December 2, 2023 • 41 mins
Hey there, listeners! Welcome back to episode twenty of our podcast 'True Tales by Disability Advocates'. Ready for a deep dive into the theme of 'Smashing Ableism: Tales of Resilience'? Well, we've got two fantastic disability advocates with us - the brilliant Alina Arredondo and the charming Peter Richter. In this episode, they open up about their own life journeys filled with challenges, advocating for disability rights, supportive grandparents, and above all, demonstrating immense resilience. Alina pours her heart out about standing up for her rights and Peter shares golden nuggets on how gratitude supports his resilience. So, tie your seatbelts, folks! Tune in, and get ready for these genuinely enlightening narratives. Trust us; it's not just an episode, it's a vibe that will
spark transformations!
Guest 1
Alina G. Arredondo is a native El Pasoan who was diagnosed with Phocomelia. She does not allow her disability to be an excuse for why she cannot do certain things. Alina has a license Master in social work and currently works at the local independent living center where she empowers adults with disabilities to live as independently as possible. During her spare time, she enjoys spending time with family, dogs, and friends, panting, and singing. However, what she enjoys the most is helping out her community by volunteering with multiple agencies around the El Paso area.
https://www.gograd.org/resources/students-with-disabilities/
Guest 2
Peter Richter grew up in San Antonio and attended school and graduated from the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired. He has two brothers and one sister and a dog he loves named Winnie. He lives with two roommates and enjoys working at his job at Whataburger. Peter has been involved with Art Spark and was an original actor with TILT Performance Group where he was in productions for 10 years.
Hosts: Jennifer Howell and Joey Gidseg
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Episode Transcript
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Kamand (00:09):
Welcome to The True Tales by Disability Advocates,
authentic voices of people.
thriving with disabilities.
Where individuals use the art ofstorytelling to change the
world.
The True Tales by DisabilityAdvocates Podcast is produced by
Art Spark Texas, SpeakingAdvocates Program.
(00:31):
Keep listening to hear how liveschallenges can spark a desire to
speak out and advocate foryourselves and others.
MsBoye (00:44):
Welcome to episode twenty of True Tales by
Disability Advocates podcast,where we're diving into"Smashing
Ableism (00:51):
Tales of Resilience".
In this episode storytellersAlina Arredondo and Peter
Richter share their storieshighlighting resilience in the
face of ableism.
The cohosts for this episode,Jennifer Howell and Joey Gidseg
are along for the ride, chattingabout the common threads that
bind these narratives together,the power of family support,
(01:14):
love, gratitude, resilience, andbouncing back.
In our first story"To My Heartin Heaven", Alina talks about
her grandfather..
and the impact he had on herlife.
About the dream they shared thatAlina would go to Law School.
Discover how her grandfather'swisdom and encouragement has
been Alina's secret weapon inher experience navigating a
(01:35):
world not designed with her inmind and unprepared for her
abilities.
Then with a critical eye onissues like entitlement of
ableism, she guides us throughher journey from being in an
abusive situation as a child,experiencing discrimination at
college, recovering from mentalhealth issues and eventually her
resilience in the face ofsystemic ableism.
(01:58):
Her conversation with Jenniferis intimate, honest and
vulnerable and full of wisdomand knowledge about life and the
importance of knowing yourselfand knowing your rights.
In the second part of the show,we embark on a sweet journey
with Peter and his story,"Mimiand Papa." He shares
(02:18):
heartwarming memories of hisawesome, adventurous
grandparents, as well as hislove and gratitude for the
acceptance and support of hiswhole family and that includes
his canine companions Magic andWinnie, who bring immense joy to
his life.
Then we explore his Peter'sgratitude for a fulfilling job
that not only sustains him, butalso let's him give back to his
(02:42):
supportive crew members, thecommunity that has supported
him.
These stories, highlight theimportance of recognizing and
appreciating the good stuff,even when life throws curve
balls.
This is a tool that can help usall, regardless of our life
circumstances.
This episode is all about beingthankful no matter what life
throws your way.
(03:02):
Join us as we celebrateInternational Day of Persons
with Disabilities 2023 bylistening to"Smashing Ableism:
Tales of Resilience".
And, you know, it's not just apodcast episode, it's a vibe
that sparks gratitude:, it's a,it's a platform for, for stories
that foster change andinclusivity.
(03:22):
So get comfy and stay with usfor these stories that'll
challenge your assumptions makeyou think laugh, and maybe even
get a bit fired up about howmuch there is left to do to
break down the barriers forfolks with disabilities.
Jennifer (03:50):
Welcome back to True Tales by Disability Advocates.
Changing the world one story ata time.
I'm Jennifer Howell, and I amyour host.
I am here with storyteller AlinaArredondo.
Hello, Alina, and welcome.
Alina (04:06):
Hi, thank you for having me here.
It's such a great pleasure andsuch an honor to be here today.
Jennifer (04:12):
Oh, well, you are welcome.
We are very eager to hear yourstory.
Thank you so much.
Alina (04:20):
I'm super excited and this is my first time being on a
podcast.
Jennifer (04:24):
Oh, wonderful.
Well, Alina, what inspired youto write this story?
Alina (04:31):
Well, we were given a topic of who is a person that we
admire the most.
And it was between my father andmy grandfather.
But obviously I wanted it to bea memory of my grandfather's
past, so I decided to go with mygrandfather since he actually
(04:51):
influenced my father to be thefather he is now, so that's why
I picked him.
And I am so eager to tell youguys.
Jennifer (04:59):
Oh, that is beautiful.
Okay, listeners, you are in fora treat.
Alina Arredondo will now presenther story,"To My Heart in
Heaven", in which she sharesabout the positive impact her
grandfather had and continues tohave on her life.
Alina (05:38):
Hi, my name is Alina Guadalupe Arredondo, and this is
a story that I wrote"To My HeartIn Heaven." Dear Viejillo,
(Grandfather), I want to tellyou how much I miss you, how I
wish I was looking into youreyes.
What would I give to see yourface, and retrace each wrinkle
(05:58):
that the years marked on you.
I would bestow my own soul inexchange to feel your warm
embrace around me, to hear yourvoice call me by the nickname
you gave me,"Burrita," which Iknow means donkey, but you meant
it in the sweetest, nicest way.
I would jump through a volcanojust for you to see what a great
(06:21):
young lady I have become.
Oh, what I would give to hearyou tell me how proud I have
made you, and that your pride inme has not changed since the day
you left.
Since you left, a lot haschanged in me and around me.
First of all, I am still shortand a bit chunky, maybe not as
(06:43):
short as when you saw me, butstill kind of the same.
Second, I have had threedifferent graduations, with each
one being higher academically.
Motivated by the constant memoryof what you told me as a child,
that I would one day representmy last name.
(07:04):
Not only have I graduated fromhigh school, I received my
Associate's degree, and lastyear in May, I graduated with a
Bachelor's degree in Psychology.
Third, I have taken my Law examtwice.
The second time I took the LSAT,what motivated me to improve
from the last time were yourwords in my head telling me,“You
(07:29):
can do anything, if you wantto.” All those hours of
isolation and studying havefinally paid off because a new
chapter will soon begin.
The chapter of going to lawschool will be another form of
stress, but I know I can getthrough it because I know you're
(07:52):
watching over me.
You always told me that I woulddo great things.
I remember the day I took myfirst step, you heard grandma
screaming with joy.
You rushed into the masterbedroom and you asked grandma
what was wrong.
Grandma could not speak due tothe excitement.
(08:12):
She just pointed at me, and youasked me what I did, but
instead, I showed you.
At that moment, your eyes filledup, and you rushed to pick me
up.
While in your arms, you told mesomething I carry dearly in my
heart,“Ya ve Burrita todo lopuede si usted quiere,”“You see,
(08:36):
you can do anything if you wantto." Taking my first step was a
huge miracle, because my doctorswanted to amputate my legs, but
you never gave up on me.
We did home therapy because youbelieved that I would walk, and
thanks to your stubbornness, Ihave not stopped walking.
(08:58):
I remember as a child, everytime you received your check...
