February 15, 2024 • 34 mins
Singer. Actor. Disability advocate. Ms. Wheelchair California. Accessibility Coordinator for the City of Long Beach. And for Jennifer Kumiyama’s latest triumph…she is the voice of Dahlia in Disney’s hit animated film, Wish. Her story is one of perseverance, self-advocacy and belief in herself as she relentlessly chases her dreams. But she is not only pursuing her own passions, she is also paving the way for others with disabilities to succeed. As she says, “I don’t want to just be the first. I want to be the first of many.” Reach out to Jennifer directly on Instagram at @kumirocks.
About the Host, Paul Amadeus LaneAbilities Expo ambassador, TV & radio personality and disability advocate Paul Amadeus Lane has leveraged his considerable media experience to host the Abilities Zone. Former Bureau Chief of both ABC News Radio, KMET 1490-AM and NBC News Radio, KCAA 1050-AM, Paul is a self-proclaimed tech junkie and also hosts the TECH ZONE and Entertainment Zone podcasts. As an accessibility consultant, he was instrumental in helping PlayStation create its Access Controller to level the playing field for disabled gamers. If you don’t see him on the red carpet interviewing celebrities, you’ll find him speaking at CES, E3, the TechConneXt Summit and more.
About the Host, Paul Amadeus LaneAbilities Expo ambassador, TV & radio personality and disability advocate Paul Amadeus Lane has leveraged his considerable media experience to host the Abilities Zone. Former Bureau Chief of both ABC News Radio, KMET 1490-AM and NBC News Radio, KCAA 1050-AM, Paul is a self-proclaimed tech junkie and also hosts the TECH ZONE and Entertainment Zone podcasts. As an accessibility consultant, he was instrumental in helping PlayStation create its Access Controller to level the playing field for disabled gamers. If you don’t see him on the red carpet interviewing celebrities, you’ll find him speaking at CES, E3, the TechConneXt Summit and more.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:00):
M oh alma, dam man,you don't wait for no one. Oh
I'm a dam man, you don'twait for no one. It ain't no
(00:22):
soathing where I'm reaching for the top, and I know looking back, I'm
only looking forward my goals and mygoals don't define who you know. And
I'm fine, I'll be fine.I just want you to know, it
ain't no stopping where I'm reaching forthe top and I know and you know
looking back, I'm only looking forward. My goals and my goals don't define
who you know, and I'm fine, I'll be fine. I just want
(00:42):
you to know inspiration, let itguide you and motivating we can all move
forward in the breast, just likea motor case. It ain't a sobbing
when I'm reaching for the top andI know I'm looking back, I'm only
looking forward. My goals and mygoals I'm define who you know. And
I'm fine. I'll be fine.I just want hello, and what is
(01:08):
up? It's me Paul Amadeia sLane. I am your hostess with the
mostest and we welcome you to theAbility Zone. I am an Abilities Expo
Ambassador and I am so delighted towelcome you on this show today. Why
we have a very special guest that'sgoing to be joining us at the Laxpo.
(01:30):
She is a singer, she isan actress, and she is an
advocate, and she is in thenew Disney project Wish. So we have
a very special guest that's going tobe joining us. And I'm hyped too
because we're about a month away fromthe Abilities Expo and Los Angeles. So
(01:53):
are you ready? Have you registeredjet? If not, let me show
you how easy it is. Soif you go to our website, if
you go to abilities dot com,you'll see a button that says register for
free. So you click on there, go ahead and register, put all
(02:14):
your information in and remember when itasked you how you heard about this.
Make sure you're telling Paul amedays Leneyou know I get a bonus and no,
I'm just joking, but please register. We'd love to see you there.
There's a bunch of workshops there,a bunch of events that are gonna
be happening, free workshops. Theevent is free, so come on down
(02:38):
and have a blast with us becauseit's going to be amazing. Now some
of you know me, I wasable to do the Abilities Expo virtual event
during the pandemic, and I evenhosted the Ability Zone a few years ago,
but we decided to bring it back. Thanks to my great friend Lou
(03:00):
Schoulmer for allowing me to do thisshow again and the rest of the team
at the Abilities Expo. It ismy honor, it is my privilege,
and I am so delighted to haveyou on this ride with us. Well
enough about me, and now we'regoing to talk about are very, very
(03:20):
special and awesome guest. I hada chance to see her a little over
nine years ago. One of myolder sisters told me, said, Paul,
you got to go to Disney CaliforniaAdventure and you got to see the
Latin show. There's this singer ina wheelchair and she is awesome. So
(03:40):
I was like, you know,I got to always support my peeps out
there were part of our community.So I went there and I was blown
away. And I was equally blownaway when I found out that she's in
a Disney project to wish. SoI am just bubbling with with glee and
(04:03):
excitement to welcome our very special gueston right now. I am so delighted
to have my next guests with methe awesome, the amazing, the singer,
the actress, the advocate. JenniferKumiyama. Jennifer, welcome to the
(04:25):
show. How are you, hi, Paul, thank you so much for
having him. I'm so great.It's so awesome to be here. I'm
really grateful with this opportunity. Andyou know what's cool, you and I
are really homegirl, homeboy and homegirlbecause I'm that's what I'm talking about all
about the LBC, right, Yep, Long Beach, Yep, that's what
(04:46):
we do. We do. ButI am so delighted to talk with you,
Jennifer. I am saw you,I want to say about nine years
ago and one of my older sistersshe was telling me, she said,
Paul, you have to see ain that California Adventure. They had this
one girl. She's in a wheelchair. She's amazing. She just stills a
show. You have to see it. So I said, okay, let
(05:09):
me check it out. I sawit and I just locked on to you,
and Jennifer, I am so delightedto say thank you for doing such
a great job. Thank you,thank you. You know I always tell
people that my time at California Adventureand in that show with that amazing cast
was literally the highlight of my life, some of the best years of my
(05:30):
life. I started Aladdin in twothousand and two with rehearsal, and then
we closed in twenty sixteen. Itwas really cool because I was the first
person at that time in a wheelchairto be on any Disney stage in the
world. So what I found wasthat I needed to develop a working relationship
(05:54):
with the company and my colleagues,and we really had to work together to
form this relationship of understanding because Ido have a physical disability, and I
do need a lot of assistance,and I did need a lot of assistants
with the job. You know,it required everything from changing costumes, complete
(06:15):
costumes, from wig to shoes thirteenfourteen times a day. And you know,
it was a very awesome experience.I got to work with some really
great people backstage and on stage,and it was a learning experience for both
of us, both the company andmyself. And I'm grateful to have really
(06:41):
had that relationship, and I hadn'thad it for so long. So it's
really awesome to tell my story asthe first person with in a wheelchair to
be on any Dizzy stage in theworld. But recently, you know,
I don't know if you've been backto California and Adventure, but this past
summer they had a show called Rogersis a Musical at the same theater,
and you know, I went andsupported another amazing dancer in a wheelchair by
(07:05):
the name of Keiley Bayes, whois Ellers Dannis syndrome. So it's really
awesome to see how it started withme and how Disney is continuing the tradition
of equity and inclusion in their liveshows, which is a huge part of
(07:27):
why people go to the park inthe first place. So I'm glad you
thought I was. I was reallyhappy to hear that. Yeah, it
was, it was. It wasreally really amazing. So you were like
the trendsetter, and you know you, you know you you you open up
doors and you you brought down barriersand that's really really awesome, and you
brought up equity and inclusion and inthe diversity that we see. We know,
(07:50):
we know nowadays some people are tryingto trying to do away with that,
and I always tell them, Isaid, you have no idea.
