The Advocacy Life Podcast & Blog

Author: Kevin Núñez

  • America’s Cancer

    America’s Cancer

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    I want to start this post with this thought, some of you may not agree with me at all, but I think it speaks to the greater point. Everyone praises the freedom of speech granted to us by the first amendment of the US Constitution.  I use it every time I  click publish on one of these blog posts. I know there are people out there who don’t like what I have to say, and that is perfectly fine with me. These freedoms are guaranteed for all American people, not just the ones that agree with you. For the record, I did not vote for former President Donald Trump, but I believe it was wrong to have his Twitter account removed. We both have the same freedoms.

    Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
    Colossians 4:4‭-‬6 NIV

    Everything is being canceled! from Dr. Seuss to Mr. Potatohead. Everything is offensive to someone else.  Do we need to learn to communicate telepathically? This way we can get rid of all social media platforms and no one would get offended. There’s something I don’t understand, if we live in a Democratic Republic government where everyone gets a vote, then why are individuals being censored for their thoughts and ideas as if we lived in a socialist government? So many people have been put in Facebook Jail” because some algorithms do not agree with the post. Their freedom of speech was suspended without due process. That doesn’t sound very American to me. Cancel Culture is not a movement it is a cancer-killing the American dream.

    I think we’re living in the early days of the actual life of Hunger Games. For those of you who live under a rock. The Hunger Games is a series of novels and movies where a young lady leads the rebellion against a totalitarian government in a dystopian future. In the movie’s surprise ending the protagonist kills The president of the new rebellion after learning she was planning to enact some of the same policies as the old regime, ensuring that everything would truly start fresh. I’m not saying that we should all go practice our archery skills in case we get called to represent our districts, but things are occurring that I feel we should be worried about. I do not mean this to be a political blog and I am bipartisan all the way. I love this country with all my heart. Someone like me could thrive nowhere else. Everyone picks on Jeff Bezos because he’s a multi-billionaire, but thanks to Amazon I was able to publish my first book and have it shipped all around the world. Yes, they take a percentage of my profits but how long would it take someone with my disability to print just one book? It is not a question of convenience it is a matter of accessibility.

    America does not have the best past, but if we erase it all then how are future generations supposed to learn from it. Education is how we stop Ignorance, bigotry, and hate. If you spill a glass of milk, throwing out the milk carton does not get rid of the smell that was left by it. Only cleaning it up can do that.

    Why would you waste the milk that was still left in the carton? Just like black history needs to be taught in school, so should disability history. Children should know why the N-word is wrong. They should also learn why the R-word is wrong. Disability doesn’t care what color you are on the outside. It can be the ultimate equalizer.

     So don’t take down statues of Confederate soldiers, take the children to see them and tell them what was wrong. Then take them to the Institutions and let them hear the stories of those who were abused and still are being abused. We all need to learn real tolerance and appreciation for someone’s struggles, not just appeasement. It’s okay to disagree, it doesn’t make the other person “the bad guy.” We all deserve dignity and respect. Ask any singer or actor. There will always be hate and ignorance in this world that does not mean we have to lose respect for others On a purely human level. May God bless you and enjoy the rest of your week.

    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

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    Thank you for your response. ✨

  • Walk of Destiny

    Walk of Destiny

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    The following post is an excerpt from my book Confessions from Disability Limbo released in the summer of 2021. Please enjoy.

    Hello good people I hope everyone is staying safe. I recently remembered something the other day and I had to write about it. Walking has always been a very interesting subject for me. The short answer to your next question is no, I cannot walk officially. It takes so much energy to get my muscles to do stuff they don’t want to do. When I walk I usually throw up or pass out.   I can only do it in short distances and in a therapeutic setting where it is safe. The following anecdote is pretty much the only exception.

    My father’s little sister was getting married. I have lots of aunts and uncles but this seems like something I have to do. I wish I could tell you there was some overwhelming reason that drove me to do this. I just knew from the moment she announced her engagement I had to walk down the aisle. She wanted her only nephews at that point to be part of the wedding. Just like Rocky before the big fight, I spent months getting my body ready. This was going to be the longest I had ever and whatever walk.

