Ep. 247 - Challenging Pros & Cons w/ Ryan Groeneweg & Jason Freeman

2025-09-10

We all experience challenges. Some of these challenges are easy for those around us to spot, while others may be utterly invisible to others. For instance, every time I speak my speech impediment is heard loud and clear by everyone within earshot. On the other hand, my friend and colleague Ryan Groenweg experiences Usher’s Syndrome which involves hearing loss and progressive vision loss. For most of his life, Ryan has been able to conceal his disability from the people around him in a way that I have n...

We all experience challenges. Some of these challenges are easy for those around us to spot, while others may be utterly invisible to others.

For instance, every time I speak my speech impediment is heard loud and clear by everyone within earshot. On the other hand, my friend and colleague Ryan Groenweg experiences Usher’s Syndrome which involves hearing loss and progressive vision loss. For most of his life, Ryan has been able to conceal his disability from the people around him in a way that I have never been able to hide mine. Over the past year, Ryan and I have presented together in front of audiences around South Dakota. We have found that there are both benefits and drawbacks to having a challenge out in the open, just as there are benefits and drawbacks to being able to hide a challenge. The key to thriving with a disability as part of your experience is definitely not black or white.

Tune in to hear this unique conversation between Ryan and I, where we ask each other questions about our unique disabilities, joke around, and ponder the hidden and visible nature of life.

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**Video broadcast available** on YouTube @imperfectbest

**Learn more about Jason Freeman** at AwkwardlyAwesome.com

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