Author Jayne Mattingly | Body Grief , Disability Advocacy, No Back Gap

Welcome Jayne Mattingly In this episode of Pushing Forward with Alycia | A Disability Podcast, host Alycia Anderson sits down with Jayne Mattingly, a dynamic disability advocate and author. Jayne opens up about her life-altering journey through multiple brain surgeries and her diagnosis with Ehlers Danlos syndrome. She shares how these experiences propelled her into the world of disability advocacy, body image work, and her unique approach to coping with body grief. It's Personal! Jayne's advocacy work is not just theoretical; it's deeply personal and incredibly practical. She delves into her innovative adaptive jeans project with No Back Gap, a company dedicated to creating stylish and functional clothing for people with disabilities. Jayne's passion for making adaptive fashion accessible to all shines through as she discusses the importance of clothing that not only fits well but also makes people feel confident and empowered. The conversation also highlights Jayne's collaboration with Kamala Harris and the Disabled Voters for Harris initiative, which aims to amplify the voices of disabled individuals in the political arena.  Key Moments: –Jayne's journey with intracranial hypertension and Ehlers Danlos syndrome and its impact on her life. –The role of body image in disability advocacy. –Insights into Jayne's adaptive jean project and its significance for the disability community. –Jayne's collaboration with adaptive fashion designers. –The upcoming release of Jayne's book "This is Body Grief." Quote:  "My body may have changed, but my spirit remains strong. Body grief is real, and it's something we all experience. Embrace your journey and find strength in your resilience." - Jayne Mattingly Skip to: 0:00 - Introduction and Today's Topic 0:30 - Meet Jayne Mattingly: Disability Advocate and Author 1:40 - Jayne's Early Life and Diagnosis with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome 2:32 - Overcoming Medical Challenges and Finding Advocacy 4:17 - The Concept of Body Grief and Its Universal Impact 5:43 - Jayne's Adaptive Jeans Project with No Back Gap 7:23 - Collaborating with Kamala Harris on Disability Rights 8:18 - The Importance of Representation in Media and Politics 9:26 - Jayne's Involvement with Disabled Voters for Harris 10:43 - The Upcoming Release of Jayne's Book "This is Body Grief" 11:33 - Transforming the Future of Disability Inclusion 12:18 - Join the Movement: Supporting Disability Advocacy 13:43 - Alycia's Reflections and Personal Story 14:36 - Future Goals and Call to Action 16:30 - Conclusion and Final Thoughts Follow Jayne Mattingly: Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn | The "And" Initiative Connect with Alycia: Instagram | LinkedIn | Book Alycia for Speaking | Book Alycia to Train Your Employees in Disabling Ableism | Alycia’s DEI Micro Learning Video Series | Feedback Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices