The Swiss Army Knife of Disability Advocacy: A Conversation with John Fela"

The Swiss Army Knife of Disability Advocacy: A Conversation with John Fela

In this episode of the Wheel With It Podcast, host Devon Wieters talks with John Fela, who describes himself as the Swiss Army Knife of disability advocacy. John shares his journey as a parent of a son with autism and his roles as an advocate, teacher, and member of Johnny and Friends, a global Christian disability organization. John discusses the importance of community, the challenges faced by families and individuals with disabilities, and his Three C's strategy for managing blended families. Tune in to hear real conversations about disability advocacy, community building, and more. Follow John Fela on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/john_fela_1/), X (formerly Twitter) (https://x.com/jfelageller74), Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/johnsspecialneedsblog/), and visit his website at https://johnfela.com/. Check out all the links in the show notes and subscribe to stay updated with our episodes. For all things Wheel With It Podcast, visit https://linktr.ee/wheelwithitpod.

00:00 Introduction to Disability Advocacy

00:59 Meet Our Guest: John Fela

01:18 John's Journey in Disability Advocacy

03:36 Challenges and Triumphs of Parenting a Child with Disabilities

09:58 The Three Cs for Blended Families

14:55 Joni and Friends: A Global Outreach

21:11 Navigating Education and Independence

28:23 The Importance of Community

35:42 Closing Remarks and Resources