Welcome back to The Advocacy Life Podcast! In this crucial episode, "The Wheelchair Tool," we are bridging the gap of understanding between the public and mobility devices.

Host Kevin Nunez addresses common misconceptions and misunderstandings about wheelchairs, clarifying the difference between an electric wheelchair and a scooter.

Key Takeaways in this episode:

Tool, Not a Toy: A wheelchair is an expensive, customized life tool, not an accessory, handbag, or luxury item. Kevin's new chair, for which he's been fitted, costs between \$50,000 and \$60,000.

The New Chair Goal: Kevin shares his goal of getting a new wheelchair with a rise function to allow him to speak and interact at eye level, and to reach higher shelves.

Wheelchair Etiquette 101: Learn the dos and don'ts of interacting with someone in a wheelchair:

Never hang off the back or push the chair without permission.

Never grab the joystick.

Stop the overused, disrespectful jokes like, "How fast does that thing go?".

Defense Mechanism: Kevin discusses how the wheelchair serves as his only defense in public, even during an active shooter drill.

Maintenance & Health: The importance of regular servicing, and how being vigilant (like Kevin) can help prevent pressure sores (which are preventable, unlike what happened to Christopher Reeve).

Be respectful, be kind, and realize the person in the chair is just trying to live their life the best way they can.

Episode Transcript

https://turboscribe.ai/transcript/share/8457760100267752062/wmlNVLD4RKnq15t6xT7_ZC8Fqyt3qGD_oniImTCAIPI/tal-s4-e2-the-wheelchair-tool

Social Media/Website

@TheAdvocacyLife

FB @theadvocacyliferelaunched

Mean Website

https://advocatekevinnunez.wordpress.com/

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/TheAdvocayLifeRelaunched

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/theadvocacylife?igsh=N2tyYmdyajQwNGY4

Tumblr

https://www.tumblr.com/theadvocacylife

Threads

https://www.threads.net/@theadvocacylife

Pinterest

https://pin.it/7dHI38Dfs

Linkedin

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-nu%C3%B1ez-261856364/

Books

Living Beyond Disability book series

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F1H7DM4Z?binding=paperback&ref=dbs_dp_rwt_sb_pc_tpbk

Letters from Limbo Newsletter

https://advocatekevinnunez.wordpress.com/moments-of-brightness-newsletter/

PayPal

https://www.paypal.me/KevinGNunez

Cashapp

https://cash.app/$KevinGNunez

Welcome back to The Advocacy Life Podcast and Vlog! We are kicking off 2026 with a brand new season of episodes, focusing on what truly matters: Gratitude and Goals!

Host Kevin Nunez is back after missing November and December (life happened, including a kitchen remodel and he's bringing quality over quantity by switching to two high-quality episodes a month.

In this episode, Kevin gets personal, sharing what he's deeply thankful for:

Family and Friends: A huge shout out to the family (Dad, Mom, Stepdad, etc.) who help set up the podcast equipment, and to friends—the initial reason he started podcasting.

Growth: Being thankful for the podcast evolving from sketchy cell phone recordings to a fully-developed show, and for hitting 200 subscribers on theadvocacylife.com alone!

Health Victories: Celebrating a major victory in 2025: the first year in about five years without any surgeries or major hospitalizations.

Small Connections: Sharing a major connection made at a state function that led to sending in a resume for a potential staff position with Governor-Elect Mikey Sherrill.

Then, he lays out his ambitious goals for 2026:

Writing: Finishing his third book, the conclusion to the Living Beyond Disability series, which focuses on Disability Policy 101 for self-advocates.

Personal Victory: Buying new clothes and new accessible Billy Shoes—a huge deal after losing weight and dealing with the constant battle of finding shoes that fit orthotics.

Social Life: The deeply personal goal of making a real, close friend to talk to more regularly.

