Invisible Disabilities Network
The Invisible Disabilities® Network is hosted by the Invisible Disabilities® Association, a 501c3 non-profit charity founded in 1996 and whose mission is to encourage, educate and connect people and organizations touched by illness, pain and disability around the globe. Join IDA on a journey as they highlight incredible stories of amazing courage, perseverance and inspiration via their InVisible InCourage Show, Learn from top experts via their IDEAS (Invisible Disabilities® | Education | Awareness | Support) Programs on the Brain, Love, Healthy Humor, Healthy Living and more!
Episodes
In this episode of the InVisible InCourage SHOW, singer-songwriter and former pageant titleholder Marissa Luna shares her candid journey with invisible learning disabilities, including ADD, dyscalculia, and severe reading challenges. She discusses overcoming childhood bullying and classroom struggles to build confidence through pageants, founding her nonprofit More Than Meets the Eye, and establishing a thriving music career. Tune ...
On this episode of the InVisible InCourage Show, author John Cusimano shares how his adult ADHD diagnosis inspired his children's book, *Finn the Forgetful Fish*. He discusses how embracing his neurodiversity led him to launch a creative university internship program that translates complex life lessons into accessible stories. John discusses how a partnership with the Invisible Disabilities Association would be a great benefit, sh...
In this inspiring episode of the InVisible InCourage Show host Jess Stainbrook sits down with double board-certified physician Dr. Jen Pfleghaar to explore how root-cause medicine and faith can transform the lives of those suffering from invisible disabilities like Hashimoto's, mold toxicity, and hormone imbalances. Drawing from her own personal health journey and ER experience, Dr. Jen reveals how conventional healthcare often mis...
On this episode of the InVisible InCourage Show, host Jess Stainbrook sits down with author and former television executive Michelle O'Connell-Katz to discuss her harrowing 12-year journey through a mystery illness. After visiting 18 doctors for debilitating symptoms, Michelle discovered she was suffering from extreme mercury poisoning, setting off a remarkable path to recovery that bridged functional medicine, indigenous practices...
In this inspiring episode of *The InVisible InCourage Show*, host Jess Stainbrook sits down with IDA board member Joe Womack to explore his remarkable journey from a 1990s high-tech innovator to a passionate healthcare advocate. Joe discusses his groundbreaking work with Integrative Health 2.0 to combat obstructive sleep apnea—one of the most impactful invisible disabilities we face. Tune in to discover how Joe’s faith,...
This episode of the InVisible InCourage Show features Sandy Halperin, a former dentist who provides a moving look into his life with early-stage dementia. Sandy discusses the vital importance of advocacy and how the book But You Look Good validated his personal journey with invisible disabilities. Despite significant physical challenges, his story is a powerful example of perseverance and the strength found in a supportive communit...
On this episode of the InVisible InCourage Show, Patrick Williams, CEO of PRK Williams Companies, shares how growing up with a mother who had an invisible disability inspired his lifelong mission to improve the quality of life for others. He discusses how his personal experiences led him to move beyond the corporate world to create "To The Rescue" and innovative "healthy spaces" that empower individuals with chronic illnesses to th...
On this InVisible InCourage SHOW episode, Dr. Saundra Russell-Smith joins the Invisible Disabilities Association (IDA) to share her powerful journey of leading as a person who stutters. She details how she transformed her "struggles" into a superpower, moving from a place of shame to becoming a confident educator, author, and public speaker. Dr. Russell-Smith and host Jess Stainbrook explore the profound impact of owning your ident...
Catch this essential episode of the InVisible InCourage Show featuring experts from Allsup, a leader in disability benefits. They discuss navigating disability benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSDI) and VA, specifically for people with invisible disabilities. Learn about the unique challenges invisible disabilities face in the application process and the resources available, including Allsup's 97% success rate. Plu...
