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In this episode, Steve talks with Joseph Resendes, who has Cerebral Palsy. Joseph talks about some of the challenges he faced with CP as a younger person. But Joe has not let his disability stop him from travelling, working with kids as an Educational Assistant, playing soccer and his involvement with the Paralympics. He shares his story with enthusiasm, humor and positivity. Joe is truly an inspirational guy, living his best life in Port Moody, British Columbia.

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In the first episode, Steve talks about his journey from an able-bodied individual to a person with multiple disabilities. Steve shares some intimate aspects of his life and how it changed for him from a sudden devastating medical condition. His story may not be for the faint of heart, but it’s Steve’s story. This episode is the beginning of more stories about individuals involved in the disabled community.

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In this episode, Steve talks with his friend Robert Pascal. Robert has been a quadriplegic for over 36 years, due to a devastating car accident where Robert was a passenger. Robert gives an honest account of his transition to relearning most aspects of his daily activities. Robert Pascal is an example to anyone who is living a full-abled life that a sudden, severe disability can truly happen to anybody. He is truly a perfect example of someone who has accepted his disability and tries to live each day the best way that he can.

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Steve and Chris together have a great discussion with Paul Gauthier in regards to him as the founder of the CSIL program (Choice in Supports for Independent Living) They also discuss his involvement with his other significant initiatives that make Paul such a prominent and influential individual in the disabled community. He was born with Cerebral Palsy. As a young person, he grew up in foster care. When he turned 19, he decided that he didn’t want to live in a care facility, but he wanted to live independently. Luckily for many people today (including Steve), that Paul decided to put his positive energy into this, which is now the CSIL program. He is currently the Executive Director of the IFRC (Individualized Funding Resource Centre). Under this umbrella are many other programs to help the disabled community with independence, resources, wellbeing, and support. Paul and Steve talk about these other programs, and we learn a lot about Paul including: his previous Paralympic accolades, his numerous awards, and the great work that he continues to pursue. As you listen, you will recognize the passion that Paul has brought to these extraordinary endeavors. If you are interested in learning more about the CSIL program in British Columbia, contact the IFRC at ifrcsociety.org or 604-777-7576 / 1-844-604-7576

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Steve has a conversation with the delightful Amy Amantea, an actor/performer, writer, arts administrator, disability strategist and advocate. She is also legally blind, as well as neurodivergent, and she experiences chronic pain from Gastropareses - nerve damage in the stomach. Her Type 1 diabetes rendered her into a coma and when she emerged from that experience, she was diagnosed with diabetic retinopathy, which caused her to become legally blind. None the less, she navigates through her life with positivity, passion and purpose. Amy gets a lot of joy from creating her own work, her current project is entitled: Through my Lens, where she takes her own pictures by finding the 'light' - without actually seeing the images of her own photos. She creates personal stories through her performance art. You can find Amy here: Accessing Art With Amy - Podcast - Apple Podcasts, https://throughmylens.ca and Vancouver Co-op Radio – CFRO 100.5 FM

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In this episode, Steve talks to Monica Gartner. Monica is 3’ & 1.5” foot tall in stature, but 10X taller in gumption! When Monica was born, she was affected with scoliosis and a bone disease. She tells some stories about growing up, some of her hospital experiences, and her family support. She has a degree in Business, has done some acting, as well as wrote a book! Monica is truly an inspirational lady!

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Steve has a very lively conversation with Marco Pasqua. Marco was born with Cerebral Palsy, but that is hardly the story. When he was only 10 years old, Marco was invited to be the ambassador/host of the Timmy’s Christmas Telethon with local radio legend Red Robinson. This was his first opportunity to speak in front of a large audience. Later in life, he pursued a career in technology, lost his job in 2010 due to the recession, and then decided to use his voice as a motivational speaker, entrepreneur, and accessibility consultant. Rick Hansen and Michael J. Fox may be his heroes, but we think that Marco is in some great company. If you want to know more about Marco, please go to his website. www.marcopasqua.com and get his book ‘From Potential to Purpose’. He may be a person with a disability, but he’s by no means a disabled person. 

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Steve and Chris talk to Liz Hunter, a Community Librarian at the New Westminster Public Library in New Westminster, British Columbia. We talk to Liz, because she helped teach us in learning about Podcasting. This is an initiative Liz started at the library, including procuring equipment and a space that library card holders can use to facilitate their own podcast. Liz also talks about some of the other library initiatives and how libraries have changed in her 16 years on the job. 