When you talk about getting rid ofthat, you talk talking about me because
accessibility is in that the E Ian A, and I don't think they
really understand what then, because truthbe told, everybody's going to age into
(08:15):
a disability. So I was justgoing to say that, Yeah, and
it's not even about aging, right. Life happens, People acquire illness,
people, people get an accidents,and whether it's temporary or it ends up
being long term, people are goingto have a disability at one point in
their life or another. And Idon't think many people are aware of that
(08:43):
or or choose to acknowledge that.Yeah, that is so true. So
so I'm glad we have advocates likeyourself, you know, who are helping
us in this fight because I knowI got my disability when I was twenty
twenty two years old from automobile accident, and we're all world has just changed
from that, you know, yougo from you know, living life one
way to the next. And I'mhappy for some of the things that have
(09:07):
been on the books, the differentlaws, all the different things, because
I've been able to do certain things, you know, you know because of
that. And I was watching youon I think it was about ten years
ago, as a clip of youand you're on the Red Carpet, and
that warmed my heart because I've beendoing interviews on the Red carpet for about
(09:30):
nine years, and I was likethe only person doing it, you know,
so here I am with everyone elsetrying to do it. So when
I saw you there being interviewed,I was like, I wonder if she
felt the same way I did whenI started doing Like, Wow, this
is pretty cool and I'm the onlyone doing it. It's very surreal,
(09:50):
you know, because we have notbeen afforded the opportunity, especially when we
were younger, to see people thatlook exactly like us in media, whether
it be on TV, film,print, and now we have social media
where we're seeing more and more ofourselves, but actually being the one that
(10:11):
people look at, especially young peoplelook at and see themselves, and it
is super important to me. Everybodyshould be able to see themselves in the
community, and that to me isreally what representation is true representation is,
And you know, like they say, representation really really does matter, and
(10:33):
it matters especially to our younger,our younger, our younger humans. You
know, they need to look andsee people that look like them and come
from places that they come from.You know, have the hardship that they
have and you know, things likethat. And it's really funny because I
know that a lot of people willlook at us and think that the disability
that we have is the worst thingthat has happened in our life. And
(10:56):
maybe for some people that is thecase. I don't speak for everybody back
any means, but for a lotof us it's not. You know,
we have lives just like everybody else. The disability identity in our sex,
with soul, with everything else thatwe could possibly identify as. So I'm
with you on that because I'm not. You know, it changed my life
(11:18):
for the better. You know,when I when I became to say,
but I've been able to do certainthings I don't think I've been able to
do, you know, I ifI didn't have my disability, and some
people like, oh, I'm sorry. I look at them, I said,
no, I'm sorry for you becauseyou have no idea the incredible life
I've been able to live and amazingpeople that I know that are just rock
(11:39):
stars out there. And Jennifer,for ones who may be hearing your story
for the first time, can youtalk about your disability? Absolutely so.
I was born with a disability calledarthro riposis. It's pretty rare. It
occurs one in three thousand births,and the literal translation from the Greek language
(12:01):
is curved or hooked joints, soa lot of my joints are fused.
There are a plethora of different varietiesof Arthur grayphosis and mind affects all four
limbs. I use a wheelchair forone of my daily mobility needs. I
require the care of an in homesupport worker and family that I'm super super
(12:24):
grateful for. And I you know, I need help doing everything, so
I mean, but you know,I've learned how to do things adaptively,
Like I'm not worrying any right now, but I like putting on my makeup
or you know, typing and thingslike that. You know, I love
my my job and my life onthe entertainment side. But I also have
(12:46):
a regular ninety five you know,the city wide accessibility coordinator for the City
of Long Beach. So you know, I work a lot, and I'm
really grateful for the care that Ireceive and my team who really really works
hard to keep me going. Andthat's amazing that that you're in that position
with the city of Long Beach becauseyou you are of the community, You
(13:11):
are the community. You understand whatit means and to say, you know,
we need the door a little wider, or we need to have a
little bit more turning radius, Weneed to have all these different things because
like like you, I am apower wheelchair user. Use it one hundred
percent of the time only when I'mnot in bed. You know, when
(13:33):
I when I'm in bed, it'sthe only time I you know, I
don't, I don't, I don'tuse it. So so so you know
the struggle that we have and haveyour voice, it has to be really
really awesome and we you know,we we definitely applaud you for that.
When did you know that you hadskills as a singer, as a as
an actress. When was it ata very young age you recognize that that
(13:54):
you had these different abilities. Ithink I loved it more and first before
I realized that I could be goodat it and I would say anything I
would. I grew up in theCeline Dion La Mariah Carry, the Whitney
Houston era and they were like,you know, my everything. So I
(14:18):
also really loved Broadway show tunes andmusicals, so Bernadette Peters and Bette Miller,
and they were really it for me. But I think it wasn't until
I was in middle school that Irealized that this isn't just a hobby.
It's an actual passion and it completeswho I am. It is my oxygen.
(14:41):
So I just started, you know, I went to public school,
so I did the music extracurriculars andjoined the community bands and did community feeder.
And I don't think I really realizedthat it was good or accepted that
I was good until I was probablyin my twenties. Uh. You know,
(15:07):
your mom is always going to beyour biggest fan, but sometimes that
doesn't mean that you don't be thateverybody else is gonna be your fan.
But I just learned that I wasgood at it, I accepted it.
