This Ability Podcast

12/10/2025

We Like Stickers and Pins… and Radio Interviews! 🎙️💜📻

Today was such an exciting day for This Ability Podcast! Mary had the pleasure of visiting KRVS 88.7 FM, the amazing public radio station right here at UL Lafayette, to record an interview with Megan about the heart behind the podcast, our mission, and the incredible stories we get to share.

We talked disability advocacy, community empowerment, storytelling, and how This Ability Podcast continues to grow into a space where voices from across the disability community can shine. We cannot wait for you all to hear it once it airs!

And of course… I didn’t leave empty-handed! If you saw our post from Sunday, you already know we love stickers — well, turns out we also love pins, and KRVS has some of the cutest ones. 😄💜

Huge thank-you to Megan and the entire KRVS team for welcoming us so warmly and giving us a platform to reach more listeners across Acadiana and beyond. Stay tuned for air dates!

KRVS Public Media

12/09/2025

🎉 Applications for the Louisiana Youth Leadership Forum (LAYLF) 2026 are NOW OPEN! 🎉 If you know a high school student (10th–12th grade) with a disability who is ready to grow, lead, and shine—this is the opportunity for them.

The Youth Leadership Forum began in California in the early 1990s and has grown into a nationwide network of programs focused on empowering youth with disabilities. But here in Louisiana, we went years without a program… until a group of passionate advocates and the Louisiana Developmental Disabilities Council decided to bring it back.

✨ In 2023, LAYLF officially returned and welcomed 12 incredible delegates for a life-changing, three-day leadership experience.
Though camp has evolved, the mission remains the same: to equip young people with disabilities with the tools, confidence, and community they need to become empowered adult leaders.

Now, it’s time for the next class of delegates! LAYLF 2026 will run July 9–12, and the best part? 👉 It is 100% FREE — lodging, food, and 1:1 staff support included.

🔗 Apply here: layouthleadershipforum.org/del-app

Please help us spread the word! Your share might be the reason a young leader finds their community, their voice, and their confidence. We can’t wait to meet the 2026 delegates! 💜💛

12/07/2025

We LOVE stickers! 🤩💜

I picked up a whole bunch at the Abilities Expo, and they’re all about inclusion, accessibility, and positivity — just like us! 💪🧡💙

12/07/2025

💙♿️ Abilities Expo Weekend Photo Dump 💙♿️

What an inspiring weekend in Dallas! Mary and Nyria had an incredible time exploring the Abilities Expo—an event overflowing with innovation, community, and advocacy.💜🧡

From mobility aids and communication tools to sensory supports, adaptive recreation, and cutting-edge assistive technology, the Expo was packed with vendors ready to educate, empower, and connect. We also had the chance to meet so many passionate advocates, caregivers, professionals, and families who are doing the work every single day to make our world more inclusive.💟❤️

The networking opportunities were amazing, the conversations were impactful, and the reminder was clear: accessibility isn’t optional—it’s essential. ✨💛

At This Ability Podcast, we’re committed to championing accessibility for everyone in our community. We can’t wait to share more about what we learned, the products that excited us, and the incredible people we met. 🎙️✨

💜 Thank you, Dallas Abilities Expo, for an unforgettable experience! Abilities Expo Mary Hooks Baudoin

12/06/2025

We are so excited to share this amazing video that Train Unique put together of their members rolling, running, and walking their way through this year’s Miles Perret Camellia Crossing! 🌟

Your TU Race Team truly lit up the night before Thanksgiving — glow sticks, determination, and all! Every single athlete showed what strength, heart, and community can achieve. 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️💨💪

To all the incredible members: thank you for reminding us what’s possible when we uplift and support individuals of all abilities. You didn’t just participate — you crushed it! 🤘🥇

We’re proud of you and grateful to celebrate this moment with our community. Keep shining, keep striving, and keep showing the world what true inclusion looks like! 💙✨ Train Unique

12/05/2025

Reminder: Deadline to apply is tomorrow.

👑 Calling All Women Who Use Wheelchairs Full-Time! 👑 Do you believe in advocacy, empowerment, and making a difference? Then here’s your chance to shine! ✨

The search is on for Miss Wheelchair Louisiana 2026 — a title that celebrates strength, leadership, and the beauty of the disability community. This isn’t a beauty pageant — it’s a platform to share your story, inspire others, and represent Louisiana on a national stage! 💛

🌷 Who Can Apply:

* Women 21 years of age or older
* Must use a wheelchair full-time
* Passionate about advocacy, leadership, and community

🗓️ Deadline to Apply: December 6, 2025

📧 To Apply or Learn More:
Justina Plowden, State Coordinator
[email protected]
[email protected]
📞 337-382-4859

✨ Let your story shine. Let your voice be heard.
You matter — and Louisiana is ready to celebrate YOU! 💖

12/05/2025

Nyria and I will be heading to the Dallas Abilities Expo this weekend, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to bring our community along for the journey! 💙♿️

While we’re there, we’ll be learning about:
✨ New mobility and accessibility products
✨ The latest trends in assistive technology
✨ Resources for parents, caregivers, and adults with disabilities
✨ Inclusive recreation, communication tools, and sensory supports

We’ll be recording a special episode after the expo to share everything we discovered—our favorite new products, meaningful conversations, and what we think will benefit you, our listeners and followers.

