A movement is often started from the
passion of one person. Gina from Gina is
on a Roll has come to be respected as
the heart of bringing together the
disability community and advocacy in her
local area but through her transparent
sharing of herself on social media many
beyond her local community have come to
love her and seek her for new
information and connection. But before we
jump in I want to remind you to please
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friends that you think will benefit and
if you'd like to get in deeper
conversation with me join my private
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Hi, welcome to Chair Chats, the lifestyle
talk show with a disability twist.
I'm your host Pauline Victoria. Gina,
founder of Gina is on a Roll is a social
media platform in which Gina shares
herself so freely and transparently in
order to bring connection and
information to the disability community.
Thank You Gina for joining us today.
Thank you so much for having me. um I
would like to just start out by allowing
our audience to get to know you if you
could just tell us a little bit about
yourself that would be awesome I am 34
years old.
I live in the Phoenix Arizona metro area
Just outside the Phoenix area. I have been
in a wheelchair for almost 17 years.
I'm actually a c-5, 6 quadriplegic
complete so that means I have no fine
motor and I'm paralyzed from the breast
breasts line down and I am a full-time
wheelchair user. I graduated from college
with a political science degree and a
Juris Doctor so my passion is definitely
politics and advocacy and anything that
has to do with government. I am quite an
independent lady and I really love to
travel. As far as work that pays the
bills I do a lot of real estate
development and investing so I've got
some freedom to do advocacy in the
meantime and that's that's my passion
project. Gina Gina is on a Roll  I found
on Facebook is it primarily living on
Facebook?
Facebook's a great platform especially
for disability advocacy. And what was
your motivation or inspiration behind
Gina is on a Roll? Getting all of my damn
rights trampled on.  If it’s happening to me, it’s happening to everyone else. So I think by me feeling frustrations I guess then how
did it happen frustration and I wanted
to share with people like here's my
here's the knowledge that I got from
such an amazing opportunity in an
education that most people don't get. I
can easily share that there was no
reason why I shouldn't so I just felt
like is an obligation.
Mm nice and I know you are very active
in your local area, what are some
activities that you participate in or
organize for the local disability
community? Every month I actually host
a gathering, when we're not quarantined, on
for people with disabilities and that's
all disabilities it's not just wheelchair
users. Anyone  with a disability is
welcome to come the events . I host the event.
We drink, we eat, be merry, we laugh. We talk about which catheters to use, no. I mean, you know, it’s
conversations that you don't get to
openly freely have with like other
people. Like there's just something great
about getting together with somebody
that has a disability. We really get each
other. We really do you know there's just
such an incredible camaraderie so for me
that's kind of my passion you know.
Getting out there talking to legislators
politicians I do that on my own on my
side. II get together with politicians. Or I write them. I email. Like you know converse back and forth
about how can we make things better but
what I do for the community
we need like camaraderie you know we're
so disjointed and so fractionalized with
like you were talking about earlier when
we were having a conversation you know
on the side about every you know what is
accessible because every disability is
just so different so I think that doing
those things to bring people together is
what we need because it's hard I mean
it's it's hard to understand somebody
else that has a completely different
type of disability and we don't realize
how much we can help each other until we
meet the other person I love how you
have taken your local community and
brought them together but then you've
translated that translated that into
social media and I could go on Gina is
on a Roll page right now and a lot of
things that you post will have comments
from people all over the country if not
world. And the comments are mind blowing and they’re from everywhere.
