In this heartfelt episode of The Independent Life, Tony welcomes his longtime friend, Mark Stewart—or as Tony and close friends call him, "Stew." Stew was recently diagnosed with ALS, a progressive and terminal neurological disorder. With courage and clarity, Stew shares his journey, reflecting on what it's like to process this life-altering diagnosis, and the wisdom he's gained in learning how to live meaningfully with the time he has left.

Thirty years of friendship have shaped Tony and Stew’s bond, and a recent canoe trip inspired Tony to invite Stew to share his journey on the podcast. They delve into Stew’s experience of his diagnosis, his reflections on living with purpose, and the lessons he's embraced about time, relationships, and resilience. Despite the progression of ALS, which affects his ability to speak and move, Stew’s perspective shines through powerfully as he shares how he navigates his roles as a husband, father, and friend.

As a father to a daughter with Autism, Stew shares his insights on supporting her unique needs. Despite the prognosis, Stew’s perspective remains rooted in positivity. He talks about the necessity of focusing on constructive thoughts and showing up for the people who matter most, advocating for a life focused on rich, meaningful relationships.

Stew’s wisdom is a powerful reminder: life is an ongoing cycle of learning, letting go, and building strong connections. He encourages listeners to find "their people," detach from social perceptions, and seek joy in each day, even as he rides the waves of his own journey. This episode is a moving testament to resilience, love, and the legacy of kindness and compassion we each have the chance to leave behind.

In this inspiring episode, David Sussman, board president of the Telluride Adaptive Ski Program, shares his remarkable journey through disability and adaptive sports. David reflects on his path to living life with radical acceptance and independence, highlighting how focusing on what he can control has allowed him to thrive. He discusses the pivotal people and moments that have shaped his story, and how adaptive sports pushed him beyond his comfort zone, facilitating personal growth and transformation. David’s enthusiasm for life and his dedication to sharing that with others will leave you motivated to embrace new challenges and live fully.

David Sussman’s journey began in 1977 when, at twelve years old, he contracted Transverse Myelitis, a rare virus that left him paralyzed from the waist down. With the support of his parents, he focused on his future, adapting to life as a paraplegic in Irvine, California. David earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing from New Hampshire College and went on to have a successful career as a marketing executive.

In 1996, David discovered adaptive skiing during a trip to Telluride, Colorado, which reignited his sense of purpose. By 2009, he left the corporate world for a second career in hospitality and began teaching adaptive skiing with STRIDE Adaptive Sports in Albany, New York, allowing him to give back to others.

In 2015, David returned to Telluride to celebrate his 50th birthday and eventually made it his permanent home. Though forced into retirement in 2020 due to health concerns, David now dedicates himself full-time to the Telluride Adaptive Sports Program, where he serves as Board President, ski instructor, and Special Olympics coach.

Episode Resources:

• Telluride Adaptive Sports Program

• STRIDE Adaptive Sports

David Sussman Contact:

• Instagram
• Facebook

Kelsey Bell, Executive Director of Southwest Independence Center in Durango, Colorado, joins us on this episode to share her powerful journey of growing up with multiple disabilities and how she embraced her disability as part of her identity. She reflects on her experiences from elementary school through college, offering practical strategies for navigating academic success at each stage.

She also delves into her early role as a Youth Transition Specialist at the center and how it shaped her leadership style. Now at the helm of the organization, Kelsey talks about the importance of engaging the post-ADA generation in the disability movement and independent living, exploring what that engagement looks like and how to foster it.

Kelsey highlights the critical role of integrating the independent living philosophy into both the services and the culture of independent living centers. She explains how this approach is essential to creating healthy, collaborative, and efficient environments for staff and the people they serve.

Episode Resources:

Southwest Center For Independence

Contact: (970) 259-1672