You would take me to the bankwith you because the only way
the cashier would cash yourcheck was with my signature.
Of course, this was not true,but you would do it to make me
practice my writing.
Or what about the time we wereplaying kitchen and I grabbed
(09:18):
some jelly bean eggs andpretended they were chicken
eggs.
Remember I made you and yourbrother eat my jelly bean eggs?
Your brother was not cooperatingin eating my jelly bean eggs.
So, I started to cry because Imade those eggs with love.
So, you asked for seconds andmade your brother eat my jelly
bean eggs.
Or the times you would take meto McDonald's only for the toys.
(09:43):
I remember your truck was fullof McDonald's toys.
I can honestly say you had mespoiled, in a good way.
But the memory I cherished themost was the last time I saw
you.
It was a week before you left.
I remember eating cereal outsideunder the tree.
You could hardly walk.
(10:04):
The pain had invaded your entirebody, but that did not stop you
from playing with us.
We played ball and you pushed meon the swing.
That day stood still as if Godwas warning me to cherish what
would be my last time with you.
All these great memories I shalltreasure for the rest of my
(10:24):
life.
You once told me how one day Iwould represent my last name.
One day everyone would betalking about Alina Guadalupe
Arredondo and you would proudlyproclaim to the Four Winds, I am
your granddaughter.
Thank you, my Viejillo, forbelieving in me.
(10:45):
I offer all of myaccomplishments in your honor.
You will always live in myheart.
I am grateful that I met you,and it was an honor to have
called you my Grandfather.
I will see you soon, but untilthat day comes, I know you will
be by my side, guiding metowards becoming a family
(11:09):
lawyer.
Sincerely, and always, yourBurrita.
Jennifer (11:20):
Welcome back.
I'm here with Alina.
Thanks for sharing your storywith us today.
We know that a lot of time haspassed since you first shared
your story in 2013 or 14.
What was your experience withhigher education as a person
(11:40):
with a disability, and did youfinish law school?
Alina (11:45):
Uh, yes, my experience with higher education, at first
when I did my associate's and mybachelor's, it was pretty easy
to transfer from high schoolinto college or university.
But for some reason, when I wentto a master's level or J.
(12:05):
D.
level, kind of, education,there's not that many, uh,
accommodations for people withdisabilities.
Because not a lot of people withdisabilities go beyond that
bachelor's degree, so it wasvery difficult for me to have
and receive thoseaccommodations.
So because of that, I did notfinish my law school, only
(12:29):
because I missed GPA requirementby a decimal point, and I tried
to appeal, and it didn't workout, and I just became really
depressed.
Errr, I had invested so muchtime and energy, and...
I moved from El Paso all the wayto a new state.
(12:54):
And I, I had failed and I blamedmyself when it was actually the
school that should have beenprepared, the society should be
prepared for making the world alittle bit more equal, equal.
Equal for people withdisabilities.
You know, we, especially ineducation, we say, oh, um,
(13:17):
education, equality foreveryone, but in reality, that's
not the case.
Jennifer (13:22):
Alina, I, I actually, um, I want to say this, in the
rehearsal...of course, we werevery casual, you know, and we
were having a conversation and,and, um, it's something that's
not covered in your story.
Um, I really, I really wouldlike to ask you to share some of
(13:43):
the things that we discussed inthe rehearsal, about the lack of
accommodations.
You mentioned that you didn'treceive the accommodations that
you needed.
I'm sure that there are manyothers who have faced that same
situation.
Please, Please if you arecomfortable, tell us a little
bit more about that?
Alina (14:03):
Yeah, so what happened was, you know, I have always
acknowledged that I do have adisability, but never truly
understood the importance ofknowing your rights and what
accommodations and all thisstuff.
So, when I graduated from mybachelor's, I made sure that I
went to the AccommodationCenter, grabbed my documents,
and when we moved over there,that was the first thing I
(14:25):
turned in, and I explained like,this is what helps me, Dragon
Natural Speaking, a recorder,somebody to take notes And at
that moment, they said,"You knowwhat, you are the first person
with a severe physicaldisability that is requiring a
lot of accommodations that wecannot provide.
(14:46):
So, in that instance, my dad, hedoesn't really know much
English, English is not hisfirst language.
He had to sit with me in theclassrooms and try to take
notes.
Try to understand and take notesfor me, which was very
difficult.
And as you can see, I don't haveupper limbs.
So for me to pay attention andconstantly taking notes myself
(15:09):
was really difficult, and it'svery different in the
environment that everybody's ina competition mode, and
everybody wants to go and benumber one.
So, my colleagues didn't evenoffer to help me, and I didn't
know for sure that I had rightsas a person with a disability.
(15:31):
Uh, I didn't receive anyaccommodations.
Um, there was a time where forextra time on my exam, they
would just sit me on the floorand the lights would turn off
and I have to be typing with theTV or the screen light and I,
they were just not as helpful asI wish they could've.
(15:53):
I had briefly thought, okay,they have to follow this, they
know what they're doing.
And since they said no, I juststopped there.
So that made it very difficult,uh, for me to receive my
accommodations.
Um, even though I did go toother agencies that do advocate
on behalf of people withdisabilities, it wasn't enough
(16:13):
to help me to succeed that firstyear of law school.
Jennifer (16:19):
That had to be incredibly disappointing,
frustrating, heartbreaking, andcertainly...(sighs) very unfaIr.
Um, but you...
You didn't stop there, althoughyou, um, did not continue with
(16:41):
law school.
Um, share with us what camenext.
Alina (16:46):
So after the disappointment of them not
accepting my letter to fightback, to go back into the, um,
law school, they basically toldme," Why don't you go back to
that little town that you comefrom?
Take take any course you want toand come back when you get an A,
and then we'll see if youraccommodations are truly what
will help you succeed." And Iwas like, that's not true, if I
(17:09):
go back to El Paso, take aSpanish course, get an A, you're
not gonna accept me back." Sowhen they told me that, I really
felt like society was justfocusing on the lack of ability
that I don't have, have.
And it's that.
I feel like, even though I am aperson with a disability, I have
so much more to offer, and forpeople just to, at a glance, see
(17:31):
my physical disability and say,Oh, she can't do it! it's really
difficult, you know?
And it goes back, I'm gonnabacktrack just a little bit, um,
I come from a very abusivebackground.
My mother, my biological motherwas very abusive So all that
trauma of, you know, my mom notaccepting who I was, and I am
(17:52):
useless, and all of that learnedhelplessness of, I cannot do it,
you don't have any value.
And then for someone with highauthority to tell me that, uh,
it did come a point where Iwanted to commit suicide.
And it was very difficult for meto get out of that funk, uh,
(18:12):
just because I had dedicatedsince the age of nine that I
wanted to become a lawyer.
Jennifer (18:20):
I'm so sorry.
It's so unfortunate, but thankyou for giving us a look into
your experience, about, being,abused as a child Your
courageous story has not onlyinspired us, but maybe perhaps,
it's initiated a very thoughtprovoking, important
conversation, that we need, Uh,about, um being abused as a
(18:44):
child?
Alina (18:46):
Uh, yes, I hope that this helps somebody especially a
person with a disability.
So, when I moved back to ElPaso, my um, friends asked me,
"Well, what is it, the passionthat started you to want to
become a lawyer?
And it was to advocate forpeople.
(19:06):
So now I am a graduate of TheUniversity of Texas El Paso with
my Master's in Social Work.
And as of January of this year,I received my license as a
Master in Social Work.
So now I can officially callmyself in the state of Texas a
Social Worker.
(19:28):
And life has been pretty crazy!Um, I, I work at our local, um,
independent living center.
Um, I just bought a house.
And I, I don't stop.
I use my story as a way to pushto my consumers that, hey, you
do have a disability, but it'svery important to know your
rights and advocate on yourbehalf.
Jennifer (19:45):
That is wonderful.
You are unstoppable,(Laughs) andthe world is a better place
because of you.
Alina (19:54):
(Laughs) Thank you.
Jennifer (19:55):
You have, yes, you have achieved so much at such a
young age.
What are your current goals anddreams?
What's, what's next?
And what are your hopes for thefuture?
