October 10, 2023 • 40 mins
This episode features storytellers sharing their experiences of overcoming challenges while thriving with disabilities. Cindy Massey, a photographer and artist, tells her story titled "Finding Family." She recounts her journey to Africa, facing various unexpected hurdles during a safari. Despite the obstacles, she finds strength through the support of fellow alcoholics in Africa, emphasizing the importance of resilience and overcoming challenges. In part two, Kamand Alaghehband, a Special Olympics athlete with Autism, shares her story of perseverance after a morning crisis before a track competition thanks to the support of her teammates, highlighting determination and teamwork. The episode explores the power of resilience, adaptability, and finding strength within a community.
Guest: Cynthia (Cindy) Massey is a photographer and artist. For more than 10 years, she built a successful career in weddings, sports, and animal photography. In 1992, her life changed forever, when she was in a near-fatal automobile accident that left her with a traumatic brain injury. The experience was a wake-up call and the road to recovery meant re-learning simple tasks like walking, talking, eating, reading, and even photography. It gave her the chance to take a long, hard look at who she was, and it led to a new direction in the way she approaches life. She believes she has been given a second chance to begin a new life with a greater appreciation of the beauty of our earth and its creatures. You can see and purchase her work on her website https://www.creativeimagesbycynthia.com/ and Fine Art America
Host Kaye Love - Kaye has over eight years of experience working with individuals with developmental and learning disabilities, including Intellectual Disability and Autism Spectrum Disorder, in Special Education and Vocational Rehabilitation. She has experience providing spiritually sensitive counseling to clients who identify with diverse belief systems. LinkedIn: J. Kaye Love, MSSW/MBA, LPC, Counseling on Thrive: Thriveworks Counseling - Janet Kaye Love
Guest Kamand Alaghehband: Kamand Alaghehband was born in Austin, TX, and has autism. Kamand has spent her life supporting all generations with disabilities. Kamand loves the Special Olympics; her favorite sports are swimming, basketball, and track. She is a member of the Executive Committee of Special Olympics Athletes Leadership in Texas. She creates podcasts, TikTok videos, video games, and health activities. Kamand’s mission within her population is to bring peace today and create a vision for tomorrow’s disabled population. Watch Kamand’s videos on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@mespecial8588.
Guest Kamand Alaghehband: Kamand Alaghehband was born in Austin, TX, and has autism. Kamand has spent her life supporting all generations with disabilities. Kamand loves the Special Olympics; her favorite sports are swimming, basketball, and track. She is a member of the Executive Committee of Special Olympics Athletes Leadership in Texas. She creates podcasts, TikTok videos, video games, and health activities. Kamand’s mission within her population is to bring peace today and create a vision for tomorrow’s disabled population. Watch Kamand’s videos on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@mespecial8588.
Host Jennifer McKinney was born legally blind. She has always enjoyed reading and writing. Some of her work has been published in Soupstone Literary Anthology. Despite the challenge of being visually impaired, Jennifer graduated from American Broadcasting School. She went on to work for KOOP 91.7 FM, a community radio station in Austin. An active
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Kristen (00:09):
Welcome to True Tales by Disability Advocates podcast,
authentic voices of peoplethriving with disabilities.
Where individuals use the art ofstorytelling to change the
world.
True Tales is produced by ArtSpark Texas Speaking Advocates
Program.
Keep listening to hear howlife's challenges can spark a
(00:32):
desire to speak out and advocatefor ourselves and others.
MsBoye (00:50):
Welcome to a new episode of True Tales by Disability
Advocates.
In this episode titled,"KeepCalm and Carry On" we present
two stories that reflect themeaning of that message
originally created by Britain'swartime propaganda department,
the Ministry of information.
This quintessentially Britishstatement reminds us all that
(01:13):
self regulation in difficultsituations can help us handle
anything life throws our way.
First we'll hear fromStoryteller Cindy Massey, a
talented photographer andartist, who will share her
story,"Finding Family".
Her unbelievable adventure inAfrica, where she faces life
(01:34):
threatening challenges andmoments of amazing resilience.
While on this trip of alifetime, Cindy finds surprising
connections in the most unlikelyof places, reminding us that
support and understanding cancome from unexpected sources.
In the second half of the show,we welcome back podcast working
(01:57):
group member and host, KamandAlaghehband, as a storyteller.
Kamand is a dedicated SpecialOlympics Athlete and Advocate
with Autism.
We were excited to find heroriginal Live Showcase
performance of her story,"Stayon Track", which is about facing
(02:17):
a stressful situation on themorning of a Special Olympics
track meet, that had thepotential of ruining her whole
day.
Her story teaches us that nomatter the hurdles that pop up
in our path, staying focused andsupporting one another can lead
to success.
The True Tales by DisabilityAdvocates Podcast stories have
(02:39):
been shared with the fullconsent and consideration of the
individuals involved, honoringtheir autonomy and experiences.
Together, these narrativesremind us that we all have
resilience inside us, especiallyin the face of challenging
situations.
In this episode once again weuse the magic of AI generated
(03:00):
voices to keep the integrity ofthe story and the conversations
by replacing any sections lostduring the original recording
process.
Get ready for these incredibletales that celebrate the
strength within us all and thevalue of unity and perseverance.
Let's join hosts Kaye Love andJennifer McKinney as they dive
(03:21):
into these True Tales byDisability Advocates.
Kaye (03:31):
Welcome to True Tales by Disability Advocates podcast.
I am Kaye Love, your host.
Today Storyteller, Cindy Masseywill share her story,"Finding
Family." I am glad to have thisopportunity to speak with her
today and learn more about heradventures.
So welcome Cindy.
Cindy (03:52):
Thank you.
Kaye (03:53):
Before you share your story, please introduce yourself
to our audience.
Cindy (04:00):
Well, uh, I am a photographer and artist.
Uh, some say I am very good atboth.
I used to be a weddingphotographer, before my car
wreck.
After I turned my, after that, Iturned myself into a landscape
(04:21):
photographer.
Uh, I'm a recovered alcoholicand drug addict, one day at a
time.
I live one day at a time afterthe wreck january 16th of'92
that was my last drink or drug.
Kaye (04:45):
Congratulations on that, and thank you for sharing.
Now, please share your storywith us.
Cindy (05:18):
Uh, I'm supposed to talk now?
laughs) All right.
This is my story"FindingFamily." I am a very good
photographer and artist.
I used to be a weddingphotographer, before my car
wreck.
after that, I turned myself intoa landscape photographer which I
(05:41):
am very good at too.
I used to be an alcoholic anddrug addict but after the wreck
january 16th of'92 that was mylast drink or drug.
In fifth grade, I did my firstterm paper on the"Nation of my
Choice." So, I chose Africabecause I have loved big cats
(06:07):
ever since I was a youngster.
