49 – Part 3: Kevin & Allison—Bridging the Gap: Understanding Disability in Everyday Life

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In the third episode of our five-part series, Kevin and Allison invite listeners to step into their world as parents raising a child with multiple disabilities—not just to inform, but to foster genuine understanding and connection across all communities. Through honest stories about navigating school, social life, church, and travel, their stories encourage everyone—especially those not living with disability—to imagine themselves in these scenarios and consider the invisible barriers their friends and neighbors may face.

This episode is a call to action for families, friends, and communities who may not have direct experience with disability. Kevin and Allison revealed in the previous episode just how much it means when others reach out, seek to understand, and offer support, even in small ways. Their experiences highlight how isolation grows when families feel unseen or misunderstood, and how inclusion and empathy from others can make a profound difference.

Listeners will gain a deeper understanding of how everyday experiences—in school, church, and social life—can leave families feeling excluded or undervalued. Kevin and Allison’s stories reveal how the absence of inclusion and recognition in these settings intensifies isolation, and why being seen, welcomed, and valued by others is so essential for families navigating disability.

Whether you’re a caregiver or someone who wants to better support friends and loved ones, this episode offers a powerful invitation to move beyond sympathy and into meaningful connection.

Key Moments in This Episode

[00:00:41] School Challenges: Kevin and Allison reflect on their journey finding the right educational environment for Jameson, and how school became more difficult as he grew older.

[00:08:26] A Difficult School Experience: They recount a painful incident from Jameson’s eighth grade year that highlights the emotional challenges families face.

[00:23:16] Faith and Discrimination: Kevin discusses his research on discrimination in religious institutions and how it relates to their experiences.

[00:25:14] Social Integration at School: RuthAnn asks about efforts to promote social inclusion versus isolation, and Kevin and Allison share how these dynamics have shifted over time.

[00:28:34] Graduation Decisions: Kevin and Allison discuss the complexities and emotions behind deciding whether to hold a graduation celebration for Jameson.

[00:31:23] Advice for Parents: Kevin and Allison offer a little guidance for other parents navigating the school system with a child who has disabilities.

[00:34:26] Impact on Social Relationships: Kevin and Allison discuss how raising a child with disabilities has affected their friendships and the importance of feeling included by friends outside the disability community.

[00:36:29] Church and Inclusion: Discussion on the barriers they’ve faced attending church as a family, and the lack of disability-specific groups or classes.

[00:44:13] Creating Spiritual Community: Kevin describes starting a Zoom group to maintain spiritual connections when traditional church settings fall short.

[00:48:20] Redefining Church: Kevin shares a personal story about practical support their previous Sunday school offered to RuthAnn and her late husband, illustrating that church is more than Sunday services—and that everyone can play a part.

[00:50:45] Feeling Valued: Kevin and Allison speak candidly about the pain of not feeling valued, with RuthAnn relating her own experiences.

[00:52:37] Travel and Accessibility: The family discusses the unique challenges of traveling with a child who has disabilities.

[01:04:26] Meaningful Memories: Kevin and Allison reflect on their favorite travel moments, emphasizing that every trip brings something worthwhile—and how shar