Unstoppable Futures #6 - The Rachel Shandler Interview скачать в хорошем качестве

Unstoppable Futures #6 - The Rachel Shandler Interview

How do youth with disabilities navigate healthcare, employment, and adulthood? In this episode of Unstoppable Futures, Nathan talks with Rachel Shandler of SPAN about healthcare transition, self‑advocacy, and never giving up. Rachel shares her personal journey growing up with cerebral palsy, using a motorized wheelchair, and being raised in a family that never lowered expectations. She opens up about the challenges of finding employment as a person with a disability, how volunteering led to meaningful career opportunities, and why vocational rehabilitation, Centers for Independent Living, and parent centers are critical resources. A major focus of this conversation is healthcare transition—the process of moving from pediatric to adult healthcare—and how SPAN’s Healthcare Transition Youth Advisory Group is creating tools, resources, and support to help youth and families navigate adulthood with confidence. This episode is packed with real‑life insight on: • Disability advocacy and self‑determination • Employment pathways and volunteering strategies • Navigating vocational rehab and benefits systems • Healthcare transition for youth with disabilities • Finding and using community resources • Never giving up, even when systems are overwhelming 👍 Like, share, and comment below: What’s one takeaway from Rachel’s story that inspired you? 📎 Links to SPAN and healthcare transition resources are included below. Health Care Transition to Adult for Youth with Disabilities Website: https://movingtoadulthealthcare.org Rachel’s email: rshandler@spanadvocacy.org SPAN’s website: https://spanadvocacy.org ⏱️ Chapters 00:00 – Introduction & welcome 00:09 – Meet Rachel Shandler 00:42 – What is healthcare transition? 01:39 – Youth advisory groups & creating resources 02:17 – Why healthcare transition is often overlooked 03:06 – Growing up with strong family support 04:46 – School, expectations & inclusion 07:23 – Job searching with a disability 09:06 – Career goals & graduate school reflections 10:19 – Volunteering as a pathway to employment 11:48 – Vocational rehabilitation: tips & lessons 14:28 – Disability services in college 15:06 – Turning volunteer work into a job 16:49 – Treating volunteering like a real job 17:44 – From Center for Independent Living to SPAN 18:52 – Advocacy, leadership & legislative work 20:06 – Discovering parent centers & SPAN 22:07 – Learning through lived experience 23:06 – Finding resources & self‑advocacy 26:12 – Wishing for earlier access to supports 27:01 – Youth engagement & peer support work 28:42 – Advice for overwhelmed youth & families 30:53 – Advice to her younger self 33:20 – Key takeaway message 35:05 – Where to find SPAN & healthcare transition resources 35:55 – Final thoughts & sign‑off #UnstoppableFutures #NeverGiveUp #HealthcareTransition #DisabilityEmpowerment #YouthWithDisabilities #SelfAdvocacy #CerebralPalsy #SPANAdvocacy #ParentCenters #InclusiveFutures #DisabilityCommunity #DisabilityAdvocacy --- 🎧 Subscribe to Unstoppable Futures on: YouTube:    / @ripin_ri   Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2uXTyhL... Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... RSS Feed: https://anchor.fm/s/10d3602f0/podcast... 📩 Have a suggestion or comment about the podcast? Email: unstoppablefutures@ripin.org --- 🔗 Follow RIPIN on Social Media Twitter/X:   / ripin_ri   Facebook:   / ripin.org   Instagram:   / ripin_ri   YouTube:    / @ripin_ri   📧 To contact RIPIN for any reason: Email: info@ripin.org --- ℹ️ About RIPIN Founded in 1991, RIPIN is a statewide, 501(c)(3), charitable nonprofit organization that helps any Rhode Islander—from infants to seniors—access and navigate special education and healthcare systems. RIPIN uses a Peer Professional model—75% of staff care for a loved one with a special health or education need. Services include: • A live‑answer call center • Peer‑to‑peer care management • Early Intervention parent consultants • Workshops on healthcare and special education • Leadership training for parents and youth RIPIN is: • The federally designated Parent Training and Information Center (PTIC) for Rhode Island • The official ombudsman for people with Medicare and Medicaid • A Cedar Family Center • The Rhode Island state affiliate of Family Voices, supporting children with special healthcare needs and their families