I also accepted the fact that Ilooked different than other people that I was
going to auditions with, and thenthat that was okay. I think the
(15:31):
first step in being in this industryis knowing in your heart that it is
something you cannot live without, developingthe thick skin to hear the nose and
realizing that the industry is ninety ninepoint nine percent personal opinion of other people,
and to also train. You know, I still take voice lessons here
(15:56):
and there because it's still an instrumentand it still needs to be used and
worked. And I I always tellespecially younger people, hone your craft,
you know, invest in yourself,take up space and give space. And
(16:17):
that's just when I realized in mytwenties. And you talked about auditions and
doing different parts, and when youwhen you arrived there and you're the only
one in a wheelchair, what aresome of the things that that that that
go through your mind if you don'twant to sharing that with us, you
(16:37):
know, when I first auditioned forAladdin, it was at the Debbie Reynolds
studio, which is now closed,and it was in in the Hollywood area,
and that line Paul was wrapped aroundthat building. There was two thousand
people. Not only was there notanybody that was that looked like they had
a physical disability. There was nobodyin a wheelchair, but there there's also
(17:00):
no plus size people at all,and that is also something that's really rare
in the industry too. So Imean I felt really out of place,
and that in itself really got tome and almost ruined my chances. But
I think once I got started,I was like, you know, what
all I can do is my bestand I have to accept that and move
on. And I you know,it took me a while. You know,
(17:22):
it was really messing with my psyche. I had to start my audition
song three times. I was soconcerned about what I was not and what
other people were that it almost tookaway from me. It almost robbed me.
So I feel like a lot oftimes we get inside of our heads
and and we psych ourselves out ofopportunities. And you know, how can
(17:49):
we expect other people to choose usif we don't choose ourself. So I
made a conscious decision from that momenton to choose my self to make sure
that I do good. You know, what happens in there stays in there,
leave it on the floor, andthat's it. That's all I could
do. That's all I could do, And that's all I tell anybody.
(18:10):
My only job is to do mybest. It's not my job to cast
myself in or cast myself out.And as as a performer, I think
that's really what we should remember,disability or not and think about the lives
you have an impact you have impactedover the years because of taking that and
(18:32):
taking that shot. You know,ones who were sitting in the wheelchair area
of the Aladdin Theater looking up thereand saying, Wow, this is really
awesome. She looks like me.She's doing these things and that has to
really just warm your heart to seethat, not only for our community,
(18:52):
but but ones who are not fromour community, to see you up there
and doing your thing. And onething I didn't like, Jennifer was the
fact that I couldn't meet you afterthe after the performance, because I know,
no I should have. I didn't. I didn't know what I told
them. I said, don't beturning away my people, and they knew
(19:12):
exactly what I meant by my people, because because I really wanted to meet
you and say, you know,bravo, you know to what you're doing
and it was really awesome. Youknow, It's like I can visualize it
in my in my head when youwere singing. Never had a friend like
me, you know, I waslike, you know, in a whole
new world sing you do your thing, and you know that was that was
(19:32):
really really awesome. And those memoriesright there are no doubt, you know,
change a lot of people's lives,you know, out there, Jennifer
and Jennifer, you also not onlydone some work on the stage, You've
also done some done some on screenwork too, and and and talk about
talk about that experience, because Ihaven't experienced myself. It was many years
ago I got invited to be anextra on the show Felicity. Uh So
(19:56):
when I so when I get there, I'm like, how am I going
to get on this set? Whatam I going to do? So I
feel really out of place? Soenough about me. About you, now,
what was it like, you know, working now, having the on
screen kind of experience? You know, for the longest, I was like,
(20:18):
you know, you know, guys, I'm just a singer. I'm
just a singer. But I forgetto realize that part of singing is acting
because you have to relay emotion,right, So for a long time I
was like, I'm not an actress. I'm a singer. I'm a singer
who can possibly act. But youknow, I think my first on screen
experience was with a film in twentyand eleven called The Sessions with Helen Hunt
(20:48):
and John Hawks. It was abouta man named Brian who lived in the
ironlung because he had polio, andit was about his experience with intimacy and
religion as being a person with adisability. So that was really awesome.
(21:08):
I think it was awesome for meto be a part of a story about
a person with a disability because there'son so many levels I can relate to
the story that we were being taskedto tell. But you know, on
set was it was an experience aswell. You know, we mostly filmed
in a home of someone else whowas not uh disabled in any way,
(21:32):
so they had to build ramps,you know, I had to make a
requests for an accessible restroom and thingslike that. But I think the most
important thing is to really remember thatyou have to advocate your for yourself.
Later on, a couple of yearsafter that, I did an episode of
a hit TV show on that wason MTV called Awkward. That was really
(21:56):
great, especially because I was thirtyfour playing a high scho student. That
was probably the biggest achievement in mylife, just kidding, but it was
still fun. And then yeah,and then recently I had my first voiceover
role in Disney's animated feature hit Wish, celebrating one hundred years of disy animation,
(22:21):
and I voiced the character Dahlia.Dahlia has a physical visible disability.
She uses a crutch to walk,and she's the town baker. She is
the main character's best friend and kindof the like unofficial leader of the little
friend group that's they're a group ofteenagers. And I think the thing that
(22:42):
I really liked the most about thiscartoon and Dahlia is that her disability is
not talked about in the film.You know, for so long, you
know, if you have somebody witha disability onto you have to say why
they're disabled, which is not thecase. Like we exist everywhere and we
(23:04):
exist just because, you know.So it was really awesome for me to
be a part of something that highlighteda person with a disability as a person
because we are people first, notthat the disability is not important, because
it is. But I think it'sreally great for kids, especially younger kids
who are really into this film tosee that their friends might it might be
(23:30):
a friend in school who has adisability and there's no need to be afraid
or for different treatment or you know, things like that. So my film
journey has been pretty sporadic, there'sa lot of time in between. But
I'm super blessed nonetheless for these opportunities, and wish has just been super cool.
(23:51):
Paul. I'm a lego. Mycharacter is a Lego. I have
my own Funko pop. I'm aplushy like I've just got so much merchandise,
and it's so surreal, you know. I remember being eight years old
in the movie theater watching a LittleMermaid and thinking I want to be a
cartoon voice. And you know,I'm forty three now, and it might
(24:12):
have taken a really long time,but I feel like we have to give
our dreams time to marinate and ourselvestime to learn how to love us for
exactly who we are, how weare, and to celebrate us. That
way, we can show people howto celebrate us and give them the space
(24:36):
to celebrate us as well. Ilove that. I mean Scoreboard, I
mean, you're a Disney animated character. Now, I mean you you have
arrived, Jennifer, you know youare, you are ready. Was up
there the mount rushmore of of disabledyou know, entertainers and everything, But
that just puts you in a differentstrategphere right there. I mean that is
(24:57):
and no doubt. You were probablyyour element being in that sound studio,
me and a singer, you know, being doing some voiceovers. You were
your element, right. I lovedit. I loved it. It always
feels like home, you know,because I don't get to do it as
much as I used to, butI love it. I love it.
