The Wheelchair Roundtable -Crushing Stigmas One Episode At A Time

What happens when life changes in a split second—and then challenges you all over again decades later?

On this episode of The Wheelchair Round Table, we sit down with Victoria to discuss a remarkable journey of resilience, faith, and discovering new lessons through life’s toughest challenges.

At just 19 years old, Victoria suffered a C3-C4 spinal cord injury in a car accident on October 17, 1987. Despite a devastating prognosis, she spent the next 38 years proving that other people’s expectations don’t have to determine your future. Years later, she faced another life-changing challenge: a hemorr...

What happens when a childhood filled with challenges, rejection, and feeling different becomes the fuel to change the way the world sees disability? Meet Carlos Murillo.

On this episode of The Wheelchair Round Table, we sit down with Carlos to talk about growing up with spina bifida, navigating life as a wheelchair user, and the emotional toll of feeling left out, struggling to make friends, and being treated differently as a kid. Those experiences left a lasting mark on Carlos, shaping how he sees the world and fueling his determination to educate others about disability.

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In this episode of The Wheelchair Round Table, we sit down with Kyzia Wunderlich, Executive Director of The Heart of Texas, for a conversation about disability, accessibility, advocacy, and the journey that brought her to where she is today.

Kyzia shares the story behind her path to becoming Executive Director of The Heart of Texas and the mission that drives her work: helping wheelchair users discover fun, accessible events and adventures they can enjoy with family and friends—while also helping businesses understand what real accessibility looks like.

We talk about her work with Heart of...

What happens when you stop trying to make disability look inspirational—and start calling out the BS?

The Wheelchair Round Table, sits down with professional keynote speaker, author of The Squeaky Wheelchair, and disability advocate Thomas Moon for a conversation about self-advocacy, independence, and refusing to quietly accept barriers that shouldn’t exist in the first place.

Living with cerebral palsy, Thomas brings a refreshingly unapologetic perspective to disability. He talks about his philosophy of “Pain in the Butt Syndrome,” why sometimes you have to make some noise to get heard, and the importance of challeng...

Spencer Blomquist has spent nearly 18 years navigating life as a quadriplegic and he has learned that independence isn't something you simply receive. Sometimes, you have to fight for it.

On this episode of The Wheelchair Round Table, Rico, SJ, Jody, and Spencer dive into the real-world battles that come with disability, from healthcare and caregiving to accessible travel and financial independence.

Spencer opens up about his fight with Humana to protect the 24-hour care and caregivers he depends on, and why losing those services isn't simply an inconvenience—it can directly impact a person's ability to...

The Hardest Chapter Doesn’t Decide How Your Story Ends: The Karla Ruelas Story

In this powerful episode of The Wheelchair Roundtable, we sit down with Karla Ruelas to talk about the woman she was before the wheelchair, the battles nobody could see, and the journey that changed her life forever.

Before her injury, Karla was a college graduate, interior designer, athlete, and independent young woman building her life in Houston TX. But behind that independence, she was also dealing with clinical depression.

Then, on August 21, 2021, at just 28 years old, Karla was involved in...

In this episode of The Wheelchair Roundtable, it’s just the three of us — Rico, Jody, and S.J. — and we’re covering some big issues that could directly impact wheelchair users.

We break down the new Medicare prior authorization changes being discussed for ultralightweight manual wheelchairs, what they could mean for people who rely on complex mobility equipment, and why these changes matter.

Then we turn our attention to the Department of Transportation and the proposed changes affecting airlines and wheelchair users, including the growing discussion around airline liability and responsibility when a wheelchair is damag...

Donny Wright’s story is a powerful reminder that life can change in a moment—but that moment doesn’t have to define the rest of your life.

In 1978, Donny was just 15 years old. A motorcycle ride that happened because of a simple change of plans would forever change his life. Donny suffered a devastating spinal cord injury, underwent two open-heart surgeries, and faced the unimaginable loss of his friend Ricky Grammar that same day.

But this episode isn’t just about the accident.