Um, and ever since I wrote thisterm paper on the"Cats of
Africa", the lion, leopard, andmy favorite, the cheetah, I
said,"I'm gonna go to Africa oneday." I've said that most of my
life, and when my mother died inOctober 9th, of 2010, it worked
(06:35):
out that my sister and I wouldget$50,000 and a little bit,
until I'm, I was 80.
I thought"New car?""Pay off myhouse?", which I should have
done, but then I thought, No,The way life is going, I don’t
(06:56):
want to live to my eighties I'mgoing to Africa." I grew up on a
campground, that we built and Ithought, I can handle a African
camping trip!" Little did Iknow! I wasn't using the tour
(07:17):
company to book the flight.
I set everything up I did thisall myself, I got everything
together.
My friend, Don came and pickedme up and took me to the airport
to fly first to Atlanta then to,to Johannesburg.
Not long into the flight toAtlanta, I almost had a heart
(07:39):
attack when I realize I left mybattery to my$800 digital camera
on the wall at my house.
I searched through all my stuff,no battery.
It was a sixteen hour flight.
(08:02):
I spent the whole flight in apanic.
But then I thought,"When I getto Johannesburg well, maybe I
can get to a camera shop andI'll be able to buy a battery
for my camera?" I didn't getinto the city until 8:00 PM on
the Saturday night, and I wastired, so I thought I would get
(08:27):
a battery the next day beforewe, uh, left for the safari.
It turned out that on Sunday,all the stores are closed in
Africa.
People told me,“You can pick oneup on the way to the next
place.” yeah, right! I couldhave bought some of those Kodak,
(08:56):
throwaway" cameras, but Ididn't.
I wanted my 800 Dollar digitalcamera.
We went into village aftervillage and there was no camera
shops.
It wa, it wasn't a touristsafari, so we went into village
(09:20):
after village with no avail, nocamera batteries anywhere to be
found.
It turned out that I was thefirst one booked on this English
safari.
I already got my air tickets andthe next day, the woman who I
(09:40):
was booking through, Marguerite,with"Eyes on Africa" called me
and told me that eleven Italiansregistered for the trip.
Sighs) They didn't speak anyEnglish, and she told me,"Well,
maybe you should go on adifferent safari?" And I said,"I
(10:01):
already got my tickets, so no,I'm going on this one." I spend
so much time alone at home andso, I thought I'd have some
company on the, uh, Safari butthere I was, just me and eleven
Italian people, who could notspeak any English.
So, the first night we werecooking spaghetti to make the
(10:25):
Italians feel at home in thebush of Africa.
On the sixth day, my guide Mikeand I took a walk to the bath
hutt, and he was telling meabout the giraffes who eat the
top of the trees, so I waslooking up not down.
(10:48):
Mike knew about my eye, I havepartially detached optic nerve
in my left eye and I can't seevery well looking down, I need
someone tell me if there'ssomething dangerous in front of
me on the ground, so I couldstep over or go around it.
Before I got halfway down thepath, I tripped over this, this
big tree across the path, and Iknew that as soon as I fell,
(11:14):
fell that it was serious.
I cried for help, and tried tobreathe, but I knew I’d broken a
rib.
The next day, we were due to beback in the place where we
started, where I could get somemedical help, so, I knew, that I
wouldn’t be out in the middle ofnowhere for long.
We started to the next camp andso Mike said it would take, uh,
(11:34):
three hours to get there.
We were traveling in a open airtruck that holds 12 people,
pulling a trailer full ofbaggage.
Six hours later, we stillhaven't found the place yet.
(11:55):
We were going up and down sanddunes, up and down, up and down,
on the day, that I broke my rib!I felt, every sand dune, I felt
every bump, right there, in myrib Every once in a while, the
bag, baggage trailer would getstuck in the sand and everyone
(12:18):
but me and the driver would haveto get off the truck and free up
the trailer and then they piledback in.
It was getting dark and we weregetting tired.
We were afraid we'd be caughtout in the dark in the bush.
(12:45):
All of a sudden I heard thisItalian man say something like
"Leopard", and we turned ourheads and we saw a wild leopard,
there in the bush of Africa.
A leopard who wanted someItalian food.
Before we got to too scared abig tow truck came and pulled us
(13:12):
out of the sand dunes and theleopard was of course scared
off.
At least the others in our camphad food for us when we
returned.
I went to my cabin tired, gladto be out of the truck, ribs
still hurting.
Later that night, I tripped andfell on my belly over the lip of
(13:33):
the tent I was sleeping in in.
I yelled out, really loud, andone of the men came to help me.
“What are we going to do withyou?” he asked me.
Right there and then I knew Icouldn't go on the last leg of
(13:53):
the trip to Victoria Falls.
Camping in the bush was harderthan I'd ever thought.
My fourteen day safari turnedinto a seven day trip.
(14:14):
Before I left the camp, I took atrip in a helicopter to fly over
the Okavango Delta that I wouldhave been camping in for three
days.
(14:35):
I have no idea how much I paidfor it! After just a few minutes
up in the air, the pilot turnedto me and said,"Look down there
to the right," and there weretwo female lions and one male
lion standing in the waterbelow.
(14:57):
The guide made a reservation fora flight back to the States.
I got a ride back toJohannesburg Airport dragging my
big luggage bag behind me and mycamera on my shoulder.
I go up to the airline ticketdesk and told the woman that I
(15:22):
have reservations on the twoo'clock PM flight to Atlanta,
Georgia.
She tells me that the flightisn't until 2:00 PM the next
day! My guide had dropped me off23 hours ahead of time?! I I
(15:42):
started to freak out, but Icouldn't freak out.
I knew I had to pull myselftogether.
I asked myself,“What would Daddo?” Then I thought, AA!...
They're all over the world".
It was almost impossible to getin touch with Intergroup, which
(16:05):
is the headquarters for AA, forall regions.
The payphones didn't work or Icouldn't figure them out, so I
got someone to make a call forme to intergroup.
I couldn't understand the manwho I finally reached, because
(16:27):
his accent was so, so thick.
He told me that all the AAmeetings were done for the
day...
were already over.
I told him about the jam I wasin and asked him for help.
He didn't know what to do, so heoffered to come pick me up and
(16:52):
take me to his place for thenight, and I wasn't(laughs) too
sure about that being a goodidea.
I, I wasn't too sure that was agood idea, but I didn't have
much of a choice.
It was either that or spend thenight in Johannesburg Airport.
(17:14):
And since he was in AA, Itrusted him to help me.
We met at the food court as wearranged.
He grabbed my luggage bag and Igrabbed my camera and off we
went to his place.
