What do you do when you’re alone? When do you feel free? When do you feel peaceful? These are the questions Kevin tries to answer in his final podcast for 2023. This is a love letter to his supporters. This is an inward perspective about the restrictions of his personal disability. If this doesn’t change your perspective on disability, then honestly, nothing will. More information about the podcast and blog is below. All comments are welcome.
Imagine someone proposing to install cameras in your home without your consent. You’d likely object strongly, and rightly so. Now, consider a piece of legislation, S1897/A2483, known as Billy Cray’s Law. The New Jersey legislature is aiming to introduce monitoring devices in group homes and community-based settings for people with disabilities. As Kevin Nuñez, I want to clarify that my opinions are my own, shared to shed light on an often overlooked issue.
The origin of this legislation lies in the tragic passing of Billy Cray, who was found dead in a group home closet. Recent articles, such as the one highlighting the push for cameras in group homes, add a layer of complexity to an already contentious debate. Another piece examines the ongoing discourse surrounding whether cameras would genuinely make group homes safer or if they compromise residents’ privacy.
Financially, the burden on providers is immense. The strain on the disability care system has been building for a while and has reached a breaking point, made worse by current issues. Caregivers, the backbone of the system, already face difficulties. Constant scrutiny undermines the trust crucial for effective care.
Proverbs 28:6 NIV Better the poor whose walk is blameless than the rich whose ways are perverse.
Particularly troubling is the provision allowing monitoring devices in bedrooms and at the entrance to bathrooms. If any individual or their family does not wish to be recorded, they must move. This is a forest evacuation. This “choice” is more illusion than empowerment. This bill aims to protect the most vulnerable, but instead, it takes away freedom for all individuals. The disability population is made up of people. Please stop trying to fix the system with a one-size-fits-all solution.
In a time where awareness is crucial, I encourage everyone to conduct their research, form their opinions, and engage in discussions about the potential repercussions of Billy Cray’s Law. It’s not just a matter of legislation; it’s about the well-being and rights of an often marginalized community. The recent push for cameras in group homes, coupled with the ongoing privacy debate as explored in the linked articles, underscores the need for a nuanced approach that balances security with respect for personal privacy.
Sources:
https://nj1015.com/after-man-was-found-dead-in-closet-a-push-in-nj-for-cameras-in-group-homes/
I started Letters from the Limbo as a way to connect with you on a deeper level. Twice a month, I send out an email filled with personal anecdotes, professional updates (like my recent reelection as Vice Chair of the NJCDD), and the policy insights I don’t share anywhere else. This isn’t just another email—it’s an unfiltered look at the life of a disability advocate. Join my community and get an exclusive, honest look at the work that matters
Hey there, folks! I hope you’re all having a great day. My last few posts have been serious. I wanted to have some fun this week. Today’s blog post is all about challenging some common misconceptions that people have, especially when it comes to disabilities. My goal is to connect the disability community with everyone else out there. I have to admit, it’s a bit nerve-wracking to share this, but when you’re talking about life with a disability, honesty is key. So, let’s dive into three questions that I often get asked.
Ephesians 5:15-16 NIV Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.
People often assume I use catheters because of the lack of sensation, but having Cerebral Palsy doesn’t necessarily mean I can’t feel. Using catheters can be uncomfortable and increases the risk of infections, so I opt for a urinal bottle. It’s a straightforward process—my caregiver helps me out, and I go about my day.
This question is a bit tricky because asking for help isn’t easy. When I’m placed on the toilet, I can balance myself, but for the rest, I rely on someone close to me to assist. It’s a vulnerable situation, but knowing they care makes it easier to handle. It’s a bond we share, and it’s part of my daily routine.
Yes, it does. I have a fully functional system. This question comes up a lot, and I’m always cautious, especially when someone sits on my lap. It’s not uncommon for them to be surprised, but just like any other couple, we figure out what works for us.
I get that these topics might make you a bit uncomfortable, but that’s okay. The point is to shed light on different experiences and break down misconceptions about disabilities. It’s cool to ask questions, just be mindful of who you’re asking and remember that everyone’s experience is unique.
I started Letters from the Limbo as a way to connect with you on a deeper level. Twice a month, I send out an email filled with personal anecdotes, professional updates (like my recent reelection as Vice Chair of the NJCDD), and the policy insights I don’t share anywhere else. This isn’t just another email—it’s an unfiltered look at the life of a disability advocate. Join my community and get an exclusive, honest look at the work that matters
Happy Wednesday folks!
Enjoy the new podcast episode. the new blog will be available next week
In the second episode of November, Kevin breaks down a very common question around Thanksgiving. Simply, what are you thankful for? Every struggle and hardship we go through teaches us a lesson in gratitude. Thank you all for the support Happy Thanksgiving! links to support or below.
