July 25, 2024 • 42 mins
What if an initial misdiagnosis at the age of 13 led you down a winding path of medical challenges and remarkable resilience? This episode features Cori Fischer, a longtime member of our Trend-Able community, who reveals her incredible journey from being incorrectly diagnosed with dystonia to uncovering the true cause of her symptoms—a tethered spinal cord. Cori takes us through her experiences with multiple surgeries, and recoveries, and shares the profound emotional and physical toll that came with waking up with minimal sensation and movement from the waist down.
Cori's story is not just one of medical challenges but also a testament to her unwavering determination and advocacy. Transitioning from a college freshman to an occupational therapy (OT) student, Cori faced the life-altering challenge of adapting to life in a wheelchair after 14 surgeries. With the incredible support of her family, especially her sister, she overcame significant obstacles to return to school and pursue her aspirations. Cori’s unique perspective as an OT in a wheelchair allows her to deeply connect with her patients, offering them comfort and inspiration through her lived experience.
This heartfelt conversation also delves into the valuable lessons Cori has learned about resilience, support systems, and the importance of community. She emphasizes embracing imperfections, recognizing the value of mentors, and finding strength in others' struggles. Tune in to be inspired by Cori’s journey and the profound impact of sharing and learning from each other’s stories.
- Follow Cori on Instagram
- Connect with Cori on LinkedIn
- Watch Cori’s Graduation speech
- Learn more about SMERF.org
- Book an EmBRACE It Workshop
- Looking for more great tips, hacks, and blog posts? Visit: Trend-Able.com
- Find more on Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) and patient resources at: HNF-cure.org
- Follow us on IG! @embraceit_podcast | @trend.able | @cmtwegotthis
Hosted by Lainie Ishbia and Estela Lugo.
Embrace It is produced by Launchpad 516 Studios.
For sponsorships and media inquiries, drop an email to: embraceit@lp516.com
Subscribe to Embrace It with Lainie and Estela on Apple Podcasts and get notified of new episodes! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/embrace-it-with-lainie-estela-smashing-disability-stigmas/id1468364898
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:03):
Welcome to the Embrace it series, where women
with all types of disabilitiescan be real, resourceful and
stylish.
With each episode, you'll walkor roll away with everyday tips,
life hacks and success storiesfrom community leaders and
influencers.
So take off your leg braces andstay a while with Lainey and
Estella.
Speaker 2 (00:26):
Hi, I'm Lainey and I have CMT, and I'm Estella and I
also have CMT, a neuromusculardisorder affecting approximately
2.6 million people worldwide,that's as many as MS.
Speaker 3 (00:38):
We believe disabilities should never get in
the way of looking or feelinggood.
Both of us wear leg braces andhave learned through our own
personal journeys to embrace itBrought to you by Launchpad 516
Studios.
Speaker 2 (00:52):
Each episode is designed to challenge your own
stigmas and beliefs arounddisability.
We want our listeners to getthe most value for their time
spent with us, so we interviewsome of the most empowering
disability badasses in the world.
Through storytelling, personalexperiences and tips, we're all
reminded of our own strengthsand endless potential.
Speaker 3 (01:09):
For more information and exclusive resources, check
out our websites attrend-ablecom and hnf-cureorg,
and don't forget to hit thesubscribe button for future
episodes and special promos.
Hi everyone, Hi everyone who'sout there listening, wherever
(01:35):
you are.
You know, I know we say itevery time we have a guest on,
because all of our guests havebeen so awesome and each one of
them is really amazing andinspiring in different ways, and
educational and thoughtful andwhatever.
But today's is especially allof that for me personally,
because today's guest isactually someone who works with
(01:57):
me every single day and has beenpart of our Embrace it and
Trendable community.
Trendable started now it's beensix years of Trendable,
Trendable website and whatnotbut about four and a half years
ago, our guest today.
Her name is Corey Fisher.
Her mother actually found mesomehow on the internet or on
(02:22):
Facebook because I was talkingabout shoes for people who wear
leg braces AFOs.
At the time, Corey was in legbraces, obviously, or was
starting them, I don't remember.
We're going to let her tell allthat, but her mom was like hey,
I love your website, whatnot?
My daughter, Corey, hassomething.
(02:42):
We don't know what it is yet.
She then passed Corey on to me.
I, Corey and I interacted and itended up that Corey became an
intern for me while she wasgoing through occupational well
at the time, actually, youweren't even in, she wasn't even
in occupational school, she wasstill in college, undergrad and
then she stayed with me andthroughout all of that she got a
(03:06):
degree which I'm going to tellyou, she's going to tell you
guys about, in occupationaltherapy.
She's still today working andpart of our trendable team.
It's only me and her.
So, with that said, I'm goingto now introduce Corey Fisher,
who has an unreal, unbelievablestory, and I think you guys
should all grab a cup of coffee.
(03:26):
Maybe I should take a breathbecause I'm just so excited.
And Corey welcome to the Embraceit podcast.
Speaker 5 (03:33):
Hi everyone, Thank you so much for having me.
I'm so excited to be here.
I can't believe I've beeninterning for Laney for over
four and a half years now.
It's crazy.
Speaker 3 (03:43):
I need to stop you one point, because this one is
really important.
I, every single day, I mean Ihave told my husband every
single day to Corey and Iinteract, which is a lot.
I've said, oh my God, Corey ishaving another surgery, oh my
God, Corey's in the hospitalagain.
Oh my God, this poor girl.
And I think about the fact thatyou're my own child's age, my
(04:05):
oldest child, who now goes byWill.
You're the same age and everytime I'm like, oh last, like I
think it was a couple of weeksago my husband, Howard, said to
me Lainey, why don't you haveCorey on the podcast?
I'm like, oh my God, Like'mlike what.
Yeah, exactly, if you grew up inthe 80s it would be like duh,
(04:26):
hey, right there.
I'm like, oh my God, why didn'tit occur to me?
I'm like stunned, every time Italk to Corey that she's still
smiling and still talking andstill positive.
So I'm sorry to interrupt you,corey, but that's like a very
important point.
So thank you so much forintroducing me to my own.
Speaker 5 (04:54):
No, thank you.
So, like Lainey had said, yeah,so I have been with her for
over four and a half years now.
I started with her as afreshman in college and now I
actually just passed my boardsand officially an occupational
therapist.
Yay, yay, super exciting.
Yes, I'm hoping to move toChicago, so we'll see to start
my career.
So, to tell you a little bitabout myself before we get into
(05:15):
my full story, so when I was 13,back in 2013, I was diagnosed
with what we thought was amovement disorder called
dystonia.
But flash forward actually tosummer of 2022, we actually
found out that I had a tetheredspinal cord which was causing
(05:36):
all of my issues with spasticity, the abnormal movements, the
clonus, the tremors, and so Ihad surgery back in 2022 of the
summer to release my tetheredspinal cord.
And I also had a selectivedorsal rhizotomy surgery, which
is where they go in and cut yoursensory nerves in your spine,
because that's what causedspasticity and because of how
(05:57):
long I had had the tethered cord, for I had a lot of spasticity
and so they did that surgery,for I had a lot of spasticity
and so they did that surgeryalong with the tethered cord,
but unfortunately, because ofhow long this went for, I also
had to have a baclofen pumpplaced because I was still
having crazy spasticity afterthat.
Speaker 2 (06:16):
And a baclofen pump is basically.
It's just dispersing a painreliever into your system.
Speaker 5 (06:23):
Yeah, so actually it was dispersing baclofen which is
a muscle relaxer to help withspasticity?
Okay, yeah, so, butunfortunately, when I woke up
from my the tethered cord andthe SDR surgery, I really had
very minimal sensation and verylittle movement from my waist
(06:44):
down, which I was not expectingat all.
I had already had some issueswith movement on my left side
because of some previous nervedamage, so that one was already
not moving great.
But then to wake up and nothave both of them and very
little movement, that wasterrifying.
Speaker 2 (07:02):
I can only imagine.
And do they know what causedthis?
Because you say like a tetheredspinal cord.
Is that something that canhappen from birth?
Is it genetic?
Is it like injury?
Is it from like?
Speaker 5 (07:13):
an injury.
How does that?
Speaker 2 (07:13):
happen.
Speaker 5 (07:14):
Yeah, so when I was little I was diagnosed actually
with what they thought wascerebral palsy.
Speaker 3 (07:21):
Oh, I didn't know that, I never knew that.
Speaker 5 (07:24):
Okay, yeah, I went on , though, to be a competitive
gymnast, played soccer Like Ireally didn't have any issues,
um, but then really it was whenI hit puberty.
Honestly, um is when everythingkind of turned for the worst,
so they don't know.
If, you know, typically theyfind the tethered spinal cord at
puberty Um, it's typically whenthey find it, so they don't
know if I was born with it or ifit occurred at.
Puberty is typically when theyfind it, so they don't know if I
(07:44):
was born with it or if itoccurred at puberty, because
typically occurs when you startto grow, because that's when the
spinal cord touches, so theycan see it better.
But unfortunately, no one foundit until about 11 years later.
So it's very frustrating.
Speaker 3 (08:00):
I mean I remember your mom, like you know, as a
parent.
I was like, oh my God, like youknow, I didn't mom, like you
know, as a parent.
I was like, oh my god, like youknow, I didn't even know you
really yet and I remember likefeeling like, oh my god, and
that was like way before.
I mean I, how many surgerieshave you had for you?