It was getting dark by thattime, we were, we're driving on
(17:38):
back roads for a long time andI'm getting worried that
something bad was gonna happento me.
Wondering if he was gonna rapeme and throw me to the lions and
no one would know what happenedto Cindy on her trip to Africa.
(18:00):
But we finally got there, tothis little shack in the bush of
Africa.
We went in and he said,"There iswhere you will sleep." It was a
blanket with a pillow in thecorner on the floor of the, of
the small shack.
(18:22):
Thank God I had my nighttimemeds and a bottle of water.
Or I wouldn't have had gottenany sleep.
I wanted him to wake me upearly, because he said we'd go
to a ten-thirty meeting.
So that's what we did.
Their AA meetings are an hourand a half long.
(18:46):
It was cool! It was just likethe AA meetings in the U.S..
Alcoholics are everywhere, everykind of person, every shape,
every country.
Alcohol has eaten up so manypeople's lives that the sober
(19:08):
ones of us, are tight.
We're like family.
I don’t have any blood family,but I found family there when I
really needed it and I'm stillhere to tell about it today.
Kaye (19:39):
Welcome back.
I'm still here with Cindy.
Cindy (19:43):
Hey.
Kaye, can you see me?
Kaye (19:45):
Nope, but we can hear ya, and that's the important part
here.
So we're good.
If you want to be seen, you'rewelcome to, but if not, we just
need, we just need your, um, wejust need your voice.
Cindy (19:58):
Well, I wanna be seen.
Kaye (20:00):
Okay.
Cindy (20:01):
And I can't see where...
There we go
Kaye (20:05):
All right.
Cindy (20:06):
All right.
Kaye (20:07):
Good to see you.
Yeah, we're just recording audiotoday.
But we're glad to see you whilewe're doing this and have you
here with us.
Okay.
Cindy, that was quite achallenging adventure.
I'm glad you were able to gethelp and made it back.
Cindy (20:23):
Yeah, me too.
Yeah, I've and I just, I justremembered, uh...uh, when I flew
to Atlanta, it, this isn't inhere, I guess I take it out for
time restraints.
Uh, when I flew to Atlanta, Ihad a six hour overlay.
(20:47):
So, I went, I took my stuff andwent to a taxicab and said,"Take
me to a camera shop." And hetook me to Target.
Oh my God, I could have gottenout and gotten a battery at
Target and, and I didn't, Ididn't think.
(21:10):
I thought I had to go to acamera shop.
Yeah.
I just thought of that, man.
I could have made my whole tripperfect, you know, but I didn't
do it.
Oh, well.
Kaye (21:24):
Okay.
It's all a process.
I'm wondering Well, what wentthrough your mind when you were
up close with that leopard?
Cindy (21:34):
Oh my, I thought...
he, he was watching us all pileout of this truck and push this
thing and, and pile back in andhe wanted one of those Italian
people.
I, I just felt it in my gut thathe was waiting for us to pile
(22:00):
out and he was gonna take one ofus.
That's what I thought.
Kaye (22:05):
Wow, that must have been frightening!
Cindy (22:07):
Yeah, it was.
Kaye (22:09):
Oh, and I know that, that leopard inspired, and those cats
inspired some great artwork too.
Cindy (22:17):
Yeah....
Kaye (22:18):
Before you said that you changed from wedding photography
to landscape photography.
Tell us a little bit more aboutyour passion for photography and
this transition to landscapephotography.
Cindy (22:30):
Well, uh, you know, just being fresh, fresh into the
world of head injury.
Uh, You can't move as fast orthink as fast.
Um, so that sort of took meoutta wedding photography.
(22:51):
You know, going into landscapephotography, I don't have to
worry about the Grand Canyongetting up and moving on me.
So, it was pretty easy, edy,easy transition.
Kaye (23:06):
That sounds like a very creative way to adapt and
accommodate yourself.
So congratulations on that.
And it's also amazing that youwere able to find help from an
AA member in a foreign countrylike that.
Tell us more about how AA cameto feel like family for you,
that you were able to make thatleap of, of trust.
Cindy (23:28):
Well, in Two Thousand Ten, I had, uh, Two Thousand
Ten...
So I had ten, twenty...
I, I had twenty years ofsobriety under my belt at that
time.
And so I knew that we, uh, wecan count on each other.
(23:52):
And so, I, I just figured Icould count on this guy, you
know?
Kaye (24:01):
That's, great.
And so what do you hope thatyou, the audience will take with
them from hearing your storytoday?
Cindy (24:09):
Well, I hope that, uh, people understand that...
they can do whatever they want.
And whatever happens,...
you can...
manage whatever happens.
Kaye (24:29):
Right, whatever happens, you can manage it.
That's a great, a great lessonto, for us to take with us.
And your, your story certainlydid show that.
Cindy (24:40):
All right!
Kaye (24:41):
Thank you for being here to share your story today, and I
have really enjoyed talking toyou.
Cindy (24:47):
Yeah, me too.
I'm, I'm glad you're all theredoing this.
It's, uh, it's gonna be a, agreat help to many people...
Kaye (24:58):
Awesome, I hope so as well.
So, if you would like to seesome of Cindy's art, you can
link to it on the notes below.
Cindy (25:09):
Yeah.
So, um, where can I find seasonone?
MsBoye (25:15):
Cindy, MsBoye here.
If you go to our website at www.
artsparktx.
org, and then go to the podcasttab, all the episodes are there.
And once this episode isreleased, we'll send you the
direct link, so you shouldn'thave any problem listening.
Oh, and, and you can listen onyour phone or your computer,
(25:37):
whatever works best for you.
Cindy (25:39):
Okay.
All right, well nice meeting ally'all.
MsBoye (25:44):
Thank you, ma'am.
Cindy (25:45):
Thank you.
MsBoye (25:47):
Bye.
Cindy (25:47):
See ya.
Bye.
Jennifer (25:58):
Welcome back to True Tales by Disability Advocates,
changing the world one story ata time.
I'm Jennifer McKinney, and I'myour host.
I'm here with storyteller KamandAlaghehband.
Thanks for joining us today.
Kamand (26:14):
Thank you for having me.
Jennifer (26:17):
We're so happy to have you back.
Last time we spoke, you wereinterviewing me, so this is a
bit of a role reversal.
It'll be fun and different.
I'm looking forward to it.
Can you tell our listeners alittle bit about yourself?
How about telling us somethingpeople would be surprised to
(26:38):
know about you?
Something even friends like memay not even know.
Kamand (26:43):
Hi everyone, my name is Kamand Alaghehband.
I'm 29 years old and I haveAutism.
I'm a full-time student atnonPareil Institute in Austin.
They teach us how to designvideo games from scratch.
