Common Ground Podcast, Episode 65
Guest: Alfonso Reyes
Written By D.J. Reiter
How often do we form an opinion about someone based on what we can see before we know anything about them? That question drives Episode 65 of the Common Ground Podcast, where host Philly welcomes Alfonso Reyes, a disability advocate and content creator, for a conversation about assumptions, independence, mental health, and dignity.
Alfonso lives with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a genetic and progressive condition he was diagnosed with at age two. He runs Muscular Dystrophy Warrior, a platform where he talks openly about disability, accessibility, and mental health, and interviews others in the disability community so they can tell their own stories. He is also a lifelong Lakers fan, a former wheelchair (power) soccer player, and holds an associate’s degree in interpretation. Kobe Bryant’s “Mamba mentality” has long inspired him.
Who Alfonso Is Beyond the Wheelchair
Asked what he wants people to know first, Alfonso lists his hobbies: content creation, sports, power soccer, and being a 27-year-old like any other. He rotated through every position on his soccer team and credits a late teammate, the team’s founding player, as the person he learned the most from. He is fluent in English and Spanish, a detail that often surprises people who assume little about what he can accomplish.
Assumptions Are the Bigger Obstacle
Growing up, Alfonso says childhood was good, but things changed as he transitioned from walking to using a wheelchair full time. He faced stares, questions he didn’t yet have words for, and the challenge of navigating stairs and public spaces. Many people assume he was in an accident, or that muscular dystrophy affects intelligence; it doesn’t, since the condition affects muscles throughout the body, including the heart and lungs. He needs help with daily tasks around the clock, yet people often tell him “you look fine.” His message to society is to treat him like any other adult: no pity, and no excusing mistakes as a symptom of his disability. If hemispronounces a word or says something that bothers someone, he wants to be corrected or held accountable like anyone else.
Progression, Treatment, and Mental Health
Alfonso says accepting his condition emotionally came relatively quickly, while the physical losses are harder, since progression is unpredictable and varies from person to person. He explains that several FDA-approved treatments exist, but many are limited to specific age ranges, and he is now too old to qualify for them. He supports technology and treatment advances while stressing that mindset matters too, since medication can only do so much if someone feels they don’t belong. He opens up about a period of isolation after leaving a four-year university, where support outside the classroom was limited and the commute made ithard to manage personal care. His therapist described what he was experiencing as isolation, which can affect older adults and people with disabilities when transportation and accessibility limit social life. A friend with spinal muscular atrophy encouraged him to start a YouTube channel, which grew into Muscular Dystrophy Warrior.
Dating, Content, and the Bigger Mission
Alfonso is candid about dating, saying the wheelchair is often treated as a deal breaker. Philly encourages him to keep putting himself out there, and Alfonso says he is open to it, taking his shot “like Kobe would.” His larger mission is to build a successful platform, eventually start a foundation, and work with public officials to make public spaces more accessible, with ambitions that reach all fifty states. He was recently interviewed by his local news station in Fresno, has a public speaking event planned at Fresno State, and has appeared on a handful of podcasts. Philly offers practical advice: start an LLC or nonprofit now, since it adds credibility for speaking engagements and gives supporters a way to contribute. He also offers to connect Alfonso with someone experienced in TEDx talks.
Key Takeaways
● Disability is one part of a person. Philly points out that physical limitations don’t mean
mental or emotional ones, and that there is much more to anyone than their diagnosis.
● Treat people as equals, not as objects of pity. Alfonso wants the same expectations
and accountability as anyone his age, including being corrected when he gets something
wrong.
● Mental health matters alongside medical care. Alfonso’s experience with isolation
shows how limited access and transportation can quietly affect well-being.
● Don’t judge a book by its cover. Or in this case, a wheelchair or any medical
equipment. Getting to know the person can lead to unexpected friendships.
● Stay curious and ask respectfully. Philly notes that other people’s assumptions, not
the person’s abilities, often create limits.
Reflection Questions
Alfonso says assumptions are often a bigger obstacle than his body. Have you ever made a quick judgment about someone and later been proven wrong?
He wants to be treated like any other 27-year-old, with the same respect and accountability. How can we offer that to people whose circumstances differ from ours?
Alfonso describes feeling isolated because accessibility and transportation made it hard to get out. Who in your life might be quietly feeling the same way, and how could you reach out?
His friend’s encouragement to start a YouTube channel changed his direction. Who has
encouraged you toward something you hadn’t considered?
Philly encourages being curious and asking respectful questions. What is one question you could ask someone this week to learn their story instead of guessing at it?
To connect with Alfonso Reyes, search for Muscular Dystrophy Warrior on YouTube or
Instagram, where you’ll find links to his podcast, TikTok, and other platforms.
Listen to the full conversation on Episode 65 of the Common Ground Podcast.
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