I've had four.
Speaker 5 (08:17):
I've just had my 14th , which is wow, crazy wow, and
you know, how many it's beenabout over 10 years.
Speaker 3 (08:26):
And people are listening.
Okay, I mean you're you'relistening and you know many of
the people who are listeninghave disabilities of your own.
You know, currently my husbandhas a temporary disability and
it's like, like a lot of people,you know, it's hard every day
to like get up and feel okay,let alone when you're not
(08:47):
feeling okay, when you're inpain but then also to have like
to not be depressed.
To that I am telling you that,corey.
I'm sure, corey, when you talkto me, I'm sure there are days
when you're like like, I'm surethat not every day you're
smiling, but for the most part,I have never met a person in
(09:10):
general who is as like positiveand yet like real.
When I text you the other lastweek you had had another
procedure and I'm like, how areyou doing?
I mean, it's like you feel likea broken record, right, and you
know you are honest.
You're like, how are you doing?
I mean, it's like you feel likea broken record, right, and you
were honest.
You're like, not so great, butyet you're like you're.
(09:31):
It's just unbelievable to me.
It's because it's not in a likeI'm feeling sorry for myself
way, it's like in a very like,just matter of fact, you know
and like.
How do you, after having mostof your now adult life?
Well, and childhood, olderchildhood, adolescence has been
from going from being able towalk to being in leg braces to
(09:55):
then using a walker.
You wrote an article forTrendable back in our early days
.
You wrote a story and it wasall about like top things you
use and one of them was like acane.
Speaker 5 (10:09):
It was like you weren't using crutches yeah,
they were like the smartcrutches, the forearm crutches
and then at times now, are youusing a wheelchair full-time?
Yes, I'm full-time becauseunfortunately I really don't
have.
I have some movement in myright foot, but other than that
I don't have much movement belowmy waist.
Speaker 2 (10:29):
And when did your decision to go into OT happen?
Was that something you werealways interested in, or was it
really more you know, an organicthing that happened as you were
having these surgeries, youwere more exposed to this
profession.
Yeah, it really started.
Speaker 5 (10:46):
I see my passion for OT really started when I was in
rehab.
I was in rehab a lot and I sawjust how passionate they were
about their job, how helpingothers just, and how we, as OTs,
we're the ones that make thingswork, no matter the obstacle.
(11:07):
And so, you know, even with mysurgeries like after I had my
spinal cord surgeries you know Iwas in the hospital from August
to November and which was along time.
You know I was supposed to bedoing my clinicals but instead I
was in the hospital.
Instead of being trained as theOT, I was training how to do
(11:29):
all of these things.
Speaker 3 (11:31):
Time to you had, I mean, a kitchen.
You know, I, as I said before,you're the same age as my eldest
child, who was going throughcollege and you know, picking
their major, and that's what youwere doing and you were, like,
you know, living on a collegecampus and then all of a sudden,
then you're at this hospitaland then your mom is busy trying
(11:52):
taking you to all these placesto to help figure out what you
have and what it was, and you'restill smiling and doing your
college job.
And you also had a youngersister, cause I remember at one
point your younger sister, lex,yeah, filled in for a minute.
Yes, she did For me, for you tohelp me.
Um, for it, just for peoplelistening.
(12:14):
Um, to help me.
Um, for it, just for peoplelistening.
Um, corey helps me withInstagram, because I cannot
handle more.
I do all my own posting, my ownwriting.
Corey helps me by like engagingwith people on Instagram a lot,
because I just don't, I'm like,I just don't want another thing
and um, so Corey has been a bighelp with that.
But your sister was filling inand your sister's already
(12:36):
graduated, like, she's like,right, getting ready to start
her life too, right, and she is.
Speaker 5 (12:41):
So she's actually in physical therapy school.
So she has two more years.
She's in grad school, but, yeah, she's completing physical
therapy school, so it's kind offunny that I went to ot, she
went into pt.
I'm 24 years old.
I've had 14 surgeries, um I youknow, my greatest hope is to
share my journey and experienceswith advocacy and really the
(13:02):
movement that not only affectedmy physical ability to move, but
also how a movement whetherlike positive or negative, or
which direction we choose to gocan really change and affect how
we think about ourcircumstances in life.
And we all have circumstancesin our life that we cannot
control.
They can be big or small, butit's what we do with those
(13:23):
circumstances and how we moveforward, or whichever movement
we choose to go, that reallygoverns our lives and the
opportunities given to us.
So our circumstances really canbe changed by the movement we
choose to go.
And so that was something.
Honestly, I did think about alot, especially with these last
(13:45):
surgeries when I was in thehospital back in 2022, august
through November just because Iwas alone a lot and was in the
hospital.
And what else are you going todo when you're in a hospital
room is just think.
And I had people tell me, likeyou know, you don't have to go
back to school.
You know, I was just about, Iwas finishing my grad school.
I was supposed to be inclinicals but, like I said
(14:06):
before, instead of being the OTstudent in training, I was being
the patient, right, yeah.
And so, like I said, they hadsaid you know, you don't have to
go back.
This is a lot to deal with.
And I was still learning how todo a lot of the basic tasks
from a wheelchair level, likepulling up your pants from a
wheelchair, transferring ontothe toilet, transferring in the
car, like all those basic thingsI was still learning how to do.
(14:29):
And, um, but the more I thoughtabout it, I was kind of like,
okay, if I don't go back, likewhat am I showing people who I'm
going to be working with?
What am I showing my futurepatients?
Because these are, these arethe things they're going to be
dealing with, right, and as anOT, we're all about making
things works and adapting to ourbest ability to be able to
(14:51):
achieve the accomplishments thatour patients want to be able to
achieve.
And so I knew I needed to goback because I was like I'm not
just going to stop, like what amI going to do?
And so that's what I did.
I went back to school and I'mnot going to sugarcoat it,
though it was very, verydifficult.
Um, cause I only I had onlybeen in a wheelchair at that
(15:12):
point for five months, whichsounds like a lot, but when
you're learning how to do allthose things, yeah, we're going
to get your level.
It's not a lot and there wasstill a lot to learn, but I
really had the most amazingfriends there who were there for
me to help me adjust when I wasat school, because I went back
in January.
So I came back home in Novemberand went back to school in
(15:34):
January and my sister which wasa blessing also ended up at the
same school as me.
So that was amazing because she, you know, at that point I
couldn't drive so she could helpme get to places too.
And it ended up working outthat where I had rehabbed after
my surgeries my spinal surgeriesI actually got a clinical this
(15:55):
past summer with, which was justamazing and a full circle
moment, because from going frompatient in the same hospital to
now treating the patient I had Ihad done a year ago, that was
just.
It was a very neat experienceand just very amazing.
Speaker 2 (16:12):
I can.
I can only imagine, like how apatient just coming into an OT
clinic not expecting to see atherapist in a wheelchair
themselves how relieving thatmust be and how much you're able
to connect on such a deeperlevel with the patients that
you're treating Like.
What was that?
(16:33):
What has that reaction been?
And you know that dynamic, yeahit was.
Speaker 5 (16:38):
It was very special.
You know I I had kind ofthought it before I started my
clinical, like okay, I want tomake such a difference in these
patients lives and but thenactually getting to do it, it
was.
It was nothing like I canreally explain, you know, just
these patients really trustingme and just asking me opinions
on things that really youwouldn't ask an OT, but because
(17:01):
I was in a chair they feltcomfortable with asking me which
and I'm very happy to talkabout my story too that was
another thing a lot of patientswould ask me.
I'm like I'm not gonna hide it,so if you want to ask about it,
you're more than welcome to.
I think one of the things thatsticks out the most was one
patient was having a reallydifficult time.
You know, he'd been in and outof the hospital, he was in a
(17:22):
wheelchair and he was reallyupset, he was crying and he told
me, you know, typically whenhe's upset he goes and hides and
he goes and hides in his office.
He just shuts the door, hedoesn't let anyone in.
And I think what was reallyspecial was he thanked me for
(17:44):
opening the door and coming intohis office because he was
having a really rough time and Itold him, you know, we all have
rough times and it's okay tolet it out, it's healthy to let
it out, and so he thanked me forcoming into his office, which
was just that was a reallyspecial and just a cool, cool
moment.
Speaker 3 (17:56):
Corey, like for myself too, you know, and like
everyone who's listening, likehow, how does?
Like when you have that moment,I hear you about attitude, you
know, obviously, you know I postall about this, right, it's a
different thing to know it andthen to live it.
And it's very easy for me as aperson, you know I have,
(18:19):
obviously, I have disabilities.
I, I, um, and I sometimesdownplay my own disabilities
because I, I do struggle.
Like yesterday I, my husband,had a surgery and I could not
open the ice bag.
I couldn't even like evenattempt to open the ice bag and
he was like asleep.
So, like I felt like oh my God,like wow, I really am.
(18:40):
Like I'm like, oh, I have adisability, but then I'm like,
wait, I like cannot do this, Iphysically cannot do this.
I need to find someone who canhelp me to do this.
And for a moment, you know, Ifelt bad for myself and I'm like
, oh, but then you know he has atemporary disability, right,
and he, a lot of people who Ihave, who are in accidents, have
(19:00):
surgeries that are, they feelvery sorry for themselves.
It's hard to like motivate.
You know you have those moments, right, and even though you
know the attitude.
You know that, like, thinkingand doing can change everything.