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In this episode, Steve talks to Joey Hsieh – who has a son who is disabled. Her son Matthew has a rare disease, is nonverbal, blind, and in a wheelchair. As a child, he was misdiagnosed with Autism. Joey is truly a loving mother full of positivity and acceptance. She gets her strength from Matthew, and she prefers the term different ability over disability. Joey also talks about the challenges in getting the right caregiving help for Matthew. 

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In this episode, Steve talks to the listeners about his experience with depression. He shares intimate details of some of his experiences and what led up to his depression. He also shares some of his coping strategies and what worked for him to try and cope with some of the negative thoughts he had using positive strategies. Steve does not claim to be the expert in this topic but rather shares some of his own personal accounts that other people might be able to relate to. 

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In this episode, Steve talks to Lelainia Lloyd who was diagnosed with Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder (NMOSD) in 2012, after initially being misdiagnosed with MS in 2007. As Lelainia describes it, her immune system has gone rogue. This disability can lead to blindness and paralyses. In spite of her physical struggles, Lelainia is a passionate advocate who writes, did a podcast, travels, does public speaking and volunteering. But her hobby of wheelchair curling is what brings her immense joy. She practices advocacy out of necessity. 

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In this episode, Steve and Chris talk to Bonita Zarrillo, who was elected as the Member of Parliament for Port Moody-Coquitlam in 2021. She is currently the NDP Critic for Infrastructure and Communities; Disability Inclusion; and the Deputy Health Critic. They have an informative and thought-provoking discussion, including such topics as advocacy, accessibility, infrastructure, policies, and initiatives. 28% of British Columbians aged 15 years and older live with a disability. Nationally, 41% live below the poverty line. We are glad to have Bonita on our team. Visit her website: https://bonitazarrillo.ndp.ca/

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In this episode, Steve has a conversation with Innocent Ali; one of Steve’s caregivers. Innocent tells the story of moving to Canada from Africa and how he came to be one of Steve’s caregivers. They also discuss caregiving tips and strategies for a disabled person and share personal stories about working together for the last year, as well as Innocent’s own personal journey and future aspirations.

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In this episode, Steve talks to his family doctor, Dr. Gurdeep Manhas, also known as Dr. Rick.

Dr. Rick and Steve talk a lot about Rick’s background, his medical practice, and many other philosophies Rick lives by and practices as he helps people who visit him at his 2 medical clinics in Coquitlam and New Westminster, BC. Steve and Dr. Rick have a very special relationship that goes beyond patient/doctor, which shows how important that is for physical and mental well-being.

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Steve talks with Michelle Hewitt from Kelowna, current Board Chair of Disability without Poverty, a non profit organization. A former public school principal, Michelle was diagnosed with aggressive multiple sclerosis in her early 40s, and is a full time power wheelchair user. Fatigue limits the amount of time she spends out of bed each day to less than 8 hours. “We have a large chunk of disabled people who already live in poverty, and a large chunk of disabled people who are very close to living in poverty,” Michelle says. “This shouldn’t be happening in Canada.”  She says it’s important that the Canada Disability Benefit is designed by people who live with disabilities and know how it could improve their lives. The benefit is “the first step” to improving the financial situation for Canadians with disabilities. In addition to being the chair of the board of DWP, Michelle volunteers on local and provincial disability committees. She is a PhD candidate at UBC-O, where her research focuses on younger disabled adults who have no other option than to live in long-term care institutions. As if she doesn't have enough on her resume, she also co-hosts a podcast, Disability with Possibility.

Disability Without Poverty Disability with Possibility - Podcast - Apple Podcasts

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In this episode, Steve talks with Evan Schwerbrock (all the way from North Carolina) who developed Leber’s Hereditary Optic Neuropathy, and became legally blind in 2014. As health & fitness was very important to Evan, he continued working out feverishly, learning to adapt to his new needs. Despite visual impairment, Evan moved on to earn his Master’s degree in Kinesiology with a concentration in Applied Exercise Physiology. During this time, he also focused on disability studies and their application to health and fitness. Evan is also a Certified Personal Trainer and Fitness Nutrition Specialist through the National Academy of Sports Medicine. He actively competes in Strongman, with a recent accomplishment of first place in the 2019 Illinois Strongest Blind Man competition in the 242 lb. weight class. He currently runs Cane & Able Fitness, where they provide accessible fitness information for the visually-impaired community across the world through online training, seminars, and consulting services. www.caneandablefitness.com  

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In this episode, Steve has a very candid conversation with Dayna Wilson who has autism. Dayna grew up in the 90’s a bit isolated in Whitehorse, Yukon. She was treated differently, because as she describes it – she was a bit weird. She was officially diagnosed with Autism when she was in her 30’s, which she describes as cathartic. She also has autistic children, which are a blessing to her and she loves being a mom to her 3 kids. In spite of her invisible struggles, and a very devastating family tragedy; she also thrives and strives in her professional career. She was recently promoted as the Executive Assistant for a Member of Parliament. She loves her work, and loves to make a difference. 

