In this, the final English language episode of Season One, we meet Adam Galchus, currently studying for a  Master's Degree in Special Education. 

Prior to commencing these studies, he obtained a Bachelor of Science in Music, with a concentration in Jazz and Commercial Music. 

He is also the composer of Aging Wisely: The Podcast theme music. 

Adam was born with a disability. Notwithstanding that, he and his parents found his gifts in the arts, specifically music. From the age of eight, his gift was cultivated and he began his journey to musicianship when he took up the drums and, later, the trombone (and some piano). 

Due to his own life experiences and interactions with disabled children, he decided to pursue a degree in Special Education. He hopes to incorporate his musical training and education, in the work he does with high school students. 

He's also hoping to continue and pursue a career as a musician, composer and producer. 

Adam is an example of not only perseverance and recognizing your talent, but also of how the support of a "village" can impact and change the trajectory of a child's life. 

If you'd like to learn more or connect with Adam, please go to: 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-galchus-808492112/

Theresa Lyons is a Yale trained computational chemist who had her eyes set on a career on the corporate side of the pharmaceutical industry. She started on that journey, but life had other plans after the birth of her daughter.  At the age of three she was diagnosed with autism and Dr. Lyons life would be forever altered.

Dr. Lyons journey alongside her daughter was difficult but through of all of their hard word, they both came out on the other side of that dark tunnel.

Today, Dr. Lyons works with families of children with autism. Her work is directly inspired by her daughter, her first client.  One of her clients called her "The quarterback" when describing what she does, and that is a pretty accurate description. 
 
Dr. Lyons follows the available scientific literature and studies in her work with families and endeavors to provide a roadmap for  each family and child towards their unique goals.  Her work in the pharmaceutical industry and training as a chemist also allows her to approach her work in a unique fashion. 
 
This episode is also is a testament to a parent's  unconditional love for their child and their determination to help. Love can move mountains- and Dr. Lyons certainly did. 
 
The interview is replete with a wonderful perspective and valuable insight for families who, at times, struggle to see progress and to celebrate all of the small, but incredibly important, victories achieved by their child with autism. 
 
The bottom line is: You can't give up. You have to have faith. 
 
To learn more about Dr. Lyons and her work, you can go to  https://www.awetism.net 

To purchase her book:  https://amzn.to/3gR24J9 

While working at the Center for an Urban Future, Christian Gonzalez-Rivera undertook a research project that sought to really look at the ever present. growing AND aging immigrant population in New York City. 

The result is a report, "The New Face of New York's Seniors" that is incredibly comprehensive and looks at practically every aspect of what aging in a city means for its resident and the impact that it has on a population that, in many ways, struggled to adapt to a new city, not to mention county.

 What we learn is that while cities, like New York, can offer a lot to aging populations, they almost always fall short. When we look at aging immigrant populations, their particular circumstances and challenges, this also remains true. 

The reason? Caring and providing for aging populations and permitting them to age to age as full and active citizens where they live is not just the job of one agency. It requires EVERY agency, cultural institution and government entity's involvement. 

It involves us all. 

If you are an immigrant. 
If you work in the aging space.
If you love an older or old person.
If you care about quality of life for older and old people. 
If you want to understand older immigrants better. 
This is an episode you should listen.

To learn more about Christian: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christian-gonzalez-rivera-35bb478/

To read Christian's report, go to: https://nycfuture.org/pdf/The-New-Face-of-New-Yorks-Seniors.pdf

To learn more about the podcast, go to: https://www.agingwiselypodcast.com