A different shaped heart conversations about disability awareness

Win Charles
  • 4.7 (64)
  • MENTAL HEALTH
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Welcome to A different shaped heart conversations about being awesome with a disability and raising awareness at the same time and absolutely Yes sometimes you have to say F…..CK you to your own mindset and especially your disability! 

  1. 2D AGO

    We Are Trying To Delay Surgery While We Find Reliable Accessible Transportation

    Send us Fan Mail https://gofund.me/0400dcee2 Foot pain sounds simple until you’re the one staring at your shoes thinking, “I can’t do this today.” We’re checking in with a blunt, personal update on severe bunion pain, what the podiatrist says, and why we’re trying hard to keep surgery as a last resort. Recovery isn’t just inconvenient, it can mean months off your feet, lost strength, and a huge hit to independence. After a past hip replacement spiral that ended with aspiration pneumonia and an ICU stay, the risk calculation looks very different. Then we pivot to the other half of the same problem: transportation. If you don’t have reliable mobility, every medical decision gets heavier. We talk about raising money through a GoFundMe, visiting a dealer, and trying to line up a wheelchair accessible van in Phoenix, Arizona. We get specific about what “handicapped accessible vehicle” needs to include, from a ramp to a workable seating and transfer setup. We also share what we’re looking for brand-wise, why a newer Chrysler Pacifica is the goal, and why the used market can be a minefield when you’ve already dealt with breakdowns. We also touch the real-world obstacles people rarely say out loud: grant hunting, credit issues, the need for a co-signer, and the safety concerns that come with ride share, especially as a woman. If you’ve ever dealt with chronic pain, disability logistics, or just the stress of keeping your life moving when your body refuses to cooperate, this conversation will feel familiar. Subscribe for more honest updates, share this with someone who understands accessibility, and leave a review to help more listeners find us. What’s your best tip for finding grants or affordable accessible vans? Support the show

    15 min

  2. 2D AGO

    We Finally Put Danielle’s Name On The Podcast For A Reason

    Send us Fan Mail Danielle landed a radio interview and I hadn’t even heard it yet, so we press play on the story behind the story. What starts as a quick recap turns into a real look at how local media moments can boost confidence, widen visibility, and shine a light on disability inclusion work that actually changes lives. We talk about what the interview focused on, including Best Buddies and the personal connection that made the segment feel meaningful instead of performative. Danielle also got to sing her own songs on air, which is its own kind of brave, and we share the details on her next round of DJ duties coming up on May 3 and May 5. If you love behind-the-scenes podcast conversations, artist journeys, and community-centered storytelling, this one has all of it. Then I drop a surprise announcement Danielle doesn’t know is coming: we’re renaming the podcast to reflect what’s already true, that we co-host this together. The rebrand is about credit, clarity, and building something that feels honest for long-time listeners and brand-new ones. Also, yes, Arizona decides to add dramatic rain and wind right in the middle of our recording. Stick around to hear what we’re changing, why we’re changing it, and what we’re covering next, including Special Olympics and Special Olympics snowboarding. If you enjoy the show, subscribe, share it with a friend, and leave a review so more people can find us. Support the show

    10 min

  3. APR 2

    I’m Recovering From Surgery And Rebuilding My Next Step

    Send us Fan Mail Tomorrow the cast comes off, and that one moment has me thinking about everything at once: healing, mobility, patience, and what it means to live with cerebral palsy while your body forces you to slow down. I’m home after a hip replacement and hamstring lengthening, following a month in the hospital, and I’m walking you through the real in-between stage where you’re not fully “back,” but you’re finally moving toward what’s next. We get into the practical side of post-surgery recovery: the knee immobilizer, the bandaging questions, the frustration of not being able to do much with a cast, and the relief of knowing the hip replacement feels stable. Then we talk rehab decisions that can make or break momentum, including why neurological physical therapy may be a better fit for CP than standard orthopedic PT, and how it feels to wait for answers while knowing your leg will be weak at first. The surprise turn is that recovery is also triggering a bigger life update. I’m dropping one project and picking up another as fall approaches, and I’m even making a college major shift that feels like a full reset. If you’re navigating cerebral palsy, disability, surgery recovery, physical therapy, or any life change that demands flexibility, you’ll hear the messy, honest thought process behind rebuilding a plan. Subscribe, share this with someone in rehab, and leave a review with the change you’re trying to make next. Support the show