Like, can you explain what youdo?
Is there something that, likeyou, do to help you get out of
(19:21):
feeling sorry for yourself?
Speaker 5 (19:24):
I wish I could.
I honestly I think it's mysupport system.
I have a really amazing supportsystem.
Like I, my parents are reallyamazing, my sister's really
amazing.
My grandparents sport system.
Like I, my parents are reallyamazing, my sister's really
amazing.
My grandparents and I've hadthe most amazing physicians.
To two of them um have been Ishouldn't say two, there's been
more than two Um but my physicalmedicine and rehab position
(19:48):
honestly has been there for meevery step of the way.
Um, I met him when I was 12 or13.
And I still see him to this dayand he was the one that really
helped us figure out what wasgoing on.
But he's always been an amazingsupport system for me and just
cheering me on, and he'sactually the one that wrote me a
(20:08):
recommendation letter to go toOT school.
He's one of the reasons Iwanted to go to OT school.
So just knowing that I havepeople in my corner too really
helps and knowing that I haveevery reason to get upset if I
need to.
No, we're allowed to.
Speaker 2 (20:24):
We're all dealing with different situations and I
think sometimes we downplay themor sometimes we do over
exaggerate, but we're all havingdifficult situations and they
all have significance overexaggerate, but we're all having
difficult situations and theyall have significance, because I
think sometimes the pressure tostay positive and not let the
people around you who love youand are helping care for you
(20:46):
maybe in that moment, not tomake them feel you know worse by
by letting yourself feel sadand letting yourself have that
outlet and those emotions, so Idefinitely can't agree more and
whether that's a therapist oryou know fellow patients that
can relate to what you're goingthrough advocacy, things like
that I think that support systemjust is such a important
(21:09):
foundation for anyone goingthrough any kind of disability
challenge in their life.
We'll be right back.
Speaker 6 (21:26):
This is George, fred and Jason, the co-leaders of
Speak, interrupting to say thatwe hope you're enjoying this
episode, but please make sure tocheck out our new show, the
Speak Podcast, another greatshow produced by Launchpad 516
Studios.
New episodes available everyweek on all of your favorite
podcast platforms.
Speaker 4 (21:46):
Each Speak Talk is about six to 10 minutes in
length, and the talks are givenin storytelling format.
There are three key moments ineach Speak Talk the moment of
truth, the moment oftransformation and the moment of
impact, given in storytellingformat.
There are three key moments ineach Speak Talk the moment of
truth, the moment oftransformation and the moment of
impact.
We host pop-up events all overthe world, and now we're
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Join us on the Speak Podcast as our speakers step
onto the stage and into thespotlight with impactful ideas
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Speaker 1 (22:16):
We'll let you get back to the show you were
listening to stage and into thespotlight with impactful ideas
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We'll let you get back to theshow you were listening to.
Another great podcast fromLaunchpad 516 Studios.
Speaker 2 (22:25):
You're tuning in to Embrace it with Lainey Anastella
, brought to you by Launchpad516 Studios.
And speaking of challenges youspoke recently about I think it
was like in front of 2000 peopleabout like how to you know what
the life lessons you've learnedso far through the course of
(22:46):
your experience and now as an OT, can you share a few of those
with us?
Speaker 5 (22:50):
Yeah, so I spoke at my high school graduation, which
sounds crazy, cause that was along time Wow so.
I spoke at my high schoolgraduation, which sounds crazy
because that was a long time.
Seems like just yesterday, butit was a while ago, yeah.
So there were five lessons thatI gave at my high school
graduation.
The first one was do not waitfor the perfect moment to pursue
(23:11):
or try something new, becauseit may never exist and this is
definitely still.
These are all still very true.
I don't think they'll everexpire, you know, especially
because we don't know what'sgoing to happen tomorrow.
You never know what's going tohappen and you know, even I
(23:32):
regret, like even before myspinal surgeries, like I had no
idea that I wouldn't be able towalk, really you know, have the
movement or the sensation that Idid before.
And so even you know just takingthe simple things for granted,
like being able to ride a bikeor taking a walk outside, just
those simple daily things thatyou know you've, you take for
(23:52):
granted truly.
But when you have things likethis happen to you, you really
realize what's important in lifeand what's significant and
what's not.
I remember I used to get youknow when you're a teenage, 13
year old girl.
You just, you know you getupset about, you know, gossip or
like what to wear or like allthat stuff, and then you realize
(24:12):
what's actually important inlife.
Like all that stuff, and thenyou realize what's actually
important in life and I thinkthat's something to like, as I
had dealt with it at such ayoung age, like everything
started when I was 13, right,and you know middle school time,
and I feel like I definitelyyou know, probably lost my
friends and stuff just because Iwas going through such a
different time than most at thatage.
(24:33):
You know most are caring aboutwhat am I going to wear at a
party or when am I going to date, you know all that stuff where
I was just dealing with tryingto walk.
Speaker 3 (24:42):
So I think, yeah, Corey, I'm like, so I'm dying to
hear the other ones, because Idon't even know what you said at
your graduation, but what youjust said I think is really
important.
Like you know because I relatedalso to just loss in general
like you were experiencinglosses after loss, after loss,
and you know not just thephysical stuff of not being able
(25:04):
to walk and now needing thistool and this mobility, but the
loss of, like childhood, andgoing into being in a dorm and
being able to and your mom hadlosses of you know having you
know a child who is in collegeand having like an easy time and
(25:25):
being able to be an emptynester without you know having
to.
You know be with your not that Idon't want to be with my own
kids, but, like you know,beginning that experience but
she needs to always focus, andyour parents and your sister, on
you know, your stuff and I, whyam I?
Oh, I know what my point was.
Is that lesson of focusing onwhat you can do is like what you
(25:49):
do have you?
Know, like you're so I mean itmust be annoying to hear you're
so lucky to have this family.
But really, corey, you are likeI mean not.
I mean it's like.
I mean I know, you know thatand I'm.
You must be expressing that allthe time to them, because
people can't go on being likedoing what they're doing without
a kid who's like you.
(26:10):
I mean, I wouldn't have been akid like you.
That's such a really valuablething to think about is like the
lost part and also, I know,like losing a parent myself.
You know people are all therein the beginning, but you find
out who your real people are.
You know when it's a year later, or or you know in Jewish
(26:30):
tradition you held a shiva foreight days.
The people who are there foryou after that time period, like
those, are your people and youhad to learn that lesson earlier
than most people that you know.
It doesn't matter how big yoursupport system is.
It's really the quality overthe quantity.
Speaker 5 (26:47):
What's number?
Speaker 3 (26:48):
two I'm so sorry.
Speaker 5 (26:50):
Lesson number two is always look for unforeseen
teachers, and this is what Ithink that really really helps
me too.
Like I had said, I had the mostamazing PM&R physician who is
one of my biggest role models,just because of how he's never
given up on me and is alwaysthere, even if it's not all
medical, even if it's just youknow, hey, how's it going Like,
(27:11):
how's life, you know.
And even when I was in thehospital, other patients I think
are one of our biggest teachers, just because you don't have to
look far to see that there'smany others worse off than you.
And I know we had said,everyone goes through difficult
times, everyone has theirdifficulties, their stories, but
(27:31):
when you think you're goingthrough something really hard
and then the patient living inthe room next to you is going
through something even harder,it does make you shift your
perspective.
And even when I was in thehospital, actually my
neurosurgeon, which he wasamazing, incredible too, he's
one of I think of him as amentor too, and incredible and
amazing person and he's beenthere for me every step of the
(27:54):
way.
He actually, while I was in thehospital, invited me to sit on
his nonprofit board called SMURF.
It's Student Mentorship,education, research Fellowship
as a patient advocate, and itreally focuses on diversity,
equity and inclusion in thefield of neurosurgery and it's a
really awesome nonprofit.
That's just getting started,but it was another part of
(28:16):
moving forward for me and beingable to be a patient advocate
for those who may be goingthrough something similar to I
did, where we didn't find theanswers till 10 years later and
I was dealing with all thisstuff, which is very, you know,
frustrating and hard.
But now I get to be patientadvocate for and help patients
out, which has been a really areally cool experience too.
(28:38):
So always looking for mentorsand experiences and
opportunities when you leastexpect it.
Speaker 2 (28:44):
Yeah, I love that because every guest we have on
our show is a teacher.
We're constantly just.
Everyone has their uniquestories and how they navigated
their challenges and it's just I.
I love that element of justbeing connected with community.
Okay, what?
What's number?
Speaker 5 (29:03):
three If anyone wants to check out smurforg sorry,
it's very cool we will put thelink in the show notes.
So lesson number three was somany of us try to project an
image of perfection, but we areall imperfect and all have
challenges, and that's kind ofwhat I was saying before.
Striving for perfection is apath to failure, because we
(29:25):
often do learn the most from ourmistakes, and often those that
take the biggest risks, even ifthey do fail, they enjoy the
most reward, and a lot of timesfailing doesn't mean giving up.
It just means you have to getback up and try again, and so
this was actually from my speechIf you're ready for failure,
then you're ready for growth,and so fail stands for first
(29:49):
attempt.
In learning.
End is not the end, it meanseffort never dies, and if you
get no as the answer, it justmeans next opportunity.
And sometimes we just have toredefine our definition of
success.
I love that.
Speaker 3 (30:04):
Oh my gosh, so many gems, so that is like awesome.