Order Confessions from Disability Limbo here:
https://www.amazon.com/Confessions-Disability-Limbo-Commentary-Society-ebook/dp/B09B81DLZS?ref_=ast_author_mpb
Support the podcast with a monthly sponsorship.
https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/theadvocacyllifepodcast/support
Cash app: https://cash.app/$KevinGNunez
PayPal: https://paypal.me/KevinGNunez?country.x=US&locale.x=en_US
Website: https://advocatekevinnunez.wordpress.com/
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I started Letters from the Limbo as a way to connect with you on a deeper level. Twice a month, I send out an email filled with personal anecdotes, professional updates (like my recent reelection as Vice Chair of the NJCDD), and the policy insights I don’t share anywhere else. This isn’t just another email—it’s an unfiltered look at the life of a disability advocate. Join my community and get an exclusive, honest look at the work that matters
Hey there! I came across this fascinating article by Javier Robles, a respected figure in the disability community. The opinion piece challenges readers to discover a more realistic definition of disability. Dive into the thought-provoking insights shared by this Rutgers professor. In a world where we often have fixed ideas about disability, this article is like a friendly push, asking us to question what we think we know and see things in a new light.
Robles guides us through the world of disability, helping us understand it better. He asks us to think about how society sees disability and encourages us to understand it in a more genuine way. This article isn’t just about thinking—it’s a call to action. Robles wants us to talk about disability differently to challenge our ideas and make our society more understanding. It’s a chance to open our minds and be a part of a more inclusive world.
Join Javier Robles on this journey to rethink disability. Let’s change how we see things, break old ideas, and embrace a truer understanding of disability. The conversation is starting, and it’s time for us to be a part of it. Have a good day See you guys next week! All comments are welcome.
Source:
I started Letters from the Limbo as a way to connect with you on a deeper level. Twice a month, I send out an email filled with personal anecdotes, professional updates (like my recent reelection as Vice Chair of the NJCDD), and the policy insights I don’t share anywhere else. This isn’t just another email—it’s an unfiltered look at the life of a disability advocate. Join my community and get an exclusive, honest look at the work that matters
After a long break, Miss Betzy Lee is back with a new podcast episode! In this episode, she discusses all the support you can give a family living with a disability. Because disability does not affect just the person but the entire family, this is a very interesting retrospective on a family dynamic that most people don’t think about. This is a podcast everyone needs to listen to or watch. Please share with your friends. If you like this podcast, please support it with a donation. It will go right to her, even though she is affiliated with the Advocacy Life podcast network. All donations made to this episode will go to her.
I started Letters from the Limbo as a way to connect with you on a deeper level. Twice a month, I send out an email filled with personal anecdotes, professional updates (like my recent reelection as Vice Chair of the NJCDD), and the policy insights I don’t share anywhere else. This isn’t just another email—it’s an unfiltered look at the life of a disability advocate. Join my community and get an exclusive, honest look at the work that matters
In the first podcast episode for November 2023, Kevin discusses how God is accessible to all, regardless of ability or disability. He uses personal anecdotes to provide a quick testimony of his love for Jesus Christ. This is a quick pick-me-up, not about conversion. If you want to listen, please do so to the end.
Order Confessions from Disability Limbo here:
https://www.amazon.com/Confessions-Disability-Limbo-Commentary-Society-ebook/dp/B09B81DLZS?ref_=ast_author_mpb
Support the podcast with a monthly sponsorship.
https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/theadvocacyllifepodcast/support
Cash app: https://cash.app/$KevinGNunez
PayPal: https://paypal.me/KevinGNunez?country.x=US&locale.x=en_US
Website: https://advocatekevinnunez.wordpress.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AdvocateKNunez
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheAdvocayLifeRelaunched
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theadvocacylife/
I started Letters from the Limbo as a way to connect with you on a deeper level. Twice a month, I send out an email filled with personal anecdotes, professional updates (like my recent reelection as Vice Chair of the NJCDD), and the policy insights I don’t share anywhere else. This isn’t just another email—it’s an unfiltered look at the life of a disability advocate. Join my community and get an exclusive, honest look at the work that matters
Greetings readers! The spooky season is officially upon us. Horror movies like Halloween, Scream, and Friday the 13th have been reviewed a thousand times So, I’m not going to do that. It would be completely off-brand for this blog. However, I would like to know what your favorite scary movie is. Please let me know in the comments.
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 NIV
Now, onto a significant milestone for the disability community—cinematic representation. In the Hulu original movie “Run,” Kiera Allen takes center stage. Since 2014, Kiera has used a wheelchair for mobility for undisclosed reasons. She became the first real-life wheelchair user to star in a major thriller in 73 years. The storyline follows a young woman with a disability navigating the complexities of adulthood alongside her mother, her primary caregiver. (Sarah Paulson) While the plot may seem straightforward, the film delves into the thriller/horror genre, bringing with it themes that, despite being familiar, earned it a “Certified Fresh” badge on Rotten Tomatoes in 2020. What sets it apart is the inclusion of disability, adding an extra layer to captivate the audience.
