Disability & Parenting Podcast

False hope can be a comforting lie, but it often leads to greater disappointment. In this powerful and incredibly honest episode, Kevin Nuñez tackles the sensitive topic of false hope within the disability community, sharing his personal experiences and why he believes brutal honesty, paired with empathy, is essential.

Evin recounts his own childhood experiences with doctors and therapists who gave his family false expectations about “walking again,” only to face repeated letdowns He argues that this practice, often well-intentioned, can be more damaging than helpful, especially for children who internalize these unfulfilled promises as personal failures This isn’t just about physical rehabilitation; it extends to broader societal interactions where people offer empty reassurances about things they don’t understand

This episode challenges us to rethink how we support and communicate with individuals with disabilities[cite: Kevin advocates for a balance of empathy and realism, pushing for genuine understanding over platitudes He asks why we celebrate minimal progress instead of recognizing the full, complex lives people with disabilities lead, and stresses the importance of fostering self-love and self-respect in a world that often measures worth by physical ability.

Show Notes

• New Jersey families support planning councils https://njcdd.org/the-regional-family-support-planning-councils/
• Mom to Mom hotline https://mom2mom.us.com/contact/
• NJ SPAN https://spanadvocacy.org/
• Episode Transcript TAL S3 E 17 Disability and Parenting.docx

The Podcast

Published Books