Alina (20:10):
Well, academically, I think I have reached my full
potential.
So my next goal would probablybe to open my own agency.
Um, I have noticed working withpeople with disabilities, adults
and young adults withdisabilities, that there is not
a Save Haven for them, like aplace where they can live and
work and feel wanted andappreciated.
So, So, I would like to createlike a community living
(20:31):
situation where they can work inthe community.
And we can teach them thoseindependent living skills, so
they can know how to fold theirclothes, or wash their clothes,
or, um, how do you use, uh,money, how do you time manage,
all of those things, uh, it's mynext goal As As far as, like, my
more personal goals, I would sayfor sure, learn how to drive.
(20:54):
That is a huge passion of minethat I want to, for sure, um,
work on, just because, you know,I am always on the go, and
depending on people, or, youknow, public transportation is
not always the best.
And then a more intimate,personal goal would be becoming
a mother.
I know it sounds really silly,um, but since I didn't have that
(21:18):
love and appreciation with mymom, that connection from mother
and daughter, um, I hope that,by having a child, I can share
that love that I have.
I mean, I share the love with myfriends, with my significant
others, with my father, with mysiblings, but it's not the same
(21:39):
as...
having somebody who looks up toyou as a role model, say.
And I would say, okay, I didn'thave this in my own childhood,
but let me share that with you.
Um, so those are my hopes and mydreams and my goals for the
future to become a mother, learnhow to drive and create my own,
uh, agency.
Jennifer (21:56):
There is nothing silly about that at all.
You have a lot of love to give.
Yes.
So, you've faced discrimination.
umm, an abusive situation.
Alina (22:15):
Yes.
Jennifer (22:16):
Um, you, mental health issues.
Alina (22:21):
Oh, yeah.
Jennifer (22:21):
And, and ableism has created so many barriers in
every aspect of your life.
Alina (22:31):
Yes.
Jennifer (22:32):
You are a strong woman, a very strong woman, who
has earned a Master's Degree, aprofessional license, and you
are a homeowner.
Alina (22:43):
Yes.
Jennifer (22:43):
Wow!
Alina (22:45):
(Laughs)
Jennifer (22:45):
What advice do you have for anyone listening today
who is facing a barrier thatseems hopeless?
Alina (22:54):
Like I said earlier, for sure know who you are, know your
rights.
As a person with a disability,you have so many rights, so many
laws that yes, they could beimproved upon, but, you know,
what we have, use that tool.
If you are not comfortable withwho you are, don't even know
what you like to do, and don'teven know what laws protect you,
(23:18):
how do you expect to becomesomebody?
How do you expect to pushyourself and say, you know what
today, I'm going to do somethingsimple as cleaning the house,
but I need a provider, or I needthis, or I need that Whatever
that person may need in order todo a simple task.
That That is knowing who youare, you're advocate, advocating
for yourself.
And that's something that I wishsomebody would have told me at
(23:40):
the beginning, and I would havepushed at the beginning of my
law school journey and say, hey,these are my rights.
This is what I need to do.
Um, I'm going to stand up formyself and you are not going to
be an ableist towards me and I'mgoing to show you that I can do
it maybe differently thanothers, but I'm going to do it.
Um, so, uh, for sure, for sure,for everyone who is listening,
(24:01):
know who you are, know yourrights, and it's okay to fail!
You're You're still going tofail, that's just part of life,
but it doesn't matter how manytimes you fail or how hard you
have failed, what matters is,how do you get yourself back up?
Uh, like I said, I have gonethrough so many things, and a
(24:22):
lot of people ask me,"Hey,Alina, why do you continue?
Why do you get up every nightand every morning?" And say,
"Hey, I'm gonna, I'm going tokeep going and with a smile
because I'm always smiling.
I'm always joking.
I have such a positive vibe thatI want to portray to everybody
that I meet because I have grownto, um, to see that everybody
struggles in their own way,shape, or form.
(24:43):
And it's not a competition of,oh, I've done this or this has
happened to me.
It's more of, let me help you,let me provide that resource,
let me be that listening ear,but you also have to put your
heart in saying"Okay, I failed,what are my next options?
People may laugh at me, andthat's fine.
But let me get out of this funkand keep moving forward." So
(25:05):
that's what I will tell them.
Find who you really are.
Learn the laws and keep pushing.
And if you fail, try again.
Jennifer (25:14):
That is such wonderful advice and, uh, so valuable.
I know that Um, that was reallyspeaking to, um, our listeners,
and I know that it will behelpful to them.
Thank you very much for that.
Alina (25:35):
No, thank you for having me and thank you for allowing me
this platform to share not onlymy love for my grandfather, who
still helps me on a day to daybasis, but for sharing my
experience, even the ones that Idid not mention in my story.
I hope this helps somebody andmotivates them that your
(25:57):
disability is not a barrier.
It's actually a positive thingto help you.
And expanding and growing as aperson, you just got to do
things a little bit different,and there's no shame in the
game.
Jennifer (26:14):
Oh, thank you.
Thank you so much, Alina.
If you are a person with adisability, who has a dream of
going to graduate school, youcan find some great resources at
gograd dot org slash resourcesslash students hyphen with
(26:38):
hyphen disabilities.
We'll put that link in the shownotes.
Okay, now listen, Um, I waswondering if we were going to
stop there Alina, or if you haveUm, a suggestion about this very
thought provoking, importantconversation that we had uh, go
(26:59):
ahead.
Alina (27:00):
Um, no, I mean, um, whatever you guys want me to
talk, I know we mentioned morein the practice.
Um, I didn't know, maybe, Ithink ableism is the biggest
takeaway, the biggest barrier,or the biggest, yeah, barrier,
um, that has created a rippleeffect in my life, that, It has
(27:24):
continuously, um, you know,affected.
uh, I think um, how is theableism still, um, affecting me
right now, even though, like, Igraduated and have a license,
uh, and finding employment.
Um, it was, like, still ongoing,like, it didn't just magically
(27:46):
stop.
And it's just, it's stillcontinues.
Um, okay, so what I was going tosay was basically along the
lines of that the world is theone that's not prepared for
people like us.
And they could at least beconsiderate enough to have the
decency of having some sort ofsensitivity training or even
(28:09):
taking into account,(Uhh!) Youknow, the ADA does exist and
that law is not just for thepeople who are born with
disability, it also affectspeople who acquire disabilities.
And the world doesn't reallyunderstand that as people get
older, you do acquiredisabilities.
(28:30):
Uh, from simply wearing glassesto having disability, um,
diabetes or high blood pressureor a pregnancy as a temporarily
disability.
And people just say oh, adisability is this little box,
as a person that uses medicalequipment to move around.
Er,No, disabilities come in allshapes and sizes and colors and
(28:53):
flavors, and the world needs toreally take in charge of saying,
okay, we signed this law, theADA law that protects people
with disabilities, let'sactually put into practice what
we're actually signed up to do.
There's still so many buildingsthat you know, are not even
(29:13):
accessible and they're newbuildings, or they have the
button to open doors, but theydon't work.
Nobody comes and checks on them.
And it's so frustrating thatwhen people walk into my home,
they're like,"Oh, everything'sso small, oh, everything is...
to your needs!" I'm like,"Yes,welcome to my world.
(29:34):
This little corner right here.
Um, this is what I got to dealwith outside! The stress that
you're feeling in my homebecause it's not accommodated to
your needs.
That's what I have to feel, whenI walk out my door,(Laughs)
every day." Like, come on.
Um, be considerate, be morehumble,(Laughs), actually put
(29:55):
into practice what you're tryingto preach.
Um, a few days ago, uh, we wentto go pick up the proclamation
for the ADA.
And I was at City Hall and theydidn't even bother to say, what
can we do to accommodate you?
They expect me to accommodate totheir needs.
They weren't even payingattention to me.
(30:16):
And I was like, excuse me, I ama paid taxpayer.
I am an active member ofsociety.
Like, listen to me, look at me.
I've already been shut down bymy mom, by law school people who
think that they were the biggestthing because of their titles,
and now you're doing the samething?
(30:37):
Like, no.