That is That is so cool.And another cool thing is that you're going
(25:19):
to be joining us at the AbilitiesExpo in Los Angeles in March. And
I'm so excited that I'll be ableto see you face to face and give
you a hug and say thank you, thank you, thank you for all
that you do. I'm looking forwardto our photo opportunity together absolutely. And
what was it like being asked tobe a part of the Abilities Expo and
(25:41):
have a workshop, Because have youever I pretty assume I assume you've been
at the Billity's Expo before. Andyes, I started going to the Abilities
Expo when I think I was eightor nine years old, and I was
in twenty ten, I was CrownedsCulture California at the La Abilities Expo.
(26:02):
So I've I have a lovely,long, lengthy relationship with the Abilities Expo.
And actually I reached out to theAbilities Expo to ask if I could
be a part of their program,just because there's so many people in our
community. That's like the event islike the hub for our community every year,
and it's such an important event becausewe need an opportunity to discover new
(26:26):
things that leads us, you know, to more independence in our life or
more fun, whatever it may be. But they were so receptive and they
were so excited to celebrate WISH withme, and that's really what I want
to do. I want to celebrateWISH with my community because it's not just
mine, it's not just about me, It's about our community. You know,
(26:48):
a win for one of us isa win for all of us,
and I truly believe that. SoI'm going to be there on March sixteenth,
I think, at four pm,and I'm going to do you a
brief Q and a a little meetand greet. And I'm super stoked.
I am too. I am toobecause something tells me that there's some other
(27:08):
things that you're going to be involvedin that you probably can't talk about right
now, because you know, you'rejust that amazing person and we are so
proud, you know, to haveyou know, you are one of them.
We're part of our community, oneof those part of our community who
just is good people. And youknow what I mean when I say that.
(27:30):
You know, sometimes in our communitythere's some who are of us,
are just not nice people. Youknow. They they started to believe the
hype above themselves. You know,they they're not community based. That they
don't love upon the community that weall can rise together. They have that
kind of myopic view. You don't. And that's why we are your biggest
(27:56):
cheerleader. You know, we're yourbiggest supporters because you know, you have
really just broke down a lot ofbarriers at so many people's lives. And
you know, but before you know, I was raised by a village,
and now I'm fortunate enough to leada village, and I really want to.
You know, I always tell mypeople, you know, you start,
(28:18):
you start climbing that ladder, rollingup that hill, make sure you
extend that arm back and pull peopleup behind you, because you don't want
to be the last one. Idon't want to be the last one.
I don't I don't want to justbe the first. I want to be
the first of many, you know, And and thank you for noticing that.
I'm super grateful. Yeah, youknow, because I'm from that school
too, Jennifer. We reach one, we teach one, you know,
(28:40):
I want the next one to beeven better to me, to come up
and break more barriers than I've beenable to break, because that's the only
way, you know, We're goingto continue to roll up this mountain together.
And before I let you go,my dear, is there anything else
you like to share with the audienceor any ability exporement? The floor is
yours. Well, I'm gonna sharemy favorite abilities expoment. Well, my
(29:06):
first, one of my first oldestmemories was meeting a former Miss Wheelchair California.
And at that time, I thinkI was like nine or ten,
and I was really fascinated with thepageant system, which is really funny because
I'm such a tomboy. But Iremember seeing her and her sash and her
tiara and in her just she wasjust beautiful and I was so so starstruck
(29:33):
and motivated by the presence of awoman who held a title to represent all
of us for the state. Thatwas my oldest and most favorite memory.
But I think I'm really the thingthat I get really excited about every time
I get ready for the Abilities Expois the rock climbing wall. I love
watching people climb out climate For clarity, for the record, I'm not climbing
(29:56):
thathing, but I love seeing peopleout of their wheelchair just being hoisted up
and climbing that rock wall. Andit's such a great symbol of our possibilities
as a people, as a community, you know. And I'm just really
looking forward to seeing everybody on March. The Abilities Expo is free to attend
(30:19):
with with sign up and advance andyou can do that on their website,
and I'm just really stoked to seeeverybody, and i cannot wait. Yes,
yes, whenever I see that thatwall, that rock climbing wall,
you know, I always say,I always go back to a few good
men. You want me on thatwall, you need me on that wall?
(30:41):
Yes, but I am I amtoo big to be on that wall.
I'm like six foot six, soI'm like, I'm like a monster.
So I you know, but Ilive vicariously through those who are able
to do it. I think it'sreally really awesome, especially the little babies.
I love seeing them get up there. Oh yeah, that warms my
heart. At the Abilities Expool.I remember I met I met one of
(31:03):
my one of my dear little friends. She's in a wheelchair. Her name
is her name is Camilla, andshe is my friend to this day.
I follow her mom on on Instagramand I'm always like looking at her.
But ones like that seeing the littlethe younger generation just you know, just
really really warms my heart. Andyeah, we we thank you for all
(31:26):
the all that you do. Andhow can ones just follow you and and
then keep up with all the greatthings that you're doing. Yes, please
follow me on Instagram. My Instagramhandle is at KOONI rocks k U m
I r O c K S AndI love Instagram. So if you're there,
(31:48):
if you if you follow me,please say hi to me, send
me a DM. I love communicatingwith my community, with our community.
Let me know if you're coming tothe Abilities Expo so I can look for
you. And yeah, I uhmy Instagram is the best way to get
hold of me. Awesome. Youknow we put you on the spot.
We got to sing you ain't neverhad a friend, never had a friend.
(32:10):
You ain't you never had a friend, friend, never had a friend.
Friend. Bo so great, sogreat. So great, see you
soon. That was the awesome,the amazing Jennifer Kumiyama. And for some
(32:37):
of you who remember that song fromAladdin, that Disney's California Adventure, you
were singing along with us, weren'tyou? You ain't never had, never
had, And Jennifer just had thatthat in fact, she had a little
attitude. She was singing and everythingtoo, and and and I just I
just love her. She is reallyreally awesome and she is just a gem
(32:58):
to have in our community. Andshe is one of those that believe the
way I do. We teach one, we reach one. We bring the
next generation of talented ones and wheelchairsto reach even bigger heights than we've been
able to reach. Well, ourshow has come to an end, and
(33:20):
thank you so much for tuning into the show. But before I let
you go, you know what Iwant you to do. Right go to
our website abilities dot com, andwe want you to do what we want
you to register for the expo.It's as easy as one, two three,
And I can't wait to see everyonethere in person, having a lot
(33:45):
of fun. And let me knowwhat you're looking forward to when it comes
to their abilities XPO because we wantto hear from you as well. Well,
it's time for me to make itlike a tree and get out of
here. Until next time, Folks, do me a favor. Stay healthy,
stay safe, and remember I loveyou all the life. Take care.