I feel like that like meanslike and and Corey, you're part
of my Canva community.
You need to create something forTrendable.
That's like an amazing I mean,it's hard, it's hard to like.
That needs to be on an image.
I'll make it into Canva yeah,you need to make it in Canva and
(30:26):
then I'll put in the colorsbecause you know, I like that
part that is so profound and someaningful.
Oh my God, all right.
What's the next one?
So Like and and so meaningfuloh my God, all right.
What's the next one?
Speaker 5 (30:36):
So lesson number four is not everything is fixable
and that sometimes life justsucks it.
Sometimes, honestly, it does,and there's nothing to do but
coping, and coping is hard work,but sometimes there isn't.
Speaker 2 (30:52):
Yeah, yeah.
Speaker 5 (30:53):
Sometimes we spend so much energy and time trying to
fix it when we could be usingthat time to adapt right um and
yeah, or sometimes it just it'shard, you know, and we can't fix
it, but all we can do is moveforward.
Speaker 3 (31:09):
I you know what you need to add to.
If you do another podcast,which I feel like you're going
to do with 5 000 after afterhours, or you're going to do
with your board and what you'redoing, you're going to be
speaking.
I mean, your story needs to getout there.
You have so much to say and somuch value in what you say, but
what Estella just said, repeatit again, because it was so like
(31:31):
how.
You just said that.
One word, estella, because it'sAdapt.
Okay, yeah.
And really it goes full circlewith what you've chosen to do as
your profession and like I mean, and what we do with Trendable
and Embrace it.
And especially with Trendable,because the part, the whole
thing, is about adapting.
(31:51):
Right, it's my I don't mean tomake this about me at all
because you're so much more whatyou do and and you are
trendable, like it's you and meas a little team but it is about
adapting.
It's like, okay, life doessometimes suck and gives you
lemons, but like you findworkarounds and OTs, like you're
going to be the best OT ever.
(32:12):
Cause I remember at thebeginning of Trendable, I was
searching and searching for fordisability tools and like I'm
like wait, why are there so few?
Like there's all these OTs inthe world, why aren't they like
making stuff?
Like there's so much stuff thatpeople could use, you know, and
like that's what we do, is wefind workarounds for things that
(32:34):
we can't do.
And like what we do is we findworkarounds for things that we
can't do and, like now, you aretrained as a professional.
Oh my goodness, it's the coolestthing ever.
Speaker 5 (32:42):
No, thank you.
Yeah, I know, I can't believehow fast it's all gone by, like
it's just crazy.
Speaker 2 (32:47):
Yeah, okay, so what's number five?
So the last one Yep.
Speaker 5 (32:52):
So, through all of this, I think the most powerful
lesson is the importance of grit, which is a term taken from Dr
Angela Duckworth's TED Talk, andgrit means the passion and
perseverance to take on a longterm goal.
And so, over the course of allthese years, I've learned that a
singular thing, so like notbeing able to walk, or a test
(33:16):
score or another obstacle,doesn't define our ability to
succeed.
If I would have let this, youknow, define me, I would not
have graduated with my master'sin OT, I would not have gone to
college four hours away.
So grit is our willingness toput in the work whether it's in
our academics, ourextracurricular activities, or,
in my case, in our academics,our extracurricular activities,
(33:37):
or, in my case, relearning howto walk that ultimately leads to
achieving our goals, and I'velearned that we grow the most
when we face challenges.
But it's the grit that reallytruly defines who we are.
Wow.
Speaker 3 (33:49):
You are so wise.
Speaker 2 (33:51):
I love that and I think, just for our listeners
there, I want to give you creditfor tuning into whether this is
your first episode or I thinkwe're up to 56 now and learn
more from people in thedisability community and improve
(34:18):
yourself and expand your ownperspectives and you know just
your own improve your own pathand to build that muscle and
that grit so that you can be abetter advocate for yourself and
for others and learn how toadapt better and learn how to
find more joy in the now, and sowe definitely.
You are the queen of grits andwe are just so grateful that you
(34:42):
came to share some of thatwisdom with us, and we will
definitely share your Instagramin the show notes for anyone
wants to follow you and followyour journey, and we hope to
cross paths in the near futurewith the CMT community.
I know we'd love to you know,see if there's any opportunities
there for us to work together.
(35:02):
I know there's a lot of peoplethat could benefit from OT and
someone like you.
So thank you.
Speaker 3 (35:09):
Well, I get to still work with you and see you.
So it's not, it's definitely.
I love that you still decide.
You know, obviously, corey,this is a very flexible job.
It's when you feel like doingit and there's no real you know.
But what you know, I mean itjust ties into everything and I,
(35:30):
if I even said it which I don'tbecause a lot, because I'm I
haven't said it, which I don'tbecause a lot because I know you
do I don't say it enough, butyou know, I learned from you
every day and thank you to myhusband for like, literally like
, giving me this epiphany.
Well, he had the epiphany.
He's like, why are you worriedon the podcast?
And I talk about you constantlybut I don't tell you how much I
(35:54):
appreciate you and how much Ivalue the fact that you inspire
me every day.
When I'm not having a good day,I think, oh my God, what would
Corey do?
What would Corey say?
And I wish everyone, you know, alot of this is nature and
nurture.
You know this is a whole naturenurture thing.
A lot of us weren't born likewith this gene that Corey has,
(36:15):
which is part of it is just youknow, she was born with this
kind of attitude and that's justyour demeanor.
You're lovely and graceful andkind.
Not all of us were born withthat, you know.
But you can be nurtured, it canbe learned.
Speaker 4 (36:31):
And you are teaching people, corey that's what you're
doing.
Speaker 3 (36:35):
So, we, you know, before we do our ending, that we
add you with everyone you knowI.
I'm curious what would you sayto someone who isn't born with
that, like you know, kindness inand that that sweet cause you
know, your doctor, that you haveis so fabulous?
I don't know if you, they, heor she would have been as
fabulous If your attitude waslike a lot of people's would be
(36:58):
when they're going through whatyou've been through.
I mean, you receive things.
You've always you respond to mein the nicest way when you're
going through a lot.
So what would you say tosomeone who doesn't have the
grit?
Speaker 5 (37:09):
naturally A few things.
So I think one of the things isbeing vulnerable, because I
think when we open up it, reallyit doesn't only help us, but it
also helps, you know, theperson who we're talking to.
It can help us both.
But I think showing ourvulnerability isn't a weakness,
it can turn into a strengthbecause, like I said, we all
need to let it out.
(37:30):
So, hiding it and it reallyaffects us, but I think opening
up is a really big part of it.
Um, that's something I've beentrying to do more, because I
used to really honestly beclosed off and just kind of hide
my feelings about everything.
But I've been trying to be morevulnerable just because I think
it can become a strength, um,in helping others and, I think,
(37:52):
trying to shift our perspective,which I think I did a post
about this a little while ago.
When we shift our perspective,it really comes in the choices
we make and how we decide tomove forward or move Really.
You know we can take anydirection that we want to go.
(38:13):
So really, an emphasis on thatmove, despite the circumstances
we are facing and we don't knowit, but deciding to move in a
different direction may justtake us farther in life than
moving in a different direction,and so my journey has been
anything but easy.
(38:33):
It's been really difficult,even with the surgery two weeks
ago it's been really difficult,but I've really had an immense
amount of opportunities becauseof what I've gone through and
just all the people I've gottento meet and because of the
movement I have chosen to go,meaning moving forward.
So, I really think, shiftingour perspective.
(38:56):
Even like when I was in thehospital not being the OT, but I
was training to be the OT I waslike you know, I'm not behind.
In fact, I'm anything butbehind, because I'm learning how
to do all this stuff that I'mgoing to be teaching my patients
how to do.
Speaker 2 (39:09):
Yeah, you kind of like behind the scenes of the
whole operation, right, right,literally.
Speaker 5 (39:14):
Yeah, it yeah.
So I tried to shift myperspective, because those are
some really hard times too, butjust trying to shift your
perspectives can make a hugedifference.
Speaker 2 (39:25):
And you're definitely shifting our perspectives and,
I'm sure, many of our listenerswho've been here.
We like to end our podcast witha question, and that question
is what does embrace it mean toyou?
I think embracing.
Speaker 5 (39:40):
It is choosing to move forward despite what you're
going through and, like it says, embracing what's in front of
you.
You know you don't know what'sgoing to happen tomorrow, let
alone we don't know what's goingto happen within the next hour.
But taking it hour by hour, notletting anything stopping you
from doing it, even if there areobstacles in the way there's
(40:02):
always, there's always a wayover, under, through the
obstacle.
Speaker 3 (40:06):
Oh my gosh um insert plug for trendable t-shirts,
perfectly imperfect, or when youcan't go right, go left, just
go to wwwpatreoncom.
Corey, what do I pay you for?
Speaker 2 (40:21):
but wait there's, but wait, there's more if you order
now.
Speaker 3 (40:26):
Corey, you are just a joy for real thank you for
having me like.
I'm so glad Estella got to seeand hear you and like get to
know you because and of course,our listeners but you're just
unreal and I'm grateful to knowyou.
So thank you, corey.
Speaker 5 (40:45):
Thank you everyone for listening.
Speaker 3 (40:48):
Bye, estella, in New York city, where you say it's
warm, but it's not really thatwarm.
Bye everyone.
Speaker 2 (40:56):
Bye, thanks everyone.
