Doctors Said He Wouldn’t Live Past 18 | Dorsey Ross’s Incredible Story of Faith & Apert Syndrome

Doctors told Dorsey Ross’s parents that he might never survive childhood. Born with the rare genetic condition Apert Syndrome, Dorsey underwent dozens of surgeries and faced challenges most people could never imagine.

In this inspiring episode of Wheel With It, Dorsey shares his journey through more than 68 surgeries, growing up with a visible disability, overcoming bullying, finding strength through faith, and building a life of purpose as an author, minister, and podcast host.

This is a powerful conversation about resilience, disability, hope, and refusing to let others define your future.

In This Episode

✅ Living with Apert Syndrome

✅ Growing up with a rare disability

✅ Facing surgery after surgery

✅ Bullying and finding acceptance

✅ The role of faith during difficult times

✅ Lessons in resilience and perseverance

✅ Life beyond the limitations others predicted

Timestamps

00:00 Doctors Said He Wouldn’t Survive

00:27 Introduction

00:46 Meet Dorsey Ross

01:13 Dorsey’s Faith-Based Podcast

02:26 What Is Apert Syndrome?

03:12 Doctors Predicted He Wouldn’t Live Past 18

04:58 68 Surgeries and a Lifetime of Challenges

05:41 Faith Through Difficult Times

07:07 Growing Up With a Disability

08:08 Bullying and Acceptance

👉 Subscribe and hit the bell so you don’t miss future episodes:

👉 Connect with Dorsey Ross

https://dorseyrossministries.com/

https://www.facebook.com/dorseyrossministries/

https://plus.google.com/102963422751692212246

https://www.youtube.com/user/revdross30

https://twitter.com/DorseyRoss

https://www.instagram.com/dorsey.ross/

https://vimeo.com/user18743631

https://www.linkedin.com/in/dorsey-ross-9741b051/

Email: revdross@gmail.com

👉 Connect with Devon & Wheel With It

Follow us on social media:wheelwithit.com/followus

Contact us: wheelwithit.com/contact

Jeffrey Bone: “Health Is a Crown Only the Ill Can See” | Wheel with It Podcast

What happens when a psychologist who has spent decades helping people with chronic illness suddenly becomes chronically ill himself?In this powerful episode of Wheel With It, Jeffrey Bone shares his deeply personal journey through chronic illness, chronic pain, grief, identity loss, mold exposure, immune deficiency, and rebuilding his life from the ground up.Jeffrey opens up about:- Living with chronic inflammatory response syndrome- Being diagnosed with common variable immune deficiency- How chronic illness changes your identity- The emotional reality of long-term illness- Why poetry became his outlet for pain and healing- The importance of online disability & chronic illness communities- Finding meaning after life falls apartThis is an honest conversation about resilience, mental health, disability, and the emotional side of being chronically ill that most people never see.

🎙️ Guest: Jeffrey Bone

📲 Connect with Jeffery:https://www.drbone.live/

📺 Subscribe to this channel and hit the bell, or visit getwheelwithit.com to subscribe on your favorite audio platform.

📲Follow the podcast and Devon Wieters on social media at wheelwithit.com/followus👍 If this conversation resonates with you, please like, subscribe, and share.

#ChronicIllness #Disability #MentalHealth #ChronicPain #WheelWithIt

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 Introduction & Jeffrey Bone’s powerful opening quote

01:00 Meet Jeffrey Bone

02:00 Developing a chronic illness after helping others for decades

03:00 Devon shares her experience with vertigo

04:30 The fear and uncertainty of sudden illness

06:00 Losing your old identity after chronic illness

08:00 Grieving the healthy version of yourself

10:00 How illness changes relationships and daily life

12:00 Doctors dismissing symptoms as psychological

14:00 Discovering toxic mold exposure

16:00 Searching for answers & finally getting diagnosed

20:00 Living with an immune deficiency & weekly infusions

22:00 Finding creativity and meaning through illness

23:00 Why Jeffrey started writing poetry

25:00 What people misunderstand about chronic illness

27:00 The emotional reality of “forever” diagnoses

29:00 Online communities, disability support & advocacy

31:00 Why asking for help matters

32:00 Jeffrey’s podcast, books & where to connect

33:00 Final thoughts & outro

Subscribe for more inspiring conversations:https://wheelwithit.com/youtube to subscribe on YouTube. You can go to getwheelwithit.com to subscribe on your favorite audio platform! If you subscribe on an audio platform and the app allows it, please be sure to leave a five-star rating and review. It really helps people find the show! If it's available wherever you subscribe, hit the bell so that you get notified when we upload new episodes!