Navigating the world with a disability often means being part of a relatively small community. As someone who has critiqued Hollywood’s portrayal of disability, “Run” pleasantly surprised me. Its a good movie, but it also allowed me to connect with the character’s journey on a personal level. As a person with a physical disability, the burden complex is a real struggle I go through. It was interesting to see this used as a twist. Unlike the usual narrative of feel-good stories associated with disabilities, this film doesn’t aim for Oscars or the title of the scariest movie ever made. Instead, it presents itself as a compelling narrative that invites the audience to identify with its main character in a unique way.
If you haven’t noticed by now, I’m specifically avoiding spoilers. This film has gone under the radar. “Run” is a must-watch. It doesn’t rely on jump scares or special effects This is the perfect kind of Friday night thriller to have you on the edge of your seat for the duration. I have left the trailer at the bottom of this post for you to look at at your leisure Thanks for your time. See you guys next week!
I started Letters from the Limbo as a way to connect with you on a deeper level. Twice a month, I send out an email filled with personal anecdotes, professional updates (like my recent reelection as Vice Chair of the NJCDD), and the policy insights I don’t share anywhere else. This isn’t just another email—it’s an unfiltered look at the life of a disability advocate. Join my community and get an exclusive, honest look at the work that matters
“Why do you love writing so much?” Hello, my dear friends! I hope you’re having a fantastic day. I had just finished writing a few pages in my book, Confessions from Disability Limbo.
My twin brother asked the straightforward question mentioned above. Anyway, I’m getting off-topic. My brother asked because who else would willingly spend hours in front of a computer when they weren’t getting paid for it at all?
First, because I can do it all by myself, there are very few things I can do on a daily basis on my own. Once someone gave me my laptop, “The world is mine.” Just like Tony Montana wanted. The only difference is that I have no interest in drugs or world dominance. I love having access to knowledge. When I write an empty page, it doesn’t matter if I can’t clean my backside. The cursor does not pity me, or I think I am mentally delayed. In fact, it’s quite the opposite; the page cannot fill itself. It challenges you; it needs you to leave a piece of yourself behind to be shared with everyone. If what you write does not get shared, it’s only marks on paper. The same goes for art or cooking. Don’t get me wrong, sometimes you have to do stuff for yourself, but for the most part, when you do something with your heart, it’s to be shared.
My son, if your heart is wise, then my heart will be glad indeed; my inmost being will rejoice when your lips speak what is right. Proverbs 23:15-16 NIV
When I try to walk or stretch my muscles, it hurts. At the very least, it’s uncomfortable. I don’t have to answer, “How did you end up in a wheelchair?” or “Do your legs hurt? I don’t mean to offend anyone by always mentioning God, but I was recently reminded of something: God will never abandon you; he always leaves you with a gift. Making a small difference is his creation.
Even on the worst days, my body does not do what I say, and I have accidents. When my colleagues in the advocacy community think I’m a little overbearing, which honestly, I know I can be, I know I can always sit down to write and release whatever I have inside. I spend the majority of my time riding a 300-pound tank, but when I am in front of my computer, I am completely free! As always, feel free to leave comments. Thank you for letting me be part of your day. I hope to see you soon.
I started Letters from the Limbo as a way to connect with you on a deeper level. Twice a month, I send out an email filled with personal anecdotes, professional updates (like my recent reelection as Vice Chair of the NJCDD), and the policy insights I don’t share anywhere else. This isn’t just another email—it’s an unfiltered look at the life of a disability advocate. Join my community and get an exclusive, honest look at the work that matters
Happy Wednesday, my friends. This may seem a little obvious, but I love writing. I’m always experimenting with different forms. The other day, I woke up with the inspiration to write a poem. I’ve never taken a poetry class; I don’t even read poetry. This may be really basic, but most will say it’s not good. I don’t blame you. All I can tell you is the Holy Spirit wrote it; I was just the instrument based on my expenses In the comments, please let me know what you think. This was one of my first.
Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls. 1 Peter 1:8-9 NIV
People say my head’s in the stars
Can’t they see I’m holding back tears
Can someone please look past the scars
I’m trying to learn how to overcome my fears
People say go on dating apps
No picture I take can hide my wheelchair
Part of me wants to snap
I can’t just wipe it away like nar
Swipe left on the phone
Doesn’t anybody care
Swipe right I still feel alone
Jesus you’re always there
Come save my life
You do what I don’t dare
You are my spiritual wife
May your glory shine
With you I always have hope
May your will be done not mine
My faith is not gone, nope
Your plan will be revealed in time
I started Letters from the Limbo as a way to connect with you on a deeper level. Twice a month, I send out an email filled with personal anecdotes, professional updates (like my recent reelection as Vice Chair of the NJCDD), and the policy insights I don’t share anywhere else. This isn’t just another email—it’s an unfiltered look at the life of a disability advocate. Join my community and get an exclusive, honest look at the work that matters
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