By Alex Smyth

Prior to the Paralympic Games being postponed in 2020 to its new date in 2021, the Toronto bureau team were gearing up to head to Tokyo to cover the competition and follow Canada’s athletes as they chased gold. As we know now, a lot has changed in that time, and although we will no longer be in Tokyo for the Games, one member of the AMI team will be there giving it her all. 

Victoria Nolan, host of AMI This Week, is heading back onto the global stage, when she and her team competes in mixed rowing at the Paralympics. Having covered para-sports and the impact the pandemic has had on athletes this past year; I am all too aware of the challenges and hurdles our para-athletes have overcome to prepare for these Paralympics. 

While some of the challenges may seem obvious, such as finding alternatives for training facilities and equipment when gyms are closed, or competitions are cancelled.

But some challenges were not widely known or spoken of. In Victoria’s case, living in Toronto, but having the national training facility on Vancouver Island meant a lot of travel. She was aware of that commitment and had done so previously, but this competition cycle was completely different. 

Having spoken to her before she left for Tokyo, she discussed the fact that she had not seen her family in over six months due to travel restrictions and quarantine rules in place. In order for her to see her family, both sides would have to quarantine pre- and post-visit. Not only is this stressful to go through the necessary confinement for days, but it was also hugely disruptive. To spend a few days with the family meant Victoria would miss weeks of training with her team. That’s a tall ask, and not everyone could deal with it, let alone have the drive to get back into the groove of things with the rest of the team upon return. But Victoria hasn’t let that stop her, and it only makes me want to root for her and her team even more. 

But this cycle of training and preparation hasn’t only affected Victoria, her family has dealt with the separation as well. Her husband, Eammon, spoke with us about those challenged and holding down the fort back at home. But he knew that the time spent apart and sacrifices made would only fuel her drive, and make Victoria compete even harder.

These are the stories that are rarely told about athletes when they compete on the world stage. We witness the pinnacle of their careers, sometimes lasting only a few seconds, but we do not witness the years of blood, sweat, and tears that went into reaching that moment. 

I hope that when you watch, listen, and enjoy the Paralympic Games in Tokyo, that you remember to reflect—even for a moment or two—on what these athletes must have gone through to achieve their dreams. Training to compete in a competition that was postponed, refocusing their attention to the following year, protecting themselves during a global pandemic, isolating themselves from loved ones and friends. Battling through adversity, for a chance at glory.

Not everyone will achieve the goals they set. Some will fall, while others will rise. There will be tears as well as cheers, but we should celebrate them all the same. 

Watch our interview with Victoria and her family on AMI This Week, Monday at 8 p.m. Eastern, on AMI-tv.

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By Christopher Vallée 

We Are One is a new AMI original production that showcases how families across Canada cope through disability. In its pilot episode, we meet the Santos-Mclaren family. 

Claudine Santos and Adam Mclaren are parents to a wonderful boy named William who, at a very young age, was diagnosed with Septo-Optic dysplasia. This is a rare disorder that most commonly features the underdevelopment of the optic nerve. In William’s case, this means full blindness. 

The diagnosis brought on many hurdles in William's early years, his parents grieving the loss of the “ideal child.” 

“Every parent wants a good, happy, easy life for their kids, looking forward to sitting and watching sunsets and thinking, 'This is going to be so great!' And then you can’t do that, plans change, you get angry because it’s not in your control to fix,” says Claudine. 

Through these moments of grief, Claudine quickly moved onto acceptance, making a promise to William to not linger on the things he can’t do, but to instead help him achieve the things that he can. Adam took a bit longer to comprehend the situation, explaining that as William got more verbal and as more of his individual personality started shining bright, acceptance hit. 

Through the years, the family has shared many exciting memories and have no regrets. Though times were difficult, the family found their way through time, friends, family and community resources.

“While each family is unique, the struggles that we experience are not,” says Claudine. “We can help each other through difficult times, reach out and ask for help.” 

So much laughter was shared during the three days we spent together, the love that this family has for each other is palpable. Whether it was William’s famous one-liners and silly comments or the family’s sweet nature, my smile was so big and bright that my cheeks were hurting!

The Santos-Mclaren family is destined for success. Learn more about them by watching We Are One on Monday, August 23 at 8:30 p.m. Eastern on AMI-tv.
 

By Alex Smyth

When it comes to the world of fashion, there is typically something out there for everyone. From high fashion and statement pieces to low-key but well-made clothes, each style, cut and look is represented. But what about adaptive clothing? Is there representation in the fashion industry for the disability community? For a long time, the answer was no. Thankfully, that has now changed.

