As 2025 comes to a close, this episode of Rockin the Difference reflects on a year of profound change, challenges, and growth. I share what it meant to navigate major caregiving transitions for my son Ryan, face unexpected delays and emotional strain, and arrive at year’s end feeling both stretched and resilient. As I turn 50 on New Year’s Eve and reflects on shedding old layers to step into a new season, this episode marks the beginning of a year-end tradition—one rooted in honesty, healing, hope, and moving forward with intention.

Today on Rockin the Difference, we’re talking with someone whose story rewrites what resilience can look like. Josh Bridgewater is the oldest skateboarder with spina bifida — a title he never set out to earn, but one he carries with pride. Born with his spine outside his body, Josh has endured more than 46 surgeries just to keep moving through life as normally as possible.

Growing up, he faced bullying, isolation, and the kind of challenges most of us will never understand. But everything changed the day he found skateboarding — and with it, a community that accepted him exactly as he was. What started as a personal escape evolved into a calling.

As an adult, Josh as poured his energy into teaching kids with spina bifida and other disabilities how to ride, how to fall, how to get back up, and how to hold onto a positive mental attitude even when life hits hard. He knows the darkness of suicidal thoughts, and he knows the light that comes from purpose and connection.

Josh and his wife Shawna, are an amazing team that work together to show the resiliency of love for each other and community through all the ups and downs that life brings.

His story is raw, real, and incredibly inspiring — and I’m honored to share it with you.

Let’s get into it.

💫 What do you get when you mix courage, comedy, two white canes and 3 canines? Meet Brennan (21) and Mina (17) — two siblings who are blind, bold, and breaking barriers every day alongside their amazing mom, Parisa. ❤️

In this week’s Rockin the Difference episode, we dive into what it’s really like navigating a world that’s not always designed for them — the funny moments, the frustrating ones, and how they use their Instagram @yes_I_cane to educate and inspire others. 👩‍🦯✨

🎧 Tune in and see the world through a whole new lens — one full of strength, laughter, and love.