Boundaries Matter: Building Healthy Relationships Through Self-Advocacy

August 25, 2026

Welcome to the very first episode of In the Same Boat. Host Edward Amey, CEO of Jay Nolan Community Services, sits down with Wesley Witherspoon, nationally recognized self-advocate, trainer, and disability rights leader, to discuss one of the most important life skills for everyone: healthy boundaries.

In this conversation, Wesley shares why boundaries are essential for self-advocacy, personal safety, healthy relationships, independence, and self-determination. Drawing from years of advocacy, training, and leadership experience, Wesley explains how people with developmental and intellectual disabilities can recognize, communicate, and maintain boundaries in everyday life.

Topics include:

  • What boundaries really mean
  • Self-advocacy and personal choice
  • Recognizing healthy and unhealthy relationships
  • Communicating needs with confidence
  • Safety, respect, and independence
  • Practical strategies for neurodivergent individuals and families

About the Guest: Wesley Witherspoon serves in advocacy and leadership roles throughout California and has spent more than 15 years presenting on self-advocacy and disability-related topics.

Subscribe for more conversations about neurodiversity, inclusion, self-determination, employment, advocacy, and community belonging.

Links: Listen on Spotify | Watch on Youtube

Picture of Marina Gavryushkina

Marina Gavryushkina

Marina Gavryushkina is the Manager of Communications & Development at Jay Nolan Community Services, where she leads marketing, communications, fundraising, and community engagement efforts. Her expertise includes strategic storytelling, digital marketing, and nonprofit communications, helping connect audiences to Jay Nolan's mission to support neurodiverse individuals.