New Horizons Trailblazers

This week we are joined by Babs Tierno, the Executive Director at Autism Tennessee. April is Autism Awareness Month and Babs speaks with us about what it means to be on the spectrum, what Autism TN does, and ways that you can get involved!We hope that you will learn more about Autism TN by visiting their website www.autismtn.org!

Peach and Dylan join us this week to reflect on Disability Day on the Hill (DDH). Disability Day on the Hill is organized by the TN Disability Coalition and various provider agencies, it is a day for self-advocates and allies to speak with state lawmakers about topics and bills impacting the disability community! While DDH 2021 looked a little different this year as all meetings were virtual, Peach and Dylan dive into the bills that were discussed with state legislators with our Manager of Development, Lee Sherwood.Dylan and Peach are both affiliated with The Arc of TN and discuss how self-advocates can join People First! Visit the Arc's website to learn more, https://thearc.org/chapter/the-arc-of-tennessee/. 

This week Alice Sally joins us on the New Horizons Life Skills podcast! Alice Sally is the leader of the Down Syndrome Association of Middle Tennessee's (DSAMT) Young Professionals Board, but most of all she is the mother to an amazing daughter, Emeline, who was born with Down syndrome.Alice joins our Manager of Development, Lee Sherwood, as they discuss what Down Syndrome is, how to celebrate World Down Syndrome Day on March 21, and how DSAMT is impacting the local Middle Tennessee community.If you are interested in joining the Young Professionals Board at DSAMT please visit www.somethingextra.com

Welcome back to the New Horizons Life Skills podcast! We are thrilled to have Peach and Keegan join us again as we usher in our 50th Anniversary season!Peach and Keegan join our Manager of Development and Promotion, Lee Sherwood, to discuss Developmental Disability Awareness Month, Disability Day on the Hill, and what they've been up to this winter!

To kick off season 2, Peach and Keegan join us to discuss how sports and music have the power to unite us, job searching during a global pandemic, and their shared and unique experiences having Cerebral palsy.

Update: Census deadline extended to Oct. 31!This week, we are publishing our episode a little early in time to remind everyone that today is the last day to be counted in the 2020 Census! Dara Bacon joins us to discuss just why the census is so important for the disability community, her experiences as both a niece and a mother of a loved one with Down syndrome, and the importance of finding activities, like rock climbing, that force you to be completely present in the moment. I hope you enjoy!

This week Lee Sherwood, the Manager of Development, here at New Horizons Life Skills stepped in for Andrew to talk with Lauren Beasley. Lauren Beasley is the founder of MOVE Dance, and inclusive dance studio located right here in Nashville! Lauren started dancing at the age of 3 and that passion has accompanied her throughout her life and now has intertwined with her professional career. No matter what ability level you have, you have a home at MOVE Dance. It was such a joy to talk with Lauren about her inspiration for starting the studio. We hope you enjoy this week's episode and consider getting involved with MOVE Dance!Visit MOVE's website here to learn more: https://moveinclusivedance.com/

Last week, we aired our first ever video podcast with Commissioner Brad Turner. Commissioner Turner is the father of a daughter with a disability, a fierce advocate for the entire disability community, and a wealth of knowledge as the head of Tennessee’s Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. We had fun conversation ranging from baseball to his goal to work himself out of a job. I hope you enjoy!

In this week’s episode, Kevin Scholls joins us to discuss his hopes for the future and what it is like having cerebral palsy. Kevin and I met through People First, a self advocacy group, and I am excited for you also hear his passion come through our conversation.

In this week’s episode, Andrew Burnham joins us to discuss growing up on the coast of Maine, his career in special education, white water canoeing, and much more. I hope you enjoy!

In this week's episode, Sloane Cargen shares her Best Buddies Ambassador speech, discusses her involvement with Young Life Capernaum, and shares some of the lessons she has learned about friendship. I hope you enjoy! Best Buddies: https://www.bestbuddies.org/tennessee/Younglife: https://www.younglife.org/ForEveryKid/Capernaum/

In this week’s episode, Matthew Powell joins us to discuss his work at Autism Career Training, what makes a winning football team, and other exciting topics—like having two 2-year old twins. I hope you enjoy!

