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.