I've been participating in theSpecial Olympics, not only in
(27:06):
sports, but also fundraising andleadership throughout the years.
Last year, they elected me tobecome a member of their
Executive Committee of AthletesLeadership in South Region of
Texas.
Since this happened, duringPandemic, I actively created fun
(27:30):
activities such as cooking,baking, stretching, exercising,
and dancing virtually on analmost monthly basis by S O T X
TikTok, that's at SpecialOlympics, Tx, and my own
podcast.
(27:51):
This opened a door for me tounderstand our athletes, their
wants and needs and theirchallenges.
During my podcast interviewswith athletes, I've noticed a
lot of them are suffering fromstress, so I created an online
group to paint freestyletogether, so we can get to know
(28:15):
each other and paint whatever wewant.
There are no restriction to ageor abilities to what you paint.
The main idea is to empty yourstress.
You don't need to even be anathlete to participate, so
anybody who is interested isinvited.
Jennifer (28:37):
Wow, there is a lot there that I didn't know about
you, Kamand.
Sounds like you're being quitethe Social Media Influencer!
Pretty soon I'll be able to tellpeople that I knew you before
you were famous, heheha! Solet's hear your story.
Kamand (29:13):
This is"Stay on Track" by Kamand Alaghehband.
Okay.
Take a breath.
My friends make me feel reallyexcited.
I feel excited because I lovehanging out with them.
When I hang out with my friendswe play sports together.
(29:34):
Our recent sport activity istrack.
Because my teammates aresupportive we all motivate each
other to be active, so that wecan be the best.
My friends are very dependableteammates.
We work hard at swim practice,and then we do fun things
(29:56):
together like picnics.
Spending time with my teammatesmakes me feel excited.
I have special teammates on mytrack team.
They're special because we allhave to work together to be
successful.
I really love being on sportteam, with them it is more fun
(30:18):
than if I was on a team withstrangers.
We love being silly together.
It helps us bond so that we areable to work together to win.
I don't like it when peoplepromise me to do something and
then they don't.
For example, last Saturday I wassupposed to attend a track and
(30:41):
field competition.
My coach told me to be there at8:00 AM because I was asked to
deliver the oath at the OpeningCeremony.
That's a big honor, so I wassuper excited.
However, my excitement quicklyturned to anxiety when my
(31:02):
attendant, Sarah, failed to showup at 7:30.
I was ready to go at 7:25 AM Iwaited, and waited, and waited.
Forty-five minutes later and myattendant was still missing in
action.
Because Sarah's normally a veryreliable person and is always on
(31:28):
time, I was worried, concerned,and frustrated.
My mom called her several timesand left messages for her and no
answer.
Luckily, my mom was off fromwork that day and was able to
give me a ride to the track.
(31:49):
We were so lucky to get to thestadium in time, so I was able
to announce the oath to theathletes at the Opening
Ceremony.
My coach was so happy that Imade it.
I was happy that I didn't let myteammates down, but I was still
worried about my attendant andwondered what possibly could
(32:10):
have happened to her?
However, I knew I had to controlmy emotions and be strong for my
team to win.
So when it was my turn tocompete I tried to do my best.
I had a 400 meter walk.
In my race I try not to wonderabout my attendant and only
(32:33):
focus on the track, my moves andmy team that was cheering me to
win.
I felt so proud and relievedwhen I got the first place with
my 400 meter walk.
I won a gold medal at 400 meterwalk and a silver medal at
Javelin at the competition.
After my race was over, thecoach said I can go home, but I
(32:58):
didn't.
I knew I had a biggerresponsibility to be there for
my team and support them whenthey compete in the races.
In the end, everything went allright.
I supported them until the endof the event and my team won.
I learned an important lesson,no matter what challenges life
(33:19):
throws at you, you need to befocused to achieve your goals
and support your friends.
It helps to keep a cool head andnot freak out.
Thank you.
Jennifer (33:59):
Welcome back.
I'm hanging out with my friend,Kamand.
Thanks for sharing your storywith us, Kamand.
I don't know about ourlisteners, but I was on the edge
of my seat.
I'm so glad you made it in timeand stayed for your teammates
afterwards.
It's clear that Special Olympicsare a big part of your life.
(34:23):
What are the events that you'veparticipated in and won any
medals?
Kamand (34:28):
I've participated in swimming, basketball, and track
and field, although I've wonmany gold medals in different
occasions.
I don't believe in winning inany sport activities should
matter.
What really should matter is foryou to show up and be present no
(34:50):
matter what you feel or capableof doing that day.
Jennifer (34:55):
Very cool.
You sound like a true teamplayer.
Your teammates are lucky to haveyou.
You really embody the SpecialOlympics oath.
"Let me win, but if I cannotwin, let me be brave in the
attempt." I'd say the wholeorganization is lucky to have
(35:16):
you as an ambassador.
You said you are a member of theExecutive Committee of Special
Olympics Athletes Leadership inTexas.
But it must have taken a whilebefore you were experienced
enough to be asked.
How many years have you beenparticipating in the Special
Olympics organization?
Kamand (35:39):
I've been participating in Special Olympics since I was
16, for 13 years.
Jennifer (35:46):
So it's been part of your life for a long time.
After all these years, you mustbe quite the athlete.
Congratulations for stickingwith it and...
"WAY TO GOOOO!!" It sounds likeyou are particularly enjoying
team sports.
Which sport is your favorite andwhy?
Kamand (36:08):
Oh, okay.
Okay.
I love basketball simply becauseit brings teamwork, spirit.
It makes you understand andrespect others abilities and
disabilities, and develop yourskills around those boundaries
to make your team shine.
Definitely.
(36:28):
Basketball's my favorite sportto participate in and to watch.
Jennifer (36:40):
I agree.
You know, basketball games arereally exciting and fast moving,
but sometimes they're a littletoo fast for me to keep up! On a
different note, I'm lookingforward to checking out the
videos on your Instagram feedand your podcast.
We will post links to them inthe show notes and on our True
(37:04):
Tales by Disability AdvocatesFacebook page.
Kamand, I have to let you knowthat I am so impressed at your
ability to stay healthyphysically and mentally.
I also like how you share thatpassion with your fellow
athletes.
We could all do with someencouragement to stay healthy.
(37:27):
Thanks for being here today andsharing your time and your
enthusiasm with us.
Kamand (37:33):
Thank you Jennifer, and thank you for having me on the
show.
It was fun.
Jennifer (37:41):
Well, all that's left for me to say is,"Go Kamand,
go!"
Kamand (37:48):
Okay! Bye bye.
MsBoye (38:08):
Thank you for listening to"Keep Calm and Carry On".
