While an exact number is hard to determine, over 75 thousand Canadians live with cerebral palsy according the public health agency of Canada and at least 22% of all Canadians over 15 years old identify as having a disability. That’s almost a quarter of our population that faces outright discrimination, limitations, exclusion, or misunderstanding as a common experience.

I want to share my journey to shed some light on what the limitations and possibilities are for people like myself. With greater understanding we can create greater inclusion which benefits all of us.

When I was eighteen months old, I was diagnosed with spastic cerebral palsy; the most common form of the condition. While degrees of severity vary, the muscles of people with CP feel stiff and our movements and speech are often jerky or strained. It wasn’t until moving out on my own and entering the workforce that I realized how many people were uneducated about disabilities and how often that led to misunderstandings and various degrees of prejudice. Whether you are in the medical field, education system, business community, or general public, everyone benefits from being more inclusive and Seeing The Ability in Disability.

Doctors weren’t sure if I would ever drive a bike or car, or if there could be a mental component to my disability in addition to the obvious physical ones. Before I was five I attended ninety-three physiotherapy sessions to learn how to do things as simple (for others) as climbing a flight of stairs.

In primary school, I had trouble printing and drawing, so I started using a computer that was donated by some local charities. Teaching assistants helped scribe for tests and exams while Mom spent countless hours helping me to write assignments at home. Fortunately, I did not find schoolwork difficult and was consistently at the top of my class.

The bad news is, it was outside the classroom where I got bullied and made fun of, even physically abused because I walked and talked differently. Imagine how it would feel being laughed at, pushed down, and excluded just for being you??  Not many friends would ask me to do things outside of school. I felt excluded because I was.

But these experiences just enhanced my passion to open up the discussion on disability and inclusion in schools and to help students See The Ability in disAbility.

My fun was outside of school on the family farm with Gampie and other family members. On the farm I found the responsibility and independence I deserved! I was 10 years old when I started driving the farm tractor. I spent countless happy hours in our apple orchard and garden with Gampie discussing life, the world, and even the fascinating topic of the weather.  Between 5 years and 20, while others had sports for a hobby, I grew giant pumpkins and squash.  To this day I look up to Gampie for advice and inspiration.

In grade 12, one of the highlight accomplishments of my life was being chosen as the class valedictorian. It really felt like I finally taught my classmates to see through an expanded lens. To see me, not just the disability. This is why I am so eager to teach others to view those who are different from a new perspective.

After high school, I chose to go to Acadia University to study Physics.  It was a big change because I had never been away from home for long. The university hired a senior student to be my scribe while I did some of my work on my laptop. As technology continued to advance, I found a computer program that helped me with my math and science assignments. This improved my independence and gave me a freedom I hadn’t experienced before. University students were more inclusive and I was rarely made fun of by them. Even better, they invited me to socialize. Finally, I felt included!

Contact me to inspire corporate employees or your kindergarten class about inclusiveness  and seeing the ability in disability.