Thank you so much.
Hey Embracers, thank you somuch for listening and
supporting the Embrace itpodcast brought to you by
Launchpad 516 Studios executive,produced by George Andriopoulos
and hosted by Laini Ishbia andEstella Lugo.
Our music and sound effects arelicensed through Epidemic Sound
Embrace.
It is hosted with Buzzsprout.
Speaker 3 (41:16):
Do you have a disability-related topic you'd
love for us to feature, or couldsomeone you know be a fabulous
guest on our show?
We would love to hear yourcomments and feature them on our
next podcast.
So leave us a voicemail or youcan even send us a text to
631-517-0066.
Speaker 2 (41:37):
Make sure to subscribe to this feed wherever
podcasts are available and leaveus a five-star review on Apple
Podcasts while you're at it.
Follow us at embraceitunderscore podcast on Instagram
and make sure to follow all thegreat podcasts produced by
Launchpad 516 Studios.
Speaker 3 (41:54):
We hope you join us next time and continue to
embrace it.
Welcome to the Embrace it series, where women
with all types of disabilitiescan be real, resourceful and
stylish.
With each episode, you'll walkor roll away with everyday tips,
life hacks and success storiesfrom community leaders and
influencers.
So take off your leg braces andstay a while with Lainey and
Estella.
Speaker 2 (00:26):
Hi, I'm Lainey and I have CMT, and I'm Estella and I
also have CMT, a neuromusculardisorder affecting approximately
2.6 million people worldwide,that's as many as MS.
Speaker 3 (00:38):
We believe disabilities should never get in
the way of looking or feelinggood.
Both of us wear leg braces andhave learned through our own
personal journeys to embrace itBrought to you by Launchpad 516
Studios.
Speaker 2 (00:52):
Each episode is designed to challenge your own
stigmas and beliefs arounddisability.
We want our listeners to getthe most value for their time
spent with us, so we interviewsome of the most empowering
disability badasses in the world.
Through storytelling, personalexperiences and tips, we're all
reminded of our own strengthsand endless potential.
Speaker 3 (01:09):
For more information and exclusive resources, check
out our websites attrend-ablecom and hnf-cureorg,
and don't forget to hit thesubscribe button for future
episodes and special promos.
Hi everyone, Hi everyone who'sout there listening, wherever
(01:35):
you are.
You know, I know we say itevery time we have a guest on,
because all of our guests havebeen so awesome and each one of
them is really amazing andinspiring in different ways, and
educational and thoughtful andwhatever.
But today's is especially allof that for me personally,
because today's guest isactually someone who works with
(01:57):
me every single day and has beenpart of our Embrace it and
Trendable community.
Trendable started now it's beensix years of Trendable,
Trendable website and whatnotbut about four and a half years
ago, our guest today.
Her name is Corey Fisher.
Her mother actually found mesomehow on the internet or on
(02:22):
Facebook because I was talkingabout shoes for people who wear
leg braces AFOs.
At the time, Corey was in legbraces, obviously, or was
starting them, I don't remember.
We're going to let her tell allthat, but her mom was like hey,
I love your website, whatnot?
My daughter, Corey, hassomething.
(02:42):
We don't know what it is yet.
She then passed Corey on to me.
I, Corey and I interacted and itended up that Corey became an
intern for me while she wasgoing through occupational well
at the time, actually, youweren't even in, she wasn't even
in occupational school, she wasstill in college, undergrad and
then she stayed with me andthroughout all of that she got a
(03:06):
degree which I'm going to tellyou, she's going to tell you
guys about, in occupationaltherapy.
She's still today working andpart of our trendable team.
It's only me and her.
So, with that said, I'm goingto now introduce Corey Fisher,
who has an unreal, unbelievablestory, and I think you guys
should all grab a cup of coffee.
(03:26):
Maybe I should take a breathbecause I'm just so excited.
And Corey welcome to the Embraceit podcast.
Speaker 5 (03:33):
Hi everyone, Thank you so much for having me.
I'm so excited to be here.
I can't believe I've beeninterning for Laney for over
four and a half years now.
It's crazy.
Speaker 3 (03:43):
I need to stop you one point, because this one is
really important.
I, every single day, I mean Ihave told my husband every
single day to Corey and Iinteract, which is a lot.
I've said, oh my God, Corey ishaving another surgery, oh my
God, Corey's in the hospitalagain.
Oh my God, this poor girl.
And I think about the fact thatyou're my own child's age, my
(04:05):
oldest child, who now goes byWill.
You're the same age and everytime I'm like, oh last, like I
think it was a couple of weeksago my husband, Howard, said to
me Lainey, why don't you haveCorey on the podcast?
I'm like, oh my God, Like'mlike what.
Yeah, exactly, if you grew up inthe 80s it would be like duh,
(04:26):
hey, right there.
I'm like, oh my God, why didn'tit occur to me?
I'm like stunned, every time Italk to Corey that she's still
smiling and still talking andstill positive.
So I'm sorry to interrupt you,corey, but that's like a very
important point.
So thank you so much forintroducing me to my own.
Speaker 5 (04:54):
No, thank you.
So, like Lainey had said, yeah,so I have been with her for
over four and a half years now.
I started with her as afreshman in college and now I
actually just passed my boardsand officially an occupational
therapist.
Yay, yay, super exciting.
Yes, I'm hoping to move toChicago, so we'll see to start
my career.
So, to tell you a little bitabout myself before we get into
(05:15):
my full story, so when I was 13,back in 2013, I was diagnosed
with what we thought was amovement disorder called
dystonia.
But flash forward actually tosummer of 2022, we actually
found out that I had a tetheredspinal cord which was causing
(05:36):
all of my issues with spasticity, the abnormal movements, the
clonus, the tremors, and so Ihad surgery back in 2022 of the
summer to release my tetheredspinal cord.
And I also had a selectivedorsal rhizotomy surgery, which
is where they go in and cut yoursensory nerves in your spine,
because that's what causedspasticity and because of how
(05:57):
long I had had the tethered cord, for I had a lot of spasticity
and so they did that surgery,for I had a lot of spasticity
and so they did that surgeryalong with the tethered cord,
but unfortunately, because ofhow long this went for, I also
had to have a baclofen pumpplaced because I was still
having crazy spasticity afterthat.
Speaker 2 (06:16):
And a baclofen pump is basically.
It's just dispersing a painreliever into your system.
Speaker 5 (06:23):
Yeah, so actually it was dispersing baclofen which is
a muscle relaxer to help withspasticity?
Okay, yeah, so, butunfortunately, when I woke up
from my the tethered cord andthe SDR surgery, I really had
very minimal sensation and verylittle movement from my waist
(06:44):
down, which I was not expectingat all.
I had already had some issueswith movement on my left side
because of some previous nervedamage, so that one was already
not moving great.
But then to wake up and nothave both of them and very
little movement, that wasterrifying.
Speaker 2 (07:02):
I can only imagine.
And do they know what causedthis?
Because you say like a tetheredspinal cord.
Is that something that canhappen from birth?
Is it genetic?
Is it like injury?
Is it from like?
Speaker 5 (07:13):
an injury.
How does that?
Speaker 2 (07:13):
happen.
Speaker 5 (07:14):
Yeah, so when I was little I was diagnosed actually
with what they thought wascerebral palsy.
Speaker 3 (07:21):
Oh, I didn't know that, I never knew that.
Speaker 5 (07:24):
Okay, yeah, I went on , though, to be a competitive
gymnast, played soccer Like Ireally didn't have any issues,
um, but then really it was whenI hit puberty.
Honestly, um is when everythingkind of turned for the worst,
so they don't know.
If, you know, typically theyfind the tethered spinal cord at
puberty Um, it's typically whenthey find it, so they don't
know if I was born with it or ifit occurred at.
Puberty is typically when theyfind it, so they don't know if I
(07:44):
was born with it or if itoccurred at puberty, because
typically occurs when you startto grow, because that's when the
spinal cord touches, so theycan see it better.
But unfortunately, no one foundit until about 11 years later.
So it's very frustrating.
Speaker 3 (08:00):
I mean I remember your mom, like you know, as a
parent.
I was like, oh my God, like youknow, I didn't mom, like you
know, as a parent.
I was like, oh my god, like youknow, I didn't even know you
really yet and I remember likefeeling like, oh my god, and
that was like way before.
I mean I, how many surgerieshave you had for you?
I've had four.
Speaker 5 (08:17):
I've just had my 14th , which is wow, crazy wow, and
you know, how many it's beenabout over 10 years.
Speaker 3 (08:26):
And people are listening.
Okay, I mean you're you'relistening and you know many of
the people who are listeninghave disabilities of your own.
You know, currently my husbandhas a temporary disability and
it's like, like a lot of people,you know, it's hard every day
to like get up and feel okay,let alone when you're not
(08:47):
feeling okay, when you're inpain but then also to have like
to not be depressed.
To that I am telling you that,corey.
I'm sure, corey, when you talkto me, I'm sure there are days
when you're like like, I'm surethat not every day you're
smiling, but for the most part,I have never met a person in
(09:10):
general who is as like positiveand yet like real.
When I text you the other lastweek you had had another
procedure and I'm like, how areyou doing?
I mean, it's like you feel likea broken record, right, and you
know you are honest.
You're like, how are you doing?
I mean, it's like you feel likea broken record, right, and you
were honest.
You're like, not so great, butyet you're like you're.
