It might not surprise those of you who follow my work regularly that I don’t get out into the physical world as much as I’d like. Since the pandemic in 2020, the rising cost of living and the complexities of coordinating care have made “getting out” a major operation.While 95% of my advocacy work happens virtually—which has certainly made things more accessible—I have to be honest: I miss the personal touch. There is no digital substitute for a firm handshake with a colleague, a hug from a friend, or seeing a meaningful smile in person rather than through a Zoom tile.
That is why I am so energized to share that at the end of March, I am heading back to my “Happy Place”: Washington, D.C.To some, D.C. is just a place where politicians work. But as a child, I never wanted to be a baseball player or an astronaut. I wanted to be in Washington. I wanted to be where the laws are made, because I knew that was where someone like me could make the most difference.
Rolling—my way through Capitol Hill is my dream job. Representing the state of New Jersey and the individuals with disabilities in our community is a privilege I do not take lightly. It humbles me every single time.Before I can get on the road, the real work happens here at home. I am currently spending my afternoons contacting legislative offices to schedule visits on behalf of the New Jersey Council on Developmental Disabilities (NJCDD).These meetings are where the “Exposure Method” meets the “Legislative Process.We
We aren’t just going there to share stories; we are going there to ensure that when policy is written, our lives are not treated as an afterthought or a “survival math” equation.Some might say these seminars are just formalities and that nothing really gets done. I disagree. In advocacy, small things add up to big things. Every phone call to a staffer, every scheduled visit, and every face-to-face conversation on the Hill is a brick in the bridge between existence and a full life.
At 39, I’ve learned that the natural rhythm of life can sometimes feel like things are being taken away. But my message to you today is this: Don’t ever stop trying. Don’t ever stop reaching. Don’t ever stop getting excited.What might feel like “nothing” to someone else is “everything” to us. I can’t wait to head to the nation’s capital to represent you, and I look forward to telling you all about the adventures when I return. Keep on rolling. Keep on living.
In the world of advocacy, we often talk about “the system.” We talk about it as if it’s a giant, immovable machine—something that operates at a distance from the people it’s meant to serve. But for the last several years in New Jersey, we had a leader who refused to look at the system from a distance. Instead, he got in his car and drove 148,000 miles to see the reality for himself. As Paul Aronsohn prepares to step down as the New Jersey Ombudsman for Individuals with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities and Their Families, I want to take a moment to reflect on his legacy. I’ve had the distinct pleasure of working alongside Paul through my roles with the New Jersey Council on Developmental Disabilities (NJCDD) and Self-Advocates Becoming Empowered (SABE)
In Paul, we didn’t just have an official; we had a witness. The Courage to Speak Truth to Power When Paul was first appointed by Governor Phil Murphy in 2018, he didn’t settle into a comfortable office in Trenton. As noted in the recent Star-Ledger profile, he submitted a report early on that described New Jersey as a “tale of two systems”—one that was functioning well and one that was failing.That kind of honesty is rare in government. It ruffled feathers. It made people in power uncomfortable.
Paul noted, he wasn’t there to make people comfortable; he was there because “lives, frankly, depend upon it.”That is the heart of advocacy. It is the willingness to say the thing that needs to be said, even when the administration that appointed you isn’t happy to hear it. Paul understood that his loyalty wasn’t to a political office, but to the families who were struggling to find housing, the individuals waiting for services, and the people trapped in the “benefits trap” that I often talk about.In my work with NJCDD and SABE, I saw firsthand how Paul valued the voices of self-advocates. He didn’t just speak for us; he created space for us to speak for ourselves.
He understood that the “Exposure Method”—the idea that people need to see the raw, unfiltered reality of disability to create change—was the only way forward. Whether he was visiting families in their living rooms or standing with us in Trenton, he was always listening. He took the “heartbreaking” stories he found on the road and turned them into actionable recommendations.He helped us navigate the “limbo” between existence and a full life.He
He knew that for many in our community, the difference between the two is often a single phone call, a specific waiver, or a caregiver who actually shows up. Paul leaves behind an office that is more vital than ever. He fought for it to be independent, and he fought for it to be loud. He showed us that the government works best when it is empathetic, transparent, and—most importantly—willing to admit where it is failing.While Paul is moving on to his next chapter, the 148,000 miles he traveled have left a permanent map for the rest of us to follow. He showed us that you cannot fix a system you aren’t willing to see up close. Paul, on behalf of the entire disability community in New Jersey, thank you. Thank you for the miles, thank you for the honesty, and thank you for being a “fearless” leader who wasn’t afraid to show his own heart. You’ve taught us that while the system may be a machine, the people fighting for change must always be human.