    I was never one of those kids who hated dressing up but there was a huge difference between walking in a pair of sweatpants and doing it in a brand new suit. There is something you need to understand about my “walking.” It’s a complete illusion. I can only step with one leg, the other one drags behind, just like a zombie on TV. Then I pull the backward-facing walker to keep my balance. The secret sauce however is my orthotics that stabilize my legs into one position so they don’t buckle.

    I have no idea what I had for dinner yesterday but it has been over 20 years since this event and I still remember every step. I know for my family members seeing the 10-year-old little boy walk was more important than seeing the bride on that day. No one had ever seen me walk before.  The reversal was easy enough.

    My mother would set me up at one end and I would walk to my father at the end of the aisle. There was only one little hitch. The velcro holding my legs to the Orthotics was wearing out. Normally, this is not a big deal, it happened to me all the time. We would stop at the store and slap on new velcro. With all the hustle and bustle we never made it to the store.

    The velcro lasted a total of 3 steps before it gave away and I had no support or stabilization whatsoever. I remember the church felt huge and it was incredibly hot. I started out walking pretty strong on pure willpower. I remember swallowing just a little bit of vomit. Halfway through I hit the wall hard. I start to see black. The church seemed empty. I have no doubt I almost fell at least twice.

    “For we live by faith, not by sight.”

    2 Corinthians 5:7 NIV

    It is funny, as a child you go to church but it’s difficult to understand the true meaning of God. I know now that was the only way I made it through that walk. I must say I’m not trying to force religion on anyone but God never abandons us and this was the first time I deeply felt his presence. I collapsed in my dad’s arms when I got there. Don’t ask me how the service was. I was in exhausted hay sipping on a bottle of water. As for my aunt and uncle, they are happily married with two of my favorite cousins both ready to go off to college.

    I hope this story can show people you can do whatever you want. The disability will be there always but it does not have to stop you. Thank you to anyone who read through this all the way and have a wonderful day.

    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

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    Thank you for your response. ✨

  • A Proud Podcaster

    A Proud Podcaster

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    Hello beautiful people, your favorite little blogger is back. I decided when I relaunched this blog I wanted to dedicate a little time to the content creation process. People think it’s easy when they like our posts and leave comments. I am not an influencer and I will never be the best blogger in the world. I just want my work to reach the right people. No one realizes the amount of effort it takes to put part of yourself out there continuously. In the hopes of helping someone in one way or another. Whether it’s youtube, Instagram, blogging, or podcasting I just want to say thank you and congratulations for all you’ve done.

    For now, I want to shed some light on a lady named Jennifer Briney, the host of Congressional Dish. My absolute favorite podcast. To be clear she has not sponsored me or asked me to write anything about the show. We have never met or collaborated in any way. Every once in a while she will comment or like one of my tweets and I will have a complete nerdgasm. Some of you may know I attempted on two separate occasions to do a podcast of my own for disability awareness. for me, a 15-minute episode took about an hour and a half to produce the final product. I cannot imagine trying to record two episodes a month for almost 10 years as she has pretty much done by herself. That amazes me! In today’s world, to have any kind of Project last that long. 

    “whose tongue utters no slander, who does no wrong to a neighbor, and casts no slur on others;
    Psalms 15:3 NIV”

    Here is the description of the show directly from her website:

    “Congressional Dish is a podcast that since 2012 has been aiming to draw attention to where the American people truly have power: Congress. From the perspective of a fed-up taxpayer with no allegiance to any political party, Jennifer Briney will fill you in on the must-know information about what our representatives do AFTER the elections and how their actions can and do affect our day to day lives.” 

    Click here to read more

     Her podcast is completely independent of any commercial influences as she depends on donations from her audience to produce the program. Briney begins each show by stating that she has no allegiance to either party. I believe her because each episode is over an hour-long without any commercials. All claims made on the program are backed up by sources that she listed throughout the entirety of the episode,  including a list of show notes for the audience to see for themselves. I first glance the show is about politics but in my humble opinion, It gives us a window into our society and our culture. I don’t always agree with her conclusions and opinions but she always leaves me something to think about.