    9 min

  4. MAR 7

    From Infection And OT Confusion To Standing Again

    Send us Fan Mail Some days feel like a gauntlet: a hip that’s healing, an incision that went itchy-to-infected, a possible pneumonia flare, and a tangle of OT and PT notes that don’t quite line up. We walked through the whole maze with honesty, humor, and one bright anchor—standing again after a string of setbacks. That single moment of progress reframed the day and gave us a target to steer toward: by April, walk to the bathroom on our own. We talk about what makes recovery so mentally hard: not just pain or fatigue, but mixed instructions that burn precious energy. Clear occupational therapy goals matter. Accessible physical therapy routines matter. So do the small rituals that keep you going—antibiotics on time, breathing treatments to keep lungs calm, and permission to check in with school tomorrow instead of pushing past exhaustion today. Along the way, a surprise delivery shifts the mood: a cat made of flowers carrying a tiny medical bag, plus chocolates. Support like that is more than cute; it’s fuel for resilience. We also open the door to what’s next. The show is moving to Tuesdays and Thursdays, and we’re planning a feature on Special Olympics, spotlighting lived experience, training, and community. And yes, there’s a spicy take: Apple’s move into video podcasting doesn’t serve listeners who are driving or juggling life; we’re staying audio‑only to keep the show safe, accessible, and focused. Expect more real talk, fewer medical play‑by‑plays, and steady progress behind the scenes. If this story gave you a nudge—whether you’re navigating rehab, chronic illness, or just a hard week—hit play, share it with a friend who needs courage today, and leave a quick review so others can find the show. Support the show

    10 min

  5. FEB 28

    Life Update: Hip Replacement, CP, And A New Path

    Send us Fan Mail The quiet after a hospital stay can feel louder than the beeps and hall lights. Coming home post–hip replacement and hamstring lengthening, we open up about the messy middle of recovery with cerebral palsy: the hope of cast removal, the wobble of weak muscles, and the puzzle of choosing the right physical therapy. Six weeks plus a few days in, the hip feels secure, but the next move matters—orthopedic PT for joint safety or neurological PT for tone, gait, and motor control. We walk through what each path offers, where they overlap, and how to advocate for a plan that fits a CP body healing from an orthopedic surgery. We also share the life reframe that follows any major procedure: dropping one project, starting another this fall, and reshaping a college path that better aligns with health and energy. Think of it as changing majors without the meltdown—clear-eyed choices, paced goals, and a schedule that respects rehab. Along the way, we trade small hacks that make a big difference, from retiring the trash-bag shower routine to setting up recovery stations and using movement snacks instead of marathon sessions. The theme is simple and strong: protect the new hip, honor the nervous system, and let purpose guide the calendar. If you’re navigating CP, orthopedic surgery, or the foggy space between medical timelines and real life, this conversation offers practical takeaways, honest moments, and a reminder that progress is personal. Hit play, then tell us: would you choose neurological PT, orthopedic PT, or a blend? Subscribe for updates, share with a friend who needs a lift, and leave a review to help others find the show. Support the show

    9 min

  6. FEB 20

    From Hip Surgery To A New Path In Counseling

    Send us Fan Mail The first night home after surgery always tells the truth. We’re honest about the itch you can’t scratch, the cast you can’t ignore, and the stubborn hope that keeps you showing up for PT when the bed feels like the only safe place. This update pulls back the curtain on what recovery really looks like—two incisions, a knee immobilizer, and a plan to earn back each step with patience and grit. We walk through the rehab blueprint: outpatient PT to rebuild strength and mechanics, home PT to reinforce safe movement, and the messy admin that comes with clarifying diagnoses, negotiating PT vs OT, and threading the needle of insurance and scheduling. Along the way, we pivot our academic path toward counseling with a focus on disability, caregivers, and families—because lived experience belongs at the therapy table. That choice comes with real-world fights for tutoring and accessible support, plus the mental load of tracking paperwork, classes, and energy on days defined by pain. On the home front, we simplify: moving to an all-Apple smart speaker setup to cut friction, planning repairs and device resets for after the cast comes off, and building routines that save willpower for healing. We cap it with a promise—new episodes every Tuesday and Thursday—because consistency builds community and community makes the hard days doable. If you’re navigating recovery, disability advocacy, or just trying to design a home and school life that fits a changing body, this one’s for you. Subscribe, share with a friend who needs a boost, and leave a quick review to help more listeners find the show. Your support keeps us moving—one careful step at a time. Support the show

