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
Gender, sexual orientation, and ethnicity are all labels society tries to put on us. In this episode, I’m trying to help us see the whole person. The human experience cannot be confined to one category. Please join me for a thoughtful conversation All opinions are my own. My work for this episode is based on the blog below. Please subscribe for bonus content.
Greetings friends, I always want to hear from my audience please let me know how you are in the comments. I always get questions about my wheelchair. so, I decided to do something about it. Below are 10 things I want people to know about wheelchairs. I hope you all take away something from this. Enjoy and have a good day.
"Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Matthew 5:5 NIV" https://matthew.bible/matthew-5-5
If you see someone struggling to push their wheelchair. Don’t just go behind them and push. How would you like it if someone grabbed your legs and made you walk?
Not all wheelchairs are the same. Most of the time their custom made. Just like every human, every wheelchair is different.
If you see someone in a mass-produced wheelchair. Please be patient they are probably uncomfortable. These chairs are not meant for everyday use.
If you see someone, open the door for them. Don’t cut in front of them because you’re in a hurry. It’s not polite to assume that someone else will help.
The wheelchair may be an extension of their body but unlike yourself, they can’t just clean it when they want to. If you see that it’s a little dirty don’t judge them.
Ask how to transfer them if you’re going to do that. Don’t just grab someone’s body. That would be very rude wouldn’t it?
Not all wheelchairs have tires filled with air.
The vision is at eye level come down to us if you want to talk to us. insurance companies generally deny those wheelchairs that raise up.
don’t ask if we have a license to drive the wheelchair you’re not the first person to think of that joke.
it is perfectly acceptable to have your children come up to us, just don’t be rude about it.
Disability Limbo Newsletter
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 friends, as always I hope this week’s message finds you well. We get so busy in this world with our schedules and obligations. We don’t make time to sit and reflect on our lives and where it’s headed. It is for that purpose I created this new series where I leave you with a series of questions for you to ponder. The theme for this week is, “the importance of listening.” In the comments please let me know what you think of this idea. I wanted to create awareness for our spiritual and mental growth. Thank you all for reading enjoy the rest of your day.
To answer before listening— that is folly and shame.
Proverbs 18:13 NIV
When your friend calls you, do you talk more than you listen?
At a restaurant when the waiter comes over, do you wait to listen for the specials, or do you just tell them to order?
In a job interview who should speak first, the employer or the prospective employee?
Do you notice your eyes rolling when you’re annoyed by comments?
Are you aware of others’ body language?
When you sit down on the airplane, do you listen to the safety demonstration? I hope we all know with you if God forbid the plane goes down.
Are you comfortable around older adults? Their advice might be important someday.
Do you take your hearing for granted?
When you pray do you listen for God’s response?
Do you know the difference between hearing and listening?
Disability Limbo Newsletter
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
Hello wonderful friends. I hope everyone had a fantastic start to the new year. I know some people probably did not. To those folks, I hope these words provide you with a few minutes of comfort I know in February It’s not popular to wish someone a happy new year anymore but, I’m writing this in January so it still counts. Everyone wants new beginnings for the new year however, a calendar change does not equal a change in life circumstances. I began 2022 in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. One of my family members surprised all of us with a cruise for the holidays. I know that was last year but I still plan to write a blog about the accessibility features on the cruise ship. I ended the year in the corner of my living room writing and producing content for a podcast.
People and politicians can say what they want but the Covid-19 Emergency did not “end” until about 6 months before the end of 2022. I can attest to this because we all came back from our cruise with the virus. On my first significant vacation in two years, I ended up in the doctor’s office. Before I begin with the official topic of this post. I want to remind those in power that there are still folks being isolated because they are susceptible to this public health crisis.
I don’t believe in new year’s resolutions. We give ourselves false expectations and then we feel bad when they’re not accomplished. Setting goals for the new year is theoretically a good idea. Yet setting additional pressure on yourself before the world has already decided what pressures to put on you. In my opinion, this is unwise. So how can I or anyone make the upcoming year of 2023 a productive year? Instead of creating a list of expectations or goals, I decided to plant seeds of faith.
“Still other seeds fell on good soil. It came up, grew and produced a crop, some multiplying thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times.” Then Jesus said, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.”
Mark 4:8-9 NIV
If you think I’m nuts, let me give you a fun example. Cinderella had to find the pumpkin and the mice before she could go to the ball. Any miracle needs work. I’m not good at this kind of thing so I’m going to list what I’ve done so far. Please I pray whoever reads this does not misunderstand it as bragging. They’re small steps I’m taking to let God take the lead.