Yes, I am three times aminority, Hispanic, a woman, and
a person with a disability, butI am an active member of
society.
Like, treat me as one.
My disability is not contagious.
My disability...
is not going to push me asideand be like,"Oh, poor her,
(30:57):
pobrecita, she can't do that."No, my disability is only one of
the million hats I wear, andit's only because you can see it
that doesn't mean I lead withit.
That doesn't mean that," Oh, shedoesn't have hands.
How can I shake her arm?
Like, shake my arm like a normalperson.
(31:19):
Don't make me feel like I needto baby you and hold your hand
and be like okay, this is howyou do it,(Laughs).
This is what you're supposed toask.
Like, no.
Do it.
Put in the effort and learn howto adapt to our world, not us
just adapting your world!
Jennifer (31:37):
Jennifer Laughing) Alina Arredondo for president!
(Both laughing)
Alina (31:44):
Thanks.
(More laughing) Yes.
laughs) maybe.
Jennifer (31:50):
Okay.
Thank you for being a guest onTrue Tales by Disability
Advocates.
Alina (31:57):
Thank you.
Jennifer (31:58):
We really appreciate you..
This was fun
Alina (32:00):
Yes, thank you.
And I learned a lot from youguys.
This was an awesome experienceand thank you again for letting
me be part of this.
Joey (32:34):
Welcome I'm Joey Gidseg your host and today I'll be
chatting with storyteller, PeterRichter.
Welcome, to the podcast, wherewe change the world one story at
a time Peter Peter, thanks forjoining us today.
Peter (32:47):
You're welcome.
Joey (32:49):
Peter, we are so excited for you to share your story with
our listeners.
Peter (32:54):
Yeah, I got it.
I got it right here.
Okay, I can start?
I'm Peter Richter.
This is my story,"Mimi andPapa".
I remember my Mimi and Papa, mygrandparents.
They were air pilots from WorldWar II.
Their names were Millie andEdwin Dalrymple.
Millie's first husband died inthe war, and she met Edwin, when
(33:17):
they were both pilots.
Edwin was a Longhorn fan.
He went to a lot of games.
He was a very good man.
Millie was a tennis player.
Her favorite player was AndyRoddick, who she met a few
times.
She actually played with him,too.
My Mimi and Papa, they had greatkids.
(33:38):
Tom, Dennis.
And the best mom I could have,Gail.
They have six goodgrandchildren, Travis, Tracy,
Scotty, Holly, Neil, and me.
My mom and I used to visit Papawhen he was in assisted living,
and I read them stories from thesports pages.
Edwin died in 2006, and Mimi in2012.
(34:03):
When Mimi died, my friend Robertcalled right away.
Um, thinking about Papa has alsomade me think about my dog,
Magic.
She bit Papa once and he neverforgave her.
I loved her though.
Before we got Magic, we werewalking down the street and saw
a dog.
We took the dog home and theowners came to pick her up.
(34:25):
After that, we wanted our owndog.
We got one, had her for 11years.
I named her Magic because shebrought magic into our lives.
I now have my own dog namedWinnie.
I love her very much.
I really miss my grandparents,but I like thinking about them.
Joey (34:49):
I'm here with Peter Richter.
So, Peter, I'm about to start,um, asking you those questions
we sent you ahead of time.
So, after I ask you, I think youalready have some answers.
Peter (35:02):
Mm hmm.
Joey (35:03):
To help you think, yeah.
So, that's what we're about todo.
Peter (35:06):
Cool, cool, cool.
Joey (35:07):
Peter,Thanks so much for sharing your story with us
today.
In your story, you mentionedthat your dog brought magic into
your life.
What is your favorite memory ofMagic?
Peter (35:18):
My best memory of Magic is that she is playful.
I like Magic, but I really likeWinnie.
Joey (35:25):
Will you tell us more about her?
Peter (35:27):
Um, yeah, I would like to talk about my dog, Winnie She's
very loyal and loving.
She's a smart She cuddles withme.
She's very friendly to people.
She likes to go on a walk.
She is trustworthy, verytrustworthy.
Winnie is a terrier mutt.
She's very nice.
She barks at other dogs, but shenever bites.
(35:49):
Winnie is three years old.
Joey (35:51):
Aw, she sounds like a wonderful puppy.
I also have puppies, and I knowthey are our family members.
So, thank you, Peter, forsharing more with us.
In your story, you mentionedyour Mimi and Papa, and that you
have the best mom ever.
What other people in your lifehave helped you become the
person that you are today?
Would you share what you wouldlike for us to know about them?
Peter (36:14):
Robert Pierson is the person who's helped me with Mimi
and Papa.
He was my drama teacher atTSBVI.
He called me when Mimi died.
I was happy that he did that.
It's an interesting story howMimi died.
My dad was coming back from atrip.
We went out to eat.
He got a call that Mimi died.
(36:35):
When Mimi died she was telling astory.
Joey (36:39):
Peter, that sounds rather sudden and must have been hard
for you and your family.
I'm so sorry for your loss.
And Robert, you're right soundslike a really great friend.
You are really lucky to havesuch supportive and caring
family and friends in your life.
Thank you for telling us moreabout them.
Peter (36:56):
Mm hmm.
Yeah.
Joey (36:58):
Yeah.
It's been a while since youwrote this story with Opening
Minds, Opening Doors.
And we know that you've beenworking at Whataburger for a few
years.
How do you like working there?
What kind of things do you do atwork?
Peter (37:12):
I take care of the customers at Whataburger I have
worked there for almost threeyears I'm excited about work.
I would like to talk aboutWhataburger.
The people there are supportive.
They care about me a lot.
They're kind to me.
I'm a hard worker.
It's the best job ever.
Joey (37:29):
Wow! That sounds really, really cool.
It's always good when we loveour, our jobs that we get to do.
So I know that we have a lot ofpeople who, um, listen to and
follow our podcast.
So what would you like for ourlisteners to know about you?
Peter (37:45):
I have a very kind person.
I like sports a lot.
My favorite team is the Astrosand Tigers.
uh, TILT, TILT, yeah, TILT.
I'm in TILT Performance Group,we do plays, we, uh, we, uh, we
perform.
We had three great directors along time ago.
(38:07):
We had Robert.
We had, uh, Adam and we had mymom.
Yeah., TILT, was started becauseof me.
I was doing acting in highschool and Robert was the
director of my high school playand he started it.
My mom and him, and Adam startedTILT.
Yeah.
(38:27):
I do.
I really enjoy doing it.
Thanks.
Joey (38:30):
Yeah, and Peter, I remember you sharing with us
that you sort of grew up intheater, so that really makes a
lot of sense, and it's prettycool that, that that was started
and still happening.
Peter (38:41):
Mm hmm.
Yeah.
Joey (38:42):
Cool.
So Peter, we've learned a lotabout you today, and we really,
really, really appreciate yousharing your story with our
listeners.
Uh, Thank you so much onceagain.
If our audience wants to learnmore about you or connect, What
is a good way for them to?
Do you have a blog or accountson social media?
Peter (39:02):
Not right now, but I'm going to.
Joey (39:05):
Cool.
Cool.
Thank you.
Thank you for sharing that.
I'm sure that in the future wecan add something like that to
our podcast and people canfollow you there.
Peter (39:18):
Yeah, no problem.
Okay.
Jennifer (39:29):
Thank you for listening to this episode of
True Tales by DisabilityAdvocates.
To find out more or to hearprevious episodes, you can go to
www dot art spark TX dot org.
That's Art Spark T X dot orgbackslash True Tales Podcast.
(39:55):
If you relate to the topicstouched in this episode, we'd
love to hear from you.
Please visit our Facebook pageat Facebook.
com backslash True TalesPodcast, and share your stories
with us.
This episode of True Tales washosted by me, Jennifer Howell,
Joey (40:16):
and I'm host, Joey Gidseg,
Jennifer (40:19):
and produced by
Joey (40:19):
Joey Gidseg
Jennifer (40:20):
and Toby Al-Trabulsi.
Editing and mixing by MsBoye.
The production team alsoincludes Kristen Gooch.
Special thanks to AlinaArredondo,
Joey (40:32):
and Peter Richter.