(34:10):
Oh I'm a damn you. Don'twait for no one. It ain't
no stopping when I'm reaching for thetop, and I know looking back,
I'm only looking forward my goals,and my goals don't too fine. Who
you know? And I'm fine,I'll be fine. I just want you
to know. It ain't no stoppingwhen I'm reaching for the top, and
I know and you know looking back, I'm only looking for
M oh alma, dam man,you don't wait for no one. Oh
I'm a dam man, you don'twait for no one. It ain't no
(00:22):
soathing where I'm reaching for the top, and I know looking back, I'm
only looking forward my goals and mygoals don't define who you know. And
I'm fine, I'll be fine.I just want you to know, it
ain't no stopping where I'm reaching forthe top and I know and you know
looking back, I'm only looking forward. My goals and my goals don't define
who you know, and I'm fine, I'll be fine. I just want
(00:42):
you to know inspiration, let itguide you and motivating we can all move
forward in the breast, just likea motor case. It ain't a sobbing
when I'm reaching for the top andI know I'm looking back, I'm only
looking forward. My goals and mygoals I'm define who you know. And
I'm fine. I'll be fine.I just want hello, and what is
(01:08):
up? It's me Paul Amadeia sLane. I am your hostess with the
mostest and we welcome you to theAbility Zone. I am an Abilities Expo
Ambassador and I am so delighted towelcome you on this show today. Why
we have a very special guest that'sgoing to be joining us at the Laxpo.
(01:30):
She is a singer, she isan actress, and she is an
advocate, and she is in thenew Disney project Wish. So we have
a very special guest that's going tobe joining us. And I'm hyped too
because we're about a month away fromthe Abilities Expo and Los Angeles. So
(01:53):
are you ready? Have you registeredjet? If not, let me show
you how easy it is. Soif you go to our website, if
you go to abilities dot com,you'll see a button that says register for
free. So you click on there, go ahead and register, put all
(02:14):
your information in and remember when itasked you how you heard about this.
Make sure you're telling Paul amedays Leneyou know I get a bonus and no,
I'm just joking, but please register. We'd love to see you there.
There's a bunch of workshops there,a bunch of events that are gonna
be happening, free workshops. Theevent is free, so come on down
(02:38):
and have a blast with us becauseit's going to be amazing. Now some
of you know me, I wasable to do the Abilities Expo virtual event
during the pandemic, and I evenhosted the Ability Zone a few years ago,
but we decided to bring it back. Thanks to my great friend Lou
(03:00):
Schoulmer for allowing me to do thisshow again and the rest of the team
at the Abilities Expo. It ismy honor, it is my privilege,
and I am so delighted to haveyou on this ride with us. Well
enough about me, and now we'regoing to talk about are very, very
(03:20):
special and awesome guest. I hada chance to see her a little over
nine years ago. One of myolder sisters told me, said, Paul,
you got to go to Disney CaliforniaAdventure and you got to see the
Latin show. There's this singer ina wheelchair and she is awesome. So
(03:40):
I was like, you know,I got to always support my peeps out
there were part of our community.So I went there and I was blown
away. And I was equally blownaway when I found out that she's in
a Disney project to wish. SoI am just bubbling with with glee and
(04:03):
excitement to welcome our very special gueston right now. I am so delighted
to have my next guests with methe awesome, the amazing, the singer,
the actress, the advocate. JenniferKumiyama. Jennifer, welcome to the
(04:25):
show. How are you, hi, Paul, thank you so much for
having him. I'm so great.It's so awesome to be here. I'm
really grateful with this opportunity. Andyou know what's cool, you and I
are really homegirl, homeboy and homegirlbecause I'm that's what I'm talking about all
about the LBC, right, Yep, Long Beach, Yep, that's what
(04:46):
we do. We do. ButI am so delighted to talk with you,
Jennifer. I am saw you,I want to say about nine years
ago and one of my older sistersshe was telling me, she said,
Paul, you have to see ain that California Adventure. They had this
one girl. She's in a wheelchair. She's amazing. She just stills a
show. You have to see it. So I said, okay, let
(05:09):
me check it out. I sawit and I just locked on to you,
and Jennifer, I am so delightedto say thank you for doing such
a great job. Thank you,thank you. You know I always tell
people that my time at California Adventureand in that show with that amazing cast
was literally the highlight of my life, some of the best years of my
(05:30):
life. I started Aladdin in twothousand and two with rehearsal, and then
we closed in twenty sixteen. Itwas really cool because I was the first
person at that time in a wheelchairto be on any Disney stage in the
world. So what I found wasthat I needed to develop a working relationship
(05:54):
with the company and my colleagues,and we really had to work together to
form this relationship of understanding because Ido have a physical disability, and I
do need a lot of assistance,and I did need a lot of assistants
with the job. You know,it required everything from changing costumes, complete
(06:15):
costumes, from wig to shoes thirteenfourteen times a day. And you know,
it was a very awesome experience.I got to work with some really
great people backstage and on stage,and it was a learning experience for both
of us, both the company andmyself. And I'm grateful to have really
(06:41):
had that relationship, and I hadn'thad it for so long. So it's
really awesome to tell my story asthe first person with in a wheelchair to
be on any Dizzy stage in theworld. But recently, you know,
I don't know if you've been backto California and Adventure, but this past
summer they had a show called Rogersis a Musical at the same theater,
and you know, I went andsupported another amazing dancer in a wheelchair by
(07:05):
the name of Keiley Bayes, whois Ellers Dannis syndrome. So it's really
awesome to see how it started withme and how Disney is continuing the tradition
of equity and inclusion in their liveshows, which is a huge part of
(07:27):
why people go to the park inthe first place. So I'm glad you
thought I was. I was reallyhappy to hear that. Yeah, it
was, it was. It wasreally really amazing. So you were like
the trendsetter, and you know you, you know you you you open up
doors and you you brought down barriersand that's really really awesome, and you
brought up equity and inclusion and inthe diversity that we see. We know,
(07:50):
we know nowadays some people are tryingto trying to do away with that,
and I always tell them, Isaid, you have no idea.