In this week’s episode, Megan Macon joins us to discuss Next Steps – Vanderbilt’s 4-year inclusive higher education program. Megan initially joined as a student mentor while an undergrad at Vanderbilt and now serves as the employment specialist for the program. Megan and I discuss how she first became involved in the disability community, Next Steps, and the continued impact of COVID-19. I hope you enjoy! https://peabody.vanderbilt.edu/departments/nextsteps/

In today's episode, Taylor Ellerbrock joins us to discuss The Bee Community, an organization she founded in College Station, TX as a place for adults of all abilities to work and belong. Taylor has been a great resource to New Horizons and shares our belief that every person deserves to experience the inherent dignity found in work and community. I hope you enjoy our conversation! https://thebeecommunity.com/home

The very impressive and fun Carolyn Naifeh joins us for this week’s episode. Carolyn has led a incredible life, taking her around the world as she has served her community and individuals. We discuss her childhood abroad, time in Washington DC, and the organization she co-founded here in Nashville—Our Place. I hope you enjoy! To learn more about Our Place, visit https://www.ourplacenashville.org/

It is hard to find somebody who has been as loyal to a field as Christine Theofanopoulus has been the past 31 years in the disability community. Christine is a dedicated mother, a wealth of knowledge, and I had a blast getting to know her better through our conversation. I hope you enjoy! To check out her daughters designs, visit https://www.facebook.com/CatLandForever/

One of my favorite things about New Horizons is how much fun we have. When we go on outings, celebrate holidays and birthdays, or even on an average Wednesday - you can always hear laughter. So, we are going to change things up for this week’s episode. I am going to ask 4 people 4 lighthearted questions, so you can meet more of the individuals that make New Horizons such a fun place to be. I hope you enjoy!

In this week’s episode, our newest board member, April Harrington, joins us to discuss Costa Rica, opening her new firm in the midst of a global pandemic, and micro-farming. April has quickly become a tremendous asset and member of our team, she has boundless energy and enthusiasm for people, and I hope you enjoy our conversation! Please visit our website, or email us at podcast@newhorizonsls.org, to learn more about serving as a board member.

In this week’s episode, we speak with James Cunningham. James shares a little bit about his family, moving constantly during his childhood, his role as the Executive Assistant here at New Horizons, and the lessons he has learned during quarantine. He is a fierce competitor, passionate self-advocate, and a beloved member of our New horizons family.

In this week's episode, Marcellous and I discuss his fascinating childhood moving around the world, his work as a self-advocate for the disability community, and his two passions—basketball and poetry. He even shares a couple of his original poems with us!

In 1968, two Tennessee athletes travelled from Chattanooga to Chicago to compete in the first ever Special Olympics Summer Games. Eunice Kennedy Shriver's charge to the athlete's echoed that of ancient Roman gladiators. "Let me win, but if I cannot win let me be brave in the attempt."Amy Parker joins us today to describe her path in joining the Special Olympic of Tennessee and the amazing legacy and impact of those 1968 games on generations of Tennessee athletes today.

Jordan Casey establishes himself as a leader wherever he goes. He is a founding member of the WCHS Unified Sports club, a member of the Special Olympics TN youth advisory board, and was recently named the Athlete of the Year for the Special Olympics of TN. Jordan radiates positivity and is always looking for ways to lift the spirits of those around him, making him a winner on and off the field. I am excited to see what Jordan does next!

Lauren Pearcy has worked as the Tennessee Council's Director of Public Policy since Fall 2016. Before joining the Council, she worked at the Division of Tenncare helping design the Employment and Community First CHOICES program and overseeing Tennessee’s waiver services. Prior to moving to Tennessee, Lauren spent six years in Washington, D.C. working at the National Governors Association. While there, Lauren staffed the NGA’s signature initiative, A Better Bottom Line: Employing People with Disabilities. Lauren is an honors graduate with a Master’s Degree in Public Policy from George Washington University and a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of California, Davis. To subscribe to Lauren's newsletter: https://www.tn.gov/cdd.htmlFor Census information: https://thearc.org/census/

In this week's episode, I speak with Jennifer Aprea. Jennifer was an elementary school teacher for 12 years, currently serves at the Director of Family Engagement for The Arc of Tennessee, and offers an important perspective as the parent of a child with multiple disabilities. Her passion for education and families shines through, and I hope you enjoy our conversation as much as I did.

William Shakespeare once said "The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away."Kristina Tate has certainly found her gifts in a career of social work, and we are very fortunate that she has chosen New Horizons as one of the places she gives those gifts away. In today's episode, Kristina discusses our family based residential program and other causes close to her heart.

Last week, Dave Griffin joined us to talk a little bit about People First. In this week's episode, Pisanach (Peach) Chinratanalab joins us to discuss her role in People First, her recent graduation from Vanderbilt's Next Steps program, her love of country music, and her hopes for the future.

In today's episode, we speak with Dave Griffin. Dave has become a great partner to New Horizons, is a tireless advocate for individuals with disabilities, and joins us to share some of his own powerful story. To learn more about People First, contact Dave at:(615) 594-6529dgriffin@thearctn.org

Get to know Aisha Mansaray, the Executive Director of New Horizons. We discuss tennis, travel, and her dreams for the future on New Horizons.

Bryan Strebel, a beloved member of New Horizons for over 20 years, joins our inaugural podcast episode to talk about one of his favorite subjects—sports.