I’ve tried to produce a podcast two different times now. I would go bonkers because the quality was never to my liking. I finally saved up enough money to buy myself podcasting equipment. After weeks of research. My grandma decided to get it for me for Christmas. I was not happy because I wanted to do it for myself but God used her to give me a head start.
Despite popular opinion I cannot stand writing about myself. I always wanted to use this website to let people share their stories. My colleague Jesse Schwartzman and I are excited to announce a second podcast under this website brand called the Normal Life a podcast where we simply interview other folks with disabilities to let them tell their stories. This is why I am renaming my podcast The Purposely Broken World. All you have to do is click on the link in blue.
When you have a disability like mine it’s hard to get together with friends So my best buddy David and I are getting together to release Lost in the Political Woods. A podcast where we laugh our way through the headlines in today’s world.
Most people don’t know about national authors’ writing month. The idea is simple, to try to write 50,000 words in November. After I publish my first book I immediately wanted to write another book clarifying some mistakes I made. I’m not going to lie and say I wrote 50,000 words in 30 days. I wrote just shy of 30 pages. When you use voice dictation software it’s a much slower process. Not to mention a Puerto Rican family is always getting together around the holidays.
After I published my book I learned the hardest part was trying to market it. I struggled with this because I wanted to message of disability inequality to reach as many people as possible. By the time you’re reading this, I would have been featured on the Rising Rebels social media platform. The focus is to showcase individuals beyond their limitations. It is the brainchild of the Walk & Roll podcast. I can’t guarantee people read the message of my book but at least it will be exposed to more people.
The new year symbolizes a new beginning but if we don’t plant the seeds nothing can grow. Remember it will take time and a bit of life’s hard rain. You might not see the finished product right away. Faith is the key. What are you planting this year?
Disability Limbo Newsletter
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 this first episode of the Purposely Broken World. I discuss the brand expansion of The Advocacy Life. What is the future of this podcast is. I reintroduce myself. The topic of this episode is disability representation in reality TV and game shows. What are disabilities acceptable in the television landscape? It is good to have disability representation. There is always room to grow. Please subscribe and leave comments. Join the conversation today! Additional resources are below.
Available on all platforms this is the link to Spotify
Greetings wonderful friends, I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. If you’ve been paying attention You noticed that last Wednesday was the first week I did not post any content Since I relaunched the website in March 2021. I know this is not a big deal for some people, but I like the idea of making one person smile every week with one of my posts. I speak for my writing team and myself when I say we are thankful for every person Who took a little time out of their day just to spend it with us.
For this post, I want to share a very special anecdote that happened to me Just a few days ago. I usually post stuff that I write a few weeks in advance. This time I had to make an exception. When you have a condition like mine (Cerebral Palsy.) The only way to stop your body from deteriorating Is to undergo physical and occupational therapy. insurance will only pay for so much during one year in the United States.
So I spread the sessions out as much as possible over a year. As with any kind of exercise, it is difficult to see results when we are dealing with The daily hustle and bustle of life. Measuring body fat and muscle mass is not how I determine results. this year I was focusing on three things. Sitting balance, standing tolerance, and using my left arm for more functional activities. Here are some of my final statistics for 2022. I can now hold a water bottle with my left arm unscrew the top with my right hand and take a drink. I can now sit up unassisted for 5 minutes and 28 seconds without falling over. I can stand with someone stabilizing me for 4 minutes and 38 seconds without falling over. I’m not bragging those puny numbers are not the best part of the story.
Jesus gave me a Christmas present early this year! If you read any of my past publish works You will know that one of my dreams is always been to dance with a pretty girl standing up. on the last session of the year, I was getting ready to do my standing tolerance When the hit song Despacito came on the Alexa. I know the Holy Spirit was behind it! First of all, They usually don’t play any music at all. If they do it’s Something soft. It’s never anything to dance to. I sarcastically mentioned the song Despacito in my book. True, there was nothing romantic going on between my physical therapist and me. The moment was still fantastic! When I started dancing she thought I was crazy. This is the first time I ever danced!
After the song was done I went back to my chair. Went back to the waiting room like nothing ever happened. As I turn the corner to sit in the waiting room I overheard the receptionist saying “ You’re exactly where God wants you to be. You are right in his hand.”
She was helping someone else who was having a moment of doubt. It couldn’t be scripted better in a movie. That moment was perfect. That night When I reflected on what I had done. I cried as I thanked God over and over again.
He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.