Episode Transcript

https://turboscribe.ai/transcript/share/4836865999870251777/-RSP64PDdqblEDJmK-nf3q09PHSVtyz6ZQFpKGTXb4w/tal-s4-e1-goals-and-gratitude

Social Media/Website

@TheAdvocacyLife

FB @theadvocacyliferelaunched

Mean Website

https://advocatekevinnunez.wordpress.com/

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/TheAdvocayLifeRelaunched

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/theadvocacylife?igsh=N2tyYmdyajQwNGY4

Tumblr

https://www.tumblr.com/theadvocacylife

Threads

https://www.threads.net/@theadvocacylife

Pinterest

https://pin.it/7dHI38Dfs

Linkedin

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-nu%C3%B1ez-261856364/

Books

Living Beyond Disability book series

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F1H7DM4Z?binding=paperback&ref=dbs_dp_rwt_sb_pc_tpbk

Letters from Limbo Newsletter

https://advocatekevinnunez.wordpress.com/moments-of-brightness-newsletter/

PayPal

https://www.paypal.me/KevinGNunez

Cashapp

https://cash.app/$KevinGNunez

Description

False hope can be a comforting lie, but it often leads to greater disappointment. In this powerful and incredibly honest episode, Kevin Nuñez tackles the sensitive topic of false hope within the disability community, sharing his personal experiences and why he believes brutal honesty, paired with empathy, is essential.

Evin recounts his own childhood experiences with doctors and therapists who gave his family false expectations about "walking again," only to face repeated letdowns He argues that this practice, often well-intentioned, can be more damaging than helpful, especially for children who internalize these unfulfilled promises as personal failures This isn't just about physical rehabilitation; it extends to broader societal interactions where people offer empty reassurances about things they don't understand

This episode challenges us to rethink how we support and communicate with individuals with disabilities[cite: Kevin advocates for a balance of empathy and realism, pushing for genuine understanding over platitudes He asks why we celebrate minimal progress instead of recognizing the full, complex lives people with disabilities lead, and stresses the importance of fostering self-love and self-respect in a world that often measures worth by physical ability.

Show Notes

• New Jersey families support planning councils https://njcdd.org/the-regional-family-support-planning-councils/

• Mom to Mom hotline https://mom2mom.us.com/contact/

• NJ SPAN https://spanadvocacy.org/

• Episode Transcript TAL S3 E 17 Disability and Parenting.docx

@TheAdvocacyLife

FB @theadvocacyliferelaunched

Mean Website

https://advocatekevinnunez.wordpress.com/

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/TheAdvocayLifeRelaunched

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/theadvocacylife?igsh=N2tyYmdyajQwNGY4

Tumblr

https://www.tumblr.com/theadvocacylife

Threads

https://www.threads.net/@theadvocacylife

Pinterest

https://pin.it/7dHI38Dfs

Linkedin

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-nu%C3%B1ez-261856364/

Living Beyond Disability book series

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F1H7DM4Z?binding=paperback&ref=dbs_dp_rwt_sb_pc_tpbk

https://advocatekevinnunez.wordpress.com/moments-of-brightness-newsletter/

PayPal

https://www.paypal.me/KevinGNunez

Cashapp

https://cash.app/$KevinGNunez

Social Media/Website
Books
Letters from Limbo Newsletter

Description

We all have dreams, but what happens when they don't work out? In this powerful episode, Kevin Nuñez shares his personal journey of chasing a lifelong dream, only to have a new, unexpected door open. He reflects on his childhood dream of being a politician and how that evolved into a deeply personal goal of serving on a national advocacy board.

Kevin takes you behind the scenes of his application process, sharing his confidence and the emotional blow of being rejected from what he saw as his "dream job". But just two hours later, he received a call that changed everything, offering him an opportunity to serve on another national board that he had never even considered.

This episode is a vital reminder that advocacy isn't for money or fame; it's about being a voice for the voiceless and "planting the seed for a tree that someone else will sit under". Listen in as Kevin explores the importance of being aware of the "windows and doors that are open to us" and why a perceived "no" can be the redirection you need.

