We’re looking for Manitobans with disabilities to share their stories, insights, and opinions.

Imagine waking up one morning and not being able to get out of bed. Fast forward a couple of months and you still haven't found any relief from your pain. You are not able to do all the things you once could, in fact, you can barely cope with daily life. You get tired of the sympathy looks, their pity, so you stop telling people how you really feel when they ask. I'm OK, is all you say. Doctors brush aside your concerns.

In March 2009, I was accepted into the Creative Communications program at RRC Polytech (formerly Red River College). After six previous attempts over 13 years, I could pursue my dream career as a broadcast journalist. But I kept my focal onset seizures and history of adolescent brain tumours secret from the instructors and Creative Communications coordinator.

Who do you become when the world tells you you're different? When the barriers you face daily feel like chains to an indifferent society or another unachievable standard?

These are questions I had to ask to let go of the person the world told me to be and step into the person I am.

The process of scouring the internet for rental ads, contacting agencies and potential supports in hopes to find advocacy can be discouraging. Persons with disabilities have to be prepared for many roadblocks and yet build an inner resolve to keep understanding the processes and barriers. They need to shine the light and share their daily realities.  The low-income option waiting lists are long. 

How a service dog changed my life. Service dogs are different from Emotional Support Animals and Therapy Dogs because they are trained in specific disability-related tasks to work with one individual person. Although therapy dogs and emotional support dogs provide comfort and companionship to many, they are not granted the same access rights as Service Dogs…

International Week of the Deaf is September 20-27th and we’re celebrating with a week’s worth of content amplifying Deaf and hard-of-hearing creators, organizations, events, and so much more.

Storytellers and creators weave the fabric of our communities together and also bring Deaf culture to hearing people…