Ecclesiastes 3:11 NIV
When people think of miracles they want the seas to part or see money fall from the sky. That’s not how God sees things. We don’t see the world from his point of view we only see it from our limited vantage point. Most miracles take time. Has anything worth doing ever come easy? I discovered faith in Jesus Christ only 2 years ago. I might not be running a marathon anytime soon, but I will never forget my first dance. God does exist. Miracles do happen. most importantly, faith does work. Look inside your heart and talk to God he’s not that far away. See you guys soon have a good day.
Special Announcement:
Every TV show always takes a little break at the end of the season this post Is my version of a season finale. I will be back with new blogs in February 2023. I will still be producing content on all my social media Please follow me on Twitter, Facebook, etc for any major updates. I would like to officially announce I’m taking this small break to finish the first draft of my next book. Please subscribe to this blog as other members of my writing team may still want to publish blogs before the end of the year. On behalf of David, Jesse, Nick, and myself. We would like to wish you the very happiest of holidays and a prosperous New Year!
Greetings friends, I hope everyone is enjoying the peak fall season. As you know my name is Kevin. I started This blog as a pet project. little by little and with the grace of God. it took off. I wanted to create a space where people with disabilities could write and share their own stories. I am overjoyed to say I now have an official writing team. Please let me introduce you to them. You will notice that my introduction is the longest not because of vanity I just never expected to have anyone else on the website. I will be crafting a new one soon. I will also be adding archives very soon so you can keep up to date with all the writings. God bless you.
Note: The authors of this page write of their own free will. They receive No monetary compensation. Any opinions expressed are theirs alone.
David Champignon
David Champignon
Mr. David Champignon is a Political Science major from Edinboro University and a graduate of the New Jersey Partners in Policymaking Program. He is a proven leader and staunch advocate for people with disabilities. He currently lives with his wife Jenny in Sayre Pennsylvania. Alongside their dogs and cats, they are living proof that nothing is impossible. His experience blogging and semi-published works make him a perfect candidate to start this project with.
Kevin G. Nuñez Head Writer
Hello and welcome to my blog. I am happy you chose to spend a little bit of your time with me. I’ve been wanting to do this for some time now. Please allow me to introduce myself and what I want to do with this website. A lot of people click the follow button without ever reading the about me page.
The short answer is I’m a follower of Jesus with a smart-aleck mouth. Who advocates for people and families living with developmental disabilities. In New Jersey. At the moment of writing this, I’m a 34-year-old man living with Cerebral Palsy. It’s a neurological impairment. It affects the connection between my spine and my brain. I use a wheelchair as my main tool for Independence. I still have to depend on others to do basic tasks. like using the bathroom, getting dressed, and transferring in and out of my wheelchair. I was able to attend a public school and College. Only my physical body is affected by this disability, not my mind and heart.
Let’s begin with my Foundation Jesus and spiritual growth. As a child, my family made sure I always attended church. So, I always believed in god but over the years I struggled and forgot to establish my connection. it’s hard to feel a Divine spark sometimes when society can make you feel less than others. forget about being picked last to play sports I couldn’t even play kickball at recess. my support person would kick the ball for me. girls have run away from me when I tried to ask them out.
I can never work because if I do I lose my health insurance. I’m glad to say I never felt sorry for myself, it always bothered me that people did so. I never saw myself as any better or worse than anyone else. I never felt “special. ” Then one day in 2020 I found myself downloading a few Bible apps to find something that was missing. That’s when I had my moment, Jesus is like a smartphone that little device we can’t live without. we may have the world at our fingertips but the more you take it off the charger you are dying. at least once or twice a day you have to connect to a higher source to succeed and be everlasting.
The next part of my life is fun to explain, if you’ve ever seen the movie My Big Fat Greek Wedding that’s my family. only instead of Greek and Windex Puerto Ricans use Vicks Vapor Rub on everything! They are loud and they will always tell you what’s on their mind without the consideration of a filter. Yet, when you need support and need someone to have your back on the darkest day. There’s not a better group of people to have in your corner. The best part is throughout my life we have been able to add members of the family that are not blood who would do the same thing for me.
The next thing you’re wondering is what I do with my life besides writing these blogs. I am currently the vice chair of the New Jersey Council on Developmental Disabilities. I realized pretty early on in life that I was given in this disability for a reason. I didn’t know what the reason was didn’t know what that reason was. Like I said believed but was not connected. I had to speak out for others who could not speak for themselves. it is a labor of love as I am nothing more than a well-recognized volunteer. I’ve never received any monetary compensation for any of the work I’ve done.