    16 min

  7. FEB 8

    Chocolate Cake Tried To Kill Me, But Insurance Might Finish The Job

    Send us Fan Mail A single bite changed everything. What began as a straightforward recovery from hip and hamstring surgeries veered into aspiration pneumonia, a fight for air, and a crash course in medical advocacy. We walk you through the minute-by-minute reality: the warning signs that were missed, the plea for intubation that took too long to land, and the moment a routine anesthesia choice nearly collided with a known allergy. It’s unvarnished, emotional, and grounded in practical takeaways you can use if you or someone you love ever faces a similar crisis. We open up about how a caregiver’s voice can cut through chaos when yours won’t, why documenting allergies and repeating them matters, and how to handle transfers when hospitals are out of ICU beds. From the suction that cleared thick mucus to the sedation that fogged memory, we share the clinical steps alongside the human ones—staying calm, asking direct questions, and pushing for the right level of care. You’ll hear how our aides balanced fear and focus, how a medical liaison showed up before sunrise, and how community support steadied the ground under our feet. Then we turn to rehab reality: a heavy cast, energy budgeting, and building a plan that integrates physical therapy and occupational therapy when insurance only funds so much. We map out practical strategies for continuity of care, including choosing facilities that fit your needs, pacing progress to protect surgical gains, and preparing for the first days back home. If you’ve navigated disability, chronic illness, or complex post-op care, you’ll recognize the small victories and the stubborn barriers. If you haven’t, consider this a guide to speaking up, writing things down, and not apologizing for persistence. If this story resonates, follow the show, share it with a friend who’s advocating inside the system, and leave a review with your best tip for surviving hospital chaos. Your words help others breathe a little easier. Subscribe and stay with us as we work our way back home. Support the show

    14 min

  8. JAN 7

    What If Recovery Is The Moment I Find Myself Again

    Send us Fan Mail The countdown is real: I’m heading into a total hip replacement on Monday, and I’m bringing you into the plan, the fear, and the hope. After months of pain and a stubborn leg pulled up by CP tone, the goal is simple but big—get this leg to drop straight and make sitting, standing, and moving a whole lot more human again. I talk through what the surgery involves, why a titanium joint could change everything, and how we’re preparing for the curveballs that come with cerebral palsy. I share the practical details that matter when your body doesn’t follow the manual: bracing if the leg needs guidance, sleeves to protect skin, and a pain plan that avoids an anesthesia that once sent me to the ICU. There’s a real chance of six weeks in braces, and an equally real chance we skip them if the alignment holds. Either way, I’ve lined up outpatient PT with a team that knows hip replacements and CP, because consistency, careful weight‑bearing, and smart pacing are the path to progress. Beyond the operating room, this is about rebuilding life. I’ve set targets to return to work and school by mid‑January, with podcasting back on the horizon as soon as the body allows. I also talk honestly about the emotional toll—months in bed, the frustration of dependence, and the messy moments that happen when pain piles up. You’ll hear how I’m documenting recovery with before‑and‑after photos, planning transport, and leaning on community to keep me grounded and accountable. If you’ve faced surgery, CP spasticity, or just a long season of waiting, this conversation will feel like a hand on your shoulder. Stick around for updates, share your recovery tips, and send some strength my way. If this resonated, subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who might need a little hope today. Support the show

    16 min
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Welcome to A different shaped heart conversations about being awesome with a disability and raising awareness at the same time and absolutely Yes sometimes you have to say F…..CK you to your own mindset and especially your disability! 

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