This Ability Podcast

19/07/2025

🎧✨ Have you ever heard of ZMIZ1 Syndrome? Most people haven’t—and that’s exactly why this episode matters.

💜 To help raise awareness, we created a short video explaining what ZMIZ1 Syndrome is, what it can affect, and why research and early intervention are so important. Watch the video to learn more—and then listen to Mary Frances’s episode to hear the heart behind the diagnosis.

Mary Frances is living proof that every individual is more than a medical label. Her story is full of faith, resilience, animals, and love—and it will stay with you long after the episode ends. 🐾🎓💪

🎙️ Listen now: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2363737/episodes/16433255
📹 Watch the video below to learn about ZMIZ1 Syndrome
💬 Share to help spread awareness!

19/07/2025

Meet Mary Frances Avera—an incredible young woman whose story is one of resilience, faith, and fierce determination. 💪💜

In this episode of This Ability Podcast, Mary Frances shares what it’s like living with the rare ZMIZ1 diagnosis, how her unwavering faith has shaped her journey, her love for animals 🐾, and her recent graduation from the ULL LIFE Program 🎓.

✨ Whether you’re part of the disability community, an advocate, or simply someone who needs a little inspiration today—this episode will touch your heart.

🎙 Listen to Season 2, Episode 3: Resilience, Faith and ZMIZ1: Mary Avera’s Remarkable Journey

Link in Bio. Copy link here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2363737/episodes/16433255

18/07/2025

🎉 Huge Congratulations to Justina Plowden! 🎉

Our hearts are full of pride as we celebrate one of our very own—Justina Plowden, featured in Season 2, Episode 10 of This Ability Podcast—on her powerful nomination to the National Council on Independent Living(NCIL)! 🇺🇸✨

Justina shared that she’s been nominated to serve as a member of NCIL at the upcoming national conference in Washington, D.C., July 21–24. This is no small feat—NCIL is at the forefront of advancing civil and human rights for people with disabilities across the nation.

Justina, your voice, leadership, and fierce advocacy from Louisiana to D.C. continue to inspire and uplift so many. Your journey is our journey. We’re cheering you on every step of the way! 💙💪🏽

Let’s keep showing the world that we matter, we belong, and we won’t be silenced. Check out more info. on the NCIL via their FB page and website: https://ncil.org/

17/07/2025

Meet Mary Frances Avera—an incredible young woman whose story is one of resilience, faith, and fierce determination. 💪💜

In this episode of This Ability Podcast, Mary Frances shares what it’s like living with the rare ZMIZ1 diagnosis, how her unwavering faith has shaped her journey, her love for animals 🐾, and her recent graduation from the ULL LIFE Program 🎓.

✨ Whether you’re part of the disability community, an advocate, or simply someone who needs a little inspiration today—this episode will touch your heart.

🎙 Listen to Season 2, Episode 3: Resilience, Faith and ZMIZ1: Mary Avera’s Remarkable Journey

Link in Bio. Copy link here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2363737/episodes/16433255

In this inspiring interview, Mary Frances opens up about her rare ZMIZ1 diagnosis, the profound role faith plays in her life, her deep love for animals, and her journey to graduating from the ULL LIFE (Learning Is for Everyone) Program. 

17/07/2025

💙 Help Keep This Ability Podcast Independent! 💙 Every episode of This Ability Podcast is made with heart, purpose, and a commitment to uplifting voices from the disability community. We’ve chosen to keep our show advertising-free and sponsorship-free so that we can focus 100% on what matters most—authentic stories, advocacy, and connection.

If our content has informed, inspired, or moved you, would you consider supporting us with a small monthly gift? 🙏

🎧 For as little as $3/month, you can help us:

✔️ Cover production and editing costs
✔️ Keep our content accessible and inclusive
✔️ Grow our reach to empower more individuals and families

👉 https://www.buzzsprout.com/2363737/supporters/new

Every dollar makes a difference. Every share spreads our mission.

Thank you for standing with us—and with the disability community we love and serve. 💜

Become a supporter of the show!