Your hosts for this episode were
Kaye (38:14):
Kaye Love
MsBoye (38:15):
and
Jennifer (38:16):
Jennifer McKinney
MsBoye (38:17):
For this episode
Kaye (38:18):
Our show was produced by Brittany Sesam and Jennifer
McKinney, and edited and mixedby MsBoye.
MsBoye (38:25):
The production team on both stories also includes Kaye
Love and Kamand Alaghehband.
Kaye (38:31):
Special thanks to our guests,
Jennifer (38:34):
storyteller Kamand Alaghehband
MsBoye (38:36):
and storyteller Cindy Massey I'm MsBoye, Producer of
True tales by DisabilityAdvocates podcast.
If you too believe that now isthe time for Disabled voices to
be heard, if you believeelevating Disabled voices will
change the world, you, too, canbe a part of the revolution by
(38:57):
sharing this episode with atleast one friend.
It's simple.
And if you're feelingparticularly revolutionary,
leave us a review on ApplePodcasts or even our Facebook
page.
And remember what Cindy said,
Cindy (39:12):
"Whatever happens,...
you can...
manage whatever happens."
Kristen (39:24):
All episodes of The True Tales by Disability
Advocates are free on Applepodcast, Spotify and anywhere
you get your podcast.
This program is funded in partby a grant from the Texas State
Independent Living Council, theAdministration for Community
Living and individuals like you.
(39:47):
To learn more about The SpeakingAdvocates Program, sign up for
our newsletter atartsparktexas.org, that's A R T
S P A R K T X dot O R G.
This free virtual trainingprogram is open to people of all
(40:09):
disabilities, no matter whereyou live.
Welcome to True Tales by Disability Advocates podcast,
authentic voices of peoplethriving with disabilities.
Where individuals use the art ofstorytelling to change the
world.
True Tales is produced by ArtSpark Texas Speaking Advocates
Program.
Keep listening to hear howlife's challenges can spark a
(00:32):
desire to speak out and advocatefor ourselves and others.
MsBoye (00:50):
Welcome to a new episode of True Tales by Disability
Advocates.
In this episode titled,"KeepCalm and Carry On" we present
two stories that reflect themeaning of that message
originally created by Britain'swartime propaganda department,
the Ministry of information.
This quintessentially Britishstatement reminds us all that
(01:13):
self regulation in difficultsituations can help us handle
anything life throws our way.
First we'll hear fromStoryteller Cindy Massey, a
talented photographer andartist, who will share her
story,"Finding Family".
Her unbelievable adventure inAfrica, where she faces life
(01:34):
threatening challenges andmoments of amazing resilience.
While on this trip of alifetime, Cindy finds surprising
connections in the most unlikelyof places, reminding us that
support and understanding cancome from unexpected sources.
In the second half of the show,we welcome back podcast working
(01:57):
group member and host, KamandAlaghehband, as a storyteller.
Kamand is a dedicated SpecialOlympics Athlete and Advocate
with Autism.
We were excited to find heroriginal Live Showcase
performance of her story,"Stayon Track", which is about facing
(02:17):
a stressful situation on themorning of a Special Olympics
track meet, that had thepotential of ruining her whole
day.
Her story teaches us that nomatter the hurdles that pop up
in our path, staying focused andsupporting one another can lead
to success.
The True Tales by DisabilityAdvocates Podcast stories have
(02:39):
been shared with the fullconsent and consideration of the
individuals involved, honoringtheir autonomy and experiences.
Together, these narrativesremind us that we all have
resilience inside us, especiallyin the face of challenging
situations.
In this episode once again weuse the magic of AI generated
(03:00):
voices to keep the integrity ofthe story and the conversations
by replacing any sections lostduring the original recording
process.
Get ready for these incredibletales that celebrate the
strength within us all and thevalue of unity and perseverance.
Let's join hosts Kaye Love andJennifer McKinney as they dive
(03:21):
into these True Tales byDisability Advocates.
Kaye (03:31):
Welcome to True Tales by Disability Advocates podcast.
I am Kaye Love, your host.
Today Storyteller, Cindy Masseywill share her story,"Finding
Family." I am glad to have thisopportunity to speak with her
today and learn more about heradventures.
So welcome Cindy.
Cindy (03:52):
Thank you.
Kaye (03:53):
Before you share your story, please introduce yourself
to our audience.
Cindy (04:00):
Well, uh, I am a photographer and artist.
Uh, some say I am very good atboth.
I used to be a weddingphotographer, before my car
wreck.
After I turned my, after that, Iturned myself into a landscape
(04:21):
photographer.
Uh, I'm a recovered alcoholicand drug addict, one day at a
time.
I live one day at a time afterthe wreck january 16th of'92
that was my last drink or drug.
Kaye (04:45):
Congratulations on that, and thank you for sharing.
Now, please share your storywith us.
Cindy (05:18):
Uh, I'm supposed to talk now?
laughs) All right.
This is my story"FindingFamily." I am a very good
photographer and artist.
I used to be a weddingphotographer, before my car
wreck.
after that, I turned myself intoa landscape photographer which I
(05:41):
am very good at too.
I used to be an alcoholic anddrug addict but after the wreck
january 16th of'92 that was mylast drink or drug.
In fifth grade, I did my firstterm paper on the"Nation of my
Choice." So, I chose Africabecause I have loved big cats
(06:07):
ever since I was a youngster.
Um, and ever since I wrote thisterm paper on the"Cats of
Africa", the lion, leopard, andmy favorite, the cheetah, I
said,"I'm gonna go to Africa oneday." I've said that most of my
life, and when my mother died inOctober 9th, of 2010, it worked
(06:35):
out that my sister and I wouldget$50,000 and a little bit,
until I'm, I was 80.
I thought"New car?""Pay off myhouse?", which I should have
done, but then I thought, No,The way life is going, I don’t
(06:56):
want to live to my eighties I'mgoing to Africa." I grew up on a
campground, that we built and Ithought, I can handle a African
camping trip!" Little did Iknow! I wasn't using the tour
(07:17):
company to book the flight.
I set everything up I did thisall myself, I got everything
together.
My friend, Don came and pickedme up and took me to the airport
to fly first to Atlanta then to,to Johannesburg.
Not long into the flight toAtlanta, I almost had a heart
(07:39):
attack when I realize I left mybattery to my$800 digital camera
on the wall at my house.
I searched through all my stuff,no battery.
It was a sixteen hour flight.
(08:02):
I spent the whole flight in apanic.
But then I thought,"When I getto Johannesburg well, maybe I
can get to a camera shop andI'll be able to buy a battery
for my camera?" I didn't getinto the city until 8:00 PM on
the Saturday night, and I wastired, so I thought I would get
(08:27):
a battery the next day beforewe, uh, left for the safari.
It turned out that on Sunday,all the stores are closed in
Africa.
