9OKw8dEAEmail: rampituppodcast@gmail.comWe want to hear from you!Untethered & Wanderwise: Female Travel Over 45A travel podcast for women over 45 who want to explore this big beautiful world.Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifySupport the show

And we are back with a brand new season of  The Ramp. It. Up! Podcast! It's been amazing sharing my story and the stories of others with you all these past three seasons. Season four, there will be many more stories, we will talk about advocacy and accessibility, and I will share some of my adventures along the way! On this episode join me as I recap some of my favorite moments from the first three seasons.Ramp. It. Up!HAPPY NEW YEAR from the Ramp. It. Up! Podcast.History of Haitian Independence Day and Soup JoumouFavorite EpisodesSeason 1 Episode 2:  Quadriplegia: Year One Season 1  Episode 8:  25 Years in the Game Season  2  Episode 13:   Roll a mile in my shoes Season  2  Episode 16:  The Happy Quadriplegic: Arnedo Carbo Season  3  Episode 3:  Valentines Day with Leon and Tierra Harris Season  3  Episode 18:   SCI Awareness Month 2022: iAccess Life  Question of the day:What are three things you can do in 2023 to improve yourself? Click the link below to register for the United Spinal Association's TechTalkshttps://unitedspinal.org/events/techtalks/Stay Connected to the PodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ramp.it.up.podcast/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ZoeOnWheelz/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZAnH8I6sGEf7SJ9OKw8dEAEmail: rampituppodcast@gmail.comWe want to hear from you!Untethered & Wanderwise: Female Travel Over 45A travel podcast for women over 45 who want to explore this big beautiful world.Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifySupport the show