(09:31):
It's just unbelievable to me.
It's because it's not in a likeI'm feeling sorry for myself
way, it's like in a very like,just matter of fact, you know
and like.
How do you, after having mostof your now adult life?
Well, and childhood, olderchildhood, adolescence has been
from going from being able towalk to being in leg braces to
(09:55):
then using a walker.
You wrote an article forTrendable back in our early days
.
You wrote a story and it wasall about like top things you
use and one of them was like acane.
Speaker 5 (10:09):
It was like you weren't using crutches yeah,
they were like the smartcrutches, the forearm crutches
and then at times now, are youusing a wheelchair full-time?
Yes, I'm full-time becauseunfortunately I really don't
have.
I have some movement in myright foot, but other than that
I don't have much movement belowmy waist.
Speaker 2 (10:29):
And when did your decision to go into OT happen?
Was that something you werealways interested in, or was it
really more you know, an organicthing that happened as you were
having these surgeries, youwere more exposed to this
profession.
Yeah, it really started.
Speaker 5 (10:46):
I see my passion for OT really started when I was in
rehab.
I was in rehab a lot and I sawjust how passionate they were
about their job, how helpingothers just, and how we, as OTs,
we're the ones that make thingswork, no matter the obstacle.
(11:07):
And so, you know, even with mysurgeries like after I had my
spinal cord surgeries you know Iwas in the hospital from August
to November and which was along time.
You know I was supposed to bedoing my clinicals but instead I
was in the hospital.
Instead of being trained as theOT, I was training how to do
(11:29):
all of these things.
Speaker 3 (11:31):
Time to you had, I mean, a kitchen.
You know, I, as I said before,you're the same age as my eldest
child, who was going throughcollege and you know, picking
their major, and that's what youwere doing and you were, like,
you know, living on a collegecampus and then all of a sudden,
then you're at this hospitaland then your mom is busy trying
(11:52):
taking you to all these placesto to help figure out what you
have and what it was, and you'restill smiling and doing your
college job.
And you also had a youngersister, cause I remember at one
point your younger sister, lex,yeah, filled in for a minute.
Yes, she did For me, for you tohelp me.
Um, for it, just for peoplelistening.
(12:14):
Um, to help me.
Um, for it, just for peoplelistening.
Um, corey helps me withInstagram, because I cannot
handle more.
I do all my own posting, my ownwriting.
Corey helps me by like engagingwith people on Instagram a lot,
because I just don't, I'm like,I just don't want another thing
and um, so Corey has been a bighelp with that.
But your sister was filling inand your sister's already
(12:36):
graduated, like, she's like,right, getting ready to start
her life too, right, and she is.
Speaker 5 (12:41):
So she's actually in physical therapy school.
So she has two more years.
She's in grad school, but, yeah, she's completing physical
therapy school, so it's kind offunny that I went to ot, she
went into pt.
I'm 24 years old.
I've had 14 surgeries, um I youknow, my greatest hope is to
share my journey and experienceswith advocacy and really the
(13:02):
movement that not only affectedmy physical ability to move, but
also how a movement whetherlike positive or negative, or
which direction we choose to gocan really change and affect how
we think about ourcircumstances in life.
And we all have circumstancesin our life that we cannot
control.
They can be big or small, butit's what we do with those
(13:23):
circumstances and how we moveforward, or whichever movement
we choose to go, that reallygoverns our lives and the
opportunities given to us.
So our circumstances really canbe changed by the movement we
choose to go.
And so that was something.
Honestly, I did think about alot, especially with these last
(13:45):
surgeries when I was in thehospital back in 2022, august
through November just because Iwas alone a lot and was in the
hospital.
And what else are you going todo when you're in a hospital
room is just think.
And I had people tell me, likeyou know, you don't have to go
back to school.
You know, I was just about, Iwas finishing my grad school.
I was supposed to be inclinicals but, like I said
(14:06):
before, instead of being the OTstudent in training, I was being
the patient, right, yeah.
And so, like I said, they hadsaid you know, you don't have to
go back.
This is a lot to deal with.
And I was still learning how todo a lot of the basic tasks
from a wheelchair level, likepulling up your pants from a
wheelchair, transferring ontothe toilet, transferring in the
car, like all those basic thingsI was still learning how to do.
(14:29):
And, um, but the more I thoughtabout it, I was kind of like,
okay, if I don't go back, likewhat am I showing people who I'm
going to be working with?
What am I showing my futurepatients?
Because these are, these arethe things they're going to be
dealing with, right, and as anOT, we're all about making
things works and adapting to ourbest ability to be able to
(14:51):
achieve the accomplishments thatour patients want to be able to
achieve.
And so I knew I needed to goback because I was like I'm not
just going to stop, like what amI going to do?
And so that's what I did.
I went back to school and I'mnot going to sugarcoat it,
though it was very, verydifficult.
Um, cause I only I had onlybeen in a wheelchair at that
(15:12):
point for five months, whichsounds like a lot, but when
you're learning how to do allthose things, yeah, we're going
to get your level.
It's not a lot and there wasstill a lot to learn, but I
really had the most amazingfriends there who were there for
me to help me adjust when I wasat school, because I went back
in January.
So I came back home in Novemberand went back to school in
(15:34):
January and my sister which wasa blessing also ended up at the
same school as me.
So that was amazing because she, you know, at that point I
couldn't drive so she could helpme get to places too.
And it ended up working outthat where I had rehabbed after
my surgeries my spinal surgeriesI actually got a clinical this
(15:55):
past summer with, which was justamazing and a full circle
moment, because from going frompatient in the same hospital to
now treating the patient I had Ihad done a year ago, that was
just.
It was a very neat experienceand just very amazing.
Speaker 2 (16:12):
I can.
I can only imagine, like how apatient just coming into an OT
clinic not expecting to see atherapist in a wheelchair
themselves how relieving thatmust be and how much you're able
to connect on such a deeperlevel with the patients that
you're treating Like.
What was that?
(16:33):
What has that reaction been?
And you know that dynamic, yeahit was.
Speaker 5 (16:38):
It was very special.
You know I I had kind ofthought it before I started my
clinical, like okay, I want tomake such a difference in these
patients lives and but thenactually getting to do it, it
was.
It was nothing like I canreally explain, you know, just
these patients really trustingme and just asking me opinions
on things that really youwouldn't ask an OT, but because
(17:01):
I was in a chair they feltcomfortable with asking me which
and I'm very happy to talkabout my story too that was
another thing a lot of patientswould ask me.
I'm like I'm not gonna hide it,so if you want to ask about it,
you're more than welcome to.
I think one of the things thatsticks out the most was one
patient was having a reallydifficult time.
You know, he'd been in and outof the hospital, he was in a
(17:22):
wheelchair and he was reallyupset, he was crying and he told
me, you know, typically whenhe's upset he goes and hides and
he goes and hides in his office.
He just shuts the door, hedoesn't let anyone in.
And I think what was reallyspecial was he thanked me for
(17:44):
opening the door and coming intohis office because he was
having a really rough time and Itold him, you know, we all have
rough times and it's okay tolet it out, it's healthy to let
it out, and so he thanked me forcoming into his office, which
was just that was a reallyspecial and just a cool, cool
moment.
Speaker 3 (17:56):
Corey, like for myself too, you know, and like
everyone who's listening, likehow, how does?
Like when you have that moment,I hear you about attitude, you
know, obviously, you know I postall about this, right, it's a
different thing to know it andthen to live it.
And it's very easy for me as aperson, you know I have,
(18:19):
obviously, I have disabilities.
I, I, um, and I sometimesdownplay my own disabilities
because I, I do struggle.
Like yesterday I, my husband,had a surgery and I could not
open the ice bag.
I couldn't even like evenattempt to open the ice bag and
he was like asleep.
So, like I felt like oh my God,like wow, I really am.
(18:40):
Like I'm like, oh, I have adisability, but then I'm like,
wait, I like cannot do this, Iphysically cannot do this.
I need to find someone who canhelp me to do this.
And for a moment, you know, Ifelt bad for myself and I'm like
, oh, but then you know he has atemporary disability, right,
and he, a lot of people who Ihave, who are in accidents, have
(19:00):
surgeries that are, they feelvery sorry for themselves.
It's hard to like motivate.
You know you have those moments, right, and even though you
know the attitude.
You know that, like, thinkingand doing can change everything.
Like, can you explain what youdo?
Is there something that, likeyou, do to help you get out of
(19:21):
feeling sorry for yourself?
Speaker 5 (19:24):
I wish I could.
I honestly I think it's mysupport system.
I have a really amazing supportsystem.
Like I, my parents are reallyamazing, my sister's really
amazing.
My grandparents sport system.
Like I, my parents are reallyamazing, my sister's really
amazing.
My grandparents and I've hadthe most amazing physicians.
To two of them um have been Ishouldn't say two, there's been
more than two Um but my physicalmedicine and rehab position
(19:48):
honestly has been there for meevery step of the way.
Um, I met him when I was 12 or13.
And I still see him to this dayand he was the one that really
helped us figure out what wasgoing on.
But he's always been an amazingsupport system for me and just
cheering me on, and he'sactually the one that wrote me a
(20:08):
recommendation letter to go toOT school.
He's one of the reasons Iwanted to go to OT school.
So just knowing that I havepeople in my corner too really
helps and knowing that I haveevery reason to get upset if I
need to.
No, we're allowed to.