Jennifer (40:33):
I'm Jennifer Howell,
Joey (40:34):
and I'm host, Joey Gidseg.
Jennifer (40:37):
And you've been listening to True Tales by
Disability Advocates.
Don't forget to share us withyour friends and follow us on
Facebook, Instagram, andTwitter.
Thank you.
Kamand (40:57):
All episodes of The True Tales by Disability Advocates
for free on Apple Podcasts,Spotify, and anywhere you get
your podcasts.
The program is funded in part bya grant from the Texas state
Independent Living Council, theAdministration for Community
Living and individuals like you.
To learn about the SpeakingAdvocates Program sign up for
(41:20):
our newsletter at Art SparkTexas dot org.
That's A R T S P A R K T X.org.
This free virtual training isopen to people of all
disabilities, no matter whereyou live.
Welcome to The True Tales by Disability Advocates,
authentic voices of people.
thriving with disabilities.
Where individuals use the art ofstorytelling to change the
world.
The True Tales by DisabilityAdvocates Podcast is produced by
Art Spark Texas, SpeakingAdvocates Program.
(00:31):
Keep listening to hear how liveschallenges can spark a desire to
speak out and advocate foryourselves and others.
MsBoye (00:44):
Welcome to episode twenty of True Tales by
Disability Advocates podcast,where we're diving into"Smashing
Ableism (00:51):
Tales of Resilience".
In this episode storytellersAlina Arredondo and Peter
Richter share their storieshighlighting resilience in the
face of ableism.
The cohosts for this episode,Jennifer Howell and Joey Gidseg
are along for the ride, chattingabout the common threads that
bind these narratives together,the power of family support,
(01:14):
love, gratitude, resilience, andbouncing back.
In our first story"To My Heartin Heaven", Alina talks about
her grandfather..
and the impact he had on herlife.
About the dream they shared thatAlina would go to Law School.
Discover how her grandfather'swisdom and encouragement has
been Alina's secret weapon inher experience navigating a
(01:35):
world not designed with her inmind and unprepared for her
abilities.
Then with a critical eye onissues like entitlement of
ableism, she guides us throughher journey from being in an
abusive situation as a child,experiencing discrimination at
college, recovering from mentalhealth issues and eventually her
resilience in the face ofsystemic ableism.
(01:58):
Her conversation with Jenniferis intimate, honest and
vulnerable and full of wisdomand knowledge about life and the
importance of knowing yourselfand knowing your rights.
In the second part of the show,we embark on a sweet journey
with Peter and his story,"Mimiand Papa." He shares
(02:18):
heartwarming memories of hisawesome, adventurous
grandparents, as well as hislove and gratitude for the
acceptance and support of hiswhole family and that includes
his canine companions Magic andWinnie, who bring immense joy to
his life.
Then we explore his Peter'sgratitude for a fulfilling job
that not only sustains him, butalso let's him give back to his
(02:42):
supportive crew members, thecommunity that has supported
him.
These stories, highlight theimportance of recognizing and
appreciating the good stuff,even when life throws curve
balls.
This is a tool that can help usall, regardless of our life
circumstances.
This episode is all about beingthankful no matter what life
throws your way.
(03:02):
Join us as we celebrateInternational Day of Persons
with Disabilities 2023 bylistening to"Smashing Ableism:
Tales of Resilience".
And, you know, it's not just apodcast episode, it's a vibe
that sparks gratitude:, it's a,it's a platform for, for stories
that foster change andinclusivity.
(03:22):
So get comfy and stay with usfor these stories that'll
challenge your assumptions makeyou think laugh, and maybe even
get a bit fired up about howmuch there is left to do to
break down the barriers forfolks with disabilities.
Jennifer (03:50):
Welcome back to True Tales by Disability Advocates.
Changing the world one story ata time.
I'm Jennifer Howell, and I amyour host.
I am here with storyteller AlinaArredondo.
Hello, Alina, and welcome.
Alina (04:06):
Hi, thank you for having me here.
It's such a great pleasure andsuch an honor to be here today.
Jennifer (04:12):
Oh, well, you are welcome.
We are very eager to hear yourstory.
Thank you so much.
Alina (04:20):
I'm super excited and this is my first time being on a
podcast.
Jennifer (04:24):
Oh, wonderful.
Well, Alina, what inspired youto write this story?
Alina (04:31):
Well, we were given a topic of who is a person that we
admire the most.
And it was between my father andmy grandfather.
But obviously I wanted it to bea memory of my grandfather's
past, so I decided to go with mygrandfather since he actually
(04:51):
influenced my father to be thefather he is now, so that's why
I picked him.
And I am so eager to tell youguys.
Jennifer (04:59):
Oh, that is beautiful.
Okay, listeners, you are in fora treat.
Alina Arredondo will now presenther story,"To My Heart in
Heaven", in which she sharesabout the positive impact her
grandfather had and continues tohave on her life.
Alina (05:38):
Hi, my name is Alina Guadalupe Arredondo, and this is
a story that I wrote"To My HeartIn Heaven." Dear Viejillo,
(Grandfather), I want to tellyou how much I miss you, how I
wish I was looking into youreyes.
What would I give to see yourface, and retrace each wrinkle
(05:58):
that the years marked on you.
I would bestow my own soul inexchange to feel your warm
embrace around me, to hear yourvoice call me by the nickname
you gave me,"Burrita," which Iknow means donkey, but you meant
it in the sweetest, nicest way.
I would jump through a volcanojust for you to see what a great
(06:21):
young lady I have become.
Oh, what I would give to hearyou tell me how proud I have
made you, and that your pride inme has not changed since the day
you left.
Since you left, a lot haschanged in me and around me.
First of all, I am still shortand a bit chunky, maybe not as
(06:43):
short as when you saw me, butstill kind of the same.
Second, I have had threedifferent graduations, with each
one being higher academically.
Motivated by the constant memoryof what you told me as a child,
that I would one day representmy last name.
(07:04):
Not only have I graduated fromhigh school, I received my
Associate's degree, and lastyear in May, I graduated with a
Bachelor's degree in Psychology.
Third, I have taken my Law examtwice.
The second time I took the LSAT,what motivated me to improve
from the last time were yourwords in my head telling me,“You
(07:29):
can do anything, if you wantto.” All those hours of
isolation and studying havefinally paid off because a new
chapter will soon begin.
The chapter of going to lawschool will be another form of
stress, but I know I can getthrough it because I know you're
(07:52):
watching over me.
You always told me that I woulddo great things.
I remember the day I took myfirst step, you heard grandma
screaming with joy.
You rushed into the masterbedroom and you asked grandma
what was wrong.
Grandma could not speak due tothe excitement.
(08:12):
She just pointed at me, and youasked me what I did, but
instead, I showed you.
At that moment, your eyes filledup, and you rushed to pick me
up.
While in your arms, you told mesomething I carry dearly in my
heart,“Ya ve Burrita todo lopuede si usted quiere,”“You see,
(08:36):
you can do anything if you wantto." Taking my first step was a
huge miracle, because my doctorswanted to amputate my legs, but
you never gave up on me.
We did home therapy because youbelieved that I would walk, and
thanks to your stubbornness, Ihave not stopped walking.
(08:58):
I remember as a child, everytime you received your check...
You would take me to the bankwith you because the only way
the cashier would cash yourcheck was with my signature.
Of course, this was not true,but you would do it to make me
practice my writing.
Or what about the time we wereplaying kitchen and I grabbed
(09:18):
some jelly bean eggs andpretended they were chicken
eggs.
Remember I made you and yourbrother eat my jelly bean eggs?
Your brother was not cooperatingin eating my jelly bean eggs.
So, I started to cry because Imade those eggs with love.
So, you asked for seconds andmade your brother eat my jelly
bean eggs.
Or the times you would take meto McDonald's only for the toys.
(09:43):
I remember your truck was fullof McDonald's toys.
I can honestly say you had mespoiled, in a good way.
But the memory I cherished themost was the last time I saw
you.
It was a week before you left.
I remember eating cereal outsideunder the tree.
You could hardly walk.