And it's because people with disabilities are
living everywhere and they all care
about these topics like I bring up the
controversial stuff you can go ahead and
say it too. You can let people know. I don’t tipey-toe around anything. I think the reason I get commens
is like I give an opinion and it
sometimes is doesn't really flow with
what the able-bodied community is
comfortable with or what the disabled
community is comfortable with and I
think these conversations are so
phenomenal to have . What is that number
one viewed video? It was parking related.
and it was somebody blocking me out
of my ramp, once again, and I couldn't get into my
vehicle and I showed people why it was I
think a lot of people just don't put it
together so the video is very quick. It
was like me opening my ramp and trying
to get in my car and saying see this is
why you don't park on the access aisles and
it took off. I remember watching that one
and I was like yes I love that she did
that because I feel like so many of us
think it and struggle with it and like
on our own and the fact that you just
put it out there it's like yes finally
somebody saying something out loud in
public. The one thing that we
underestimate is the power of social
media, the power of videos, the power of a
story because people are getting to know
me and you know the people in my town
like all know me and I've noticed people
don't park in the access aisles and that's what I
want like an association where it's like
you care more than just oh it's Joe
blows grandma that needs a spot and so I
think personalizing it and then also
sharing other stories and people with
disabilities of like what they're doing
and exposing like how amazing some
people are because for some reason our
regular media only likes to show the
Wah-Wah, pity porn, look how great look
at this person who helped a disabled
person crap. It’s not a disabled person
helping abled-bodied people or children
and that you know or in a country that
are needing help in her
so many people that I know that are
severely disabled that volunteer they do
way more they give back to their
community so much more than their able
body counterparts and I think they're
inspirational. I hate to say it I hate to say it
I know everybody hates the word but like
they inspire me they make me want to do
better you know and I think like they
should be proud of the fact that they're
living their lives so selflessly and
just so admirably like so I think you
know those are the stories I want to
shar. That's a really interesting
observation because I never thought
about it that way that if you think
about it who runs our media companies
able-bodied people and - 100% - And they
already have a certain picture and then
they're projecting that picture that's
their own picture may not be reality of
this person with a disability that
needs to receive the help rather than
- 100% - is actually offering and
contributing something. And what about
the fact that we're failing to talk
about why these issues exist. These
people with disabilities needing help.
Why do they need help? We have a social
infrastructure that is failing people
with disabilities. That’s  what our
problem is. Why don't we talk about the
real issue? Let’s not talk about the little, oh, look, we bought this person a
wheelchair. Why the hell can this person
not get a wheelchair? We’re  in a very
rich country and yet this person cannot
afford it. Why are we making a, wheelchairs
so expensive. We’re  making them from the same amount the same materials as a bike and
it's gonna cost you even if you go high in bikes they're gonna cost you a
quarter of the price. It’s insane it's
insane you know. We’re  not talking about
the real issues. I always tell people it
is expensive to have a disability. My car
my car was a hundred and fifty thousand
dollars and it is a soccer mom minivan,
it is not right and then the wheelchair
I had to get for it was thirty two
thousand dollars you know so it's like,.
Could  people not just take a second and go
150 thousand, you literally could get
a used Ferrari and you can get like a
new new top-of-the-line Tesla and that
car has a way more complicated computing
system. That’s what's out there
that's what's out there people there are
predators there are so many predators I
think we all live in a world of thinking
like nobody would do that to me cuz I'm
disabled that is so horrible who would
do that to a girl in a wheelchair I mean you
must be satan. Who would
those people. They’re out there,
same guys who sell us vans for like
eighty thousand dollars. Well yeah and
and the thing is that they're under the
impression that every disabled person
receives help public health help and
that's not always true there are some of
us that make a living or above the
poverty line and we have to actually pay
above a pay out of our pocket but yeah I
want to get back on track because there
are so many issues that we could talk
about in terms of advocacy like it's endless we could be here for you know forty eight hours. You work
in terms of advocacy that is your
passion project advocacy in your local
area and you share what's happening in
your local area on social media so that
perhaps it can help people in their
local area what is the number one tip
that you would give to people with
disabilities that are trying to advocate
for systems change? Schedule an
appointment with your local
representative. If you come in and tell your story to your representative, your representative is
there to help you. So I think what a lot
of people don't realize is they're very
open, they're very thirsty for good
stories that they care about. Go in and
talk to them about what's going on. If you
got an issue,, call them, email them, write
them, don't just get on and give a bad review, don't get on and like complain on
Facebook. Like call them. Like I think a
big thing that people don't do this they
don't get a little hold of their
legislators, they don't get a hold of them,
the people in power and they're
so accessible. That's my tip and do it
do it everyone. I love it. Please I'm begging you.