It’s about what happened after.

We take Donny...

Season 4 Premiere — The Wheelchair Roundtable Podcast

Season 4 is here, and we’re kicking things off with some big changes and even bigger conversations.

In this episode, we talk about the Quad-Father taking a well-deserved break from the show and introduce our new in-person co-host, Jody Bennett — WABC Heavyweight Wheelchair Boxing Champion, CEO, and adaptive athlete.

Jody takes us inside the world of adaptive football, sharing what it’s like playing for the NFL-approved Las Vegas Raiders Wheelchair Football team and what adaptive sports mean for athletes looking to compete, challenge themselves, and redefine what’s p...

What happens when life gives you a second chance?

In this powerful episode of The Wheelchair Roundtable, we sit down with Antonio "The Roller" for an honest conversation about redemption, resilience, and refusing to let your past define your future.

Antonio shares his journey from going to prison at just 17 years old to sustaining a life-changing spinal cord injury and learning to navigate life with hand controls and a wheelchair. Along the way, he opens up about the people who helped shape his new perspective—including his beloved grandmother, "Grand Dog."

Joining the co...

In this episode of The Wheelchair Roundtable, we sit down with Izzy for a powerful and deeply human conversation about survival, service, and rebuilding life after unimaginable turning points.

Izzy shares his time in the United States Navy aboard the USS Saratoga (CV-60) during the era of Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm, reflecting on the intensity of military life and the experiences that shaped his early adulthood.

He also recounts a life-altering moment at just 19 years old a split second decision to step out of a ferry line that ultimately saved his life...

Episode Description

In this powerful and deeply personal episode, we reconnect with Eric as he shares life updates since his last appearance on the show, including the heartbreaking loss of his mother and the impact it has had on his mental health journey.

Together, we have an honest conversation about grief, depression, resilience, and the often-overlooked mental health challenges faced within the disability community. Eric opens up about navigating life after spinal cord injury while coping with loss, the importance of seeking support, and why mental health deserves the same attention as physical health.

At 22 years old, Michael Divel experienced a life-changing spinal cord injury after a tragic accident at a Fourth of July party left him with a T-12 complete SCI. What followed was not only the challenge of paralysis, but a brutal years-long fight against a stage 4 pressure wound complicated by MRSA and bone infection — resulting in 10 skin flap surgeries, months confined to bed, and some of the darkest moments of his life.

In this powerful episode, we dive deep into the realities of pressure relief, pressure wounds, wheelchair seating, and survival after spinal cord injury. Rico Segovia ATP/QR...

In this powerful and deeply inspiring episode, we sit down with Corpus Christi TX native Alma Lee Garcia, a disability advocate whose life changed forever at just 24 years old after surviving a violent home invasion. Alma was shot in the neck with a 9mm round that entered the left front side of her neck and exited through her right scapula, leaving her with a T6 incomplete spinal cord injury. Doctors at Memorial Hospital gave her only 18–24 hours to live as she remained in a coma for a week. But everything changed when she heard the voice of her son sa...

We are joined by Henry C. Falcon, JR., PTA, CCI, MBA, CSCS, and take a deep dive into the world of Physical Therapy — from the evolution of the profession in the 1990s to where it’s headed in today’s healthcare landscape. Henry shares his journey into PT, the lessons learned over decades in the field, and what it takes to build a long-lasting career in rehabilitation.

The conversation breaks down the real differences between the PTA and DPT paths, including schooling, scope of practice, pay scales, burnout, and the realities clinicians face in today’s healthcare system...

In this episode, we sit down with Yvette Barrera-Molina, an educational diagnostician with over 20 years of experience supporting students with disabilities and their families. Yvette began her career as a special education teacher and has since dedicated her work to evaluation, eligibility, and developing meaningful instructional plans that truly support student success.

We take a deep dive into the critical role diagnosticians play within the education system—helping identify student needs, guiding families, and collaborating with educators to create pathways for growth. Yvette also breaks down key insights on dyslexia and ADHD, offering clarity on how these ch...

