Episode 43: High Functioning Autism (HFA)

Iowa native, Ray Meylor, took up farming with the help of Easterseals Iowa’s Rural Solutions program. Hear his story and how he’s using farming to give back to the community.

Ames residents Brian and Jeffrey Packard talk about their experience with High Functioning Autism (HFA) including issues surrounding communication, education, and independence.

Karen Austin serves as the Chief of Staff for State Treasurer Michael Fitzgerald. Karen earned her B.A. degree in sociology and political science from Simpson College in 1990, her Certified Public Managers certification (CPM) in 2008 from Drake University and her MBA from the University of Iowa in 2015. She has worked in the Treasurer’s Office since 1990, was promoted to deputy treasurer in 2003 and chief of staff in 2019. Karen’s current responsibilities include oversight of all areas of the Treasurer’s Office, including Iowa’s 529 plans and Iowa’s Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) plan. Karen was part of the team that launched College Savings Iowa in 1998, the IAdvisor 529 Plan in 2006, the National ABLE Alliance in 2016, and Iowa’s ABLE plan, IAble, in 2017. In the national arena, Karen is an active participant in the National Association of State Treasurers (NAST), which includes the College Savings Plans Network. NAST recently awarded Karen the 2021 Chris Allen Memorial Award for Outstanding Advocacy in Public Finance for her service advocating for and advancing NAST priorities such as ABLE programs.

Tune in to listen to Braden Daniel who is a musician share his story and songs. In Braden’s words: The Song listed as "Just One Word" is the song I for sure want played.This is a song about what it is like to live with a disability, how we are just like everyone else in so many ways, and if we could all practice just being kind...one word, one gesture, or an acknowledgement that people matter...it could make a person struggling feel like they have enough to keep going. If we have time...the second song, "Stik Man" is a song about what it is like to live with stiff person syndrome. The stiffness, the paranoia of being seen in public falling down and having an episode...and simply learning to accept it so we may live our best selves. Stik Man has become my nickname. Both songs are completely different styles. The first one is inspirational and the second is more...groovy.

Axio Bionics produces wearable technology created to enhance the lives of people with disabilities. Company president and clinician, Philip Muccio, explains the ins and outs of this technology and how it is used to improve functionality and reduce pain.

After his own experience with chronic pain, Todd Noack became a certified peer recovery specialist and started his own organization called Life Connections Peer Recovery Services, which provides a platform for those with lived experience to provide resources and connections to those struggling with mental health issues.

One out of four pregnancies ends in stillbirth or miscarriage. Join Justin Bogers of the Fletcher Foundation and Carly Cousins and Stacy Peterson from the Mary Greeley Hospital Birthways Unit to discuss how they walk alongside families during this time of grief.

Brianna Lewin, shares information about her work bringing accessibility to people with disabilities. She outlines services offered by Easterseals, which provides training and resources focused on digital tools that help people live, work and play, and shares her passion for assistive technology.

At the age of 21, a freak accident left Samantha Schroth with a spinal cord injury. Hear the story of what happened, how she got through it, and how she moved forward to become a disability advocate, medical student, and writer.

Kim Karwal from Eastersealsdiscusses assistive technology. Sam Edwards shares her experience with Ms. Wheelchair Iowa and Ms. Wheelchair America.