Follow the podcast and Devon on social media at wheelwithit.com/followus.

Please note that ChatGPT was used to come up with questions for this episode

Healing From Within: Nervous System, Trauma, MAHA & Chronic Illness | Christine Ruch | Wheel With It PodcastIn this episode, Devin sits down with Christine Ruch, a holistic transformation guide who has spent decades learning how to heal from the inside out — starting with her own 20-year journey with a chronic health condition.Christine breaks down why mainstream medicine often falls short for people with chronic illness, how unprocessed childhood trauma keeps the nervous system dysregulated, and why true healing is less about finding the right treatment and more about restoring alignment from within.They also discuss the difference between a coach and a guide, the MAHA movement, SNAP benefits and food access, and what people newly diagnosed with MS or other chronic conditions should know first.🔔 Subscribe so you never miss an episode!
The difference between a coach and a holistic guideHow belief systems affect your ability to healMAHA, RFK Jr., and the broken healthcare systemSNAP benefits, healthy food access, and Colorado's double-match programChristine's mentorship program and how it worksAdvice for people newly diagnosed with chronic illness🌐 Learn more about Christine: christineruch.com📖 Christine's Substack: christineruch.substack.com📩 Follow Wheel With It:🔗 wheelwithit.com/followus📰 wheelwithit.com/substackTimestamps:0:00 – Intro / Teaser0:29 – Welcome to Wheel With It0:34 – Meet Christine Ruch1:25 – How Christine became a holistic transformation guide2:29 – What is a holistic guide? (not a coach)5:14 – Trauma, the nervous system & chronic illness9:58 – Coach vs. guide: what's the difference?13:29 – The broken healthcare system14:50 – MAHA movement & RFK Jr.17:06 – SNAP benefits & healthy food access22:15 – Christine's mentorship program22:55 – Advice for the newly diagnosed23:42 – Where to find ChristineSubscribe for more inspiring conversations:https://wheelwithit.com/youtube to subscribe on YouTube. Hit the bell so that you get notified when we upload new episodes! You can go to getwheelwithit.com to subscribe on your favorite audio platform! If you subscribe on an audio platform and the app allows it, please be sure to leave a five-star rating and review. It really helps people find the show!Follow the podcast and Devon on social media at wheelwithit.com/followus

Cerebral Palsy Athlete Competes in First Strength Competition | Savannah Hinegardner

Savannah Hinegardner joins Wheel With It to share her inspiring journey living with cerebral palsy and competing in her first strength competition.Savannah explains how personal training became the best therapy she’s ever experienced — both physically and mentally — and how she’s using strength training to advocate for the disability community.Because Savannah communicates using an AAC device, this unique conversation highlights accessibility, determination, and breaking barriers.👉 In this episode:• Living with cerebral palsy• First strength competition experience• Strength training as therapy• Disability advocacy• Using AAC communication devices• Breaking barriers in fitnessSavannah’s story is inspiring, powerful, and a reminder that strength comes in many forms.👉 Timestamps:0:00 The Moment That Changed Everything 0:20 Meet Savannah (CP Athlete) 0:50 Living with Cerebral Palsy 1:30 Why She Started Strength Training 2:10 Training for Her First Competition 3:00 Biggest Challenges She Faced 3:50 Building Confidence Through Fitness 4:40 What Keeps Her Motivated 5:30 Advice for Others with Disabilities 6:20 Mindset & Mental Strength 7:10 What’s Next for Savannah 8:00 Final Message You Need to Hear 👉 Follow Savannah Hinegardner:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sav_swings?igsh=czQ5Nnh4Z3hkMnRuTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@savannahhinegardner?_r=1&_t=ZT-95XFrZ5T1gMFollow Wheel With It:👉 https://wheelwithit.com/followusSubscribe on YouTube:👉 https://wheelwithit.com/youtube#CerebralPalsy#AdaptiveAthlete#DisabilityAdvocacy#WheelWithIt#AdaptiveFitness#DisabilityCommunity#StrengthTraining#InspirationSubscribe for more inspiring conversations:https://wheelwithit.com/youtube to subscribe on YouTube. Hit the bell so that you get notified when we upload new episodes! You can go to getwheelwithit.com to subscribe on your favorite audio platform! If you subscribe on an audio platform and the app allows it, please be sure to leave a five-star rating and review. It really helps people find the show!Follow the podcast and Devon on social media at wheelwithit.com/followus