(10:04):
The pain had invaded your entirebody, but that did not stop you
from playing with us.
We played ball and you pushed meon the swing.
That day stood still as if Godwas warning me to cherish what
would be my last time with you.
All these great memories I shalltreasure for the rest of my
(10:24):
life.
You once told me how one day Iwould represent my last name.
One day everyone would betalking about Alina Guadalupe
Arredondo and you would proudlyproclaim to the Four Winds, I am
your granddaughter.
Thank you, my Viejillo, forbelieving in me.
(10:45):
I offer all of myaccomplishments in your honor.
You will always live in myheart.
I am grateful that I met you,and it was an honor to have
called you my Grandfather.
I will see you soon, but untilthat day comes, I know you will
be by my side, guiding metowards becoming a family
(11:09):
lawyer.
Sincerely, and always, yourBurrita.
Jennifer (11:20):
Welcome back.
I'm here with Alina.
Thanks for sharing your storywith us today.
We know that a lot of time haspassed since you first shared
your story in 2013 or 14.
What was your experience withhigher education as a person
(11:40):
with a disability, and did youfinish law school?
Alina (11:45):
Uh, yes, my experience with higher education, at first
when I did my associate's and mybachelor's, it was pretty easy
to transfer from high schoolinto college or university.
But for some reason, when I wentto a master's level or J.
(12:05):
D.
level, kind of, education,there's not that many, uh,
accommodations for people withdisabilities.
Because not a lot of people withdisabilities go beyond that
bachelor's degree, so it wasvery difficult for me to have
and receive thoseaccommodations.
So because of that, I did notfinish my law school, only
(12:29):
because I missed GPA requirementby a decimal point, and I tried
to appeal, and it didn't workout, and I just became really
depressed.
Errr, I had invested so muchtime and energy, and...
I moved from El Paso all the wayto a new state.
(12:54):
And I, I had failed and I blamedmyself when it was actually the
school that should have beenprepared, the society should be
prepared for making the world alittle bit more equal, equal.
Equal for people withdisabilities.
You know, we, especially ineducation, we say, oh, um,
(13:17):
education, equality foreveryone, but in reality, that's
not the case.
Jennifer (13:22):
Alina, I, I actually, um, I want to say this, in the
rehearsal...of course, we werevery casual, you know, and we
were having a conversation and,and, um, it's something that's
not covered in your story.
Um, I really, I really wouldlike to ask you to share some of
(13:43):
the things that we discussed inthe rehearsal, about the lack of
accommodations.
You mentioned that you didn'treceive the accommodations that
you needed.
I'm sure that there are manyothers who have faced that same
situation.
Please, Please if you arecomfortable, tell us a little
bit more about that?
Alina (14:03):
Yeah, so what happened was, you know, I have always
acknowledged that I do have adisability, but never truly
understood the importance ofknowing your rights and what
accommodations and all thisstuff.
So, when I graduated from mybachelor's, I made sure that I
went to the AccommodationCenter, grabbed my documents,
and when we moved over there,that was the first thing I
(14:25):
turned in, and I explained like,this is what helps me, Dragon
Natural Speaking, a recorder,somebody to take notes And at
that moment, they said,"You knowwhat, you are the first person
with a severe physicaldisability that is requiring a
lot of accommodations that wecannot provide.
(14:46):
So, in that instance, my dad, hedoesn't really know much
English, English is not hisfirst language.
He had to sit with me in theclassrooms and try to take
notes.
Try to understand and take notesfor me, which was very
difficult.
And as you can see, I don't haveupper limbs.
So for me to pay attention andconstantly taking notes myself
(15:09):
was really difficult, and it'svery different in the
environment that everybody's ina competition mode, and
everybody wants to go and benumber one.
So, my colleagues didn't evenoffer to help me, and I didn't
know for sure that I had rightsas a person with a disability.
(15:31):
Uh, I didn't receive anyaccommodations.
Um, there was a time where forextra time on my exam, they
would just sit me on the floorand the lights would turn off
and I have to be typing with theTV or the screen light and I,
they were just not as helpful asI wish they could've.
(15:53):
I had briefly thought, okay,they have to follow this, they
know what they're doing.
And since they said no, I juststopped there.
So that made it very difficult,uh, for me to receive my
accommodations.
Um, even though I did go toother agencies that do advocate
on behalf of people withdisabilities, it wasn't enough
(16:13):
to help me to succeed that firstyear of law school.
Jennifer (16:19):
That had to be incredibly disappointing,
frustrating, heartbreaking, andcertainly...(sighs) very unfaIr.
Um, but you...
You didn't stop there, althoughyou, um, did not continue with
(16:41):
law school.
Um, share with us what camenext.
Alina (16:46):
So after the disappointment of them not
accepting my letter to fightback, to go back into the, um,
law school, they basically toldme," Why don't you go back to
that little town that you comefrom?
Take take any course you want toand come back when you get an A,
and then we'll see if youraccommodations are truly what
will help you succeed." And Iwas like, that's not true, if I
(17:09):
go back to El Paso, take aSpanish course, get an A, you're
not gonna accept me back." Sowhen they told me that, I really
felt like society was justfocusing on the lack of ability
that I don't have, have.
And it's that.
I feel like, even though I am aperson with a disability, I have
so much more to offer, and forpeople just to, at a glance, see
(17:31):
my physical disability and say,Oh, she can't do it! it's really
difficult, you know?
And it goes back, I'm gonnabacktrack just a little bit, um,
I come from a very abusivebackground.
My mother, my biological motherwas very abusive So all that
trauma of, you know, my mom notaccepting who I was, and I am
(17:52):
useless, and all of that learnedhelplessness of, I cannot do it,
you don't have any value.
And then for someone with highauthority to tell me that, uh,
it did come a point where Iwanted to commit suicide.
And it was very difficult for meto get out of that funk, uh,
(18:12):
just because I had dedicatedsince the age of nine that I
wanted to become a lawyer.
Jennifer (18:20):
I'm so sorry.
It's so unfortunate, but thankyou for giving us a look into
your experience, about, being,abused as a child Your
courageous story has not onlyinspired us, but maybe perhaps,
it's initiated a very thoughtprovoking, important
conversation, that we need, Uh,about, um being abused as a
(18:44):
child?
Alina (18:46):
Uh, yes, I hope that this helps somebody especially a
person with a disability.
So, when I moved back to ElPaso, my um, friends asked me,
"Well, what is it, the passionthat started you to want to
become a lawyer?
And it was to advocate forpeople.
(19:06):
So now I am a graduate of TheUniversity of Texas El Paso with
my Master's in Social Work.
And as of January of this year,I received my license as a
Master in Social Work.
So now I can officially callmyself in the state of Texas a
Social Worker.
(19:28):
And life has been pretty crazy!Um, I, I work at our local, um,
independent living center.
Um, I just bought a house.
And I, I don't stop.
I use my story as a way to pushto my consumers that, hey, you
do have a disability, but it'svery important to know your
rights and advocate on yourbehalf.
Jennifer (19:45):
That is wonderful.
You are unstoppable,(Laughs) andthe world is a better place
because of you.
Alina (19:54):
(Laughs) Thank you.
Jennifer (19:55):
You have, yes, you have achieved so much at such a
young age.
What are your current goals anddreams?
What's, what's next?
And what are your hopes for thefuture?
Alina (20:10):
Well, academically, I think I have reached my full
potential.
So my next goal would probablybe to open my own agency.
Um, I have noticed working withpeople with disabilities, adults
and young adults withdisabilities, that there is not
a Save Haven for them, like aplace where they can live and
work and feel wanted andappreciated.
So, So, I would like to createlike a community living
(20:31):
situation where they can work inthe community.
And we can teach them thoseindependent living skills, so
they can know how to fold theirclothes, or wash their clothes,
or, um, how do you use, uh,money, how do you time manage,
all of those things, uh, it's mynext goal As As far as, like, my
more personal goals, I would sayfor sure, learn how to drive.
(20:54):
That is a huge passion of minethat I want to, for sure, um,
work on, just because, you know,I am always on the go, and
depending on people, or, youknow, public transportation is
not always the best.