As for this website, it’s also a labor of love. There are so many misconceptions about the disabled population and the general public. I wanted to bridge the gaps between both worlds by sharing my own experiences. not for vanity but to put some actual positivity in the world. Please feel free to check out the Media Center and other publications on this website to see more work I’ve done to assist those like me.
The very last thing I want you to know about me is, I’m single ladies! I did not start this website to meet women. I promise you that but at this point, there is no point in not putting myself out there anything could happen. we need to learn to love the person and not what they can offer us like some sort of business arrangement. Yes, I know so many people can not handle a relationship. Due to the nature of their disability but everyone is affected differently by the disability. I will never be on the cover of People’s sexiest man addition. they keep denying my application. (LOL) That’s what I want to change. We need to see the person and not the disability.
That’s everything friends, if you have any questions please leave them in the comments I will be sure to read all of them. Follow my social media accounts linked to this website I post on them regularly. There will be new posts every Wednesday. Take care of each other and love each other. Have a great and blessed day see you soon.
Jesse Schwartzman
Jesse Schwartzman
Jesse Schwartzman is a disability advocate who has worked in the legal, political, and advocacy fields. He currently works as an outreach and advocacy worker in the disability field. Jesse enjoys helping people and watching sports and movies. He can be reached at jesseschwartzman00@gmail.com.
Nicholas Taubenslag
Nicholas Taubenslag
My name is Nicholas Taubenslag. I am a passionate transportation advocate for the Disabled Population.
I started my advocacy journey at New Jersey Partner’s In Policy Making where I learned about the history of advocacy. As well as the Disability Rights issues that are facing us presently. For example, Inclusive Education, SSI and Medicaid, Housing, and of course Transportation.
I hope to be an asset to this blog and spread my knowledge and life experience to the Disability Community as a whole.
If you could hide one part of yourself what would it be? I think everyone has that one thing in real life that they’d rather not have to deal with daily, what if temporarily you can live without it? Hello, once again readers. Before I delve into the topic of this post I have to admit to a guilty pleasure, I like to watch the reality TV show Big Brother. Don’t judge me, please. Just in case you’re not familiar with the show, the premise is that 16 people are locked in the house together and go through crazy challenges to eliminate each other. At the end, when only two remain, those that are eliminated vote on the winner. That is an oversimplification but you get the idea. I published this post last year but it’s something that families need to talk about at the dinner table.
From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. Acts 17:26 NIV
I’ve always liked the show and I like the idea that someone like me could actually compete in the show. I know I could probably not compete in a lot of the competitions, in fact at a simple glance there were only a few I could easily adapt to make it fair for me or someone like me using a wheelchair. I didn’t finish. To be clear this show has really shown a lot of diversity in its casting before, we even had a past winner on the autism spectrum. In season 23 I felt more hopeful than ever as the runner-up won a significant financial prize without winning a single competition advancing only on his strategic and social game. At the finale one of the contestants who voted on the winner revealed that she was on the autism spectrum. However, she did not want to disclose it as she wanted the other contestants to know just her as she was as a person. This made me feel very mixed emotions.
24-year-old BrittanyD’Angelo came off as a very spunky and energetic young lady who was a friend to all. While I admire and fully understand why she would choose not to disclose her disability, I couldn’t help but feel a little hurt upon hearing this. Please understand me, part of me was truly happy for Brittany. People with disabilities should not have to disclose any part of a disability if they don’t feel comfortable and I know she’s not ashamed of her disability. As much as I have come to understand why I was given this disability over the years, there were still days growing up when I wished I could have gotten out of my chair and played football with the other kids. Even as an adult at least twice a week I have a scenario where I say to myself “regular people don’t have to deal with this.”
What D’Angelo did was still a tremendous accomplishment and I am absolutely not trying to put her down in any way but I have to ask, is what she did really fair? I know it’s not right every time one of us has a chance to be seen in public to represent the entire community and I argued against inspiration porn in past blogs but if we want to be seen as equals by society then why are we hiding our disability? So many people on the spectrum could never hide it, even the past winner couldn’t hide his own disability. If someone like me enters the Big Brother house I would have to roll in there with my entire chair and a caregiver for my personal needs. I would have to ask the housemates for help with various tasks throughout the day Which would force the contestants and the viewing public to separate the person from the disability. In a way it’s hard for me because I can’t hide my disability, there’s nothing wrong or shameful about invisible disabilities. They do exist and they should be learned about by the public at the discretion of those who live with them. I just wanted to give people something to think about. The disability life can be very complex. See you guys next time and God bless you.