What happens when a motorcycle accident changes your life in an instant?

In this powerful and inspiring episode, I sit down with motorcycle accident survivor Shannon Michelle, who shares her incredible journey of survival, resilience, and recovery after a devastating crash left her in a coma for months. After waking up, Shannon had to relearn basic life skills like walking, talking, and reading — rebuilding her life step by step after a traumatic brain injury.

But the challenges didn’t stop there.

Just a year and a half into her recovery, Shannon was diagnosed with breast cancer, forcing her to face another life-altering battle. In this conversation, we talk about resilience, recovery after brain injury, mindset, and how Shannon learned to embrace a new version of life after trauma. Shannon also shares powerful advice for anyone facing adversity and discusses her inspiring new book Step Into Your Miracle.

If you or someone you love is navigating brain injury recovery, a motorcycle accident, cancer diagnosis, or major life challenge — this episode is for you.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Motorcycle accident survival and recovery

• Life after coma and traumatic brain injury

• Relearning basic life skills

• Facing breast cancer during recovery

• Adapting to memory challenges and limitations

• Advice for overcoming trauma and adversity

• Shannon Michelle’s book Step Into Your Miracle

[00:00] Shannon’s motorcycle accident and coma

[11:43] Facing breast cancer during recovery

[16:51] Adapting to new abilities and limitations

[20:43] Advice for others facing trauma

[26:45] Shannon’s book Step Into Your Miracle

Follow the Podcast & Host Devon Wieters:

https://wheelwithit.com/followus

Follow Shannon Michelle:

Website: https://stepintoyourmiracle.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannon-michelle-a870a4371?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stepintoyourmiracle?igsh=bXE5dm

Subscribe & Listen:

Subscribe on YouTube: https://wheelwithit.com/youtube

Listen on your favorite audio platform: https://getwheelwithit.com

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to follow, rate, review, and share the podcast with someone who could use a little inspiration today.

2026 Welfare Benefits Guide: How to Qualify & Maximize Your Payments| Wheel with it Podcast

Want to maximize your government benefits in 2026? This complete welfare benefits guide breaks down EVERYTHING you need to know.

In this video, I’m sharing a full federal benefits training from a local disability advocacy organization—the Endependence Center—so you can better understand how to qualify for and maximize your benefits.

We cover:

• Social Security (SSI & SSDI)

• SNAP (Food Stamps)

• Medicare & Medicaid

• Federal Housing Assistance

• Childcare Assistance Programs

👇 Access the Full Training Resources:

👉Access the websites to learn more about the federal benefits mentioned in the presentation

https://endependence.org/march-2026-federal-benefits-training-materials/

📊 Download the PowerPoint from this training:

https://endependence.org/march-2026-federal-benefits-training-materials/

🏢 Learn more about the Endependence Center:

https://endependence.org/

📍 Find a Center for Independent Living (CIL) near you:

https://ncil.org/about/find-your-cil/

📌 Who This Is For:

If you are disabled, low-income, unemployed, or helping someone navigate federal assistance programs—this video is for you.

