The Spinal Muscular Atrophy Podcast with Kevin Schaefer · SMA News Today

#149: Jessica Keogh, Ed. D., Educator and Life Coach With SMA

·41 min·2 clips

Growing up, every doctor said 'how unique' and 'we don't know'—I didn't get my actual diagnosis until I was about 30 years old.

Kevin Schaefer hosts a thoughtful conversation with Jessica Keough. He frames her as a special education instructor, disability rights advocate, life coach, and friend. Jessica recently earned her PhD in education. Her dissertation focused on post-high-school life for people with physical disabilities, and she used qualitative research on the subject. That work shapes the way she thinks about access. Jessica begins with her own background. She says she has had SMA her entire life and is the oldest of three, and that both of her siblings do not have symptoms or signs of SMA. The discussion moves into school and college. Jessica and Kevin talk about how much easier things would be if accessibility and funding were less limited. She shares that she did not limit herself to one college option when applying. The conversation also touches on the reality that supportive programs exist, but they are scattered. Kevin connects that to a broader point about education. He says educators are supposed to teach all students how to navigate barriers. Jessica agrees and pushes the idea further. She says it would be better if fewer barriers existed in the first place. Later, they talk about the start of a school year. Jessica describes meeting new students and telling them about her disability and the different ways she does things. She notes that children are often curious in a straightforward way, and that adults are more likely to pull them away. The conversation closes with her coaching work and her nonprofit Faith Above My Ability, which she says helped shape that path.

As heard by us

A steady conversation about post school life, access, and the realities of disabled adulthood.

The episode keeps its focus on what life after school can look like for people living with SMA, with Jessica Keough and Kevin Schaefer carrying the conversation.

Read the full review in PlayNext →

Why you'd press play

If you want a calm, honest take on life after school with SMA, start here.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

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