Faith, Disability, & the Fight for a Dignified Safety Net with Rachel Barkley | LPP Show Ep. 157

​What happens when your life changes in an instant, and you have to rebuild it from the ground up?

In this week’s Let People Prosper Show, I talk with Rachel Barkley, a policy advocate, wife, mother, and one of the most resilient individuals I know. After a rare spinal cord tumor left her paralyzed just weeks after giving birth to her first child, Rachel began a long and painful road of recovery—one marked by faith, perseverance, and incremental miracles.

But her story isn’t just one of personal triumph. Rachel now leads state and national efforts to reform the safety net for individuals with disabilities and those facing hardship. She’s championing policies like the One Door Policy to streamline services, shift the conversation from “able-bodied” to work-capable, and ensure the system supports human dignity and independence. Don’t miss this episode!

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(0:00) – Introduction and Background
(3:05) – Rachel's Journey Through Adversity
(9:00) – The Impact of Health Challenges on Family
(15:00) – The Role of Community and Support
(21:47) – Building New Systems and Habits
(25:18) – Finding Purpose in Adversity
(26:44) – Advancing Freedom and Dignity
(27:53) – Work Capable vs. Able Bodied
(31:44) – The One Door Policy
(40:34) – The Future of Safety Net Reforms