Learning not to hide disabilities: ‘I would make up crazy stories’ (Enable: The Disability Podcast)
You’ll never know what people are capable of until you try — such as learning jiu jitsu.
Chloe Mitchell 
Is it necessary to mask your disability while navigating dating apps or introductions? In the latest episode of Enable: The Disability Podcast, Ryan Minic joins co-hosts Geoff “DeafGeoff” Herbert and Kurt Hower to unpack his personal journey with cerebral palsy and the evolution of his transparency.
Moving Beyond the Smoke and Mirrors
Minic recounts a time when he felt the need to hide his reality to maintain a sense of privacy. “Growing up, I never told people that I had cerebral palsy. I would make up all kinds of crazy stories about it,” he shares. “I would make up crazy stories like I got in a helicopter crash or I got in a fight... and I started to realize that you’re doing a disservice to yourself.” His candid discussion emphasizes a powerful takeaway: you never truly know your own potential—whether that means taking up jiu jitsu or facing new life hurdles—until you stop hiding who you are.
Meet the Entrepreneur
Ryan Minic is a California-based content creator and e-commerce entrepreneur. You can stay updated on his latest projects by visiting ryanminic.com or checking out his video content at youtube.com/@ryanminic.
Tune In to Enable
Enable: The Disability Podcast serves as a spotlight for individuals thriving with diverse abilities. Catch fresh episodes every week on YouTube or your favorite audio platforms, including Spotify, Apple, Amazon, and iHeart. Connect with the show on social media via Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.
About Your Hosts
Geoff Herbert, a reporter and content supervisor for 205focus.com, navigates life with profound binaural hearing loss. A 25-year veteran in the radio and DJ scene, Herbert is a WJPZ Radio Hall of Fame inductee who effectively utilizes assistive technology, lipreading, and speech therapy to excel in his field.
Kurt Hower, also a 205focus.com veteran with over 35 years of industry experience, brings a wealth of leadership to the podcast. Living with ankylosing spondylitis, a rare spinal arthritis, Hower remains a fierce advocate for community boards and encourages others to focus on the value they contribute to the world rather than their physical limitations.
Note: Views expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect the views of 205focus.com.