So let me ask you are there
certain things that you've worked on
that you found success with?
Yes um my like my pride and joy
here in Arizona has been I really pushed
for like in the state it wasn't,
it wasn't illegal to park on the access
aisles so, statewide. In just in one or
two cities like they had some ordinances
I know you would think it's a no parking
zone. So I really pushed we got in a
statewide bill. That one for me is like
my pride and joy because it just impacts
so many people including me um that I
care about the most but really like
advocacy wise and like outreach like I
think these groups like hosting these
groups like that's another thing like if
you have the ability to like host a
really fun group for people with
disabilities, do it. Like you're gonna
meet great people. For me why I do it one
I love it I love the people they're
freaking great I mean I crack up even
the ones that are just so difficult I
love because it just challenges me to
like okay alright here we go
you know right away but for me I could
find out what their issues are so
like people come to come to these events
about 15-20 people and I always go
around and ask like hey what's going on
anyone's, any issues,  are they having problems, like how's life and when there's a
common denominator of an issue that is
kind of rising up you'll hear it from
more than one person so like that's how
I kind of determine what issues I'm
gonna go after. Like parking's
a major one, access to health care is
what I like often sharing stuff about so
like that kind of thing um that gives
you the ability to tap into the
community so I think it's important for
us to care outside of ourselves and our
own disabilities and our own experiences
and learn from other people so I think
that is if I were to give people a tip
do a gathering like and then write your representative.
Yeah I know that
those are two great tips and so easy to do. And you know what, like I I feel like as a
person with a disability most I don't
see I go I don't go out and see a lot of
people with disabilities so it often
times it feels like you're the only
person with a disability with your
experience with your struggle so
creating that community where like you
said earlier people feel like they get
you and that they understand you, it's so important and it's
sometimes it doesn't happen so
organically you have to be intentional
about creating those communities so that
way people come together and know that
it's okay and
Yeah. You know when we go
out I think it's kind of empowering for
people because we always go out to
restaurants we don't I'm not shy listen
I got like a group of like 20 people
with severe disabilities, it's like crazy. We got some weird stuff going on, right.
I like weird. I call myself weird.
That's not like the norm for people to
see and you should see the people out
they never are judgmental or Hey look
over there
damn like I want to be hanging out with
that crew/ And like, they look over and they're like cool. And the people that
are with us that have more severe, like visible disabilities you feel like
you're not the only one standing out you
know you're not you know you fit right
in, for once. And I actually just feel like a
brotherhood and a sisterhood with those
people like there's just a closeness and
these people like I just love dearly you
know like one of them today actually it
was his break-a-back-aversary, thirty-five years since he broke his back. And I went by
and dropped him off a really good rum cause he loves rum. And I said like, you know,
being in a wheelchair sucks big sweaty
balls, like just honestly, you can bleep
that out if you need to, but I said but you
being alive is such a gift to the world
like he's such a beautiful human and
just such a great person like I think
that like having those people around us
so they have been through it and
understand it like you know we're there
for each other like we really are like
it's just so beautiful like I just think
people with disabilities are diamonds in
the ruff, especially when it comes to dating and stuff. Like I'm always like it's because
they've been hidden. Look what we're up
against
you know like we don't have people out there  willing to say like this is me
I'm loud, I'm proud. I'm in a wheelchair. You can kiss my ass.
Well, we got you. We got you.
You know I have to say we have
got some incredible women in the
community of people with disabilities. Look at
yourself, like doing something like
this. Like you are a go-getter
I actually think like I, sorry boys you
gotta step it up, but the women are
kicking your ass. Like women with disabilities are like they blow my mind.