Speaker 2 (20:24):
We're all dealing with different situations and I
think sometimes we downplay themor sometimes we do over
exaggerate, but we're all havingdifficult situations and they
all have significance overexaggerate, but we're all having
difficult situations and theyall have significance, because I
think sometimes the pressure tostay positive and not let the
people around you who love youand are helping care for you
(20:46):
maybe in that moment, not tomake them feel you know worse by
by letting yourself feel sadand letting yourself have that
outlet and those emotions, so Idefinitely can't agree more and
whether that's a therapist oryou know fellow patients that
can relate to what you're goingthrough advocacy, things like
that I think that support systemjust is such a important
(21:09):
foundation for anyone goingthrough any kind of disability
challenge in their life.
We'll be right back.
Speaker 6 (21:26):
This is George, fred and Jason, the co-leaders of
Speak, interrupting to say thatwe hope you're enjoying this
episode, but please make sure tocheck out our new show, the
Speak Podcast, another greatshow produced by Launchpad 516
Studios.
New episodes available everyweek on all of your favorite
podcast platforms.
Speaker 4 (21:46):
Each Speak Talk is about six to 10 minutes in
length, and the talks are givenin storytelling format.
There are three key moments ineach Speak Talk the moment of
truth, the moment oftransformation and the moment of
impact, given in storytellingformat.
There are three key moments ineach Speak Talk the moment of
truth, the moment oftransformation and the moment of
impact.
We host pop-up events all overthe world, and now we're
bringing our talks to yourdevice.
Speaker 6 (22:06):
Join us on the Speak Podcast as our speakers step
onto the stage and into thespotlight with impactful ideas
and stories.
Speaker 1 (22:16):
We'll let you get back to the show you were
listening to stage and into thespotlight with impactful ideas
and stories.
We'll let you get back to theshow you were listening to.
Another great podcast fromLaunchpad 516 Studios.
Speaker 2 (22:25):
You're tuning in to Embrace it with Lainey Anastella
, brought to you by Launchpad516 Studios.
And speaking of challenges youspoke recently about I think it
was like in front of 2000 peopleabout like how to you know what
the life lessons you've learnedso far through the course of
(22:46):
your experience and now as an OT, can you share a few of those
with us?
Speaker 5 (22:50):
Yeah, so I spoke at my high school graduation, which
sounds crazy, cause that was along time Wow so.
I spoke at my high schoolgraduation, which sounds crazy
because that was a long time.
Seems like just yesterday, butit was a while ago, yeah.
So there were five lessons thatI gave at my high school
graduation.
The first one was do not waitfor the perfect moment to pursue
(23:11):
or try something new, becauseit may never exist and this is
definitely still.
These are all still very true.
I don't think they'll everexpire, you know, especially
because we don't know what'sgoing to happen tomorrow.
You never know what's going tohappen and you know, even I
(23:32):
regret, like even before myspinal surgeries, like I had no
idea that I wouldn't be able towalk, really you know, have the
movement or the sensation that Idid before.
And so even you know just takingthe simple things for granted,
like being able to ride a bikeor taking a walk outside, just
those simple daily things thatyou know you've, you take for
(23:52):
granted truly.
But when you have things likethis happen to you, you really
realize what's important in lifeand what's significant and
what's not.
I remember I used to get youknow when you're a teenage, 13
year old girl.
You just, you know you getupset about, you know, gossip or
like what to wear or like allthat stuff, and then you realize
(24:12):
what's actually important inlife.
Like all that stuff, and thenyou realize what's actually
important in life and I thinkthat's something to like, as I
had dealt with it at such ayoung age, like everything
started when I was 13, right,and you know middle school time,
and I feel like I definitelyyou know, probably lost my
friends and stuff just because Iwas going through such a
different time than most at thatage.
(24:33):
You know most are caring aboutwhat am I going to wear at a
party or when am I going to date, you know all that stuff where
I was just dealing with tryingto walk.
Speaker 3 (24:42):
So I think, yeah, Corey, I'm like, so I'm dying to
hear the other ones, because Idon't even know what you said at
your graduation, but what youjust said I think is really
important.
Like you know because I relatedalso to just loss in general
like you were experiencinglosses after loss, after loss,
and you know not just thephysical stuff of not being able
(25:04):
to walk and now needing thistool and this mobility, but the
loss of, like childhood, andgoing into being in a dorm and
being able to and your mom hadlosses of you know having you
know a child who is in collegeand having like an easy time and
(25:25):
being able to be an emptynester without you know having
to.
You know be with your not that Idon't want to be with my own
kids, but, like you know,beginning that experience but
she needs to always focus, andyour parents and your sister, on
you know, your stuff and I, whyam I?
Oh, I know what my point was.
Is that lesson of focusing onwhat you can do is like what you
(25:49):
do have you?
Know, like you're so I mean itmust be annoying to hear you're
so lucky to have this family.
But really, corey, you are likeI mean not.
I mean it's like.
I mean I know, you know thatand I'm.
You must be expressing that allthe time to them, because
people can't go on being likedoing what they're doing without
a kid who's like you.
(26:10):
I mean, I wouldn't have been akid like you.
That's such a really valuablething to think about is like the
lost part and also, I know,like losing a parent myself.
You know people are all therein the beginning, but you find
out who your real people are.
You know when it's a year later, or or you know in Jewish
(26:30):
tradition you held a shiva foreight days.
The people who are there foryou after that time period, like
those, are your people and youhad to learn that lesson earlier
than most people that you know.
It doesn't matter how big yoursupport system is.
It's really the quality overthe quantity.
Speaker 5 (26:47):
What's number?
Speaker 3 (26:48):
two I'm so sorry.
Speaker 5 (26:50):
Lesson number two is always look for unforeseen
teachers, and this is what Ithink that really really helps
me too.
Like I had said, I had the mostamazing PM&R physician who is
one of my biggest role models,just because of how he's never
given up on me and is alwaysthere, even if it's not all
medical, even if it's just youknow, hey, how's it going Like,
(27:11):
how's life, you know.
And even when I was in thehospital, other patients I think
are one of our biggest teachers, just because you don't have to
look far to see that there'smany others worse off than you.
And I know we had said,everyone goes through difficult
times, everyone has theirdifficulties, their stories, but
(27:31):
when you think you're goingthrough something really hard
and then the patient living inthe room next to you is going
through something even harder,it does make you shift your
perspective.
And even when I was in thehospital, actually my
neurosurgeon, which he wasamazing, incredible too, he's
one of I think of him as amentor too, and incredible and
amazing person and he's beenthere for me every step of the
(27:54):
way.
He actually, while I was in thehospital, invited me to sit on
his nonprofit board called SMURF.
It's Student Mentorship,education, research Fellowship
as a patient advocate, and itreally focuses on diversity,
equity and inclusion in thefield of neurosurgery and it's a
really awesome nonprofit.
That's just getting started,but it was another part of
(28:16):
moving forward for me and beingable to be a patient advocate
for those who may be goingthrough something similar to I
did, where we didn't find theanswers till 10 years later and
I was dealing with all thisstuff, which is very, you know,
frustrating and hard.
But now I get to be patientadvocate for and help patients
out, which has been a really areally cool experience too.
(28:38):
So always looking for mentorsand experiences and
opportunities when you leastexpect it.
Speaker 2 (28:44):
Yeah, I love that because every guest we have on
our show is a teacher.
We're constantly just.
Everyone has their uniquestories and how they navigated
their challenges and it's just I.
I love that element of justbeing connected with community.
Okay, what?
What's number?
Speaker 5 (29:03):
three If anyone wants to check out smurforg sorry,
it's very cool we will put thelink in the show notes.
So lesson number three was somany of us try to project an
image of perfection, but we areall imperfect and all have
challenges, and that's kind ofwhat I was saying before.
Striving for perfection is apath to failure, because we
(29:25):
often do learn the most from ourmistakes, and often those that
take the biggest risks, even ifthey do fail, they enjoy the
most reward, and a lot of timesfailing doesn't mean giving up.
It just means you have to getback up and try again, and so
this was actually from my speechIf you're ready for failure,
then you're ready for growth,and so fail stands for first
(29:49):
attempt.
In learning.
End is not the end, it meanseffort never dies, and if you
get no as the answer, it justmeans next opportunity.
And sometimes we just have toredefine our definition of
success.
I love that.
Speaker 3 (30:04):
Oh my gosh, so many gems, so that is like awesome.
I feel like that like meanslike and and Corey, you're part
of my Canva community.
You need to create something forTrendable.
That's like an amazing I mean,it's hard, it's hard to like.
That needs to be on an image.
I'll make it into Canva yeah,you need to make it in Canva and
(30:26):
then I'll put in the colorsbecause you know, I like that
part that is so profound and someaningful.
Oh my God, all right.
What's the next one?
So Like and and so meaningfuloh my God, all right.
What's the next one?
Speaker 5 (30:36):
So lesson number four is not everything is fixable
and that sometimes life justsucks it.
Sometimes, honestly, it does,and there's nothing to do but
coping, and coping is hard work,but sometimes there isn't.
Speaker 2 (30:52):
Yeah, yeah.
Speaker 5 (30:53):
Sometimes we spend so much energy and time trying to
fix it when we could be usingthat time to adapt right um and
yeah, or sometimes it just it'shard, you know, and we can't fix
it, but all we can do is moveforward.
Speaker 3 (31:09):
I you know what you need to add to.