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Steve interviews Ean Price from Kelowna, British Columbia.  Ean is the Peer Support Manager at Technology for Living, a non profit group from Vancouver that works with people who have severe physical disabilities and helps them to live as well and as independently as possible. TFL provides people who experience physical barriers with peer support, innovative technologies, respiratory therapy services and equipment that addresses unmet needs and increases independence, inclusion and wellbeing. Ean himself has Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type 2, (a genetic condition) has a power wheelchair, uses a ventilator and a feeding tube. He doesn't really see himself as a disabled person, until he runs into obstacles. He has very supportive family and friends; lives his life taking risks, and would prefer to be defined by his accomplishments. If that's not enough of a resume, Ean is also the founder & CEO of ICAN Resource Group Inc. ICAN focuses on 3 areas: website design, accessible travel, and assistive technology. You will be blown away by Ean's positivity, as he strives and thrives to change lives with technology. This is truly a feel good episode !   

technologyforliving.org        icanresource.ca

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In this episode, Steven and Chris talk with Penn and Moses Street from Colorado. Penn became blind as a young child from a rattlesnake bite, developing Stevens-Johnson Syndrome. Her family of 12 moved to Colorado from Arkansas because Penn could get better care from the children’s hospital in that area. Penn had a tomboy spirit, and refused to accept that she couldn’t do something as a visually impaired youngster.  Fast forward many years later, and she met the love of her life – Moses Street, a professional photographer. Today, they live life to the fullest by travelling, spending time in the great outdoors, and working for Aftersight;  a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing audio access to print information and empowering services for the blind and low vision community. They also host a podcast together, called 'The Blind Chick', doing great on the Aftersight network among other podcasts focusing on low or non vision hosts and guests. We had a lot of laughs on this episode, not even sure how we got off topic (many times), but we hope that you will enjoy listening to this lively episode.  Go to Aftersight.org to find all of their podcast offerings. 

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Today we have an internationally acclaimed singer. If you are a Vancouver Canucks Fan, you certainly don’t need an introduction to Steve’s current guest. He has been a frequent singer of the Canadian and American Anthems before the hockey home games at Rogers Arena in Vancouver. Jugpreet lost his sight from retinoblastoma eye cancer when he was only 6 months old.  He started his music career at a young age. Performing live in English, French, Hindi and Punjabi, the 2009 Canadian Desi Idol runner-up has appeared at many events ranging from the Surrey Fusion Festival to B.C. Children’s Hospital fundraisers. Steve and Jugpreet have a thought provoking and lively conversation about his musical influences, his favourite types of music, and his supportive family background.

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Steve talks with his friend Iris, whom he met through the CNIB (Canadian National Institute for the Blind) when Steve first went blind. Iris and Steve share the rare condition of being 100% blind. While Steve’s was sudden, Iris slowly lost her vision, starting when she was a teenager. She had various operations without success but eventually accepted her non-vision as her lifestyle. She is involved with CNIB, curling, and worked at a restaurant in Vancouver called The Dark Table, where patrons dine in total darkness. She also shares her experiences in acquiring service dogs because she wanted to be independent. She also discusses the rights pertaining to ownership of a service dog and the process involved in acquiring a support animal. 

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Scott has been in the Prosthetic and Orthotic profession for over 30 years. He completed a 2 year residency with Russell Prosthetics in New Westminster, BC. When the founder retired, he took over the clinic and has continued to serve patients ever since. Scott continues to stay up to date with the latest techniques and technologies in this rapidly changing field. Scott’s volunteer work has taken him to 6 countries across 4 continents. Steve and Scott have a very informative conversation about the process of getting a prosthetic, something which Steve is quite familiar with himself. 

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Steve has a great conversation with Tristan, who is the Director of Business Development for BC Diabetes in Vancouver. As Tristan explains, he is a 'business guy' and not a medical professional. Tristan's father, Dr. Tom Elliott is the Founder and Medical Director at BC Diabetes. Tom eventually recruited his son to work with the organization. This was just about the time of the Covid pandemic, which changed everything as we know, regarding in person and virtual appointments in medicine. Tristan also talks about the evolution of Diabetes devices and monitors, Insulin pumps, and new medications. He explains the difference between Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes: symptoms, conditions and treatments. You can visit BC Diabetes with a referral from a health care professional.

BCDiabetes - British Columbia Diabetes Care, Research, and Education

LifestyleRx - Diabetes Reversal Program