What happens when a 45 mph collision meets an unbreakable spirit and a blue-haired comic with a power chair? We sat down with Diamond Debbie to trace a life rebuilt through mobility, stand-up, and stubborn joy. She walks us through the moments that shaped her—childhood illness, a horseback accident in the Superstition Mountains, and the day a car hit her chair and she kept rolling—and shows how advocacy and humor turned survival into momentum.

We explore the real mechanics of accessibility: why taking a power chair off a sidewalk can void a warranty, how paratransit rules shape daily freedom, and the small hacks that make outdoor life possible, from portable ramps to finding a plug before the battery dips. Debbie shares how performing comedy became a lifeline, including her punchy one-minute Kill Tony set and the ritual of showing up early, staying late, and keeping her name in the bucket. The conversation grounds big ideas—mobility rights, disability advocacy, urban design—in concrete details that any listener can use.

Austin plays a starring role. Debbie maps out the city’s smoother sidewalks, widened paths, and a community that steps up when a wheel sinks in the mud. She’s candid about the gaps too: historic stairs that still block stages, and the DIY ways she raised money for ramps. Along the way, we talk about the healing power of sunshine and wind, why she goes outside 365 days a year, and how a hammock clipped to a chair can change a day. It’s a story of persistence, creativity, and the belief that public space and a microphone can restore something essential.

If you’re chasing a stage, fighting for access, or just need proof that courage can be practical, this one’s for you. Listen, share with a friend who needs a nudge, and if it moved you, subscribe and leave a review so more people can find the show.