When you talk about getting rid ofthat, you talk talking about me because
accessibility is in that the E Ian A, and I don't think they
really understand what then, because truthbe told, everybody's going to age into
(08:15):
a disability. So I was justgoing to say that, Yeah, and
it's not even about aging, right. Life happens, People acquire illness,
people, people get an accidents,and whether it's temporary or it ends up
being long term, people are goingto have a disability at one point in
their life or another. And Idon't think many people are aware of that
(08:43):
or or choose to acknowledge that.Yeah, that is so true. So
so I'm glad we have advocates likeyourself, you know, who are helping
us in this fight because I knowI got my disability when I was twenty
twenty two years old from automobile accident, and we're all world has just changed
from that, you know, yougo from you know, living life one
way to the next. And I'mhappy for some of the things that have
(09:07):
been on the books, the differentlaws, all the different things, because
I've been able to do certain things, you know, you know because of
that. And I was watching youon I think it was about ten years
ago, as a clip of youand you're on the Red Carpet, and
that warmed my heart because I've beendoing interviews on the Red carpet for about
(09:30):
nine years, and I was likethe only person doing it, you know,
so here I am with everyone elsetrying to do it. So when
I saw you there being interviewed,I was like, I wonder if she
felt the same way I did whenI started doing Like, Wow, this
is pretty cool and I'm the onlyone doing it. It's very surreal,
(09:50):
you know, because we have notbeen afforded the opportunity, especially when we
were younger, to see people thatlook exactly like us in media, whether
it be on TV, film,print, and now we have social media
where we're seeing more and more ofourselves, but actually being the one that
(10:11):
people look at, especially young peoplelook at and see themselves, and it
is super important to me. Everybodyshould be able to see themselves in the
community, and that to me isreally what representation is true representation is,
And you know, like they say, representation really really does matter, and
(10:33):
it matters especially to our younger,our younger, our younger humans. You
know, they need to look andsee people that look like them and come
from places that they come from.You know, have the hardship that they
have and you know, things likethat. And it's really funny because I
know that a lot of people willlook at us and think that the disability
that we have is the worst thingthat has happened in our life. And
(10:56):
maybe for some people that is thecase. I don't speak for everybody back
any means, but for a lotof us it's not. You know,
we have lives just like everybody else. The disability identity in our sex,
with soul, with everything else thatwe could possibly identify as. So I'm
with you on that because I'm not. You know, it changed my life
(11:18):
for the better. You know,when I when I became to say,
but I've been able to do certainthings I don't think I've been able to
do, you know, I ifI didn't have my disability, and some
people like, oh, I'm sorry. I look at them, I said,
no, I'm sorry for you becauseyou have no idea the incredible life
I've been able to live and amazingpeople that I know that are just rock
(11:39):
stars out there. And Jennifer,for ones who may be hearing your story
for the first time, can youtalk about your disability? Absolutely so.
I was born with a disability calledarthro riposis. It's pretty rare. It
occurs one in three thousand births,and the literal translation from the Greek language
(12:01):
is curved or hooked joints, soa lot of my joints are fused.
There are a plethora of different varietiesof Arthur grayphosis and mind affects all four
limbs. I use a wheelchair forone of my daily mobility needs. I
require the care of an in homesupport worker and family that I'm super super
(12:24):
grateful for. And I you know, I need help doing everything, so
I mean, but you know,I've learned how to do things adaptively,
Like I'm not worrying any right now, but I like putting on my makeup
or you know, typing and thingslike that. You know, I love
my my job and my life onthe entertainment side. But I also have
(12:46):
a regular ninety five you know,the city wide accessibility coordinator for the City
of Long Beach. So you know, I work a lot, and I'm
really grateful for the care that Ireceive and my team who really really works
hard to keep me going. Andthat's amazing that that you're in that position
with the city of Long Beach becauseyou you are of the community, You
(13:11):
are the community. You understand whatit means and to say, you know,
we need the door a little wider, or we need to have a
little bit more turning radius, Weneed to have all these different things because
like like you, I am apower wheelchair user. Use it one hundred
percent of the time only when I'mnot in bed. You know, when
(13:33):
I when I'm in bed, it'sthe only time I you know, I
don't, I don't, I don'tuse it. So so so you know
the struggle that we have and haveyour voice, it has to be really
really awesome and we you know,we we definitely applaud you for that.
When did you know that you hadskills as a singer, as a as
an actress. When was it ata very young age you recognize that that
(13:54):
you had these different abilities. Ithink I loved it more and first before
I realized that I could be goodat it and I would say anything I
would. I grew up in theCeline Dion La Mariah Carry, the Whitney
Houston era and they were like,you know, my everything. So I
(14:18):
also really loved Broadway show tunes andmusicals, so Bernadette Peters and Bette Miller,
and they were really it for me. But I think it wasn't until
I was in middle school that Irealized that this isn't just a hobby.
It's an actual passion and it completeswho I am. It is my oxygen.
(14:41):
So I just started, you know, I went to public school,
so I did the music extracurriculars andjoined the community bands and did community feeder.
And I don't think I really realizedthat it was good or accepted that
I was good until I was probablyin my twenties. Uh. You know,
(15:07):
your mom is always going to beyour biggest fan, but sometimes that
doesn't mean that you don't be thateverybody else is gonna be your fan.
But I just learned that I wasgood at it, I accepted it.
I also accepted the fact that Ilooked different than other people that I was
going to auditions with, and thenthat that was okay. I think the
(15:31):
first step in being in this industryis knowing in your heart that it is
something you cannot live without, developingthe thick skin to hear the nose and
realizing that the industry is ninety ninepoint nine percent personal opinion of other people,
and to also train. You know, I still take voice lessons here
(15:56):
and there because it's still an instrumentand it still needs to be used and
worked. And I I always tellespecially younger people, hone your craft,
you know, invest in yourself,take up space and give space. And
(16:17):
that's just when I realized in mytwenties. And you talked about auditions and
doing different parts, and when youwhen you arrived there and you're the only
one in a wheelchair, what aresome of the things that that that that
go through your mind if you don'twant to sharing that with us, you
(16:37):
know, when I first auditioned forAladdin, it was at the Debbie Reynolds
studio, which is now closed,and it was in in the Hollywood area,
and that line Paul was wrapped aroundthat building. There was two thousand
people. Not only was there notanybody that was that looked like they had
a physical disability. There was nobodyin a wheelchair, but there there's also
(17:00):
no plus size people at all,and that is also something that's really rare
in the industry too. So Imean I felt really out of place,
and that in itself really got tome and almost ruined my chances. But
I think once I got started,I was like, you know, what
all I can do is my bestand I have to accept that and move
on. And I you know,it took me a while. You know,
(17:22):
it was really messing with my psyche. I had to start my audition
song three times. I was soconcerned about what I was not and what
other people were that it almost tookaway from me. It almost robbed me.
