Director of the National Council on Independent Living, Theo Braddy explains why being called "inspiring" for ordinary things does real damage. He and Matt Shedd work through the consequences on both sides, specifically how non-disabled people build a worldview out of low expectations, and how disabled people can internalize it. Theo illustrates this with hard examples running from Jerry Lewis telethons to Special Olympics to campus buddy programs. Theo also draws the line he will accept: be inspired by someone's story once you actually know it, not by the wheelchair you just noticed in the checkout line. Watch the full conversation and share it with someone who has never stopped to think about what “you're so inspiring” actually communicates.THE OVERVIEW

0:00 The Overview: What Inspiration Porn Is

2:55 Ordinary Things Made to Seem Extraordinary

4:45 The Elders Who Said He Needed More Faith

THE MISCONCEPTIONS

5:50 The Misconceptions: People Turned Into Props

8:45 When Disabled People Internalize It

10:40 The Kind of Inspiration Theo Will Accept

THE REAL STORY

13:05 The Real Story: The Power Differential

13:35 Special Olympics and the Other 364 Days

16:10 Best Buddies and Manufactured Friendship

WHAT YOU CAN DO

22:05 What You Can Do: Start With Real Interaction

24:38 The Minister Who Chased Him Through the Mall

26:42 Unlearning What You Were Taught

Contact us at matt@disabilityrightspodcasts.org or visit disabilityrightspodcasts.org

n this episode of Disability Rights Now, host Matt Shedd talks with National Council on Independent Living director Theo Braddy about his new memoir, From Shack to the White House: A Memoir of Four Lives. Theo traces his journey from growing up poor in the deep South, to acquiring a spinal cord injury at 15, to surviving a nursing home, becoming a family and community leader, and ultimately serving as a national voice for disability rights and independent living. He reflects on internalized ableism, the trauma of institutionalization, the power of knowledge, and what it meant to hear President Joe Biden call him “a man of great courage.” From Shack to the White House: A Memoir of Four Lives is available as an ebook through many platforms: https://books2read.com/fromshacktowhitehouse

You can order on Amazon as well: https://www.amazon.com/Shack-White-House-Memoir-Lives-ebook/dp/B0G3T182Q2

If you want help creating a podcast for disability rights or any other type of organization, reach out to matt@disabilityrightspodcasts.org or visit https://www.disabilityrightspodcasts.com

In this episode of Disability Rights Now, we speak with Keri Gray—speaker, entrepreneur, and keynote speaker at this year’s NCIL Conference. Keri shares her perspective on the intersection of race and disability, the need for sustained investment in Black disabled leadership, and the importance of centering lived experience in systems change.

We discuss what it takes to build truly inclusive spaces—and why that work must be led by the people most affected. Through her consulting, speaking, and coalition-building, Keri is creating platforms that elevate and empower diverse disabled voices across the country.

You can learn more about Keri’s work at ignitebykerigray.com and see all the other things she’s up to on https://linktr.ee/kerigraygroup.

If you're interested in launching a podcast for your disability advocacy organization, visit DisabilityRightsPodcasts.org or reach out to Matt Shedd on LinkedIn.

In this episode of Disability Rights Now, we speak with Keely Cat-Wells—entrepreneur, advocate, and keynote speaker at this year’s NCIL Conference. Keely shares how she’s using technology to build more inclusive hiring pipelines, reshape outdated systems, and create new pathways to employment for people with disabilities. We talk about authentic representation, accessibility in media and business, and what it takes to create a truly inclusive talent economy.

You can learn more about Keely’s work at KeelyCatWells.com and by visiting her production company at https://www.makingspacemedia.com.

Disability Rights Today is produced by DisabilityRightsPodcasts.org, a service that helps advocacy organizations create story-driven podcasts and original web content. To learn more, visit the site or find Matt Shedd on LinkedIn.

In this special NCIL Conference preview episode, we talk with Theo Braddy, Executive Director of the National Council on Independent Living (NCIL), about the urgent threats facing disability rights in today’s political climate—and how the independent living movement can respond.

Theo shares his vision for the future of NCIL, what it means to lead with lived experience, and why building cross-movement solidarity is essential in this moment. We also discuss the upcoming NCIL Conference, happening July 21–24, 2025, and what attendees can expect as the organization prepares for its next chapter.

This conversation offers a candid look at national advocacy, emerging challenges, and the leadership needed to keep disability rights moving forward.

Disability Rights Today is produced by DisabilityRightsPodcasts.org, a podcast production service for disability advocates, Centers for Independent Living, and Statewide Independent Living Councils.

To learn more or launch a podcast for your organization, visit DisabilityRightsPodcasts.org or reach out to host Matt Shedd on LinkedIn.