Paul’s departure shouldn’t mean a quiet period for the Ombudsman’s office. We must continue to support this office and ensure it remains a candid, independent voice for our community. Keep on rolling. Keep on living.
In 2006, I was given my first job offer. To be a greeter at Walmart. I filled out the application online with tons of enthusiasm. I was in the final weeks of my senior year. This would have been a respectable first employment. I was hit with a horrid dilemma. Around their 18th birthday, there is a bizarre rite of passage that takes place for my community, and that is their initial enrollment for Social Security benefits: Supplemental Security Insurance (SSI)
I rushed home to tell my dad, he was furious.
“If you’re going to risk your life, don’t be a clown in people’s circus. You can’t grow there. Sooner or later, you will lose the benefits you need, and then what are you going to do? You’re going to go there with the best of intentions, saying hi to everyone, and people are just going to walk right by you. You could work there for 20 years, and you’ll be exactly where you are now. You don’t have a safety net in this life. Everything you do must be calculated. Do something where you can make a difference and make sure it’s worth it. “
The summer before I went to college, I did an internship for my local mayor’s office. That was the right fit. Her office was right by the high school. The school bus would drop me off. I spent afternoons there twice a week. I put together all the packets for the new residents. Complete with a signed letter from the mayor. I was a good office clerk. After 2 weeks, I was featured in the town newsletter. My dad kept that for the longest time.As a parting gift, they gave me a small blue piggy bank for me to save my money.
“I’ve always believed that, given the tools and equipment they need and on a level playing field, American workers can out compete and beat the pants off anybody, anywhere.”-Rnold Reagan.
In the midst of the pandemic, I worked with Assemblywoman Carroll Murphy to improve New Jersey’s Workability program. It required an update. It is not perfect by any means, but it’s a needed step in the right direction. While everyone was watching Netflix and gaining weight during the shutdown. I worked with the NJCDD to launch the disability legislative caucus across the Garden State. It is completely nonpartisan with leadership from both sides of the aisle. The goal is to foster conversations with legislators before bills are passed into law.
One day a few years ago, I was walking down the Atlantic City Boardwalk with one of my caregivers. Sadly, that person is no longer with us. We had just lost a few dollars at a casino (don’t worry, it wasn’t much). Afterward, we sat on a bench, talking and enjoying the day. Then, out of nowhere, two strangers walked up to us. They asked if they could pray with us. It was an unusual request for 2 in the afternoon, but I figured, why not?
So, I gave them my hands and closed my eyes. The man prayed out loud, saying, “Dear Lord, please bless this man so that the demons leave his body and he may walk.”
Hi, my friend! I hope you’re doing well. What would you do if something like this happened to you? After it was over, I just said thank you, and we exchanged a few nice words. But my first instinct was to laugh! I pray all the time, but I wasn’t expecting that.
Some people might say I’m being punished and that only God’s grace can take me out of this wheelchair. But I don’t believe that.
I don’t want to make anyone uncomfortable. This isn’t a religious blog. It’s about advocacy and awareness. Talking about God shouldn’t be controversial, but I understand why it is for some people. Just like with disability, not everyone will understand.
Here’s the thing: I couldn’t write this blog or live my life without my disability. People like me, in the disability community, have made a difference in the world—one day at a time. And no matter your faith or beliefs, we can all agree on one thing: God is perfect, and He doesn’t make mistakes.
John 9:3 NIV [3] “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.
Some people ask me, “How can you say that when you’re in a wheelchair every day?”
This is what I know to be true: Without my cerebral palsy, my family wouldn’t be as close as we are. My disability didn’t just affect me—it took all my family members, by blood and by choice, to help get me where I am today. And I think that’s true for most people with disabilities. Having a disability like mine makes you see the world differently, no matter how much you wish you could be like everyone else.