Episode Transcripts

TAL S3 E 15 Open Doors (1).docx

Show Notes

• NJCDD https://njcdd.org/about-the-njcdd/

• NACDD https://nacdd.org/

• TASH https://tash.org/

@TheAdvocacyLife

FB @theadvocacyliferelaunched

Mean Website

https://advocatekevinnunez.wordpress.com/

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/TheAdvocayLifeRelaunched

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/theadvocacylife?igsh=N2tyYmdyajQwNGY4

Tumblr

https://www.tumblr.com/theadvocacylife

Threads

https://www.threads.net/@theadvocacylife

Pinterest

https://pin.it/7dHI38Dfs

Linkedin

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-nu%C3%B1ez-261856364/

Living Beyond Disability book series

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F1H7DM4Z?binding=paperback&ref=dbs_dp_rwt_sb_pc_tpbk

https://advocatekevinnunez.wordpress.com/moments-of-brightness-newsletter/

PayPal

https://www.paypal.me/KevinGNunez

Cashapp

https://cash.app/$KevinGNunez

Social Media/Website
Books
Letters from Limbo Newsletter

Description

When did we, as a society, give up our conscience for comfort? In this powerful and unfiltered episode, Kevin Nuñez challenges listeners to pop their own "bubble" and confront the uncomfortable truths of a divided America.

Kevin opens up about disturbing events, like the tragic death of a young woman on a subway, and questions why people stood by and did nothing. He reflects on a time when a national tragedy like 9/11 united Americans, contrasting that with the current culture of indifference.

This is more than just a commentary on society; it's a personal call to action. Kevin shares how his disability has taught him to constantly adapt and grow, a skill he argues many Americans have lost. He challenges the idea that being able to walk means you are going somewhere, pointing out that many people who walk all day have no purpose behind their steps.

episode transcript

TAL S3 E 14 Pop Your Bubble.docx

Show Notes

• All comments welcome

@TheAdvocacyLife

FB @theadvocacyliferelaunched

Mean Website

https://advocatekevinnunez.wordpress.com/

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/TheAdvocayLifeRelaunched

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/theadvocacylife?igsh=N2tyYmdyajQwNGY4

Tumblr

https://www.tumblr.com/theadvocacylife

Threads

https://www.threads.net/@theadvocacylife

Pinterest

https://pin.it/7dHI38Dfs

Linkedin

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-nu%C3%B1ez-261856364/

Living Beyond Disability book series

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F1H7DM4Z?binding=paperback&ref=dbs_dp_rwt_sb_pc_tpbk

https://advocatekevinnunez.wordpress.com/moments-of-brightness-newsletter/

PayPal

https://www.paypal.me/KevinGNunez

Cashapp

https://cash.app/$KevinGNunez

Social Media/Website
Books
Letters from Limbo Newsletter

Laugh with Your Disability

Description

In this episode, Kevin decides to add more humor to his podcast by sharing three embarrassing stories from his own life. He explains how learning to laugh with himself, and not at himself, has made it easier to navigate life with a disability.

Kevin shares a story about falling in a parking lot due to poor depth perception and another about an awkward moment with a new caregiver that turned into a lesson on acceptance . Finally, he talks about a prank that, despite his initial anger, made him feel truly welcome by his peers with disabilities . The episode aims to teach listeners to laugh when they fall down—physically, mentally, or spiritually—and to find growth in every uncomfortable moment.

Episode Transcript

TAL S3 E12 Laughing with Disability.docx

Show Notes

• Leave your funny stories in the comments.

