Where Everyone Belongs
Soaring Through Adversity
In this episode of Soaring Through Adversity, host Renee Breazeale welcomes Amanda Kotter and Nicole Thompson, two passionate leaders and coaches within the Special Olympics community. Together, Amanda and Nicole share inspiring stories about the power of inclusive sports to foster confidence, connection, and community for individuals with disabilities. They discuss the origins and global impact of Special Olympics, highlight the challenges and triumphs of athletes, and emphasize the importance of advocacy and volunteerism in creating a world where everyone belongs. This episode is a...
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Embracing God's Plan
Soaring Through Adversity
Some stories stay with you forever, and Pastor Scott Garwood’s is one of them. Born two months premature and diagnosed with cerebral palsy, Scott could have let life’s challenges define him. Instead, he found a deeper purpose through faith, hope, and an unshakable spirit. Hear how a shy young man became a voice of love and encouragement for so many. His journey will touch your heart, lift your spirit, and remind you that God writes the most beautiful stories through our struggles.
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One Choice, One Moment
Soaring Through Adversity
A New Year's Eve call changes everything. Join Renee Breazeale as she speaks with Karla and Scott Dougan about a life-altering accident. Hear their raw, emotional story of unexpected challenges, and the long road to recovery. 'One Choice, One Moment' explores resilience and the strength in the face of unimaginable adversity, and shows that anyone can become disabled at the blink of an eye.
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Seeing The Unseen
Soaring Through Adversity
In this episode of Soaring Through Adversity, host Renee Breazeale welcomes Eva and Kevin Potts, co-founders of the Mary Carmel's Light Foundation, to discuss a condition that often goes unrecognized—Charles Bonnet Syndrome. Eva and Kevin share their personal journey, inspired by their late mother, Mary Carmel, who lived with the condition and was misdiagnosed with dementia. Their experience navigating the medical system and the lack of resources led them to create a nonprofit dedicated to empowering individuals affected by Charles Bonnet Syndrome and their families. Together, they break...
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Life Reimagined
Soaring Through Adversity
In this heartfelt and empowering episode of Soaring Through Adversity, "Life Reimagined", host Renee Breazeale is joined by her friend Christa Tyson for an unforgettable conversation. Christa, diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease at just 44, opens up about the challenges and lessons of navigating life with a disability. Together, Renee and Christa share personal stories, including Renee’s journey of discovering a life-altering brain tumor. This episode dives into how they’ve both turned life’s unexpected challenges into opportunities for growth, resilience, and even a bit of humor.
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Unstoppable Voice
Soaring Through Adversity
This episode of Soaring Through Adversity, titled "Unstoppable Voice," features Susan and Lexi Haas, a mother-daughter duo dedicated to disability advocacy and education. Together, they co-authored The Year of the Buttered Cat, which shares Lexi’s extraordinary journey. Susan and Lexi share their story of resilience, advocacy, and triumph, inspiring listeners to embrace the potential within every challenge.
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Stronger Than Yesterday
Soaring Through Adversity
Today's guest is Madison, a 36-year-old professional with roots in West Palm Beach, Florida, who grew up in Union County, North Carolina. Madison’s story is one of determination, from balancing single parenthood, a full-time job, and her studies to earn a communication degree from East Carolina University, to her successful corporate career as a business analyst at Siemens, where she's worked since 2014. On New Year’s Day in 2017, Madison’s journey took a sharp turn when she suffered a massive stroke that initially left her unable to walk and permanently affected her left arm and leg....
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Empowering Independence
Soaring Through Adversity
In this short episode of the Soaring Through Adversity podcast, host Renee Breazeale delivers a message about empowering people with disabilities. As the previous CEO of Victory Bolt & Specialty and co-founder of The Victory Advantage, Renee highlights their mission to make independent living more accessible. Through financial assistance for housing, education, and employment, The Victory Advantage is breaking down barriers to independence.
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Faith, Flight, and Resilience
Soaring Through Adversity
This episode, titled "Faith, Flight, and Resilience," features Chuck Hoyle. Born in 1952 in Kings Mountain, North Carolina, Chuck grew up in a devout Christian home. His love for sports and aviation led him to the U.S. Air Force Academy, where he strayed from his faith but later found his way back. After a tragic plane crash left him paralyzed, Chuck's resilience only grew. He became a foster parent to ten children, participated in adaptive sports, and got involved with a nonprofit offering water skiing opportunities for individuals with disabilities. Chuck now lives with his youngest son,...
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Forklift and Fly
Soaring Through Adversity
In today's episode, titled "Forklift and Fly," the spotlight is on two remarkable guests: David Casper and Nate Clewell. David, a Union County native and CEO of Union Diversified Industries, has been a leader in the IDD, MH, and SU fields. He's a trailblazer in nonprofit innovation, an ordained minister, and a dedicated community member. Joining him is Nate Clewell, a 33-year-old forklift operator at UDI. Despite challenges like scoliosis and ADD, Nate has thrived in his role and enjoys fishing, family time, and cheering for the Philadelphia Eagles. Both guests share inspiring stories of...
info_outlineAs the owner of Dawn Rock Drilling and Blasting, Daniel McGuirt was living every young boy's dream of being paid to blow things up. However, Daniel’s life was forever changed in 2021 when he was paralyzed from a Jeep accident on his family farm.
This wasn’t the first time in Daniel’s life that he had faced adversity however. 30 years prior, he broke his neck, and he also survived a cancer diagnosis in his thirties. Daniel McGuirt is no stranger to overcoming obstacles, as he’s proven his whole life and ever more so today.
Daniel McGuirt joins host Renee Breazeale on the first episode of the Soaring Through Adversity podcast. Daniel shares with Renee how each of his obstacles happened, and how he’s adapted over the years. Currently using a specialized wheelchair and accessible van, Daniel talks about what daily life is like for him, and how some handicapped accessible areas don’t always meet the needs of the disabled. Finally, Daniel shares what he thinks are a few things that able bodied people can do to better recognize people with disabilities.
Find out more at thevictoryadvantage.org.