And then a more intimate,personal goal would be becoming
a mother.
I know it sounds really silly,um, but since I didn't have that
(21:18):
love and appreciation with mymom, that connection from mother
and daughter, um, I hope that,by having a child, I can share
that love that I have.
I mean, I share the love with myfriends, with my significant
others, with my father, with mysiblings, but it's not the same
(21:39):
as...
having somebody who looks up toyou as a role model, say.
And I would say, okay, I didn'thave this in my own childhood,
but let me share that with you.
Um, so those are my hopes and mydreams and my goals for the
future to become a mother, learnhow to drive and create my own,
uh, agency.
Jennifer (21:56):
There is nothing silly about that at all.
You have a lot of love to give.
Yes.
So, you've faced discrimination.
umm, an abusive situation.
Alina (22:15):
Yes.
Jennifer (22:16):
Um, you, mental health issues.
Alina (22:21):
Oh, yeah.
Jennifer (22:21):
And, and ableism has created so many barriers in
every aspect of your life.
Alina (22:31):
Yes.
Jennifer (22:32):
You are a strong woman, a very strong woman, who
has earned a Master's Degree, aprofessional license, and you
are a homeowner.
Alina (22:43):
Yes.
Jennifer (22:43):
Wow!
Alina (22:45):
(Laughs)
Jennifer (22:45):
What advice do you have for anyone listening today
who is facing a barrier thatseems hopeless?
Alina (22:54):
Like I said earlier, for sure know who you are, know your
rights.
As a person with a disability,you have so many rights, so many
laws that yes, they could beimproved upon, but, you know,
what we have, use that tool.
If you are not comfortable withwho you are, don't even know
what you like to do, and don'teven know what laws protect you,
(23:18):
how do you expect to becomesomebody?
How do you expect to pushyourself and say, you know what
today, I'm going to do somethingsimple as cleaning the house,
but I need a provider, or I needthis, or I need that Whatever
that person may need in order todo a simple task.
That That is knowing who youare, you're advocate, advocating
for yourself.
And that's something that I wishsomebody would have told me at
(23:40):
the beginning, and I would havepushed at the beginning of my
law school journey and say, hey,these are my rights.
This is what I need to do.
Um, I'm going to stand up formyself and you are not going to
be an ableist towards me and I'mgoing to show you that I can do
it maybe differently thanothers, but I'm going to do it.
Um, so, uh, for sure, for sure,for everyone who is listening,
(24:01):
know who you are, know yourrights, and it's okay to fail!
You're You're still going tofail, that's just part of life,
but it doesn't matter how manytimes you fail or how hard you
have failed, what matters is,how do you get yourself back up?
Uh, like I said, I have gonethrough so many things, and a
(24:22):
lot of people ask me,"Hey,Alina, why do you continue?
Why do you get up every nightand every morning?" And say,
"Hey, I'm gonna, I'm going tokeep going and with a smile
because I'm always smiling.
I'm always joking.
I have such a positive vibe thatI want to portray to everybody
that I meet because I have grownto, um, to see that everybody
struggles in their own way,shape, or form.
(24:43):
And it's not a competition of,oh, I've done this or this has
happened to me.
It's more of, let me help you,let me provide that resource,
let me be that listening ear,but you also have to put your
heart in saying"Okay, I failed,what are my next options?
People may laugh at me, andthat's fine.
But let me get out of this funkand keep moving forward." So
(25:05):
that's what I will tell them.
Find who you really are.
Learn the laws and keep pushing.
And if you fail, try again.
Jennifer (25:14):
That is such wonderful advice and, uh, so valuable.
I know that Um, that was reallyspeaking to, um, our listeners,
and I know that it will behelpful to them.
Thank you very much for that.
Alina (25:35):
No, thank you for having me and thank you for allowing me
this platform to share not onlymy love for my grandfather, who
still helps me on a day to daybasis, but for sharing my
experience, even the ones that Idid not mention in my story.
I hope this helps somebody andmotivates them that your
(25:57):
disability is not a barrier.
It's actually a positive thingto help you.
And expanding and growing as aperson, you just got to do
things a little bit different,and there's no shame in the
game.
Jennifer (26:14):
Oh, thank you.
Thank you so much, Alina.
If you are a person with adisability, who has a dream of
going to graduate school, youcan find some great resources at
gograd dot org slash resourcesslash students hyphen with
(26:38):
hyphen disabilities.
We'll put that link in the shownotes.
Okay, now listen, Um, I waswondering if we were going to
stop there Alina, or if you haveUm, a suggestion about this very
thought provoking, importantconversation that we had uh, go
(26:59):
ahead.
Alina (27:00):
Um, no, I mean, um, whatever you guys want me to
talk, I know we mentioned morein the practice.
Um, I didn't know, maybe, Ithink ableism is the biggest
takeaway, the biggest barrier,or the biggest, yeah, barrier,
um, that has created a rippleeffect in my life, that, It has
(27:24):
continuously, um, you know,affected.
uh, I think um, how is theableism still, um, affecting me
right now, even though, like, Igraduated and have a license,
uh, and finding employment.
Um, it was, like, still ongoing,like, it didn't just magically
(27:46):
stop.
And it's just, it's stillcontinues.
Um, okay, so what I was going tosay was basically along the
lines of that the world is theone that's not prepared for
people like us.
And they could at least beconsiderate enough to have the
decency of having some sort ofsensitivity training or even
(28:09):
taking into account,(Uhh!) Youknow, the ADA does exist and
that law is not just for thepeople who are born with
disability, it also affectspeople who acquire disabilities.
And the world doesn't reallyunderstand that as people get
older, you do acquiredisabilities.
(28:30):
Uh, from simply wearing glassesto having disability, um,
diabetes or high blood pressureor a pregnancy as a temporarily
disability.
And people just say oh, adisability is this little box,
as a person that uses medicalequipment to move around.
Er,No, disabilities come in allshapes and sizes and colors and
(28:53):
flavors, and the world needs toreally take in charge of saying,
okay, we signed this law, theADA law that protects people
with disabilities, let'sactually put into practice what
we're actually signed up to do.
There's still so many buildingsthat you know, are not even
(29:13):
accessible and they're newbuildings, or they have the
button to open doors, but theydon't work.
Nobody comes and checks on them.
And it's so frustrating thatwhen people walk into my home,
they're like,"Oh, everything'sso small, oh, everything is...
to your needs!" I'm like,"Yes,welcome to my world.
(29:34):
This little corner right here.
Um, this is what I got to dealwith outside! The stress that
you're feeling in my homebecause it's not accommodated to
your needs.
That's what I have to feel, whenI walk out my door,(Laughs)
every day." Like, come on.
Um, be considerate, be morehumble,(Laughs), actually put
(29:55):
into practice what you're tryingto preach.
Um, a few days ago, uh, we wentto go pick up the proclamation
for the ADA.
And I was at City Hall and theydidn't even bother to say, what
can we do to accommodate you?
They expect me to accommodate totheir needs.
They weren't even payingattention to me.
(30:16):
And I was like, excuse me, I ama paid taxpayer.
I am an active member ofsociety.
Like, listen to me, look at me.
I've already been shut down bymy mom, by law school people who
think that they were the biggestthing because of their titles,
and now you're doing the samething?
(30:37):
Like, no.
Yes, I am three times aminority, Hispanic, a woman, and
a person with a disability, butI am an active member of
society.
Like, treat me as one.
My disability is not contagious.
My disability...
is not going to push me asideand be like,"Oh, poor her,
(30:57):
pobrecita, she can't do that."No, my disability is only one of
the million hats I wear, andit's only because you can see it
that doesn't mean I lead withit.
That doesn't mean that," Oh, shedoesn't have hands.
How can I shake her arm?
Like, shake my arm like a normalperson.
(31:19):
Don't make me feel like I needto baby you and hold your hand
and be like okay, this is howyou do it,(Laughs).
This is what you're supposed toask.
Like, no.
Do it.
Put in the effort and learn howto adapt to our world, not us
just adapting your world!
Jennifer (31:37):
Jennifer Laughing) Alina Arredondo for president!
(Both laughing)
Alina (31:44):
Thanks.
