Thriving With Rare Disease and Flair With Cassandra Mendez and Casey Greer

Cassandra Mendez is a Senior Accessibility Specialist at JPMorgan Chase, where she works to create accessible digital experiences for customers with disabilities. She is the Co-host of the Rare with Flair podcast, where she and Casey Greer discuss disability, accessibility, and life with rare disease. As someone with low vision and Hermansky-Pudlak Syndrome, Cassandra brings her lived experience and accessibility background to her work and advocacy.

Casey Greer is the Virtual Program Coordinator for the National Organization for Albinism and Hypopigmentation (NOAH) and does social media marketing for the Hermansky-Pudlak Syndrome Network. She is the Co-host of the Rare with Flair podcast, where she shares stories and conversations about disability, rare disease, and visual impairment. As someone with low vision and Hermansky-Pudlak Syndrome, Casey draws on her experiences to normalize disability and support others in the community.

In this episode… Living with a rare disease means discovering new ways to tackle everyday challenges, advocating for yourself, and finding what helps you thrive. Along the way, these experiences can bring new perspectives, stronger relationships, and a deeper sense of self-acceptance. How can people turn those challenges into opportunities for growth?

Cassandra Mendez and Casey Greer believe that thriving with a disability comes from finding the right tools, building independence, and building a strong support system. As disability advocates and accessibility professionals, they share how adaptability, self-advocacy, and community have helped them navigate life with Hermansky-Pudlak Syndrome and low vision. Cassandra highlights the importance of being flexible and resourceful, while Casey emphasizes embracing accessibility tools and stepping outside your comfort zone. Together, they show how lived experience can become a powerful source of strength, connection, and hope.

In this episode of Heard & Empowered, Dean Thompson chats with Cassandra Mendez and Casey Greer, Co-hosts of the Rare with Flair podcast, about thriving with rare disease, disability, and vision loss. Cassandra and Casey talk about adapting to challenges, building resilience, and creating community through shared experiences. They also share advice on self-advocacy, game-changing accessibility tools, and embracing independence.