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EP#163: Disability Advocates Speak Out w/ Kelly Berger & Avery Roberts

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Manage episode 492153275 series 3321088
Content provided by Rick Ornelas. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Rick Ornelas or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://ppacc.player.fm/legal.

In this episode, Rick shares his interview with Kelly Berger and Avery Roberts, community engagement leaders and fierce disability advocates at Cure CMD, a nonprofit advancing research and awareness for congenital muscular dystrophies.

Kelly and Avery open up about their deeply personal journeys through misdiagnosis, medical adversity, and social exclusion—and how they transformed these challenges into platforms for empowerment, education, and visibility. Their story of connection, purpose, and advocacy is a powerful reminder that authentic representation and inclusion start with sharing your voice.

Together, they’ve reshaped what it means to live boldly with disability, sparked systemic change on Capitol Hill, and inspired others to discover their own strength—one conversation, one webinar, one small act of kindness at a time.

This episode is a MUST-LISTEN! 🎙🚀
We will discuss the following:

⭐️ Kelly and Avery explain why they don’t see themselves as “heroes”—and how true inspiration lies in achievements, not assumptions.

⭐️ Both women detail their “diagnostic odysseys,” how they found each other, and how rare disease communities provide much-needed belonging.

⭐️ From Capitol Hill to social media, they’re challenging how society views accessibility and what disability advocacy really looks like.

⭐️ Avery’s history-making performance as the first wheelchair dancer at Radio City Music Hall is just one example of inclusion done right.

⭐️ Their long-distance bond and shared mission show how genuine connection fuels resilience, leadership, and lasting change.

& more...
Know more about Edmandah:

Cure CMD Website: https://www.curecmd.org/
Donate to Cure CMD: https://www.curecmd.org/donate
Cure CMD's Scientific & Family (SciFam) Conference: https://www.scifam.info/
Avery's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/avery.nicole916/
Avery's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/avery-roberts-334024354/
Kelly's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thekellyberger/
Kelly's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thekellyberger

Grab your gift and Join our group of thousands from all across the globe who want to spread positive change.
25 TRANSFORMATIONAL TIPS TO A BETTER YOU ➡️ https://www.isparkchange.com/join
Become a Patron today here 👉 https://www.patreon.com/isparkchange
Rick will bring you relevant and practical episodes each week, empowering you to make a difference in your life and the lives of others. Each week, we will bring you an inspiring person who learned how to turn their struggles into strengths or a message to help you unlock your inner gifts to share with the world. 🌎👇🏽
IG: @i_spark_change & @rickornelas
FB: Group
Twitter: @isparkchange
YTB: @i_spark_change

Support the show

  continue reading

163 episodes

Artwork
iconShare
 
Manage episode 492153275 series 3321088
Content provided by Rick Ornelas. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Rick Ornelas or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://ppacc.player.fm/legal.

In this episode, Rick shares his interview with Kelly Berger and Avery Roberts, community engagement leaders and fierce disability advocates at Cure CMD, a nonprofit advancing research and awareness for congenital muscular dystrophies.

Kelly and Avery open up about their deeply personal journeys through misdiagnosis, medical adversity, and social exclusion—and how they transformed these challenges into platforms for empowerment, education, and visibility. Their story of connection, purpose, and advocacy is a powerful reminder that authentic representation and inclusion start with sharing your voice.

Together, they’ve reshaped what it means to live boldly with disability, sparked systemic change on Capitol Hill, and inspired others to discover their own strength—one conversation, one webinar, one small act of kindness at a time.

This episode is a MUST-LISTEN! 🎙🚀
We will discuss the following:

⭐️ Kelly and Avery explain why they don’t see themselves as “heroes”—and how true inspiration lies in achievements, not assumptions.

⭐️ Both women detail their “diagnostic odysseys,” how they found each other, and how rare disease communities provide much-needed belonging.

⭐️ From Capitol Hill to social media, they’re challenging how society views accessibility and what disability advocacy really looks like.

⭐️ Avery’s history-making performance as the first wheelchair dancer at Radio City Music Hall is just one example of inclusion done right.

⭐️ Their long-distance bond and shared mission show how genuine connection fuels resilience, leadership, and lasting change.

& more...
Know more about Edmandah:

Cure CMD Website: https://www.curecmd.org/
Donate to Cure CMD: https://www.curecmd.org/donate
Cure CMD's Scientific & Family (SciFam) Conference: https://www.scifam.info/
Avery's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/avery.nicole916/
Avery's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/avery-roberts-334024354/
Kelly's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thekellyberger/
Kelly's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thekellyberger

Grab your gift and Join our group of thousands from all across the globe who want to spread positive change.
25 TRANSFORMATIONAL TIPS TO A BETTER YOU ➡️ https://www.isparkchange.com/join
Become a Patron today here 👉 https://www.patreon.com/isparkchange
Rick will bring you relevant and practical episodes each week, empowering you to make a difference in your life and the lives of others. Each week, we will bring you an inspiring person who learned how to turn their struggles into strengths or a message to help you unlock your inner gifts to share with the world. 🌎👇🏽
IG: @i_spark_change & @rickornelas
FB: Group
Twitter: @isparkchange
YTB: @i_spark_change

Support the show

  continue reading

163 episodes

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