     I have secretly compiled a mountain of research over the years That proves corporate overlords make their money by keeping people with disabilities locked in poverty.  The general public doesn’t realize this Someone with her neutrality would be able to do an episode on this issue. If by any reason she happens to read this I promise I’m not trying to make you do any more work than you already do. It would just be a cool idea   Americans need to be aware of the responsibilities we all have to stay Americans.  Below I will list a few of my favorite episodes for you guys to check out. Once again thank you all for your time and see you next Wednesday.

    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

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    Thank you for your response. ✨

  • Ensure Privacy for People with Disabilities

    Ensure Privacy for People with Disabilities

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    The following was written as an Op-Ed advocate for pending legislation in New Jersey in February 2022. Hope you enjoy and have a good day

     My name is Kevin G. Nuñez I am a thirty-four-year-old Puerto Rican male living with Cerebral Palsy. Ensuring and protecting the rights of people with disabilities is what  I have been doing my entire life.  I immigrated with my family to New Jersey at the age of four. Due to the nature of my disability, I use a wheelchair as my primary tool to live my life.  I have my daily struggles to overcome and try to live my life the best way I can. I need to use this platform to bring attention to an issue that does not enter the public consciousness when it comes to the disability population.

    Like most individuals with disabilities, I use the assistance of a Direct Support Professional (DSP) with my personal needs daily.  When I want to visit my family, I must take a three-hour and twenty-five-minute flight. Despite what Hollywood movies might have you think, the bathroom on the plane is not large enough to fit two people, or even one person using a wheelchair.  After I use the restroom at the airport, I am the first person to board the plane. I do not move for the duration of the flight.  Finally, I am the very last person to get off the plane. I can guarantee you it is not comfortable at all. By the time everyone gathers their belongings and gets off the plane another thirty-five to forty-five minutes has gone by.

     At this point, Mother Nature has my full attention. When I get to the next accessible bathroom, there is always someone in the handicap stall; peacefully stretching their legs in a space they don’t need to be using because they don’t have a disability. This leaves me with two options.  The first is to wait until they’re done and at best get a halfhearted apology. My second choice, I am forced to relieve myself in the corner of the restroom by exposing myself and urinating into a  plastic urinal bottle. Females with disabilities do not have the same luxury.

    Thanks to Assemblywoman Carol Murphy a Bill was introduced that requires business owners to put up signs on these specific bathroom stalls to discourage people from using them inappropriately. Provided there is more than one stall.  The Accessible Restrooms Sign Bill (A467/S1239) Needs to be made a priority, This is a human rights issue! It has gained bipartisan support. We are still awaiting committee review in the New Jersey state legislature. This legislation secures dignity and respect in this private moment that all humans should have.

    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

    Subscribe
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    ← Back

    Thank you for your response. ✨

  • Subconscious Genocide

    Subconscious Genocide

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    Hello once again, I hope your Wednesday is going well. The reason I wanted to wait till March to relaunch my blog is that March is known as disability awareness month in the United States. It’s usually seen as a celebration of how far our community has come in the last few years. I want to use this opportunity and this platform to bring attention to those of us that have been forgotten. Not everyone can post on Instagram or come up with a fancy new hashtag. Those of us who can speak must stand for those who have no voice.

    A few weeks back in a nursing home In Sussex County New Jersey Just under 200 individuals with various disabilities were found locked away in horrible conditions. According to reports linked below, countless rooms smell like urine and feces. By the time most of you are reading this the world is probably moved on to the next story and lawsuits have already been filed what about the people themselves? What are their stories? Has their suffering ended or did they just get transferred from the facility where they’re still going to be abused? I know the system is overwhelmed and understaffed but that said the reason why this happened. Instead of Googling the latest TikTok craze, I asked that you take a few minutes to investigate this. This is not an isolated incident. I think what hurts the most, is that this situation keeps recurring. The coronavirus pulled back the curtain on this horror show.

    Generalizing something like this happens, when an individual with an intellectual disability suffers a stroke. They do not recover fully and because the system does not have enough medical group homes They are forced into these programs that cannot meet their needs accordingly. Having a disability is not equal to aging.  I once knew a man who went through this exact scenario at 55. participants from his day program were the only visitors. I am saddened to say he’s no longer with us. I believe he didn’t make it to his 60th birthday. This took place years before there was a global pandemic. Who you think anyone went to his funeral?

