Highlighting amazing people with disabilities and different abilities, sharing stories of their experiences, challenges they've overcome, resources, accessibility, and their careers and passions. Hosted by Geoff "DeafGeoff" Herbert, who was born with a profound hearing loss, and Kurt Hower, who has ankylosing spondylitis.
Why saying 'You don't look sick' is not a compliment (Enable: The Disability Podcast)
Have you ever heard someone say "you don't look sick" or "you don't look like you have a disability?" It may be well-intentioned as a compliment, but it's not helpful language.
In this episode of "Enable: The Disability Podcast," co-hosts Geoff "DeafGeoff" Herbert and Kurt Hower discuss how so-called "invisible disabilities" are treated by others, how to be respectful and helpful, the spoon theory, and the unseen struggles of people with arthritis, autoimmune disorders, chronic illness, hearing loss, and other different abilities.
"People with autoimmune diseases, often they're in pain 24/7," Kurt said. "Psoriasis is one of those things people they tend to cover it up with their clothing. So it's not necessarily something that you can see. But what goes along with that is pain and inflammation. So we just need to be more aware that there are people out there that have disabilities that are dealing with chronic illness, and we just need to be more mindful of that."
Referenced in this episode - watch our previous interviews with:
"Blind & Bored" content creator Hannah Weymouth https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-x0q2M0BZ5Y
MS and chronic illness advocate Nicole Pedra https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtonRypZdzA
“Enable: The Disability Podcast,” which highlights amazing people with disabilities and different abilities, releases new episodes weekly on YouTube and all major podcast platforms.
Follow facebook.com/enablepodcast or @enablepodcast on Instagram and TikTok for more.
Note: Views expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect the views of Advance Local.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
16 Sept 2026
Blind & Bored: Vision loss with a sense of humor, and a superpower (Enable: The Disability Podcast)
How do you face a disability with a sense of humor?
"Blind & Bored" content creator Hannah Weymouth speaks with "Enable: The Disability Podcast" co-hosts Geoff "DeafGeoff" Herbert and Kurt Hower about how she lost vision as an adult due to a retina disorder known as cone dystrophy. She also spoke about resources she use (including helpful apps and audio description on movies and TV shows), how she embraces her disability, and her superpower (but don't compare her to Daredevil).
"One of the main things that frustrates me is that a lot of sighted people don't think about the fact that we use all of our other senses and we're not that different. You know, we're all the same. It's just that we don't have this one aspect," she explained. "A lot of sighted people... think that blind people don't know anything that's going on around them. And that's just so the opposite."
As "Blind & Bored," Hannah shares videos on social media featuring funny skits, jokes and satire based on her own life experiences. Follow her on the following platforms:
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@blindbored
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/17oA1rPDUx/
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@blindandbored
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blindnbored
“Enable: The Disability Podcast,” which highlights amazing people with disabilities and different abilities, releases new episodes weekly on YouTube and all major podcast platforms.
Follow facebook.com/enablepodcast or @enablepodcast on Instagram and TikTok for more.
Note: Views expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect the views of Advance Local.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
9 Sept 2026
IEP: What questions should parents ask about their child? (Enable: The Disability Podcast)
What is an IEP or 504 plan? What kinds of questions should parents of children with disabilities or special needs ask about their children's Individualized Education Program?
Dr. Desirie Skeete speaks with "Enable: The Disability Podcast" co-hosts Geoff "DeafGeoff" Herbert and Kurt Hower about IEPs, behavior consulting, ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) therapy, and how her own child's speech struggles inspired her work.
"During the IEP meeting, you're going through the behavioral needs for the child... at the top of that IEP, you're going to see the services that the school district is giving you. You must make sure that those services is all that you need. Sometimes you're getting a one-to-one in school. Do you need a one-to-one at home? And if so, ask that question. Are you getting ABA, parent training, speech, occupational therapy?" Dr. Skeete says. "And if you don't see the services that you need, you should be asking why. And not only why, you should be asking about the data that supports the reason as to why or why not, why you're not getting what you need."
Dr. Skeete is a behavior consultant and mental health advocate who founded NESS Cares and NESS Behavioral Consulting. For more information, visit https://www.nessbehaviorconsulting.com/
“Enable: The Disability Podcast,” which highlights amazing people with disabilities and different abilities, releases new episodes weekly on YouTube and all major podcast platforms.
Follow facebook.com/enablepodcast or @enablepodcast on Instagram and TikTok for more.
Note: Views expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect the views of Advance Local.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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