People told me,“You can pick oneup on the way to the next
place.” yeah, right! I couldhave bought some of those Kodak,
(08:56):
throwaway" cameras, but Ididn't.
I wanted my 800 Dollar digitalcamera.
We went into village aftervillage and there was no camera
shops.
It wa, it wasn't a touristsafari, so we went into village
(09:20):
after village with no avail, nocamera batteries anywhere to be
found.
It turned out that I was thefirst one booked on this English
safari.
I already got my air tickets andthe next day, the woman who I
(09:40):
was booking through, Marguerite,with"Eyes on Africa" called me
and told me that eleven Italiansregistered for the trip.
Sighs) They didn't speak anyEnglish, and she told me,"Well,
maybe you should go on adifferent safari?" And I said,"I
(10:01):
already got my tickets, so no,I'm going on this one." I spend
so much time alone at home andso, I thought I'd have some
company on the, uh, Safari butthere I was, just me and eleven
Italian people, who could notspeak any English.
So, the first night we werecooking spaghetti to make the
(10:25):
Italians feel at home in thebush of Africa.
On the sixth day, my guide Mikeand I took a walk to the bath
hutt, and he was telling meabout the giraffes who eat the
top of the trees, so I waslooking up not down.
(10:48):
Mike knew about my eye, I havepartially detached optic nerve
in my left eye and I can't seevery well looking down, I need
someone tell me if there'ssomething dangerous in front of
me on the ground, so I couldstep over or go around it.
Before I got halfway down thepath, I tripped over this, this
big tree across the path, and Iknew that as soon as I fell,
(11:14):
fell that it was serious.
I cried for help, and tried tobreathe, but I knew I’d broken a
rib.
The next day, we were due to beback in the place where we
started, where I could get somemedical help, so, I knew, that I
wouldn’t be out in the middle ofnowhere for long.
We started to the next camp andso Mike said it would take, uh,
(11:34):
three hours to get there.
We were traveling in a open airtruck that holds 12 people,
pulling a trailer full ofbaggage.
Six hours later, we stillhaven't found the place yet.
(11:55):
We were going up and down sanddunes, up and down, up and down,
on the day, that I broke my rib!I felt, every sand dune, I felt
every bump, right there, in myrib Every once in a while, the
bag, baggage trailer would getstuck in the sand and everyone
(12:18):
but me and the driver would haveto get off the truck and free up
the trailer and then they piledback in.
It was getting dark and we weregetting tired.
We were afraid we'd be caughtout in the dark in the bush.
(12:45):
All of a sudden I heard thisItalian man say something like
"Leopard", and we turned ourheads and we saw a wild leopard,
there in the bush of Africa.
A leopard who wanted someItalian food.
Before we got to too scared abig tow truck came and pulled us
(13:12):
out of the sand dunes and theleopard was of course scared
off.
At least the others in our camphad food for us when we
returned.
I went to my cabin tired, gladto be out of the truck, ribs
still hurting.
Later that night, I tripped andfell on my belly over the lip of
(13:33):
the tent I was sleeping in in.
I yelled out, really loud, andone of the men came to help me.
“What are we going to do withyou?” he asked me.
Right there and then I knew Icouldn't go on the last leg of
(13:53):
the trip to Victoria Falls.
Camping in the bush was harderthan I'd ever thought.
My fourteen day safari turnedinto a seven day trip.
(14:14):
Before I left the camp, I took atrip in a helicopter to fly over
the Okavango Delta that I wouldhave been camping in for three
days.
(14:35):
I have no idea how much I paidfor it! After just a few minutes
up in the air, the pilot turnedto me and said,"Look down there
to the right," and there weretwo female lions and one male
lion standing in the waterbelow.
(14:57):
The guide made a reservation fora flight back to the States.
I got a ride back toJohannesburg Airport dragging my
big luggage bag behind me and mycamera on my shoulder.
I go up to the airline ticketdesk and told the woman that I
(15:22):
have reservations on the twoo'clock PM flight to Atlanta,
Georgia.
She tells me that the flightisn't until 2:00 PM the next
day! My guide had dropped me off23 hours ahead of time?! I I
(15:42):
started to freak out, but Icouldn't freak out.
I knew I had to pull myselftogether.
I asked myself,“What would Daddo?” Then I thought, AA!...
They're all over the world".
It was almost impossible to getin touch with Intergroup, which
(16:05):
is the headquarters for AA, forall regions.
The payphones didn't work or Icouldn't figure them out, so I
got someone to make a call forme to intergroup.
I couldn't understand the manwho I finally reached, because
(16:27):
his accent was so, so thick.
He told me that all the AAmeetings were done for the
day...
were already over.
I told him about the jam I wasin and asked him for help.
He didn't know what to do, so heoffered to come pick me up and
(16:52):
take me to his place for thenight, and I wasn't(laughs) too
sure about that being a goodidea.
I, I wasn't too sure that was agood idea, but I didn't have
much of a choice.
It was either that or spend thenight in Johannesburg Airport.
(17:14):
And since he was in AA, Itrusted him to help me.
We met at the food court as wearranged.
He grabbed my luggage bag and Igrabbed my camera and off we
went to his place.
It was getting dark by thattime, we were, we're driving on
(17:38):
back roads for a long time andI'm getting worried that
something bad was gonna happento me.
Wondering if he was gonna rapeme and throw me to the lions and
no one would know what happenedto Cindy on her trip to Africa.
(18:00):
But we finally got there, tothis little shack in the bush of
Africa.
We went in and he said,"There iswhere you will sleep." It was a
blanket with a pillow in thecorner on the floor of the, of
the small shack.
(18:22):
Thank God I had my nighttimemeds and a bottle of water.
Or I wouldn't have had gottenany sleep.
I wanted him to wake me upearly, because he said we'd go
to a ten-thirty meeting.
So that's what we did.
Their AA meetings are an hourand a half long.
(18:46):
It was cool! It was just likethe AA meetings in the U.S..
Alcoholics are everywhere, everykind of person, every shape,
every country.
Alcohol has eaten up so manypeople's lives that the sober
(19:08):
ones of us, are tight.
We're like family.
I don’t have any blood family,but I found family there when I
really needed it and I'm stillhere to tell about it today.
Kaye (19:39):
Welcome back.
I'm still here with Cindy.
Cindy (19:43):
Hey.
Kaye, can you see me?
Kaye (19:45):
Nope, but we can hear ya, and that's the important part
here.
So we're good.
If you want to be seen, you'rewelcome to, but if not, we just
need, we just need your, um, wejust need your voice.
Cindy (19:58):
Well, I wanna be seen.
Kaye (20:00):
Okay.
Cindy (20:01):
And I can't see where...