    “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” Matthew 5:7‭-‬8 NIV

    There are plenty of systemic issues because the system is not centered on the person It’s focused on protecting itself from lawsuits and avoiding blame at all costs. The human service industry In its entirety at a given point took on its own life force. It has become a runaway train coasting down the track. What can we do to stop it? I don’t have the answer to that but I can tell you we need to focus on the little things. There’s no reason why the staff cannot take the clients out on a walk. I’m not exaggerating, read the articles for yourself. 

    The reason why this subject hits so close to home is, I know If it wasn’t for my family This could have been me. Imagine going to bed but never being able to get out of it. We don’t see value in people with disabilities. I tried to think of a creative comparison, It’s not like prison because they have committed no crime. It is different from slavery because no one is benefiting from their silent pain. We have created a subconscious genocide by ignoring those who need us the most. Wake of America!

    Source Material:

    https://www.nj.com/news/2022/02/nearly-200-people-are-locked-down-living-in-inhumane-conditions-at-nj-nursing-home-advocate-says.html

    https://www.nj.com/news/2022/02/residents-lives-at-extreme-risk-feds-say-as-they-threaten-to-essentially-shut-down-troubled-nj-nursing-home.html

    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

    Subscribe
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    ← Back

    Thank you for your response. ✨

  • Coming Back from Everything

    Coming Back from Everything

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    Salutations and best wishes I look forward to our time together. After a few months of hiatus, I decided to relaunch my blog and website. I know some of you probably wondered if I died.  I can assure you I am very much alive and I feel better than ever. Just like this website I took a few months and redesigned myself. I invite you all to please click around and check out all the features. I know there isn’t much but all the important stuff is there. I’m going to use my life as an example but I don’t want this to be a blog about “Kevin and his disability” I want to focus on the human experience and help others grow spiritually and mentally. The world is tough enough as it is  I hope for a few minutes every week, I can take you out of it.  to find a little extra something.

    "Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house."'
    Matthew 5:15 NIV

    For all my new followers here is a quick synopsis of who I am. My name is Kevin G. Nuñez. At the moment of this writing, I am 3/4 of the way to my 35th birthday. That sounds weird to say, worse to stop and think about. I want my writing style to come across as a conversation between friends. I want to talk with you as the reader not talk at you. I was born and diagnosed with a developmental disability Cerebral Palsy. It is a neurological condition That affects the spinal cord in the brain. The single gets sent from the brain down my spinal canal but somewhere along the line, there’s a disconnect. Turn a key in a car, but it dies at the point of ignition. This is the best conversion I can make. I’ve been privileged to serve on various committees on both the state and national levels to ensure the rights of all people and families affected by disability. Before you ask I have not been paid for the representation I have done to this point. Not all labor should be done for financial gain. If you want more information on this aspect of my life please check out my advocacy resume on the about me page.

    Doing the same activity over and over expecting different results Is the definition of Insanity. So, What makes this website different than other blogs?  To start with I have changed the name. It always irritated me to have my name on the website. I couldn’t think of any other names. I know the URL is the same but that’s only for lack of funds. I want to focus on the quality of blogs instead of quantity. There was a time when I was publishing two blog posts a week, a podcast episode, and publishing my first book all at once! By the time the book was posted on Amazon for purchase in July I was creatively exhausted. This time I will be posting only once a week on Wednesdays for 26 weeks out of the 52 week year. from March 2022 To March 2023.  I’m still going to be writing every day I’m currently working on a follow-up to my book.

     I will periodically drop book excerpts. In addition, I have all my original posts from the last website. So there will be plenty of content throughout the entire year.  A steak is always better than a hamburger, right? 

    Each post will focus on a different aspect of disability life and spirituality. challenges in life are not always bad, sometimes we need them to persevere in our circumstances. the disability community is still second-class citizenship. I hope we can change this by starting a dialogue after each post. I welcome all comments and feedback.  If you guys want me to cover a specific topic please let me know. I can’t wait for our next conversation. 

    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

    Subscribe
    PayPal
    CashApp

    ← Back

    Thank you for your response. ✨