This guide will help you:

✔ Understand eligibility requirements

✔ Avoid common application mistakes

✔ Maximize the benefits you receive

👍 If you found value, hit like & subscribe!

00:00 Introduction & Purpose of Training

00:48 What Are Federal Benefits Programs?

02:05 Overview of Social Security (SSI vs SSDI)

06:12 SSI Eligibility & Requirements

11:45 SSDI Eligibility & Work Credits

17:30 SNAP (Food Stamps) Program Explained

22:40 Medicare Coverage Breakdown

27:55 Medicaid Eligibility & Services

33:20 Housing Assistance Programs Overview

38:10 Childcare Assistance Programs

42:25 How Benefits Work Together (Important Section)

46:40 Tips to Maximize Your Benefits

50:15 Common Mistakes to Avoid

54:10 Resources & Where to Get Help

57:00 Final Thoughts & Wrap-Up

Surviving a Traumatic Brain Injury After a Motorcycle Crash | Nicholas Ruchlewicz and Devon Wieters

In this episode of the Wheel With It Podcast, Devon Wieters sits down with Nicholas Ruchlewicz to discuss surviving a devastating motorcycle accident and rebuilding life after a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Nicholas shares the emotional and mental challenges of brain injury recovery and how connecting with support organizations and other survivors helped him find purpose after his injury. This episode explores the realities of traumatic brain injury recovery and how survivors can rebuild their lives after life‑changing trauma.

The Wheel With It Podcast, hosted by Devon Wieters, features real conversations with inspiring guests about disability, resilience, advocacy, and overcoming adversity.⸻🎧 Listen to the podcast on all platformshttps://wheelwithit.com📺 Subscribe on YouTubehttps://wheelwithit.com/youtube📬 Subscribe to the newsletterhttps://wheelwithit.com/substack📲 Follow Devon and the podcasthttps://wheelwithit.com/followusConnect with Nicholas:

https://linktr.ee/giftofperspective?utm_source=linktree_profile_share

https://www.instagram.com/npr_nerd?igsh=dG51emJyM2dpMjM=Chapters:This episode discusses surviving a traumatic brain injury after a motorcycle accident, the rehab process, and the emotional challenges of TBI recovery.

Timesstamps:

0:00 Introduction0:42 Meet Nicholas Ruchlewicz2:15 The Motorcycle Crash That Changed Everything4:10 Surviving a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)6:05 The First Days After the Accident8:18 Feeling Trapped Inside Your Own Mind10:12 The Long Road to Brain Injury Recovery12:30 The Rehab Process After a TBI15:05 Mental Health and Isolation After Brain Injury17:20 Finding Purpose After Trauma19:35 Advice for Brain Injury Survivors and Families21:10 Final Thoughts

The Wheel With It Podcast, hosted by Devon Wieters, features real conversations with inspiring guests about disability, resilience, advocacy, and overcoming adversity.

Disabled Veteran Invents an Adaptive Knife | Doug Katz on Better Design for Everyone

Doug Katz joins Devon Wieters on the Wheel With It Podcast to discuss his journey as a disabled veteran, inventor, and entrepreneur. Doug shares the story behind the adapted knife he created and explains why adaptive design should be seen as better design for everyone.

This episode explores innovation, disability, universal design, and how thoughtful products can improve everyday life for more people.

Subscribe on YouTube:

https://wheelwithit.com/youtube

Listen on all audio platforms:

https://getwheelwithit.com

Learn about my fight to reform welfare:

https://wheelwithit.com/reform

Follow me and the podcast on social media:

https://wheelwithit.com/followus

Follow Doug on social media: [Doug Katz's Linktree](https://linktr.ee/dougkatz))

Stay tuned for more engaging episodes from 'Wheel With It!'

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction and Welcome00:47 Meet Douglas Katz: Inventor and Advocate01:19 Douglas Katz's Journey and Challenges02:12 The Birth of the Adaptive Knife00:00 Understanding Disabilities and Market Potential10:25 Innovative Design and Market Challenges15:54 Community Feedback and Future Innovations31:28 Kickstarter Campaign Insights40:08 Final Thoughts and Contact Information