There we go
Kaye (20:05):
All right.
Cindy (20:06):
All right.
Kaye (20:07):
Good to see you.
Yeah, we're just recording audiotoday.
But we're glad to see you whilewe're doing this and have you
here with us.
Okay.
Cindy, that was quite achallenging adventure.
I'm glad you were able to gethelp and made it back.
Cindy (20:23):
Yeah, me too.
Yeah, I've and I just, I justremembered, uh...uh, when I flew
to Atlanta, it, this isn't inhere, I guess I take it out for
time restraints.
Uh, when I flew to Atlanta, Ihad a six hour overlay.
(20:47):
So, I went, I took my stuff andwent to a taxicab and said,"Take
me to a camera shop." And hetook me to Target.
Oh my God, I could have gottenout and gotten a battery at
Target and, and I didn't, Ididn't think.
(21:10):
I thought I had to go to acamera shop.
Yeah.
I just thought of that, man.
I could have made my whole tripperfect, you know, but I didn't
do it.
Oh, well.
Kaye (21:24):
Okay.
It's all a process.
I'm wondering Well, what wentthrough your mind when you were
up close with that leopard?
Cindy (21:34):
Oh my, I thought...
he, he was watching us all pileout of this truck and push this
thing and, and pile back in andhe wanted one of those Italian
people.
I, I just felt it in my gut thathe was waiting for us to pile
(22:00):
out and he was gonna take one ofus.
That's what I thought.
Kaye (22:05):
Wow, that must have been frightening!
Cindy (22:07):
Yeah, it was.
Kaye (22:09):
Oh, and I know that, that leopard inspired, and those cats
inspired some great artwork too.
Cindy (22:17):
Yeah....
Kaye (22:18):
Before you said that you changed from wedding photography
to landscape photography.
Tell us a little bit more aboutyour passion for photography and
this transition to landscapephotography.
Cindy (22:30):
Well, uh, you know, just being fresh, fresh into the
world of head injury.
Uh, You can't move as fast orthink as fast.
Um, so that sort of took meoutta wedding photography.
(22:51):
You know, going into landscapephotography, I don't have to
worry about the Grand Canyongetting up and moving on me.
So, it was pretty easy, edy,easy transition.
Kaye (23:06):
That sounds like a very creative way to adapt and
accommodate yourself.
So congratulations on that.
And it's also amazing that youwere able to find help from an
AA member in a foreign countrylike that.
Tell us more about how AA cameto feel like family for you,
that you were able to make thatleap of, of trust.
Cindy (23:28):
Well, in Two Thousand Ten, I had, uh, Two Thousand
Ten...
So I had ten, twenty...
I, I had twenty years ofsobriety under my belt at that
time.
And so I knew that we, uh, wecan count on each other.
(23:52):
And so, I, I just figured Icould count on this guy, you
know?
Kaye (24:01):
That's, great.
And so what do you hope thatyou, the audience will take with
them from hearing your storytoday?
Cindy (24:09):
Well, I hope that, uh, people understand that...
they can do whatever they want.
And whatever happens,...
you can...
manage whatever happens.
Kaye (24:29):
Right, whatever happens, you can manage it.
That's a great, a great lessonto, for us to take with us.
And your, your story certainlydid show that.
Cindy (24:40):
All right!
Kaye (24:41):
Thank you for being here to share your story today, and I
have really enjoyed talking toyou.
Cindy (24:47):
Yeah, me too.
I'm, I'm glad you're all theredoing this.
It's, uh, it's gonna be a, agreat help to many people...
Kaye (24:58):
Awesome, I hope so as well.
So, if you would like to seesome of Cindy's art, you can
link to it on the notes below.
Cindy (25:09):
Yeah.
So, um, where can I find seasonone?
MsBoye (25:15):
Cindy, MsBoye here.
If you go to our website at www.
artsparktx.
org, and then go to the podcasttab, all the episodes are there.
And once this episode isreleased, we'll send you the
direct link, so you shouldn'thave any problem listening.
Oh, and, and you can listen onyour phone or your computer,
(25:37):
whatever works best for you.
Cindy (25:39):
Okay.
All right, well nice meeting ally'all.
MsBoye (25:44):
Thank you, ma'am.
Cindy (25:45):
Thank you.
MsBoye (25:47):
Bye.
Cindy (25:47):
See ya.
Bye.
Jennifer (25:58):
Welcome back to True Tales by Disability Advocates,
changing the world one story ata time.
I'm Jennifer McKinney, and I'myour host.
I'm here with storyteller KamandAlaghehband.
Thanks for joining us today.
Kamand (26:14):
Thank you for having me.
Jennifer (26:17):
We're so happy to have you back.
Last time we spoke, you wereinterviewing me, so this is a
bit of a role reversal.
It'll be fun and different.
I'm looking forward to it.
Can you tell our listeners alittle bit about yourself?
How about telling us somethingpeople would be surprised to
(26:38):
know about you?
Something even friends like memay not even know.
Kamand (26:43):
Hi everyone, my name is Kamand Alaghehband.
I'm 29 years old and I haveAutism.
I'm a full-time student atnonPareil Institute in Austin.
They teach us how to designvideo games from scratch.
I've been participating in theSpecial Olympics, not only in
(27:06):
sports, but also fundraising andleadership throughout the years.
Last year, they elected me tobecome a member of their
Executive Committee of AthletesLeadership in South Region of
Texas.
Since this happened, duringPandemic, I actively created fun
(27:30):
activities such as cooking,baking, stretching, exercising,
and dancing virtually on analmost monthly basis by S O T X
TikTok, that's at SpecialOlympics, Tx, and my own
podcast.
(27:51):
This opened a door for me tounderstand our athletes, their
wants and needs and theirchallenges.
During my podcast interviewswith athletes, I've noticed a
lot of them are suffering fromstress, so I created an online
group to paint freestyletogether, so we can get to know
(28:15):
each other and paint whatever wewant.
There are no restriction to ageor abilities to what you paint.
The main idea is to empty yourstress.
You don't need to even be anathlete to participate, so
anybody who is interested isinvited.
Jennifer (28:37):
Wow, there is a lot there that I didn't know about
you, Kamand.
Sounds like you're being quitethe Social Media Influencer!
Pretty soon I'll be able to tellpeople that I knew you before
you were famous, heheha! Solet's hear your story.
Kamand (29:13):
This is"Stay on Track" by Kamand Alaghehband.
Okay.
Take a breath.
My friends make me feel reallyexcited.
I feel excited because I lovehanging out with them.
When I hang out with my friendswe play sports together.
(29:34):
Our recent sport activity istrack.
Because my teammates aresupportive we all motivate each
other to be active, so that wecan be the best.
My friends are very dependableteammates.
