Laughter is powerful. It can disarm uncomfortable situations and help us connect with one another on a deeper, more human level. In this episode of The Advocacy Life, I explore how embracing humor, even in the most embarrassing moments, can be an incredible tool for living with a disability.

I share three personal stories where laughter became my saving grace. The first involves a spectacular fall at a Boston Market, a moment where my poor depth perception led to an unexpected tumble. My staff and I couldn’t help but laugh, and it became a family joke. The lesson? When you fall—physically, mentally, or spiritually—laugh, learn, and get up.

My second story is more personal, a lesson in unexpected growth during an intimate moment with a new caregiver. It was uncomfortable, but by teaching and growing together, we built a lasting friendship.

Finally, I recount a time when I was angry and isolated, purposely hiding from my peers with disabilities. The staff and clients at my day program played a prank on me with a speaker that made fart sounds, and it was that ridiculous, joyous moment that made me feel truly welcome. It taught me that kindness and acceptance are key to overcoming ableism, a lesson that everyone, with or without a disability, needs to learn.

This episode is about more than just a few laughs. It’s a reminder to find the joy in the unexpected, to embrace awkward moments, and to welcome others with open arms.

Podcast Transcript

The Advocacy Podcast

Living Beyond Disability Books

Both books are available exclusively on Amazon.

My Start in Advocacy

Greetings, my friends, and welcome. In this world, it’s not always easy to understand the path you’re meant to follow. For a long time, I was lost. When I was 18, I was very disappointed in myself and in the world because I could not go to college. At that time, it was not in the cards, and I was very angry. I had basically given up and accepted the fact that I was worthless and I couldn’t do anything.

That all changed because one person didn’t give up on me. My school had a transition coordinator who always had my best interest at heart, even though I was, without a doubt, the most difficult client she ever had. She gave me this application for a course called

Partners in Policymaking, which she described as a disability learning think tank. I filled it out very, very, very basically—I wrote a bunch of crap because I didn’t believe in myself. But she saw my potential. She made me do better, telling me I could do a better job and made me write an essay on top of it.

Months later, I got a call from the program director, who said she was very impressed with my words. I had no idea what I had said, even to this day. When I finally went to the first session, I purposely sat in the back because I didn’t feel like I belonged. Where I grew up, I was one of the only kids with a physical disability, and I had no concept of the disability community, or of inclusion.

But as I listened to the stories of the other families and people in that room, I realized something. I’m not alone. There’s a whole community out there for you. I learned more from listening to their stories and successes than I did from the actual course. It was the first time as an adult I had ever been left alone as a person. I had never even slept in a room by myself before. That experience taught me that I wasn’t helpless, that I had resources, and that I could manage a situation on my own.

One course, one day, one person changed my life. What was that one course, that one day, or that one person for you? Let me know in the comments below! Full podcast episode is below as well.

episode transcript

The Advocacy Podcast

Living Beyond Disability Books

Both books are available exclusively on Amazon.