(More laughing) Yes.
laughs) maybe.
Jennifer (31:50):
Okay.
Thank you for being a guest onTrue Tales by Disability
Advocates.
Alina (31:57):
Thank you.
Jennifer (31:58):
We really appreciate you..
This was fun
Alina (32:00):
Yes, thank you.
And I learned a lot from youguys.
This was an awesome experienceand thank you again for letting
me be part of this.
Joey (32:34):
Welcome I'm Joey Gidseg your host and today I'll be
chatting with storyteller, PeterRichter.
Welcome, to the podcast, wherewe change the world one story at
a time Peter Peter, thanks forjoining us today.
Peter (32:47):
You're welcome.
Joey (32:49):
Peter, we are so excited for you to share your story with
our listeners.
Peter (32:54):
Yeah, I got it.
I got it right here.
Okay, I can start?
I'm Peter Richter.
This is my story,"Mimi andPapa".
I remember my Mimi and Papa, mygrandparents.
They were air pilots from WorldWar II.
Their names were Millie andEdwin Dalrymple.
Millie's first husband died inthe war, and she met Edwin, when
(33:17):
they were both pilots.
Edwin was a Longhorn fan.
He went to a lot of games.
He was a very good man.
Millie was a tennis player.
Her favorite player was AndyRoddick, who she met a few
times.
She actually played with him,too.
My Mimi and Papa, they had greatkids.
(33:38):
Tom, Dennis.
And the best mom I could have,Gail.
They have six goodgrandchildren, Travis, Tracy,
Scotty, Holly, Neil, and me.
My mom and I used to visit Papawhen he was in assisted living,
and I read them stories from thesports pages.
Edwin died in 2006, and Mimi in2012.
(34:03):
When Mimi died, my friend Robertcalled right away.
Um, thinking about Papa has alsomade me think about my dog,
Magic.
She bit Papa once and he neverforgave her.
I loved her though.
Before we got Magic, we werewalking down the street and saw
a dog.
We took the dog home and theowners came to pick her up.
(34:25):
After that, we wanted our owndog.
We got one, had her for 11years.
I named her Magic because shebrought magic into our lives.
I now have my own dog namedWinnie.
I love her very much.
I really miss my grandparents,but I like thinking about them.
Joey (34:49):
I'm here with Peter Richter.
So, Peter, I'm about to start,um, asking you those questions
we sent you ahead of time.
So, after I ask you, I think youalready have some answers.
Peter (35:02):
Mm hmm.
Joey (35:03):
To help you think, yeah.
So, that's what we're about todo.
Peter (35:06):
Cool, cool, cool.
Joey (35:07):
Peter,Thanks so much for sharing your story with us
today.
In your story, you mentionedthat your dog brought magic into
your life.
What is your favorite memory ofMagic?
Peter (35:18):
My best memory of Magic is that she is playful.
I like Magic, but I really likeWinnie.
Joey (35:25):
Will you tell us more about her?
Peter (35:27):
Um, yeah, I would like to talk about my dog, Winnie She's
very loyal and loving.
She's a smart She cuddles withme.
She's very friendly to people.
She likes to go on a walk.
She is trustworthy, verytrustworthy.
Winnie is a terrier mutt.
She's very nice.
She barks at other dogs, but shenever bites.
(35:49):
Winnie is three years old.
Joey (35:51):
Aw, she sounds like a wonderful puppy.
I also have puppies, and I knowthey are our family members.
So, thank you, Peter, forsharing more with us.
In your story, you mentionedyour Mimi and Papa, and that you
have the best mom ever.
What other people in your lifehave helped you become the
person that you are today?
Would you share what you wouldlike for us to know about them?
Peter (36:14):
Robert Pierson is the person who's helped me with Mimi
and Papa.
He was my drama teacher atTSBVI.
He called me when Mimi died.
I was happy that he did that.
It's an interesting story howMimi died.
My dad was coming back from atrip.
We went out to eat.
He got a call that Mimi died.
(36:35):
When Mimi died she was telling astory.
Joey (36:39):
Peter, that sounds rather sudden and must have been hard
for you and your family.
I'm so sorry for your loss.
And Robert, you're right soundslike a really great friend.
You are really lucky to havesuch supportive and caring
family and friends in your life.
Thank you for telling us moreabout them.
Peter (36:56):
Mm hmm.
Yeah.
Joey (36:58):
Yeah.
It's been a while since youwrote this story with Opening
Minds, Opening Doors.
And we know that you've beenworking at Whataburger for a few
years.
How do you like working there?
What kind of things do you do atwork?
Peter (37:12):
I take care of the customers at Whataburger I have
worked there for almost threeyears I'm excited about work.
I would like to talk aboutWhataburger.
The people there are supportive.
They care about me a lot.
They're kind to me.
I'm a hard worker.
It's the best job ever.
Joey (37:29):
Wow! That sounds really, really cool.
It's always good when we loveour, our jobs that we get to do.
So I know that we have a lot ofpeople who, um, listen to and
follow our podcast.
So what would you like for ourlisteners to know about you?
Peter (37:45):
I have a very kind person.
I like sports a lot.
My favorite team is the Astrosand Tigers.
uh, TILT, TILT, yeah, TILT.
I'm in TILT Performance Group,we do plays, we, uh, we, uh, we
perform.
We had three great directors along time ago.
(38:07):
We had Robert.
We had, uh, Adam and we had mymom.
Yeah., TILT, was started becauseof me.
I was doing acting in highschool and Robert was the
director of my high school playand he started it.
My mom and him, and Adam startedTILT.
Yeah.
(38:27):
I do.
I really enjoy doing it.
Thanks.
Joey (38:30):
Yeah, and Peter, I remember you sharing with us
that you sort of grew up intheater, so that really makes a
lot of sense, and it's prettycool that, that that was started
and still happening.
Peter (38:41):
Mm hmm.
Yeah.
Joey (38:42):
Cool.
So Peter, we've learned a lotabout you today, and we really,
really, really appreciate yousharing your story with our
listeners.
Uh, Thank you so much onceagain.
If our audience wants to learnmore about you or connect, What
is a good way for them to?
Do you have a blog or accountson social media?
Peter (39:02):
Not right now, but I'm going to.
Joey (39:05):
Cool.
Cool.
Thank you.
Thank you for sharing that.
I'm sure that in the future wecan add something like that to
our podcast and people canfollow you there.
Peter (39:18):
Yeah, no problem.
Okay.
Jennifer (39:29):
Thank you for listening to this episode of
True Tales by DisabilityAdvocates.
To find out more or to hearprevious episodes, you can go to
www dot art spark TX dot org.
That's Art Spark T X dot orgbackslash True Tales Podcast.
(39:55):
If you relate to the topicstouched in this episode, we'd
love to hear from you.
Please visit our Facebook pageat Facebook.
com backslash True TalesPodcast, and share your stories
with us.
This episode of True Tales washosted by me, Jennifer Howell,
Joey (40:16):
and I'm host, Joey Gidseg,
Jennifer (40:19):
and produced by
Joey (40:19):
Joey Gidseg
Jennifer (40:20):
and Toby Al-Trabulsi.
Editing and mixing by MsBoye.
The production team alsoincludes Kristen Gooch.
Special thanks to AlinaArredondo,
Joey (40:32):
and Peter Richter.
Jennifer (40:33):
I'm Jennifer Howell,
Joey (40:34):
and I'm host, Joey Gidseg.
Jennifer (40:37):
And you've been listening to True Tales by
Disability Advocates.
Don't forget to share us withyour friends and follow us on
Facebook, Instagram, andTwitter.
Thank you.
Kamand (40:57):
All episodes of The True Tales by Disability Advocates
for free on Apple Podcasts,Spotify, and anywhere you get
your podcasts.
The program is funded in part bya grant from the Texas state
Independent Living Council, theAdministration for Community
Living and individuals like you.
To learn about the SpeakingAdvocates Program sign up for
(41:20):
our newsletter at Art SparkTexas dot org.
That's A R T S P A R K T X.org.
This free virtual training isopen to people of all
disabilities, no matter whereyou live.
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