Hello my friends, please allow me to welcome you back to another blog. In my last post, I highlighted a disability advocate named Bill Byrne. This week I want to honor another one. Mr. Javier Robles is a professor at Rutgers University and a fierce disability advocate. His work represents everything I as an advocate aspire to be.
Let me take a step back. We in the disability community always feared some sort of public emergency like Covid-19 because we knew the system was overloaded and pushed to the breaking point. Years before the public started wearing masks. My fellow individuals in group homes we’re worried about a shortage in personal protective equipment. Before the pandemic staff would wash gloves after using them because there weren’t enough for the individuals in day programs. I would go visit folks in nursing homes that had some sort of disability after having a stroke. Knowing full well they were too young to be placed there.
Mr. Robles decided to do something about it. He’s the leader of the Disability Action Committee (DAC) after the outbreak they published a report identifying all the gaps the policymakers and decision-makers overlooked. I will be sure to add it to the sources below for you to read for yourself.
Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 NIV
The world decided on its own that the COVID-19 emergency is over. Javier in late September spirited a memorial at the New Jersey state house for those of us who passed away along with our caregivers.
I still can’t believe I was chosen to represent the New Jersey Council on Developmental Disabilities (NJCDD) at this event. I don’t see myself as a great man. I try to stay humble. If you ask me, I didn’t deserve to be there. I was ignorant of the greater disability community. There was only one other boy with Cerebral Palsy that attended mainstream classes in my entire School district. When I was growing up my approach to life was so laid back that I am now ashamed of it. I knew of Mr. Robles’ work along with his colleagues. I even emailed him and his team on more than a few occasions. I had to fight just to enter college. This man has hundreds of students listening to him every week. The lesson I learned that day as if you see a problem coming, don’t complain about it, find a way to solve it. Thank you Javier for mentoring the next generation.
Quick question to all my readers, Do you know the name of your town mayor? I’ve lived in the southern part of New Jersey for almost 15 years now and I have no idea who he or she is. I’ve been advocating for my disability community officially since September 2016. I just move on to the next meeting trying to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves. Advocates and disability allies never acknowledge the work we do. We just keep going. There is an international disability community, we all work together to ensure dignity and respect for all regardless of circumstance. The New Jersey Council on Developmental Disabilities (NJCDD) hosted their Community Building Awards An event that is held every few years to honor leaders in the disability population.
Earlier this week I was left speechless When I met a real-life disability hero, Mr. Bill Byrne. I’m ashamed to say this but I did not grow up training or believing in disability rights. I had a very laid-back approach and let my parents do everything. I didn’t begin to discover my voice until well after I was 18. people like Mr. Byrne were rockstars to me. Everyone knows of Madonna and The Beatles for example. At least in New Jersey and in some national circles, That’s how people describe Bill to me. Here are some of his accolades:
He is friends with Mayor Dorothy of Morristown, NJ. He regularly attends town council meetings.
One of the biggest advocacy organizations used to be known as the Association for Retarded Citizens. Thanks to Mr. Byrne and his colleagues There now known as just The Arc.
He petitioned the New Jersey government to have the words idiot, insane, and retard removed from the state constitution In the early 2000s.
He sits on many state, local, and national boards.
A proclamation was passed in his township that declared August 16th as Bill Byrne’s Day.
Yes, I knew he was receiving the Colleen Frazier award for Self Advocacy from the NJCDD weeks before the event. I am the vice chair of the NJCDD to be transparent. (They’re not sponsoring this article or any work that I post on this website.) It never occurred to me that I would see him there or sit at the same table as he did. I didn’t realize it until he came to shake my hand. This gentleman who had been raising awareness for disability issues since before I had braces talked to me like I was the next-door neighbor that he had known for years. So often I get frustrated because my work is not good enough for my perfectionist standards. I know we can all relate to that. We are so focused on tangible results, that we forget about the personal touch. Bill has mastered the personal touch.
“If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness. The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, who is to be praised forever, knows that I am not lying.”2 Corinthians 11:30-31 NIV
This man who cannot read or write and I’m sure has been put down by others, was so humble and passionate. The first words he spoke when he got up to the podium were to praise and Thank God. As a new Christian, this was the first time I completely understood the mission! All his work meant nothing to him without God. Mr. Byrne from one disability advocate to another, I thank you for showing me the way. You reminded me of what matters. I pray these words can help someone else. Thank you for reading I will see you next week.
The Advocacy Life Podcast & Blog 