Be sure to follow along here on social media as we post updates, highlights, and behind-the-scenes moments from the expo! 🎥📸
We can’t wait to bring all this new knowledge back to Acadiana and beyond. 💛

Janae Matute, Ambassador, Ms. Wheelchair Texas 2026 Abilities Expo

12/03/2025

🌍 Celebrating International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2025

💟 Today, we join the world in recognizing the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. This year’s theme, “Fostering disability-inclusive societies for advancing social progress,” reminds us that true progress only happens when everyone is included, valued, and empowered.

♿️ At This Ability Podcast, we celebrate the voices, stories, and talents of individuals with disabilities every single day. Through advocacy, education, accessibility, and community partnerships here in Acadiana and beyond, we remain committed to building a world where inclusion isn’t an afterthought—it’s the foundation.
Let’s continue working together to break barriers, expand access, and create spaces where ALL people can thrive.

🌟 If you haven’t tuned in yet, our episodes share powerful stories from families, self-advocates, professionals, and leaders who are making a difference.

👉 Listen, share, and help foster a more inclusive world—one story at a time.

12/03/2025

🎄✨ Last ASL Club Meeting of 2025! ✨🎄 Tonight we wrapped up our final UL Lafayette ASL Club meeting of the semester, and it was such a wonderful way to end the year! We learned new Christmas signs, enjoyed painting our hands in fun ASL-themed designs, and celebrated the season together. 💟 Can you guess the signs that painted? 🧐

This Ability Podcast was excited to provide some festive Christmas gift door prizes to help spread a little extra cheer. 🎁

A huge thank-you to everyone who came out all semester long—your enthusiasm, kindness, and support make this community so special. We’re already looking forward to meeting again in the new year! 🤟♥️

11/30/2025

♿️💛 Today, Lexi and I did a book reading of "All the Way to the Top: How One Girl's Fight for Americans with Disabilities Changed Everything" by Annette Pimentel. It's an inspiring story about Jennifer Keelan, her courage, and her unforgettable climb up the Capitol steps to fight for disability rights. We recorded the full reading and will share it later this week. 📚✨

This book makes a meaningful Christmas gift for children, families, educators, and anyone who believes in the power of advocacy. Jennifer’s story continues to inspire all of us—especially in our household. 🎄❤️📖

11/30/2025

🌟 A Nostalgic Christmas in St. Martinville🌟 Today, Speedy, Christy, and I took Lexi on a little holiday adventure to St. Martinville — one of Louisiana’s most historic treasures and the “Cradle of Cajun Culture.” 💚❤️

⚜️ St. Martinville has roots going back to the mid-1700s as Poste des Attakapas, a French settlement along the beautiful Bayou Teche. We stopped by some of the oldest landmarks, took photos under the iconic old oak tree, and soaked in all the charm this town has to offer. 🌿

🌷 One thing that truly impressed us: every sidewalk was smooth, paved, and fully accessible — even in such a historic area. Huge appreciation to St. Martinville for making spaces like this welcoming and enjoyable for everyone. ♿💙

💫 Lexi absolutely loved it, and here are some of the photos of proof! ✨ Next weekend, we’ll be checking out the Carencro Christmas festivities — stay tuned for more holiday fun!❤️💚

11/29/2025

🌟💙 Our hearts are overflowing with gratitude as we look back on Camellia Crossing 2025. 💛✨

This year, I joined the Moody Making Strides Team—representing the University of Louisiana at Lafayette College of Business. Together, we joined over 4,800 people for a night filled with hope, remembrance, and purpose. 💫

Because of YOU:
🎗️ We became the Top Fundraising Team, raising $3,629 for Miles Perret Cancer Services! ⚜️

The night before Thanksgiving has never been more meaningful. Seeing so many people walking, running, and rolling ♿️ to support families facing cancer was a powerful reminder of what community truly means. 💕 Thank you to every friend, donor, walker, cheerleader on the sidelines—you made a real difference. 💟

Here’s to compassion, community, and continuing to make strides together. ❤️✨



Miles Perret Cancer Services