Episode 154 - Brilly Semenov - Redefining Ability: Brilly Semenov on Self-Advocacy, Resilience, and Empowering Families

This episode: Redefining Ability: Brilly Semenov on Self-Advocacy, Resilience, and Empowering Families.

Here’s what you’ll learn about:

Introduction and Purpose of the Seminar (0:00)

• Host Drew Deraney introduces the podcast, mentioning it is the first live in-person event for “From Caving in to Crushing It" podcast.
• The interview is held at the Residence Inn by Marriott in Saddle River, New Jersey.
• Drew thanks Priscilla Leto, the founder and owner of the nonprofit Mission: Kid Success, for introducing the guest speaker, Brilly Semenov.
• The interview aims to discuss overcoming adversity and the different types of women who face it.

Types of Women Facing Adversity (1:08)

• Drew explains the three types of women who face adversity: Woman number one who is unaware of adversity, Woman number two who sees it as a barrier, and Woman number three who sees it as an opportunity for self-awareness and growth.
• He emphasizes the importance of taking massive action to become a stronger woman.
• Drew invites Brilly to share a defining moment in her life that transformed her from her past self to her present self.

Brilly's Journey and Self-Advocacy (2:43)

• Brilly shares her experience of growing up with cerebral palsy and the challenges she faced in middle and elementary school.
• She explains how she learned to advocate for herself and prove that people with different abilities can achieve their goals.
• Brilly discusses the importance of self-advocacy and how it helped her overcome obstacles and prove her capabilities to others.
• She emphasizes the need for inclusion and diversity in society.

Challenges and Rewards of Overcoming Adversity (7:49)

• Drew and Brilly discuss the emotional challenges of dealing with unsolicited advice and judgments from others.
• Brilly shares how she handled these challenges by asking for permission to try new things and proving her capabilities.
• They talk about the importance of self-awareness and how it helps in advocating for oneself.
• Brilly highlights the rewards of accomplishing goals and sharing her success with others.

Professional Services and Support for Families (8:27)

• Drew introduces Brilly's professional services and how she helps families and caregivers of individuals with disabilities.
• Brilly explains her process of understanding the needs of families and developing growth maps for their children.

Chapters

• (00:00:00) - Brilly Semenov
• (00:01:20) - The First Live in Person Interview
• (00:02:18) - There's Only One Kind of Woman
• (00:03:41) - The Moment That Changed My Life
• (00:04:46) - Different Abilities in the Workplace
• (00:07:00) - Senegal on Self-Advocacy
• (00:09:06) - Say Yes to Everything!
• (00:10:32) - What Do You Do For People With Disabilities?
• (00:11:44) - What to Do if Your Child Has a Special Needs?
• (00:14:10) - What should parents ask about accommodations for children with disabilities?
• (00:15:35) - What to Do About Autism Spectrum Disorder?
• (00:21:17) - What if We Had Known? Transition Programs
• (00:25:06) - Brilly Semenov on Special Needs
• (00:26:17) - Give Your Daughter Advice
• (00:27:11) - Priscilla Leto on Mission Kids Success
• (00:27:57) - Living the Life You Want to Live