On this episode of The Wheelchair Roundtable, we’re joined by Mason Branstrator —an athlete, creator, and powerful voice for resilience whose life changed in an instant, but whose purpose only grew stronger.

At just 17 years old, Mason sustained a spinal cord injury in a skiing accident that left him paralyzed from the waist down. But what followed wasn’t the end of his story — it was the beginning of a new one. From intensive rehab to rediscovering independence through his wheelchair, Mason leaned into challenge, adaptation, and ultimately, transformation.

Today, Mason is not only thriving...

Today’s episode is a powerful reminder of what resilience truly looks like—and we’re joined by guest host S.J. Cimijotti, DPT, bringing clinical insight and perspective to the conversation.

At just 10 years old, Peter Berry’s life was forever changed by a tragic car accident that left him and his brother paralyzed, injured his sister, and took the lives of both of his parents. It’s the kind of moment that could define a life—but for Peter, it became the beginning of a new one.

Now 24, Peter is a professional wheelchair basketball p...

In this episode, we sit down with Esmer Perez LBSW, MSW, CART, a dedicated case manager at a Health Rehabilitation Hospital, to break down what really happens after a life-changing injury or illness.

Esmer gives us an inside look at the critical role of a case manager—often acting as the “in-house attorney”—guiding patients and families through one of the most complex and emotional healthcare journeys. From the moment a patient is admitted, she helps coordinate care, navigate funding sources, and ensure every piece of the recovery plan is aligned.

We dive into the importan...

Recording Artist Paul C Cesar II brings a powerful and unfiltered conversation you don’t want to miss. After surviving a life-altering car accident at a young age and later facing a tumor attached to his spine that left him in a wheelchair, Paul shares his journey through adversity with raw honesty. He opens up about his injury, resilience, and the mindset it took to rebuild his life.

We dive into Arc X Therapy, a cutting-edge treatment that’s pushing boundaries and offering new hope, and how it’s playing a role in his journey today. Beyond his re...

In this episode of The Wheelchair Round Table, we sit down with Mike Garrison — a stand-up comedian, husband, and proud dad of twins who’s redefining what it means to roll through life with purpose and humor.

After a life-changing motocross accident left him paralyzed, Mike faced a completely new reality. But instead of backing down, he leaned in — building a family, embracing fatherhood from a wheelchair, and finding his voice in comedy.

Mike shares the raw truth about his injury, what it took to start a family post-accident, and the real-life moments of being a “whe...

Nancy shares the powerful story of raising her son Christopher, now 20, who was born with cerebral palsy. In the early years, Nancy struggled to understand what was happening. Like many parents, she didn’t have the knowledge or guidance to recognize the resources available for children with disabilities. In her own words, she was “ignorant”—not from a lack of love, but from a lack of direction.

Everything changed after a chance conversation with another mother at a doctor’s appointment. That moment opened Nancy’s eyes to a world of support, advocacy, and possibility. Determined to fight for he...

In this powerful episode, we sit down with Nicolas Comstock — host of the Nick Speaks Podcast — for an honest and deeply personal conversation about resilience, independence, and finding purpose.

Nicolas shares what it was like growing up with an identical twin brother who was not born with a disability, and how that dynamic shaped his childhood and identity. He opens up about the challenges he faced in school and how the education system ultimately failed to provide the support he needed to succeed.

In a bold step toward independence, Nicolas made the difficult decision to move...

In this powerful episode of the WABC Show, we sit down with current Heavyweight Wheelchair Boxing Champion Jody Bennet, alongside WABC Founder Collin and CFO Terry, for an inside look at the momentum building behind the World Adaptive Boxing Council.

Joining us from the UK, Collin — a former semi-pro rugby player — shares the vision that sparked the creation of WABC and how adaptive boxing is carving out its rightful place on the global stage. Terry, a former Paralympian, brings his elite-level experience to the conversation as he discusses the current state of the organization, what legitimacy and stru...

