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The Obvious Question Get ready to throw your assumptions about disability out the window! In "The Obvious Question," Madi Lawson, a 21-year-old journalism student who has two rare forms of muscular dystrophy, takes on the assumptions, misconceptions and just plain ignorance others have about people with disabilities. But this isn't your typical conversation about disability. In this podcast Madi talks with co-host Becky Smith and others about fashion, friendship, dating and more - challenging all the things you thought you knew about disability, but haven't had the chance to ask about before. You'll explore the glam and not-so-glam life of the real-life Wheelchair Barbie. So, buckle up - it's gonna be a bumpy ride.

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The Obvious Question

From KBIA

Get ready to throw your assumptions about disability out the window! In "The Obvious Question," Madi Lawson, a 21-year-old journalism student who has two rare forms of muscular dystrophy, takes on the assumptions, misconceptions and just plain ignorance others have about people with disabilities. But this isn't your typical conversation about disability. In this podcast Madi talks with co-host Becky Smith and others about fashion, friendship, dating and more - challenging all the things you thought you knew about disability, but haven't had the chance to ask about before. You'll explore the glam and not-so-glam life of the real-life Wheelchair Barbie. So, buckle up - it's gonna be a bumpy ride.

Most Recent Episodes

Can you work?

"It already feels like when I get there and the application isn't accessible online, that they didn't want me in the first place." In this episode, Madi talks with her friend, Gretchen Maune about the difficulties and discrimination that can exist for people with disabilities when looking for employment – and how struggling to get appropriate accommodations can sometimes make figuring out how to accomplish something more difficult than the task itself. Gretchen offers interesting insight into

Do you have friends like you?

"Social media allows people that can't necessarily always leave their homes to be social." In this episode, Madi addresses the isolation that can come from being the only person you know with a disability, or at least your disability, and about how social media can play a role in allowing folks to connect across the county and world. Madi speaks with two of her best friends, Kayleen and Noelle. She met both of these women through social media, even though they live states apart. Madi adds that

How can you be a journalist?

"If you were to take the disability out of the equation, would you still have a story?" In this episode, Madi sits down with Mark Hinojosa. He is one of her former professors at the University of Missouri School of Journalism, but more importantly, is one of her best friends. Madi and Mark have had many long conversations because they have both chosen similar careers and are living through similar experiences – Madi, of course, has muscular dystrophy and Mark currently has "terminal, but

How do you travel?

"They Literally Left My Legs in Chicago." Traveling with a disability is not always the easiest task. There are more barriers and logistics and things – like wheelchairs – can often turn up lost or broken. In this episode, Madi and Becky discuss some of the experiences Madi has had with the airline industry, with ground transportation and more. And they take a look at how experiences like these impact the ability of those with disabilities to travel.

Why shouldn't I say 'lame'?

Words Matter. There are so many ways that language shapes our perception of others. In this episode, Madi and Becky sit down with Becky's Dad, Dean Smith. He was a teacher and principal at a school for people ages 5 to 21 with severe cognitive and/or physical disabilities for many years. They spoke about ableist language and the way that influences, both consciously and subconsciously, people's view of those with disabilities and what they are capable of doing. For those not familiar, ableist

What's wrong with you?

"Pain may be my constant companion since the day I was born ." – Christopher Shannon Since last season, Madi has found out that she is an ever "rare-er" breed of unicorn, as she got a newer and more correct diagnosis in 2019 that – for a while – shook her sense of identity. Ullrich congenital muscular dystrophy. In this episode, Madi sits down with Christopher Shannon who has a different, but similarly rare collagen disorder. They spoke about some of the ways the medical system interacted with

The Obvious Question

Get ready to throw your assumptions about disability out the window! In "The Obvious Question," Madi Lawson, a 21-year-old journalism student who has two rare forms of muscular dystrophy, takes on the assumptions, misconceptions and just plain ignorance others have about people with disabilities. But this isn't your typical conversation about disability. In this podcast Madi talks with co-host Becky Smith and others about fashion, friendship, dating and more - challenging all the things you

Can you even have sex?

"Just call me 'pretty'." In this episode, Madi and Becky look at the world of dating, relationships and...sex. Madi sat down with Lexi, one of her best friends who also has SMA, and Lexi's boyfriend, Tyler, to talk about the way the world perceives their relationship. Whether it's the world over-sexualizing and under-sexualizing them at the same time, asking their able-bodied companions to talk for them or the physical realties of sex-this is a conversation about disability that you've never

Can you even walk a runway?

When was the last time you saw a model with a disability? Or a person with a disability featured in an advertising campaign? On a runway? Or even a mannequin in a store that showcased a different ability? It might be hard to recall even one. In this episode, Madi and Becky take a look at the world of fashion-Madi's #1 love. She talks with fashion designer Tobie Roberts about how to design for disabled bodies, their experiences working together for Kansas City Fashion Week and what the fashion

Do you have any real friends?

More than once, Madi has been asked if her friends-who look nothing like her-are her sister or caretaker. In this episode, Madi and Becky take a look at the crossroads of friendship and caretakers. Madi talks to her younger roommates, Tonesha and Haley, who are still learning what it's like to have a friend with a disability, and her best friend, Jessie, who's old hat and muses about how being Madi's friend has turned her into a fierce advocate for the rights of those with disabilities. Hosts:

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