@TheAdvocacyLife

FB @theadvocacyliferelaunched

Mean Website

https://advocatekevinnunez.wordpress.com/

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/TheAdvocayLifeRelaunched

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/theadvocacylife?igsh=N2tyYmdyajQwNGY4

Tumblr

https://www.tumblr.com/theadvocacylife

Threads

https://www.threads.net/@theadvocacylife

Pinterest

https://pin.it/7dHI38Dfs

Linkedin

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-nu%C3%B1ez-261856364/

Living Beyond Disability book series

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F1H7DM4Z?binding=paperback&ref=dbs_dp_rwt_sb_pc_tpbk

https://advocatekevinnunez.wordpress.com/moments-of-brightness-newsletter/

PayPal

https://www.paypal.me/KevinGNunez

Cashapp

https://cash.app/$KevinGNunez

Social Media/Website
Books
Letters from Limbo Newsletter

Power of Disabled Siblings

Description

In this heartfelt episode of the Advocacy Life podcast, Kevin shares personal anecdotes about the profound role his siblings have played in his life and advocacy journey. He emphasizes that siblings are often a person's first, best, and sometimes only advocate. Kevin, who was born a twin, discusses the unique bond with his brother, who is also disabled, highlighting how they support and guide each other despite their differing abilities.

The episode also features a moving tribute to his late stepsister, who, though not biologically related or disabled, was a constant source of love and support. Kevin shares how she helped him through a dark period and held up his "light" when he couldn't. He encourages both disabled and non-disabled siblings to cherish their bond, as it provides a unique form of protection and understanding that parents, while loving, may not always be able to offer. This episode is a powerful reminder of the dignity of risk siblings can provide and the unwavering love that exists between them.

Episode Transcript

TAL S3 E11 The Power of a Disabled Siblings.docx

Show Notes

• Hug Your Siblings

@TheAdvocacyLife

FB @theadvocacyliferelaunched

Mean Website

https://advocatekevinnunez.wordpress.com/

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/TheAdvocayLifeRelaunched

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/theadvocacylife?igsh=N2tyYmdyajQwNGY4

Tumblr

https://www.tumblr.com/theadvocacylife

Threads

https://www.threads.net/@theadvocacylife

Pinterest

https://pin.it/7dHI38Dfs

Linkedin

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-nu%C3%B1ez-261856364/

Living Beyond Disability book series

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F1H7DM4Z?binding=paperback&ref=dbs_dp_rwt_sb_pc_tpbk

https://advocatekevinnunez.wordpress.com/moments-of-brightness-newsletter/

PayPal

https://www.paypal.me/KevinGNunez

Cashapp

https://cash.app/$KevinGNunez

Social Media/Website
Books
Letters from Limbo Newsletter

Man Talk

Description

This episode is for the guys. In this raw and honest conversation, Kevin dives into the unique challenges of being a disabled man in America. He shares his personal experiences and insights on topics that are rarely discussed, from navigating the complexities of dating and relationships to combating the feeling of being "emasculated" by a society that often sees men with disabilities as children.

This episode aims to give men with disabilities a confidence boost and remind them of their value. Kevin emphasizes the importance of self-acceptance and provides a candid perspective on topics like intimacy, financial fears, and gaining acceptance from a partner's family. He also challenges the ableist idea that people with disabilities should only date each other, advocating for a focus on being kind, being yourself, and finding a partner who sees you for who you are, not for your disability.

Show Notes

• Disability hierarchy is real, and it's holding us back https://www.meriahnichols.com/disability-hierarchy/

  Episode Transcript

  TAL S3 E 10 Man Talk.docx3

@TheAdvocacyLife

FB @theadvocacyliferelaunched

Mean Website

https://advocatekevinnunez.wordpress.com/

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/TheAdvocayLifeRelaunched

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/theadvocacylife?igsh=N2tyYmdyajQwNGY4

Tumblr

https://www.tumblr.com/theadvocacylife

Threads

https://www.threads.net/@theadvocacylife

Pinterest

https://pin.it/7dHI38Dfs

Linkedin

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-nu%C3%B1ez-261856364/

Living Beyond Disability book series

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F1H7DM4Z?binding=paperback&ref=dbs_dp_rwt_sb_pc_tpbk

https://advocatekevinnunez.wordpress.com/moments-of-brightness-newsletter/

PayPal

https://www.paypal.me/KevinGNunez

Cashapp

https://cash.app/$KevinGNunez

Social Media/Website
Books
Letters from Limbo Newsletter