One designer who made her name designing and dressing the stars has taken on the challenge of designing accessible clothing that look good too. Izzy Camilleri designed pieces for David Bowie, Gord Downie, Meryl Streep, and many more, but it was when she started designing clothes for Barbara Turnbull, who is a wheelchair user, that things changed. Realizing the complex relationship people with disabilities have with clothing, she started her IZ Collection to change the narrative that clothes can be function and look good at the same time.

Having learned about her journey and the decision to shift her focus to helping the disability community, I was excited to help share her story with more people. We often hear about the transgressions against or exclusion of people with disabilities by others, but when someone who is having great success in their field learns about the issues facing people with disabilities and decides to take action to change that, it should be celebrated. 

Ironically, when Izzy first started creating her adaptive line, she was questioned and even shunned by her counterparts in the fashion industry. They just didn’t understand why she would go from working with the stars to making adaptive clothing. But now, after years working on her lines, the fashion world is starting to follow Izzy’s lead. Tommy Hilfiger, Nike, and other huge clothing brands have started making adaptive clothes. While this change is welcomed, there is still hesitancy to outright promote these clothes at the same level of their flagship lines. 

In the world of fashion, it’s all about standing out and making a statement with your clothes. In Izzy’s case, her clothes are standing out above the rest and saying loud and clear, that everyone deserves clothes that are functional, well-fitted, and look good. 

Watch the segment with Izzy on AMI This Week next Monday at 8 p.m. Eastern on AMI-tv. Want to read more from Alex? Search his name!
 

By Alex Smyth

During the summer, I always enjoy having dishes that are lighter and refreshing. One of my favourite dishes to enjoy is my family’s version of German potato salad. While traditional German potato salad is served hot in a vinegar-based sauce, my family’s take on the classic adds some mayo for added creaminess. It’s super delicious and easy to make! 

While I do enjoy the traditional style during the cooler months, when it’s hot and sunny, we always go for this hybrid recipe. The best part is you can always add other flavours you like to make it your own. Try adding a pinch of cayenne or some hot sauce for heat, or a few strips of bacon for a savoury crunch. You won’t be disappointed! 

Without further ado, here’s my family’s potato salad recipe.

Ingredients: 

-    4-6 medium potatoes 
-    2 medium eggs
-    3 pickle slices (sweet or dill, depending on preference)
-    ¼ of medium onion
-    3 tbsp mayo
-    3 tbsp white vinegar
-    3 tbsp pickle juice
-    2 tbsp oil
-    ½ tsp sugar
-    ½ tsp salt and pepper

Directions:

-    Boil skin-on whole potatoes until a fork easily pierces the centre
-    Remove potatoes from water and let cool
-    Bring 2 eggs to boil then turn off heat, let eggs cool in water before removing
-    While waiting for eggs and potatoes to cool, dice the pickles and onion
-    Once cooled, de-shell eggs and finely chop
-    Once cooled, peel and chop potatoes into 1-inch cubes
-    In a large bowl, combine the chopped potatoes, eggs, pickle and stir
-    In a smaller bowl, make the sauce by combining the mayo, white vinegar, pickle juice, oil, sugar, salt and pepper
-    Add the sauce to the dry ingredients, combine until evenly coated, and serve

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By Wendy Purves

Being an entrepreneur isn’t easy at the best of times; add in a pandemic and things can really get challenging! For the Halifax Bureau’s latest television special, Pivot like a Boss, we had the chance to talk with three incredible entrepreneurs who shared the highs and lows of how they are managing their businesses during these turbulent times.

Jenna White runs Jenna’s Nut-Free Dessertery in Fredericton. Jenna has Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and started her baking business after she became legally blind and soon afterward developed anaphylaxis. She chose to "go big" and actually expand her business during the pandemic.

The CEO of Fundmetric, Mark Hobbs, a lifelong entrepreneur who has cerebral palsy, not only weathered the pandemic’s effect on his high-tech business, which helps non-profits and charities raise money using artificial intelligence, he also found a way to give back to his clients who were struggling.

Alex Pittman, manager of Mikiz Pittstop and owner of Alex's Chill & Grill in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, like Jenna, started his business several years ago after he lost his sight (in his case, due to diabetic retinopathy). Running a restaurant during the pandemic tested his entrepreneurial mettle, but Alex found the inspiration to keep going in the joy he found in serving his customers during this difficult time.

I can’t wait for you to meet these fascinating entrepreneurs and hear their stories of resilience, perseverance, and optimism.

Pivot like a Boss, hosted by Laura Bain, airs Friday, July 30, at 8 p.m. Eastern on AMI-tv. Stream it on demand on AMI.ca or the AMI-tv App.