Happy Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month! 💚 (Better late than never, as usual with me! 😉)
I’ll admit, I’m poking a little fun at myself for just now getting my first awareness post up for the month. But as Travis Birkenstock once famously said in Clueless, tardiness is not something you can do all on your own! Between managing my energy levels, the general chaos of life, and my ADHD, I’m just staying true to my brand of being “fashionably late.” Besides, the truth—and this collaboration—is always worth the wait! 😎
Usually, Wheelchair Detective is dedicated to uncovering the difficult truths and seeking justice for vulnerable individuals in the true crime world. However, for March, I wanted to take a momentary “recess” from the dark side of history to shine a light on the incredible people living those stories today.
Part of my mission with this blog is to give a voice to the disability community, and sometimes the best way to do that is to let others share theirs. Today, I’m stepping back from the investigator’s desk to host my first-ever guest collaboration. I’m joined by my friend and fellow creator, Aaron Kalinowski, a podcaster and advocate who is a powerful example of the perseverance I often talk about here. We sat down (virtually!) to discuss his journey with CP and autism, his life behind the mic, and even his take on some of the cases we’ve covered right here on the blog.
The Interview:
Wheelchair Detective: When were you diagnosed with cerebral palsy, and how does it affect your daily life?
Aaron: I was diagnosed with cerebral palsy right at birth after experiencing a brain bleed in the level 3 and level 4 areas of my brain.
Wheelchair Detective: When did you or your family first notice your unique mental abilities, and what was the process like getting diagnosed with autism?
Aaron: My family noticed my unique mental abilities early on when I taught myself how to use computers; I’ve been self-taught for many years since I was a kid. I was eventually diagnosed with autism when my family realized it took me a lot longer to communicate. That diagnosis really opened my eyes to the many challenges I would face.
Wheelchair Detective: What is the biggest difference for you between hosting a podcast and writing a blog entry?
Aaron: The biggest difference is the medium: with writing, you tell a story through words on a page. With a podcast, you talk about various topics and tell those stories through audio or video.
Wheelchair Detective: What made you interested in podcasting and disability advocacy?
Aaron: I have been advocating for people with disabilities since 2009. That’s when I started my Facebook page, Aaron’s Journey, to tell my story, answer questions, and build a community.
Wheelchair Detective: Since it’s March, how do you personally celebrate or spread awareness using your platform?
Aaron: I like to celebrate by telling my story, sharing the stories of others, and speaking publicly about it on my podcast, social media, and in person.
Wheelchair Detective: What do you hope your audience takes away from every episode of your podcast?
Aaron: I want them to take away the message that with the right perseverance and determination, you can achieve anything you set your mind to. I want them to know they are not alone in the world.
Wheelchair Detective: As a creator with CP and autism, are there specific tools or “hacks” you use to make recording and editing easier?
Aaron: For remote interviews, I like to use Zoom. For audio editing, I use Audacity. If you are planning to do video, I highly recommend DaVinci Resolve for computers or CapCut for mobile video editing. However, my personal recommendations for audio editing are Audacity, Adobe Audition, or Reaper.
Wheelchair Detective: Just for fun, what are your favorite types of movies?
Aaron: Some of my favorites are horror, thrillers, and comedies.
Wheelchair Detective: In your opinion, what has been the most shocking or memorable case I’ve covered so far on Wheelchair Detective?
Aaron: The most shocking and memorable case you’ve covered, in my opinion, is the case of Kadaris Maddox. Thank you, Jennifer, for reaching out, and I wish you luck on your next case!
Wheelchair Detective’s Closing Thoughts:
A huge thank you to Aaron for sharing his story and his “hacks” with the Wheelchair Detective community. It is advocates like him who remind us that while our physical or neurological journeys might be complex, our potential is limitless.
To keep up with Aaron, you can find him on most social media platforms under the username @aaronsjourneypodcast. His podcast is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, or wherever you prefer to listen, and you can find all his relevant links in one place at links.fans/aaronsjourneypodcast.
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