It's cool to see and I think it inspires,
they inspire me like. Totally.  The fact
that you bring a group of people with
disabilities together and for you the
viewer who is watching this right now if
you feel inspired to do this in your own
local area as Gina has or as I have know
that that also is a form of advocacy I
mean it's not like let's have a
get-together inside someone's home and
where we're all still remain hidden it's
like let's go out in the public at a
restaurant because who knows maybe that
restaurant didn't realize oh I don't
have an accessible bathroom so I can't
serve ya just lost money tons of money
on the food and drink of these group of
people would have had and I need to
change my ways or you know it it allows
people who are also eating at that same
restaurant or in that same park, that
Wow look at them they are just having a
great time and I want to be a part
of that too. And so there are so many
ways that even in just getting together
and partying it up that we can have an
effect on people and our you know local
businesses and the systems.
100% It's a win-win,  it really is great. That's awesome.
If you serve alcohol they will come.
I love it so is there anything else message
that you would like to impart on our viewers today?
Yeah I can give you guys one more message,
be you. It doesn't matter what your disability
is or lack of disability, your body type,
you know, what your education is, where
you grew up. Like love you like feel
comfortable with you like wake up every
morning and ask yourself are you happy
if you don't know why you're happy
you're unhappy like really trying to
pinpoint that I think when people start
finding the drive of like pursuing their
own happiness and like really wanting
more out of life then they start there
it gives them the ability to like care
about others and like care about what's
going on and care about accessibility.
When you start loving yourself you feel
like you deserve access.
The other thing thing is really like you
know I think a lot of people with
disabilities just feel like they're not
worthy for change they feel like they're
not worthy for like asking their
representative and you are so worthy oh
my gosh like I can't every single person
and like just keep in mind that the
entire like Obamacare thing that started
by one mom with one child coming into
the office of her representative and she
changed the entire health care system
for the United States so if you think
that your voice doesn't matter think
about that. We are so vocal, we're in a world
that like you may post a video and it's
seen by almost a million people you
never know you know it's just do it
stop being at home, stop staying at
home and just hiding yourself you know
just get out and live feel worthy you
know we're all so worthy and people with
disabilities all of them that I've
met are just okay not all of them some
of our total douche wads because
we're like everyone else. It's like a variety, We're not all the same.
We're not all inspirations were not all perfect, most of us aren't.
I love that I love that
actually I you know I did say that was
gonna be the last thing and that would
have been that would be a beautiful note
to end on and I feel like that really is
the key to change is how we present
ourselves and how we show up in the
world, to our fellow
friends to our co-workers to our state
representatives
like we're a part of this community and
that's why change is important.
Amen.
oh man that is so true you know when I
first broke my neck my mom said to me
she goes, Gina you don't just represent
yourself anymore
you represent every person in a
wheelchair because a lot of people you
are gonna be the first experience it
ever had with somebody that has severe
disability first time I've ever like had
an experience with someone that's a
quadriplegic. If you're an asshole they're gonna think
that every single one of them is. And I was like, dang mom, I just broke my neck. How much weight are you putting on me.
She's very funny but she was right on she was
right on. That's something we're all
carrying a responsibility. If you're a
jerk to somebody they're gonna be a jerk
to me you know like save us all that's a
big one you nailed it oh girl this is so
great. I'm so excited.
Thank you Gina. Thank you.
Thank You Gina for sharing your huge and
contagious personality and passion with
us today on Chair Chats, in your local
community and on social media platform,
Gina is on a Roll. I would encourage our
viewers to go to the Facebook page and
subscribe to Gina is on a Roll and
you'll find some great connection and
information there and I'd love to hear
from you, are you inspired to create and
organize a meet-up for your local
disability community and what would that
look like? Please share with us in the
comments below and don't forget to
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Thank you so much and until we meet again, be blessed.