If you do another podcast,which I feel like you're going
to do with 5 000 after afterhours, or you're going to do
with your board and what you'redoing, you're going to be
speaking.
I mean, your story needs to getout there.
You have so much to say and somuch value in what you say, but
what Estella just said, repeatit again, because it was so like
(31:31):
how.
You just said that.
One word, estella, because it'sAdapt.
Okay, yeah.
And really it goes full circlewith what you've chosen to do as
your profession and like I mean, and what we do with Trendable
and Embrace it.
And especially with Trendable,because the part, the whole
thing, is about adapting.
(31:51):
Right, it's my I don't mean tomake this about me at all
because you're so much more whatyou do and and you are
trendable, like it's you and meas a little team but it is about
adapting.
It's like, okay, life doessometimes suck and gives you
lemons, but like you findworkarounds and OTs, like you're
going to be the best OT ever.
(32:12):
Cause I remember at thebeginning of Trendable, I was
searching and searching for fordisability tools and like I'm
like wait, why are there so few?
Like there's all these OTs inthe world, why aren't they like
making stuff?
Like there's so much stuff thatpeople could use, you know, and
like that's what we do, is wefind workarounds for things that
(32:34):
we can't do.
And like what we do is we findworkarounds for things that we
can't do and, like now, you aretrained as a professional.
Oh my goodness, it's the coolestthing ever.
Speaker 5 (32:42):
No, thank you.
Yeah, I know, I can't believehow fast it's all gone by, like
it's just crazy.
Speaker 2 (32:47):
Yeah, okay, so what's number five?
So the last one Yep.
Speaker 5 (32:52):
So, through all of this, I think the most powerful
lesson is the importance of grit, which is a term taken from Dr
Angela Duckworth's TED Talk, andgrit means the passion and
perseverance to take on a longterm goal.
And so, over the course of allthese years, I've learned that a
singular thing, so like notbeing able to walk, or a test
(33:16):
score or another obstacle,doesn't define our ability to
succeed.
If I would have let this, youknow, define me, I would not
have graduated with my master'sin OT, I would not have gone to
college four hours away.
So grit is our willingness toput in the work whether it's in
our academics, ourextracurricular activities, or,
in my case, in our academics,our extracurricular activities,
(33:37):
or, in my case, relearning howto walk that ultimately leads to
achieving our goals, and I'velearned that we grow the most
when we face challenges.
But it's the grit that reallytruly defines who we are.
Wow.
Speaker 3 (33:49):
You are so wise.
Speaker 2 (33:51):
I love that and I think, just for our listeners
there, I want to give you creditfor tuning into whether this is
your first episode or I thinkwe're up to 56 now and learn
more from people in thedisability community and improve
(34:18):
yourself and expand your ownperspectives and you know just
your own improve your own pathand to build that muscle and
that grit so that you can be abetter advocate for yourself and
for others and learn how toadapt better and learn how to
find more joy in the now, and sowe definitely.
You are the queen of grits andwe are just so grateful that you
(34:42):
came to share some of thatwisdom with us, and we will
definitely share your Instagramin the show notes for anyone
wants to follow you and followyour journey, and we hope to
cross paths in the near futurewith the CMT community.
I know we'd love to you know,see if there's any opportunities
there for us to work together.
(35:02):
I know there's a lot of peoplethat could benefit from OT and
someone like you.
So thank you.
Speaker 3 (35:09):
Well, I get to still work with you and see you.
So it's not, it's definitely.
I love that you still decide.
You know, obviously, corey,this is a very flexible job.
It's when you feel like doingit and there's no real you know.
But what you know, I mean itjust ties into everything and I,
(35:30):
if I even said it which I don'tbecause a lot, because I'm I
haven't said it, which I don'tbecause a lot because I know you
do I don't say it enough, butyou know, I learned from you
every day and thank you to myhusband for like, literally like
, giving me this epiphany.
Well, he had the epiphany.
He's like, why are you worriedon the podcast?
And I talk about you constantlybut I don't tell you how much I
(35:54):
appreciate you and how much Ivalue the fact that you inspire
me every day.
When I'm not having a good day,I think, oh my God, what would
Corey do?
What would Corey say?
And I wish everyone, you know, alot of this is nature and
nurture.
You know this is a whole naturenurture thing.
A lot of us weren't born likewith this gene that Corey has,
(36:15):
which is part of it is just youknow, she was born with this
kind of attitude and that's justyour demeanor.
You're lovely and graceful andkind.
Not all of us were born withthat, you know.
But you can be nurtured, it canbe learned.
Speaker 4 (36:31):
And you are teaching people, corey that's what you're
doing.
Speaker 3 (36:35):
So, we, you know, before we do our ending, that we
add you with everyone you knowI.
I'm curious what would you sayto someone who isn't born with
that, like you know, kindness inand that that sweet cause you
know, your doctor, that you haveis so fabulous?
I don't know if you, they, heor she would have been as
fabulous If your attitude waslike a lot of people's would be
(36:58):
when they're going through whatyou've been through.
I mean, you receive things.
You've always you respond to mein the nicest way when you're
going through a lot.
So what would you say tosomeone who doesn't have the
grit?
Speaker 5 (37:09):
naturally A few things.
So I think one of the things isbeing vulnerable, because I
think when we open up it, reallyit doesn't only help us, but it
also helps, you know, theperson who we're talking to.
It can help us both.
But I think showing ourvulnerability isn't a weakness,
it can turn into a strengthbecause, like I said, we all
need to let it out.
(37:30):
So, hiding it and it reallyaffects us, but I think opening
up is a really big part of it.
Um, that's something I've beentrying to do more, because I
used to really honestly beclosed off and just kind of hide
my feelings about everything.
But I've been trying to be morevulnerable just because I think
it can become a strength, um,in helping others and, I think,
(37:52):
trying to shift our perspective,which I think I did a post
about this a little while ago.
When we shift our perspective,it really comes in the choices
we make and how we decide tomove forward or move Really.
You know we can take anydirection that we want to go.
(38:13):
So really, an emphasis on thatmove, despite the circumstances
we are facing and we don't knowit, but deciding to move in a
different direction may justtake us farther in life than
moving in a different direction,and so my journey has been
anything but easy.
(38:33):
It's been really difficult,even with the surgery two weeks
ago it's been really difficult,but I've really had an immense
amount of opportunities becauseof what I've gone through and
just all the people I've gottento meet and because of the
movement I have chosen to go,meaning moving forward.
So, I really think, shiftingour perspective.
(38:56):
Even like when I was in thehospital not being the OT, but I
was training to be the OT I waslike you know, I'm not behind.
In fact, I'm anything butbehind, because I'm learning how
to do all this stuff that I'mgoing to be teaching my patients
how to do.
Speaker 2 (39:09):
Yeah, you kind of like behind the scenes of the
whole operation, right, right,literally.
Speaker 5 (39:14):
Yeah, it yeah.
So I tried to shift myperspective, because those are
some really hard times too, butjust trying to shift your
perspectives can make a hugedifference.
Speaker 2 (39:25):
And you're definitely shifting our perspectives and,
I'm sure, many of our listenerswho've been here.
We like to end our podcast witha question, and that question
is what does embrace it mean toyou?
I think embracing.
Speaker 5 (39:40):
It is choosing to move forward despite what you're
going through and, like it says, embracing what's in front of
you.
You know you don't know what'sgoing to happen tomorrow, let
alone we don't know what's goingto happen within the next hour.
But taking it hour by hour, notletting anything stopping you
from doing it, even if there areobstacles in the way there's
(40:02):
always, there's always a wayover, under, through the
obstacle.
Speaker 3 (40:06):
Oh my gosh um insert plug for trendable t-shirts,
perfectly imperfect, or when youcan't go right, go left, just
go to wwwpatreoncom.
Corey, what do I pay you for?
Speaker 2 (40:21):
but wait there's, but wait, there's more if you order
now.
Speaker 3 (40:26):
Corey, you are just a joy for real thank you for
having me like.
I'm so glad Estella got to seeand hear you and like get to
know you because and of course,our listeners but you're just
unreal and I'm grateful to knowyou.
So thank you, corey.
Speaker 5 (40:45):
Thank you everyone for listening.
Speaker 3 (40:48):
Bye, estella, in New York city, where you say it's
warm, but it's not really thatwarm.
Bye everyone.
Speaker 2 (40:56):
Bye, thanks everyone.
Thank you so much.
Hey Embracers, thank you somuch for listening and
supporting the Embrace itpodcast brought to you by
Launchpad 516 Studios executive,produced by George Andriopoulos
and hosted by Laini Ishbia andEstella Lugo.
Our music and sound effects arelicensed through Epidemic Sound
Embrace.
It is hosted with Buzzsprout.
Speaker 3 (41:16):
Do you have a disability-related topic you'd
love for us to feature, or couldsomeone you know be a fabulous
guest on our show?
We would love to hear yourcomments and feature them on our
next podcast.
So leave us a voicemail or youcan even send us a text to
631-517-0066.
Speaker 2 (41:37):
Make sure to subscribe to this feed wherever
podcasts are available and leaveus a five-star review on Apple
Podcasts while you're at it.
Follow us at embraceitunderscore podcast on Instagram
and make sure to follow all thegreat podcasts produced by
Launchpad 516 Studios.
Speaker 3 (41:54):
We hope you join us next time and continue to
embrace it.
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