Born in France in 1809, Louis Braille lost his sight at the age of three—but that didn’t stop him from leaving a lasting mark on the world. In this inspiring episode, we explore how a tragic childhood accident led to one of the most transformative inventions in history: the Braille writing system. As a student at the Royal Institute for Blind Youth in Paris, Braille was introduced to a military code called “night writing.” Finding it overly complex, he began developing a simpler, more intuitive system of raised dots. By age 15, he had created the foundation of the tactile writing system that now bears his name. The Braille system revolutionized communication for blind and visually impaired people, opening doors to literacy, education, and independence across the globe. Today, Braille is used in nearly every language and found on everything from books and menus to elevator buttons and banknotes. Join us as we uncover how one young man's resilience and innovation sparked a movement for accessibility and empowerment that continues to impact millions of lives. Louis Braille’s legacy is a powerful reminder that adversity can lead to extraordinary breakthroughs. 🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more stories that changed the world. #LouisBraille #BrailleSystem #Accessibility #Invention #DisabilityAwareness #BlindCommunity #InspirationalStory #HistoryMatters #EducationForAll

In this insightful episode of IDD Health Matters, Dr. Craig Escudé is joined by nurse educator Michael Sigelman, who brings a wealth of experience and passion to improving healthcare practices for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Michael shares how his early experiences shaped his career and how he now plays a crucial role in training registered nurses and direct support professionals across his state. Together, they discuss the importance of structured nurse education, the value of trained medication employees (TMEs), and the essential role of accurate documentation in providing consistent and person-centered care. Michael also emphasizes the power of listening, knowing individual baselines, and taking time—three simple yet impactful practices that can vastly improve health outcomes. Through real-world examples, Michael and Dr. Escudé highlight the challenges and opportunities in achieving health equity, the significance of interprofessional collaboration, and the critical need for increased clinical training in IDD care. Whether you're a clinician, DSP, policymaker, or advocate, this episode offers actionable insights into creating a more inclusive, responsive, and informed healthcare system. 👉 Learn more about the tools and training mentioned in this episode at replacingrisk.com 👉 Explore career opportunities in IDD services at friendsforliferc.com 🎧 IDD Health Matters is a joint production of Friends for Life and IntellectAbility. Subscribe for more conversations on health, wellness, and equity for people with IDD.

Megan Bomgaars is a trailblazing advocate, entrepreneur, and star of the Emmy-winning show Born This Way. Born with Down syndrome, Megan rose to national prominence through her viral video Don't Limit Me, where she passionately called for inclusion, opportunity, and respect for people with developmental disabilities. Her message has inspired millions: see potential, not limitations.

In this video, we explore Megan's journey—from public speaking and fashion design to business ownership and national advocacy. Megan continues to challenge stereotypes and redefine what it means to live boldly with a disability.

#MeganBomgaars #DontLimitMe #BornThisWay #DownSyndromeAwareness #DisabilityAdvocate #InclusionMatters #DevelopmentalDisabilities #Inspiration #DisabilityRepresentation #SpecialNeedsAdvocate

In this episode, Tony Stuart, CEO of Friends for Life, shares practical, experience-based strategies for individuals with developmental disabilities looking to increase their waiver hours. With over 20 years in the field, Tony explains why using your current waiver is essential, how to properly document medical and functional changes, and how incident reports can influence approval for more support. He also discusses the importance of realistic hour requests, the value of waiver add-ons, and the role of agency providers in advocating for increased care. Whether you're a provider or someone receiving services, this episode is packed with crucial insights that can help you navigate the waiver process more effectively.

Are you or someone you support working to increase waiver hours? Tune in and learn how to advocate for the care and support you deserve.

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 calling in DD care after working in long-term care, both reflect on how they "fell into the field" and stayed out of passion. They open up about the gaps in nursing education regarding IDD, the importance of understanding non-verbal communication, and the critical role of baseline behavior in diagnosing health issues.

This episode covers:

• The value of advocacy from nurses and direct support professionals

• Real-world challenges in educating physicians and gaining respect for individuals with IDD

• Why knowing a person's baseline behavior is crucial for accurate medical care

• The emotional connection between care staff and the individuals they support

• Staffing and funding challenges in the IDD sector—and why passion still keeps them going

Whether you're a nurse, DSP, administrator, or someone curious about working in disability services, this conversation offers heartfelt stories and essential wisdom about the importance—and joy—of working in this field.

🔗 Learn more about IDD Health Matters and explore career opportunities:
Friends for Life Residential Care – https://www.friendsforliferc.com
IntellectAbility – https://www.replacingrisk.com

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 task list.

Whether you're a new DSP or have been in the field for years, this conversation is a must-listen for anyone looking to deepen their impact and build more meaningful relationships in disability services.

Topics Covered:

• Signs of lacking emotional intelligence as a DSP

• How emotional reactions can damage trust

• The importance of asking “How are you?”—and meaning it

• Balancing vulnerability and professionalism

• Why timing is everything in emotional communication

🔗 Resources mentioned:

• IntellectAbility – ReplacingRisk.com

• Assured Health Services – assuredhealthohio.com

• Reliable Drug & Alcohol Testing – reliabdrugtest.com

• THS Remote Supports – thsrss.com

🎧 Tune in, reflect, and join the conversation on how emotional intelligence can transform the lives of those we support—and our own.

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 genius and creativity are not limited by physical ability. His story continues to inspire millions, showing us that true greatness lies in perseverance, passion, and the refusal to be silenced.

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 people with IDD, and how Welcome House is creating clear career pathways for DSPs, including specialized medical support roles. He also talks about the urgent need to address workforce shortages and improve wages for caregivers.

If you’re passionate about making a difference, building a meaningful career, or learning how true inclusion transforms lives, this episode is packed with wisdom, hope, and practical ideas for the future of IDD services.

🎙 Topics Covered:

• Tony's personal journey into disability services

• The importance of DSP career growth and training

• Innovative healthcare solutions for people with disabilities

• Advocacy for higher wages and better workforce support

• Why working in this field is both rewarding and life-changing

🔔 Subscribe for more conversations on health, wellness, and equity for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities!

#IDDHealthMatters #DisabilityAdvocacy #DirectSupportProfessionals #DevelopmentalDisabilities #HealthEquity #DSPCareers #Inclusion #WelcomeHouse #HealthcareAccess