On this first episode of the Healthy Humor IDEAS SHOW, join us for an engaging discussion with top humor experts from the Association for Applied and Therapeutic Humor (AATH). Hear from Karyn Buxman, Sue Stevenson, Joyce Saltman, and Roberta Gold as they share their diverse backgrounds and the defining role humor has played in their lives, from nursing and special education to coping with chronic illness. Discover healthy and thera...
On this InVisible InCourage SHOW episode, Sue Seserman, IDA Ambassador, shares her personal journey with invisible disabilities, including Type 1 diabetes and epilepsy. She explains how her own experiences led her to become an ambassador for the Invisible Disabilities Association (IDA), a group she relies on for support and resources. Sue also discusses how she turned her challenges into a creative project, a graphic novel series c...
On this InVisible InCourage SHOW episode, Kennedi Dotson, an IDA Ambassador, shares her journey of living with invisible disabilities, including Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, IBS, and fibromyalgia. Kennedi discusses her experience with disbelief and misunderstanding as a teen, highlighting the importance of self-advocacy and a strong support system. She also talks about how she used her passion for pageantry to create a platform called "...
On this InVisible InCourage SHOW episode, Brian J. Esposito, shares that his entrepreneurial journey began at a young age, inspired by his father's hard work and sacrifices. His connection to the Invisible Disabilities Association (IDA) stems from his father's diagnosis with a slower form of ALS called PLS and the family's experience navigating the challenges of invisible disabilities. Esposito emphasizes the importance of empathy ...
On this InVisible InCourage SHOW episode, Isabella Sementilli, an Invisible Disabilities Association Ambassador, shares her journey of becoming an advocate for anti-bullying and brain injury awareness after a bullying incident in fifth grade resulted in a debilitating head injury. Despite living with chronic pain, she has channeled her experience into positive action by writing a book, starting a business called Bella Cervella, and...
In this episode of Love IDEAS, Tommy Spaulding brings an inspiring message about the power of authentic relationships. He shares his personal story of overcoming severe dyslexia and academic struggles, crediting a life-changing encounter with the organization Up with People for his success. Spaulding encourages listeners to move beyond transactional networking and embrace "heart-led leadership," a philosophy centered on serving oth...
In this InVisible InCourage SHOW classic episode, bestselling author and acclaimed speaker, John O'Leary recounts the story of surviving a house fire at age nine that left him with burns on 100% of his body and his hands amputated. John discusses the impact of his visible and invisible disabilities on his family and how his parents, particularly his mother, encouraged him to "own his life" and fight to live. He also explains the me...
On this episode of the InVisible InCourage SHOW, Lava Khonsuwon, an Invisible Disabilities Association Ambassador, discusses her personal journey with complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) in her right leg, which she developed after a pit bull attack. She shares how she found a positive community with the IDA through social media after feeling isolated by her diagnosis and was inspired to become an ambassador herself. Khonsuwon, wh...
On this episode of the InVisible InCourage SHOW, Justin Houcek, an Invisible Disabilities Association Ambassador, discusses his personal journey after being diagnosed with autism 13 years ago. He highlights his work in Illinois, which includes serving on the Illinois Autism Task Force and the CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee, focusing on improving responses to behavioral issues. Houcek also recounts a positive experience with the...
On this episode of the InVisible InCourage SHOW, Justin Monger, founder of MedSure Systems, explains that medicine management aims to solve medication non-adherence, an issue where 50% of people do not take their medications correctly, costing the U.S. $345 billion annually in avoidable hospitalizations and causing up to 150,000 premature deaths each year. MedSure Systems tackles this by combining digital tools with human intervent...
Dr. Robert Tinker discusses EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) as a powerful therapy for individuals suffering from psychological trauma and emotional "stuckness". He highlights research showing EMDR's effectiveness in rapidly reducing PTSD symptoms in severely traumatized individuals, including Vietnam veterans and motor vehicle accident victims, often within a few sessions[cite: Furthermore, Dr. Tinker emphasize...
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