We work hard at swim practice,and then we do fun things
(29:56):
together like picnics.
Spending time with my teammatesmakes me feel excited.
I have special teammates on mytrack team.
They're special because we allhave to work together to be
successful.
I really love being on sportteam, with them it is more fun
(30:18):
than if I was on a team withstrangers.
We love being silly together.
It helps us bond so that we areable to work together to win.
I don't like it when peoplepromise me to do something and
then they don't.
For example, last Saturday I wassupposed to attend a track and
(30:41):
field competition.
My coach told me to be there at8:00 AM because I was asked to
deliver the oath at the OpeningCeremony.
That's a big honor, so I wassuper excited.
However, my excitement quicklyturned to anxiety when my
(31:02):
attendant, Sarah, failed to showup at 7:30.
I was ready to go at 7:25 AM Iwaited, and waited, and waited.
Forty-five minutes later and myattendant was still missing in
action.
Because Sarah's normally a veryreliable person and is always on
(31:28):
time, I was worried, concerned,and frustrated.
My mom called her several timesand left messages for her and no
answer.
Luckily, my mom was off fromwork that day and was able to
give me a ride to the track.
(31:49):
We were so lucky to get to thestadium in time, so I was able
to announce the oath to theathletes at the Opening
Ceremony.
My coach was so happy that Imade it.
I was happy that I didn't let myteammates down, but I was still
worried about my attendant andwondered what possibly could
(32:10):
have happened to her?
However, I knew I had to controlmy emotions and be strong for my
team to win.
So when it was my turn tocompete I tried to do my best.
I had a 400 meter walk.
In my race I try not to wonderabout my attendant and only
(32:33):
focus on the track, my moves andmy team that was cheering me to
win.
I felt so proud and relievedwhen I got the first place with
my 400 meter walk.
I won a gold medal at 400 meterwalk and a silver medal at
Javelin at the competition.
After my race was over, thecoach said I can go home, but I
(32:58):
didn't.
I knew I had a biggerresponsibility to be there for
my team and support them whenthey compete in the races.
In the end, everything went allright.
I supported them until the endof the event and my team won.
I learned an important lesson,no matter what challenges life
(33:19):
throws at you, you need to befocused to achieve your goals
and support your friends.
It helps to keep a cool head andnot freak out.
Thank you.
Jennifer (33:59):
Welcome back.
I'm hanging out with my friend,Kamand.
Thanks for sharing your storywith us, Kamand.
I don't know about ourlisteners, but I was on the edge
of my seat.
I'm so glad you made it in timeand stayed for your teammates
afterwards.
It's clear that Special Olympicsare a big part of your life.
(34:23):
What are the events that you'veparticipated in and won any
medals?
Kamand (34:28):
I've participated in swimming, basketball, and track
and field, although I've wonmany gold medals in different
occasions.
I don't believe in winning inany sport activities should
matter.
What really should matter is foryou to show up and be present no
(34:50):
matter what you feel or capableof doing that day.
Jennifer (34:55):
Very cool.
You sound like a true teamplayer.
Your teammates are lucky to haveyou.
You really embody the SpecialOlympics oath.
"Let me win, but if I cannotwin, let me be brave in the
attempt." I'd say the wholeorganization is lucky to have
(35:16):
you as an ambassador.
You said you are a member of theExecutive Committee of Special
Olympics Athletes Leadership inTexas.
But it must have taken a whilebefore you were experienced
enough to be asked.
How many years have you beenparticipating in the Special
Olympics organization?
Kamand (35:39):
I've been participating in Special Olympics since I was
16, for 13 years.
Jennifer (35:46):
So it's been part of your life for a long time.
After all these years, you mustbe quite the athlete.
Congratulations for stickingwith it and...
"WAY TO GOOOO!!" It sounds likeyou are particularly enjoying
team sports.
Which sport is your favorite andwhy?
Kamand (36:08):
Oh, okay.
Okay.
I love basketball simply becauseit brings teamwork, spirit.
It makes you understand andrespect others abilities and
disabilities, and develop yourskills around those boundaries
to make your team shine.
Definitely.
(36:28):
Basketball's my favorite sportto participate in and to watch.
Jennifer (36:40):
I agree.
You know, basketball games arereally exciting and fast moving,
but sometimes they're a littletoo fast for me to keep up! On a
different note, I'm lookingforward to checking out the
videos on your Instagram feedand your podcast.
We will post links to them inthe show notes and on our True
(37:04):
Tales by Disability AdvocatesFacebook page.
Kamand, I have to let you knowthat I am so impressed at your
ability to stay healthyphysically and mentally.
I also like how you share thatpassion with your fellow
athletes.
We could all do with someencouragement to stay healthy.
(37:27):
Thanks for being here today andsharing your time and your
enthusiasm with us.
Kamand (37:33):
Thank you Jennifer, and thank you for having me on the
show.
It was fun.
Jennifer (37:41):
Well, all that's left for me to say is,"Go Kamand,
go!"
Kamand (37:48):
Okay! Bye bye.
MsBoye (38:08):
Thank you for listening to"Keep Calm and Carry On".
Your hosts for this episode were
Kaye (38:14):
Kaye Love
MsBoye (38:15):
and
Jennifer (38:16):
Jennifer McKinney
MsBoye (38:17):
For this episode
Kaye (38:18):
Our show was produced by Brittany Sesam and Jennifer
McKinney, and edited and mixedby MsBoye.
MsBoye (38:25):
The production team on both stories also includes Kaye
Love and Kamand Alaghehband.
Kaye (38:31):
Special thanks to our guests,
Jennifer (38:34):
storyteller Kamand Alaghehband
MsBoye (38:36):
and storyteller Cindy Massey I'm MsBoye, Producer of
True tales by DisabilityAdvocates podcast.
If you too believe that now isthe time for Disabled voices to
be heard, if you believeelevating Disabled voices will
change the world, you, too, canbe a part of the revolution by
(38:57):
sharing this episode with atleast one friend.
It's simple.
And if you're feelingparticularly revolutionary,
leave us a review on ApplePodcasts or even our Facebook
page.
And remember what Cindy said,
Cindy (39:12):
"Whatever happens,...
you can...
manage whatever happens."
Kristen (39:24):
All episodes of The True Tales by Disability
Advocates are free on Applepodcast, Spotify and anywhere
you get your podcast.
This program is funded in partby a grant from the Texas State
Independent Living Council, theAdministration for Community
Living and individuals like you.
(39:47):
To learn more about The SpeakingAdvocates Program, sign up for
our newsletter atartsparktexas.org, that's A R T
S P A R K T X dot O R G.
This free virtual trainingprogram is open to people of all
(40:09):
disabilities, no matter whereyou live.
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