In this powerful and down-to-earth episode, we sit down with Lelan for a conversation that feels less like an interview and more like three friends talking beside the tailgate after a long day.

At 22 years old, Leland’s life changed in an instant when an accident left him paralyzed from the T4 level down. He shares what those early days were really like, including his inpatient rehab experience at TIRR Memorial Hermann — the challenges, the breakthroughs, and the mental battle that begins long before the physical healing feels complete.

We also talk about something that isn’...

In this episode, we sit down with Logan K. Finn to unpack a story shaped by resilience, struggle, and transformation.

Born with spina bifida, Logan grew up feeling loved and supported — so much so that he often says he didn’t realize he had a disability. But in seventh grade, a spinal tethering surgery left him using a wheelchair. Still, he stayed active in school and pushed forward socially and academically.

By his senior year, marijuana use escalated quickly into heavy drug and alcohol abuse. We talk honestly about how that progression happens, especially when iden...

Accessibility isn’t a courtesy — it’s a civil right.

In this powerful episode, we sit down with Kristy Durso—accessible travel advocate, travel agent, wheelchair user, and co-founder of Spectrum of Accessibility—to unpack what public accessibility really looks like and why travel remains one of the most exclusionary experiences for disabled people.

Kristy shares her life before becoming a full-time wheelchair user, the emotional and identity shifts that followed, and the moment she realized the world itself—not her disability—would be one of her biggest barriers. From “technically accessible” spaces that fail in practice to tra...

This is one of those episodes that stays with you long after the microphones are turned off.

This conversation goes where disability conversations often don’t—into the quiet, heavy places. We talk about depression. Anxiety. The mental and emotional toll of disability that so often gets overlooked once the hospital stays end and the equipment is delivered.

Our guest is Mike Kent, a Disability Life Coach and the founder of Empowering Disability, a global community of more than 9,000 members who are navigating life after injury, trauma, or diagnosis.

Mike’s work goes far be...

⚠️ Content Warning: This episode contains discussion of gun violence, physical assault, and traumatic injury. Listener discretion is advised.

Joseph Huerta’s story is one of brilliance, hardship, survival, and hard-earned faith. A top graduate in his class, Joseph’s life took an unexpected turn after family separation led him into homelessness, living in a tent city and navigating daily survival. What began as an act of kindness—being offered a place to stay by someone he trusted—quickly turned into a dangerous and life-altering situation.

Joseph is a survivor of a violent home invasion. He was beaten a...

At just 12 years old, Giusiana Prosser began experiencing medical symptoms that would change her life — symptoms that were dismissed, minimized, and misunderstood for years.

After being told it was “all in her head,” Giusiana never stopped advocating for herself. At 19, she was diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, and at 21 with Andersen–Tawil Syndrome, finally giving a name to what her body had known all along. Today, she also lives with a tethered spinal cord.

Now a artist, rare disease advocate, motivational speaker, and Ms. Wheelchair Washington USA, Giusiana uses her platform to challenge misconceptions around disability and shar...

In this powerful episode, we sit down with Tyler Keller, whose journey is rooted in grit, faith, and resilience. Tyler grew up on a small farm in Michigan, surrounded by rodeo culture—both of his parents were professional rodeo athletes, as were his older sisters. Following in their footsteps, Tyler competed at a national level, earning rodeo scholarships to Lamar Community College and later Northwestern Mesa College, where he continued to compete at an elite level.

Everything changed in February 2015. During an early-morning drive through the dangerous Douglas Pass near Grand Junction, Colorado, Tyler lost control of hi...

In this episode, we sit down with Frances “Fran” Esteves, an Occupational Therapist with nearly 19 years of experience serving students across the Rio Grande Valley. Fran shares how her lifelong connection to movement — from dancing with a semi-professional ballet company to teaching classical ballet in North Dakota and coaching rhythmic gymnastics in McAllen — shaped her passion for working with children of all abilities.

She reflects on her years teaching general and adaptive PE for Edinburg CISD, the moment she discovered occupational therapy, and how school-based practice became her calling. Fran talks about the realities of working across public...