16/07/2025

🌍✨From Carencro, LA, we’re making a global impact! ✨🌍

The last 5 episodes of Season 2 of This Ability Podcast have reached listeners across 6 continents — from North America to Europe, Asia to Oceania and Africa! 💚

Here’s the breakdown of where our message is spreading:

✅ 1,568 downloads in North America (91%)
✅ 122 in Europe (7%)
✅ 8 in Asia
✅ 7 in Oceania
✅ 3 in Africa
🌱 And we're just getting started!

To every listener, guest, and supporter — THANK YOU for being part of a movement that uplifts voices in the disability community around the world. 🌎💬💪

💚 Let’s keep sharing stories that matter.
🎧 Catch up on Season 2 today!

Here's our website where you can find all of our episodes: https://thisabilitypodcast.buzzsprout.com

16/07/2025

🎬 Watch Party Alert! 🎉 Grab your snacks, gather your people, and get ready to be inspired!

💥 Tomorrow (Wednesday) at 7pm, the video podcast premiere of Kim & BJ Smith’s episode will go live on our This Ability Podcast YouTube channel!

Kim and BJ’s story is one of unimaginable challenge, deep love, and incredible strength after a traumatic 4-wheeler accident changed their lives forever. This episode will move you, teach you, and remind you why family and community matter so much.

🎥 Host a watch party with friends or family and tune in together!

👀 You’ll laugh, you’ll tear up, and you’ll walk away with a new perspective on resilience and caregiving.

📍 Set a reminder now:https://youtu.be/XeGjcPqlIho
📲 Wednesday at 7pm CST🕖

Kim Lanclos Smith shares her experience as the mother and full-time caregiver of her son BJ, a traumatic brain injury (TBI) survivor and artist. They discuss...

15/07/2025

🎉 Big news from one of our own! 🎉

We’re sending a huge This Ability Podcast shoutout to Katie Haynes, featured in Season 1, Episode 10, who was just named the 2025 National Scholarship Ambassador for the Ms. AGvocate USA program! 👑🌾

Katie continues to inspire us with her unstoppable spirit and fierce advocacy. She recently represented Ms. AGvocate USA at the Rollettes Experience in Los Angeles—an incredible event that brings together women and girls with disabilities from around the world to celebrate empowerment, inclusion, and JOY 💃✨

Katie is a true example of what it means to lead with purpose and heart. Whether she’s rocking a crown or raising awareness about disability, education, and accessibility, she’s smiling while sending hope every step of the way. 💛

🎧 Haven’t heard her story yet? Check out her powerful episode here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2363737/episodes/15469441

Let’s show Katie some love in the comments and cheer her on as she continues to make a difference across the country!



Katie’s Brave Medical Journey Smiling While Sending Hope 2025 National Scholarship Ms Agvocate USA

14/07/2025

📺✨ WATCH THE ROC TEENS ON TV! ✨📺
We’re so excited to announce that the enhanced video podcast of our ROC Autistic Teens episode will debut on Tuesday, July 15 at 8PM on AOC Community Media as part of their July–December programming season! 🎉🎙️

This isn’t just any episode—it’s a special one filled with powerful voices, honest conversations, and real photos of the amazing teens from Red Oaks Coping in Lafayette. You’ll hear them talk about school, friendships, video games, identity, and what makes their learning environment so unique and supportive. It’s authentic, uplifting, and unforgettable.

📍WHERE TO WATCH:
▶️ AOC 1 — LUS Fiber Channel 3
▶️ AOC 2 — Cox Channel 15
📱 No cable? No problem! You can stream the episode on AOC’s website:
👉 https://www.aocinc.org/watch

📆 Broadcast Schedule:
The episode will air five more times after its debut, so be sure to check the schedule if you miss the first one! AOC reaches across Lafayette, St. Martin, Vermilion, Iberia, and Acadia Parishes—so tune in and share with your community!

💙 Let’s celebrate neurodiversity, community, and the power of being heard. Thank you to the ROC teens for being bold, brilliant, and brave. You won’t want to miss this one.