So I feel like a lot oftimes we get inside of our heads
and and we psych ourselves out ofopportunities. And you know, how can
(17:49):
we expect other people to choose usif we don't choose ourself. So I
made a conscious decision from that momenton to choose my self to make sure
that I do good. You know, what happens in there stays in there,
leave it on the floor, andthat's it. That's all I could
do. That's all I could do, And that's all I tell anybody.
(18:10):
My only job is to do mybest. It's not my job to cast
myself in or cast myself out.And as as a performer, I think
that's really what we should remember,disability or not and think about the lives
you have an impact you have impactedover the years because of taking that and
(18:32):
taking that shot. You know,ones who were sitting in the wheelchair area
of the Aladdin Theater looking up thereand saying, Wow, this is really
awesome. She looks like me.She's doing these things and that has to
really just warm your heart to seethat, not only for our community,
(18:52):
but but ones who are not fromour community, to see you up there
and doing your thing. And onething I didn't like, Jennifer was the
fact that I couldn't meet you afterthe after the performance, because I know,
no I should have. I didn't. I didn't know what I told
them. I said, don't beturning away my people, and they knew
(19:12):
exactly what I meant by my people, because because I really wanted to meet
you and say, you know,bravo, you know to what you're doing
and it was really awesome. Youknow, It's like I can visualize it
in my in my head when youwere singing. Never had a friend like
me, you know, I waslike, you know, in a whole
new world sing you do your thing, and you know that was that was
(19:32):
really really awesome. And those memoriesright there are no doubt, you know,
change a lot of people's lives,you know, out there, Jennifer
and Jennifer, you also not onlydone some work on the stage, You've
also done some done some on screenwork too, and and and talk about
talk about that experience, because Ihaven't experienced myself. It was many years
ago I got invited to be anextra on the show Felicity. Uh So
(19:56):
when I so when I get there, I'm like, how am I going
to get on this set? Whatam I going to do? So I
feel really out of place? Soenough about me. About you, now,
what was it like, you know, working now, having the on
screen kind of experience? You know, for the longest, I was like,
(20:18):
you know, you know, guys, I'm just a singer. I'm
just a singer. But I forgetto realize that part of singing is acting
because you have to relay emotion,right, So for a long time I
was like, I'm not an actress. I'm a singer. I'm a singer
who can possibly act. But youknow, I think my first on screen
experience was with a film in twentyand eleven called The Sessions with Helen Hunt
(20:48):
and John Hawks. It was abouta man named Brian who lived in the
ironlung because he had polio, andit was about his experience with intimacy and
religion as being a person with adisability. So that was really awesome.
(21:08):
I think it was awesome for meto be a part of a story about
a person with a disability because there'son so many levels I can relate to
the story that we were being taskedto tell. But you know, on
set was it was an experience aswell. You know, we mostly filmed
in a home of someone else whowas not uh disabled in any way,
(21:32):
so they had to build ramps,you know, I had to make a
requests for an accessible restroom and thingslike that. But I think the most
important thing is to really remember thatyou have to advocate your for yourself.
Later on, a couple of yearsafter that, I did an episode of
a hit TV show on that wason MTV called Awkward. That was really
(21:56):
great, especially because I was thirtyfour playing a high scho student. That
was probably the biggest achievement in mylife, just kidding, but it was
still fun. And then yeah,and then recently I had my first voiceover
role in Disney's animated feature hit Wish, celebrating one hundred years of disy animation,
(22:21):
and I voiced the character Dahlia.Dahlia has a physical visible disability.
She uses a crutch to walk,and she's the town baker. She is
the main character's best friend and kindof the like unofficial leader of the little
friend group that's they're a group ofteenagers. And I think the thing that
(22:42):
I really liked the most about thiscartoon and Dahlia is that her disability is
not talked about in the film.You know, for so long, you
know, if you have somebody witha disability onto you have to say why
they're disabled, which is not thecase. Like we exist everywhere and we
(23:04):
exist just because, you know.So it was really awesome for me to
be a part of something that highlighteda person with a disability as a person
because we are people first, notthat the disability is not important, because
it is. But I think it'sreally great for kids, especially younger kids
who are really into this film tosee that their friends might it might be
(23:30):
a friend in school who has adisability and there's no need to be afraid
or for different treatment or you know, things like that. So my film
journey has been pretty sporadic, there'sa lot of time in between. But
I'm super blessed nonetheless for these opportunities, and wish has just been super cool.
(23:51):
Paul. I'm a lego. Mycharacter is a Lego. I have
my own Funko pop. I'm aplushy like I've just got so much merchandise,
and it's so surreal, you know. I remember being eight years old
in the movie theater watching a LittleMermaid and thinking I want to be a
cartoon voice. And you know,I'm forty three now, and it might
(24:12):
have taken a really long time,but I feel like we have to give
our dreams time to marinate and ourselvestime to learn how to love us for
exactly who we are, how weare, and to celebrate us. That
way, we can show people howto celebrate us and give them the space
(24:36):
to celebrate us as well. Ilove that. I mean Scoreboard, I
mean, you're a Disney animated character. Now, I mean you you have
arrived, Jennifer, you know youare, you are ready. Was up
there the mount rushmore of of disabledyou know, entertainers and everything, But
that just puts you in a differentstrategphere right there. I mean that is
(24:57):
and no doubt. You were probablyyour element being in that sound studio,
me and a singer, you know, being doing some voiceovers. You were
your element, right. I lovedit. I loved it. It always
feels like home, you know,because I don't get to do it as
much as I used to, butI love it. I love it.
That is That is so cool.And another cool thing is that you're going
(25:19):
to be joining us at the AbilitiesExpo in Los Angeles in March. And
I'm so excited that I'll be ableto see you face to face and give
you a hug and say thank you, thank you, thank you for all
that you do. I'm looking forwardto our photo opportunity together absolutely. And
what was it like being asked tobe a part of the Abilities Expo and
(25:41):
have a workshop, Because have youever I pretty assume I assume you've been
at the Billity's Expo before. Andyes, I started going to the Abilities
Expo when I think I was eightor nine years old, and I was
in twenty ten, I was CrownedsCulture California at the La Abilities Expo.