Here’s something many people don’t realize: You will suffer in life, but you aren’t given life just to suffer. My life hasn’t been easy. I’ve had plenty of days where I’ve been frustrated with myself—and with God. It does hurt to miss out on some experiences that others get to have.
But here’s what I’ve learned: A lot of the experiences I’ve had, and many others with disabilities have had, are things most people can’t even imagine. We aren’t given anything we can’t handle. Giving up on ourselves and others is easy. But the mission is to find the good. Living with a disability, it’s easy to focus on the bad. But we spend our lives finding the good in the darkness.
Apologies, this was supposed to go out on Thursday in honor of those who lost their lives on 9/11 but I was unwell and could not publish it. I’m reposting this blog I feel there are still lessons we need to take away from the Horrific events of the 9/11 Terrace attacks. We must never forget!
Some days in life are unforgettable, no matter how hard we try. As we passed another anniversary of September 11th, 2001, I can still vividly remember where I was: sitting in my 8th-grade social studies class when the announcement came over the loudspeakers about the horrific attacks at the World Trade Center. It’s hard not to wonder—what would those who lost their lives that day think of the world we live in now?
I remember feeling hurt, confused, and angry. Race and religion didn’t divide us—we were united as proud Americans. There was no talk of kneeling during the national anthem, and political affiliations were the furthest thing from our minds. Fast forward over 20 years, and the country feels more divided than ever. We’ve stopped listening to each other. We’ve stopped valuing each other. Back then, when people lined up to donate blood, no one cared about skin color—all that mattered was that we all bled the same red.
The president is just one man, and we can’t place the blame for all of the country’s problems solely on him. It shouldn’t matter who voted for him; what matters is that we respect him as a fellow human being, just as every person deserves respect. We’ve lost sight of the fact that we can disagree with someone without branding them as racist or socialist. Over 3,000 people died on that day, and their deaths weren’t in vain. They remind us of the importance of our unity and the right to protest without tearing each other apart.
September 11th, 2001, isn’t about conspiracies or advancing social agendas. It’s about honoring the neighbors and heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice. It’s disheartening to think that more than 20 years later, we still haven’t fully learned the lesson they left behind—that we must stand united as a country and as a people.
Happy Thursday friends. I’ve had a very troubling week. I know today is Thursday but since my podcast was released on the 15th which fell on a Wednesday I decided to push this back a day Have you ever woken up feeling like everything’s just wrong? Like the whole world’s against you? It’s something we all feel sometimes. But have you ever stopped to wonder why? Is it because the world’s just messed up, or is there something about us that needs fixing?
I’ve always been someone who sees the bright side of things. Even when it seems like everyone’s complaining about what they don’t have, I try to focus on what’s good. Sure, there’s a lot of bad stuff out there—violence, discrimination, you name it. But that’s not what I want to talk about.
What bugs me is how we complain about every little thing just because our lives aren’t perfect. In this post, I want to compare some common complaints with my own experiences. Not to moan and groan, but to show that even when life’s tough, there’s still plenty to be thankful for.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 NIV [18] give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Let’s start with feeling tired. We’ve all been there, right? Wanting to stay in bed a little longer. But for me, getting out of bed isn’t so simple. Every morning, I need someone to help me, which makes me see tiredness in a whole new light.
Then there’s the whole job situation. Feeling like you’re not making enough money, hating your job—sound familiar? It’s something I’ve felt too. But for me, the biggest challenge isn’t my disability—it’s the money struggles that come with it. The day I get my first paycheck? It’s gonna be a big deal, let me tell you.
And traffic? Don’t even get me started. As someone who can’t drive because of my disability, I rely on public transport. And let me tell you, it’s not always smooth sailing. What might be a quick trip for someone else can turn into an all-day ordeal for me.
I could go on and on, but you get the idea. We need to stop taking things for granted and start appreciating what we have. As they say, one person’s trash is another person’s treasure. Instead of always wanting more, let’s learn to be happy with what we’ve got. So, I hope reading this makes you see things a little differently. Thanks for reading, and feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below.
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.
The Advocacy Life Podcast & Blog 