In this episode of the Disability Reality Podcast, host Melanie Waldman shares her personal experiences with disability, health challenges, and the impact of reality TV on her life. Joined by guest Jillian (Ilana) Curwin, they discuss the representation of disability in media, particularly in reality TV--focusing in on their favorite Bravo shows--and how these portrayals affect public perception and personal experiences. They explore memorable moments of disability representation, the importance of community, and the evolving narrative around disability in reality television. In this conversation, the speakers delve into the complexities of disability representation in reality television, particularly focusing on the challenges faced by individuals with invisible disabilities. They discuss the impact of misunderstanding chronic illnesses, the importance of accurate representation, and the role of humor as a coping mechanism. The conversation also touches on accessibility in real estate, the intersection of wealth and disability, and the potential for future reality shows to include diverse representations of disability. Time stamps 00:00 Introduction and Personal Updates 01:39 The Reality of Disability and Media Representation 02:55 Connecting Through Shared Experiences 04:41 The Role of Reality TV in Disability Awareness 10:53 Bravo and Its Impact on Personal Lives 19:19 Disability Representation in Reality TV 22:54 Memorable Moments of Disability Representation 30:42 Understanding Invisible Disabilities 33:31 The Impact of Misunderstanding Chronic Illness 36:23 Top Moments of Disability Representation in Reality TV 39:30 Humor and Disability: A Coping Mechanism 42:17 Accessibility in Real Estate: A Case Study 46:22 The Intersection of Wealth and Disability 50:23 Imagining Disability in Reality Shows 54:21 The Future of Disability Representation on Bravo #DisabilityRealityPodcast #DisTeaPod #DisTeaPods #disability #DEIA #Section504 #DisabilityonBroadway #DisabilityAwareness #DisabilityonBravo #DisabilityRepresentation #ProtectDEI #ProtectSection504 #SendIt