Episode Description — Season 1 Finale: “The First 15”

In this special season finale, we hit pause and look back at the journey that brought us here. From powerful comeback stories to raw, unfiltered conversations about resilience, purpose, and real-life struggles, we revisit the first 15 episodes that shaped Season 1.

Join us as we reflect on the lessons learned, the guests who left a mark, the moments that surprised us, and the stories that pushed us to grow. We share behind-the-scenes insights, our honest thoughts, and what this season has meant to us both personally and as creators.

As w...

At just 17 years old, Charlie Merritt made a promise — to serve, to lead, and to never back down. Following in his father’s footsteps, he earned the title of United States Marine at Parris Island, beginning a journey defined by grit, discipline, and heart. After eight years on active duty and four in the reserves, Charlie carried that same intensity into life beyond the Corps — playing semi-pro football, competing in strongman events, and running his own company.

But one dive — on what seemed like a perfect day — changed everything. A routine jump into the water ended in a catastro...

For as long as he can remember, Mario Bonfante has lived for speed — from BMX tracks and motocross jumps to the smooth pavement of road racing. By the time he was sixteen, he had earned his pro card, chasing the dream of becoming one of the best. But in September of 2006, a BMX crash changed everything.

The accident left him paralyzed — but not powerless.

After months in the hospital and years of intense physical therapy in San Diego, Mario refused to let his injury define his limits. He wasn’t just rebuilding his body; he was re...

At just 18 years old, Armando Ramirez’s life changed in an instant. What began as an ordinary night ended in tragedy when a drive-by shooting left him fighting for his life. His heart stopped for 12 minutes. Doctors said the odds were slim — but Armando had other plans.

Now living with a T9–T10 spinal cord injury, Armando has defied every expectation. From countless surgeries and rehab at Craig Hospital to rediscovering his love for painting cars and earning his real estate license, he’s proven that resilience runs deeper than muscle.

In this powerful episode, Armando...

In this episode, we sit down with Corey Lee — better known as Pheez. At just 18 years old, Corey joined the Navy on September 6, 2001, only five days before 9/11 changed the world. What he thought would be a four-year enlistment turned into deployments, life-altering experiences, and a path he never expected.

Corey opens up about his time serving and the diving accident that left him paralyzed from the neck down. From that life-changing moment, he embarked on a journey of survival, resilience, and rediscovering purpose. Despite the challenges, he found love after his injury, bought an ADA-accessible home at th...

Listener discretion is advised. Eric’s story is raw, real, and unforgettable. After surviving two major crashes that left him with spinal cord injuries, he takes us inside the highs and lows of rehab—sharing how medication-induced hallucinations tested his mind, and how humor became his tool to calm others and himself. He recalls the unlikely moment that changed everything: eating a hamburger that reignited his drive to push through therapy and fight for independence.Eric also gets brutally honest about the personal challenges—missing his divorce court date while hospitalized, living in a nursing home for six months, and findin...

Jody’s story is one of resilience, faith, and fighting spirit. He shares how a life-changing accident deepened his spiritual connection and set him on a journey of recovery at Craig Hospital. Through the ups and downs, he battled depression and discovered purpose and joy in adaptive sports. Today, Jody is not only the reigning Wheelchair Boxing Heavyweight Champion but also a loving father, a devoted fiancé—recently proposing in London—and a man who leads with humor and heart. His journey reminds us that true strength is found in perseverance, passion, and love.

Episode Description (Dr. Julia Bramwell) In this powerful episode, we sit down with Dr. Julia Bramwell, a board-certified pediatrician who has dedicated over two decades to medicine before making a bold shift to launch Invest in My Health Corp. Julia opens up about her personal journey, the challenges she faced, and the pivotal experiences that reshaped her path.

We talk about her “rage against the machine” — her fearless investigative work uncovering the misuse of funds within the healthcare system, and how that fight has fueled her mission to create more transparency and accountability. Julia also shares her insigh...