(26:02):
So I've I have a lovely,long, lengthy relationship with the Abilities Expo.
And actually I reached out to theAbilities Expo to ask if I could
be a part of their program,just because there's so many people in our
community. That's like the event islike the hub for our community every year,
and it's such an important event becausewe need an opportunity to discover new
(26:26):
things that leads us, you know, to more independence in our life or
more fun, whatever it may be. But they were so receptive and they
were so excited to celebrate WISH withme, and that's really what I want
to do. I want to celebrateWISH with my community because it's not just
mine, it's not just about me, It's about our community. You know,
(26:48):
a win for one of us isa win for all of us,
and I truly believe that. SoI'm going to be there on March sixteenth,
I think, at four pm,and I'm going to do you a
brief Q and a a little meetand greet. And I'm super stoked.
I am too. I am toobecause something tells me that there's some other
(27:08):
things that you're going to be involvedin that you probably can't talk about right
now, because you know, you'rejust that amazing person and we are so
proud, you know, to haveyou know, you are one of them.
We're part of our community, oneof those part of our community who
just is good people. And youknow what I mean when I say that.
(27:30):
You know, sometimes in our communitythere's some who are of us,
are just not nice people. Youknow. They they started to believe the
hype above themselves. You know,they they're not community based. That they
don't love upon the community that weall can rise together. They have that
kind of myopic view. You don't. And that's why we are your biggest
(27:56):
cheerleader. You know, we're yourbiggest supporters because you know, you have
really just broke down a lot ofbarriers at so many people's lives. And
you know, but before you know, I was raised by a village,
and now I'm fortunate enough to leada village, and I really want to.
You know, I always tell mypeople, you know, you start,
(28:18):
you start climbing that ladder, rollingup that hill, make sure you
extend that arm back and pull peopleup behind you, because you don't want
to be the last one. Idon't want to be the last one.
I don't I don't want to justbe the first. I want to be
the first of many, you know, And and thank you for noticing that.
I'm super grateful. Yeah, youknow, because I'm from that school
too, Jennifer. We reach one, we teach one, you know,
(28:40):
I want the next one to beeven better to me, to come up
and break more barriers than I've beenable to break, because that's the only
way, you know, We're goingto continue to roll up this mountain together.
And before I let you go,my dear, is there anything else
you like to share with the audienceor any ability exporement? The floor is
yours. Well, I'm gonna sharemy favorite abilities expoment. Well, my
(29:06):
first, one of my first oldestmemories was meeting a former Miss Wheelchair California.
And at that time, I thinkI was like nine or ten,
and I was really fascinated with thepageant system, which is really funny because
I'm such a tomboy. But Iremember seeing her and her sash and her
tiara and in her just she wasjust beautiful and I was so so starstruck
(29:33):
and motivated by the presence of awoman who held a title to represent all
of us for the state. Thatwas my oldest and most favorite memory.
But I think I'm really the thingthat I get really excited about every time
I get ready for the Abilities Expois the rock climbing wall. I love
watching people climb out climate For clarity, for the record, I'm not climbing
(29:56):
thathing, but I love seeing peopleout of their wheelchair just being hoisted up
and climbing that rock wall. Andit's such a great symbol of our possibilities
as a people, as a community, you know. And I'm just really
looking forward to seeing everybody on March. The Abilities Expo is free to attend
(30:19):
with with sign up and advance andyou can do that on their website,
and I'm just really stoked to seeeverybody, and i cannot wait. Yes,
yes, whenever I see that thatwall, that rock climbing wall,
you know, I always say,I always go back to a few good
men. You want me on thatwall, you need me on that wall?
(30:41):
Yes, but I am I amtoo big to be on that wall.
I'm like six foot six, soI'm like, I'm like a monster.
So I you know, but Ilive vicariously through those who are able
to do it. I think it'sreally really awesome, especially the little babies.
I love seeing them get up there. Oh yeah, that warms my
heart. At the Abilities Expool.I remember I met I met one of
(31:03):
my one of my dear little friends. She's in a wheelchair. Her name
is her name is Camilla, andshe is my friend to this day.
I follow her mom on on Instagramand I'm always like looking at her.
But ones like that seeing the littlethe younger generation just you know, just
really really warms my heart. Andyeah, we we thank you for all
(31:26):
the all that you do. Andhow can ones just follow you and and
then keep up with all the greatthings that you're doing. Yes, please
follow me on Instagram. My Instagramhandle is at KOONI rocks k U m
I r O c K S AndI love Instagram. So if you're there,
(31:48):
if you if you follow me,please say hi to me, send
me a DM. I love communicatingwith my community, with our community.
Let me know if you're coming tothe Abilities Expo so I can look for
you. And yeah, I uhmy Instagram is the best way to get
hold of me. Awesome. Youknow we put you on the spot.
We got to sing you ain't neverhad a friend, never had a friend.
(32:10):
You ain't you never had a friend, friend, never had a friend.
Friend. Bo so great, sogreat. So great, see you
soon. That was the awesome,the amazing Jennifer Kumiyama. And for some
(32:37):
of you who remember that song fromAladdin, that Disney's California Adventure, you
were singing along with us, weren'tyou? You ain't never had, never
had, And Jennifer just had thatthat in fact, she had a little
attitude. She was singing and everythingtoo, and and and I just I
just love her. She is reallyreally awesome and she is just a gem
(32:58):
to have in our community. Andshe is one of those that believe the
way I do. We teach one, we reach one. We bring the
next generation of talented ones and wheelchairsto reach even bigger heights than we've been
able to reach. Well, ourshow has come to an end, and
(33:20):
thank you so much for tuning into the show. But before I let
you go, you know what Iwant you to do. Right go to
our website abilities dot com, andwe want you to do what we want
you to register for the expo.It's as easy as one, two three,
And I can't wait to see everyonethere in person, having a lot
(33:45):
of fun. And let me knowwhat you're looking forward to when it comes
to their abilities XPO because we wantto hear from you as well. Well,
it's time for me to make itlike a tree and get out of
here. Until next time, Folks, do me a favor. Stay healthy,
stay safe, and remember I loveyou all the life. Take care.
(34:10):
Oh I'm a damn you. Don'twait for no one. It ain't
no stopping when I'm reaching for thetop, and I know looking back,
I'm only looking forward my goals,and my goals don't too fine. Who
you know? And I'm fine,I'll be fine. I just want you
to know. It ain't no stoppingwhen I'm reaching for the top, and
I know and you know looking back, I'm only looking for
Popular Podcasts
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
The Joe Rogan Experience
The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.