Disability Talk with Marianne
I am a 25 year old woman from the Boston area who was born with spina bifida. On this podcast, I interview people from the disability community to understand the issues that matter to people who live with a disability, care for people with disabilities, or work to support the needs of the community.
Episodes

Monday Nov 18, 2024
Monday Nov 18, 2024
Understanding Disabilities: An Interview with Howie Monahan | Disability Talk with Marianne
In this episode of 'Disability Talk with Marianne,' host Marianne Mahoney, a 25-year-old from the Boston area with spina bifida, interviews Howie Monahan, a staff member at Beaverbrook STEP in Belmont, Massachusetts. They discuss Howie's experiences working at a day program that supports adults with disabilities, his background, the supportive work environment, and the joys and challenges of working in the disability field. They also delve into communication strategies with individuals who have different needs and share advice for those interested in entering the field.
00:00 Introduction to Disability Talk with Marianne
00:34 Meet Howie Monahan: A Staff Member at Beaverbrook STEP
01:15 Experiences and Insights from Working at Beaverbrook
02:24 Challenges and Rewards of the Job
05:45 Personal Connections and Background
15:27 Advice for Aspiring Disability Support Workers
16:19 Marianne's Perspective and Conclusion

Tuesday Sep 03, 2024
Tuesday Sep 03, 2024
Understanding Autism with Special Education Teacher, Janelle Tribble - Disability Talk with Marianne
In this episode of Disability Talk with Marianne, host Marianne Mahoney interviews Janelle, her friend and a special education teacher for children with autism. Janelle shares her journey in the field, the challenges and joys of her role, and discusses misconceptions about autism. Marianne and Janelle also delve into effective teaching strategies and the importance of building trust with students. Tune in to learn more about autism, inclusive education, and Janelle's inspiring career.
00:00 Introduction to Disability Talk with Marianne
00:32 Meet Janelle: A Special Education Teacher
01:13 Janelle's Journey into Special Education
04:30 Understanding Autism: Definitions and Misconceptions
09:07 Teaching Strategies and Classroom Dynamics
22:06 Inclusive Playgrounds and Accessibility
28:43 Reflections and Personal Stories
36:45 Advice for Aspiring Special Educators
38:12 Marianne's Perspective on Living with a Disability
41:30 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Thursday Aug 15, 2024
Thursday Aug 15, 2024
In this episode of Disability Talk with Mariane, host Marianne Mahoney, a 25-year-old woman with spina bifida, interviews Alicia Bowman, a city councillor from Newton, MA. They discuss Bowman's extensive work in promoting walkability, safe routes to school, and accessible housing in Newton. Bowman shares her experiences in making the community more inclusive for people with disabilities through various initiatives, including Safe Routes to School and Inclusive Design Newton. Mahoney and Bowman also delve into the challenges of finding affordable, accessible housing and the importance of making public spaces and transportation more accessible. The conversation highlights ongoing efforts and the need for systemic changes to create more livable and independent environments for people with disabilities.

Sunday Jul 28, 2024
Sunday Jul 28, 2024
In this episode of 'Disability Talk with Marianne,' host Marianne Mahoney, a 25-year-old woman from the Boston area born with spina bifida, interviews her friend Natalie Muratori. Natalie, who Marianne met at Camp Jabberwocky on Martha's Vineyard, discusses her background growing up in Connecticut, attending medical school in Albany, New York, and her aspirations to become an OBGYN. They talk about their experiences at Camp Jabberwocky, a camp for people with disabilities, the invaluable lessons learned there, and how these experiences influence their lives and careers. Natalie shares insights on working with the disability community, emphasizes the importance of empathy, adaptability, and education, and hopes to remain engaged with the community in her medical career. Marianne concludes by reflecting on the importance of connecting and understanding the stories within the disability community.

Sunday Jan 28, 2024
Sunday Jan 28, 2024
Disability Talk with Marianne: An Interview with Kim Ho on her experience Working with People with Disabilities
In episode one of 'Disability Talk with Marianne', host Marianne Mahoney interviews Kim Ho about her perspective and experiences in working with people with special needs. Throughout their conversation, they discuss Kim’s work as a speech-language pathologist specializing in AAC devices, her early start as a counselor at Camp Jabberwocky, the challenges and rewards of her work, and the importance of patience and understanding in interacting with people with disabilities. The discussion concludes with Kim sharing her aspiration to continue working in this field for her whole life, given that it brings her immense happiness and satisfaction. This episode provides insight into the world of individuals working with people with disabilities and fosters an empathetic understanding of their day-to-day experiences and challenges.
00:00 Introduction and Welcome00:38 Getting to Know Kim Ho01:39 Kim's Journey into Speech Pathology02:26 Kim's Experience with Disabilities04:56 Kim's Professional Journey05:49 Kim's Passion for Her Work06:43 The Impact of Camp Jabberwocky09:33 Kim's Personal Connection to Disabilities10:21 Kim's Perspective on Working with Special Needs12:30 Challenges and Disparities in the Field14:00 The Personal Impact of Working with Special Needs15:01 Understanding the Impact of Working with People with Disabilities15:47 Personal Experiences and Challenges in Working with the Disabled17:05 The Struggles of Wheelchair Users18:00 The Importance of Accessibility and Consideration21:26 The Art of Patience in Assisting People with Disabilities23:01 Navigating the Fine Line Between Helping and Overstepping25:23 The Challenges of Communicating with Non-Verbal Individuals26:10 The Lifelong Commitment to Working with People with Disabilities26:33 Appreciation and Closing Remarks