Franklin D. Roosevelt: How a President with Polio Changed History and Inspired Millions
Release Date: 04/02/2025
Zack Gottsagen’s Groundbreaking Journey: Breaking Barriers for Actors with Down Syndrome in Hollywood
Friends For Life Podcast
Zack Gottsagen is breaking barriers and reshaping Hollywood. In this inspiring video, we explore Zack’s groundbreaking journey as an actor with Down syndrome—from his unforgettable leading role in The Peanut Butter Falcon alongside Shia LaBeouf and Dakota Johnson to making history as the first person with Down syndrome to present at the Academy Awards. Zack's story is more than a personal triumph—it's a cultural milestone. He’s a powerful example of what happens when talent, determination, and true inclusion come together. By pursuing his dream despite all odds, Zack has shown the...
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Nursing, Advocacy & Heart: Patty Haberkorn & Deanna Cox on 35+ Years in DD Care
Friends For Life Podcast
On this episode of IDD Health Matters, Dr. Craig Escudé sits down with two remarkable nurses—Patty Haberkorn and Deanna Cox—at the Illinois Developmental Disabilities Nurses Conference. With a combined four decades of experience supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), Patty and Deanna share powerful insights into nursing, advocacy, communication, and the often-overlooked emotional rewards of this career path. Patty, who began her journey as a nurse and now serves as Executive Director at Futures Unlimited, and Deanna, a dedicated nurse who found her...
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Ep 255: Are You Lacking Emotional Intelligence as a DSP?
Friends For Life Podcast
In this episode of the Friends for Life Podcast, Tony Stuart—CEO of Friends for Life and a veteran Direct Support Professional with over 20 years of experience—explores a critical but often overlooked skill in the field: emotional intelligence. Tony shares personal stories and practical insights on how DSPs can better connect with the individuals they support by being more self-aware, empathetic, and emotionally responsive. From learning to truly listen without reacting, to knowing when to be vulnerable, Tony offers a raw and honest look at what it means to support someone beyond just the...
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Ludwig van Beethoven: A Symphony of Resilience
Friends For Life Podcast
Ludwig van Beethoven's legacy goes far beyond his music—it's a powerful testament to the strength of the human spirit. Though he began to lose his hearing in his late 20s, Beethoven refused to let disability define him. Instead, he found new ways to compose, using vibration, intuition, and innovation to craft some of the most iconic works in classical music history. In this inspiring video, we explore how Beethoven overcame his profound hearing loss to create masterpieces like the Ninth Symphony, whose Ode to Joy remains a global symbol of hope and unity. Beethoven’s life proves that...
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Tony Thomas on Building a Career in Disability Services
Friends For Life Podcast
In this inspiring episode of IDD Health Matters with Dr. Craig Escudé, we welcome Tony Thomas, Executive Director of Welcome House in Cleveland, Ohio. With over 24 years of leadership experience, Tony shares his remarkable journey into the field of intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) — from a life-changing family discovery to a lifelong career dedicated to empowering individuals and advancing health equity. Tony discusses how frontline Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) are the heart of the disability services field, his innovative initiatives to improve healthcare access for...
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Ep 254: Avoiding Burnout in Direct Support: A Hard-Learned Lesson
Friends For Life Podcast
Are you feeling burnt out as a Direct Support Professional (DSP) or caregiver? You're not alone. In this episode of the Friends for Life Podcast, Tony Stuart — with over 20 years of experience in the field — opens up about the tough reality of burnout. From working endless hours, juggling personal responsibilities, and striving to serve others, Tony shares how even the most passionate advocates can hit their limits. He discusses his recent health wake-up call, the hidden factors that contribute to burnout, and why self-awareness is crucial for long-term success in the caregiving...
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Frida Kahlo: Turning Pain Into Power | The Disability & Art Legacy of an Icon
Friends For Life Podcast
Frida Kahlo, the legendary Mexican painter, is celebrated not only for her vivid and emotionally raw self-portraits but also as a timeless icon of disability pride and resilience. From childhood polio to a catastrophic bus accident at 18, Kahlo endured lifelong physical pain and countless surgeries—yet she transformed that suffering into some of the most powerful artwork of the 20th century. In this episode, we explore how Frida used her chronic pain and disability as fuel for creativity, boldly redefining what beauty, identity, and strength look like. Her unapologetic self-expression and...
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Breaking Healthcare Barriers: Dr. Alice Bacherini on Physician Bias and Disability Inclusion
Friends For Life Podcast
In this episode of IDD Health Matters, Dr. Craig Escudé sits down with Dr. Alice Bacherini, a postdoctoral research fellow at the University of Perugia in Italy, to explore how psychological research is helping dismantle biases in healthcare for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Dr. Bacherini discusses her groundbreaking work developing tools to measure erroneous assumptions and self-efficacy among physicians when treating individuals with IDD. Together, they dive into how clinician attitudes impact health equity, the role of social dominance orientation in...
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Ep 253: Are You Really Helping? Rethinking Accountability and Teamwork in DD Support
Friends For Life Podcast
In this thought-provoking episode of the Friends for Life Podcast, host Tony Stuart—CEO of Friends for Life and a DSP with over 20 years of experience—dives into the complex realities of supporting individuals with developmental disabilities (DD). Are we truly helping the people we serve, or are we sometimes just putting a band-aid on deeper issues? Tony explores the contradictions in the field, particularly when it comes to accountability, behavioral challenges, and the importance of consistent consequences. Drawing from real-world experience, including time spent navigating court systems...
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Stephen Hawking: Defying ALS, Unlocking the Universe, and Inspiring Millions
Friends For Life Podcast
In this inspiring episode, we explore the extraordinary life and legacy of Stephen Hawking—a brilliant physicist whose mind reshaped our understanding of the universe, even as his body battled the devastating effects of ALS. Diagnosed at just 21 and given only a few years to live, Hawking defied the odds for decades, contributing groundbreaking work to cosmology, black hole theory, and the nature of time. Through his best-selling book A Brief History of Time and countless lectures powered by a computerized voice system, Hawking proved that physical limitations cannot contain the power of...
info_outlineFranklin D. Roosevelt, the 32nd President of the United States, is remembered not only for leading the nation through the Great Depression and World War II, but also as a powerful symbol of perseverance for people with disabilities. Diagnosed with polio at the age of 39, Roosevelt was left permanently paralyzed from the waist down—yet he rose to the highest office in the land. In this inspiring video, we explore how FDR's physical limitations did not stop him from becoming one of the most influential leaders in American history. Through the use of leg braces, wheelchairs, and the support of aides, he maintained a commanding public presence. But behind the scenes, it was his resilience, determination, and deep compassion—shaped in part by his own experiences with disability—that truly defined his leadership. Roosevelt’s legacy reminds us that disability is not a disqualifier for greatness. His story is a beacon of hope for anyone facing adversity, showing that with courage and resolve, it's possible to overcome obstacles and leave a lasting impact on the world. 🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more stories that inspire and empower! #FDR #DisabilityAwareness #Inspiration #History #GreatLeaders #FranklinDRoosevelt #Polio #AmericanHistory #NewDeal #Perseverance #Motivation #DisabilityRights