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Christopher Vallée previews his chat with Brigitte McCauley-Philion

Christopher Vallée and Brigitte McCauley-Philion

By Christopher Vallée

Eating disorders are isolating illnesses that in many cases, require intensive treatment. With an ongoing pandemic and mandatory stay at home orders, the number of people falling victim to eating disorders has risen at an astronomical rate. The demand for treatment has grown significantly and the resources available have not kept pace.  

Amongst the long wait times, what challenges does an eating disorder treatment present? Is treatment accessible to the disability community? Are there resources in place to properly treat patients who need specific accommodations? Brigitte McCauley-Philion, who is Deaf, has accessed treatment for her eating disorder on several occasions. Unfortunately, Brigitte has been constantly challenged by the lack of support she was given. 

“Eating disorders do not discriminate. It doesn’t matter what ethnicity, body size or socio-economic status you are, you can still be affected,” Brigitte says. “What often gets overlooked is that eating disorders affect people of all abilities. Because I’m Deaf, I am missing out on key therapeutic elements. How is that fair?” 

As an eating disorder survivor, I can attest that it’s HARD work to cross the bridge to recovery and live a life free of the illness. It takes a lot of strength, determination, and support. I’m hurt and shocked to hear that there are accessibility challenges with treatment. Therapy was what sparked my desire to defeat the bully that lived in my head for so many years. How is one supposed to get better alone or with limited amount of help? Brigitte’s anger towards the inequities with treatment has transformed into advocacy work for people who relate to her story, she wants to be part of the crucial change.

Learn more about how Brigitte is advocating for the greater need of accessibility in mental treatment by watching AMI This Week on Monday, June 28, at 8 p.m. Eastern on AMI-tv.

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Laura Bain previews the Self-Love is Blind Podcast

Jillian Gillis sits at a desk, with a microphone in front of her.

I recently had the chance to connect with Jillian Gillis about her new podcast Self-Love is Blind. While it’s true that Jillian happens to be a friend of mine from the blind community in Halifax, I think what most people will enjoy about the podcast, whether they know Jillian or not, is that each episode feels like a chat between friends. The show is a good antidote to feelings of loneliness and isolation brought on by third wave COVID restrictions. 

As the name implies, the podcast’s theme is self-love. In each episode, Jillian speaks with a different guest about their successes and challenges. The conversations are raw and refreshingly honest. Jillian shares openly about her struggles with mental illness and the steps she has taken towards wellness. The show is uplifting without any hint of toxic positivity. 

For Jillian, creating the podcast was itself an act of self-love. As it has for so many, the pandemic gave her a chance to re-evaluate her career path and to think about what she wanted from life. Rather than continuing in her field, she “pivoted” and spent her time during lockdown learning the necessary skills to produce Self-Love is Blind, which she hopes will inspire others and be a financial success. 

To hear more about how she did it and what she’s learned along the way, tune in to Monday’s new episode of AMI This Week at 8 p.m. Eastern. Stream it on demand on AMI.ca or the AMI-tv App.

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Alex Smyth previews AccessNow

The Honourable Carla Qualtrough and AccessNow founder and CEO, Maayan Ziv

By Alex Smyth

When we work on a story at AMI, the process can vary depending on a number of factors. When it comes to the story on AccessNow, this is a story that has been years in the making. Starting back in 2019, we knew we wanted to profile AccessNow and Maayan Ziv, its founder and CEO. 

Originally, we had larger plans to tell a longer story in the form of a documentary. Unfortunately, that did not materialize as schedules fill up, priorities get shifted, and resources go from one project to another. Nonetheless, we maintained a plan to try and do something on the organization and the federal funding they received. 

Eventually, the opportunity presented itself when we spoke with Maayan about the Trans Canada Trail project that AccessNow was involved in, providing valuable tracking and accessibility information for the trails across the country. We were able to speak with her about that project, as well as the other things the organization has been doing during the pandemic. Not satisfied with staying still, they have worked to incorporate pandemic-related services into their app with a new feature called Access From Home

I will be the first to say that I always want to showcase and share the stories of organizations that are working hard to make the lives of those with disabilities better, and AccessNow has been a great example of that for a long time. By sharing simple, but impactful, information to users on things they need to know—from washroom availability, the ease of mobility in the space, and other accessible services available—people with disabilities have a chance to confidently go where they need to.

Now that the government of Canada has recognized the great work that AccessNow is doing, they will continue to grow and, I hope soon, there will be a presence in every major city across this country. It may have taken a few years, but we finally had a chance to tell this story and highlight how they’ve have grown. 

Here’s hoping the next time we try and check in with AccessNow, it will be a lot easier! 

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

Beth Deer previews Lil E Café

A man, wearing a surgical mask, holds a small girl in her arms.

By Beth Deer

If you are in a bad mood and looking for something to make you smile, this is the story for you. I say this because the interview I had with one of the participants, Darby, really changed my mood. 

In next week's episode of AMI This Week, we talk to Paul Constance about the life-changing business he opened up in downtown Calgary called Lil E Café. The venture was inspired by his three-year-old daughter Ella, who has Down syndrome. 

When Paul realized there were very few job opportunities for those with learning disabilities, he knew he had to something about it. And do something he did. The café’s aim is to launch 10,000 careers and help share an accessible business model with any employer who wants to be more inclusive. 

This story really pulled on my heartstrings and I can’t wait for it to do the same for you. I have no doubt that you’ll watch it and smile.

Tune in to Monday’s new episode of AMI This Week, at 8 p.m. Eastern, to learn more.

Want to read more from Beth? Search her name! 
 

Chris Vallée previews the new documentary Is it Time for Online?

Children sit in a classroom, wearing surgical masks.

By Christopher Vallée

Since March of last year when COVID-19 was declared a pandemic in Canada, the way we are educated has been transformed. Online learning was introduced as a temporary fix to keep students educated. The real question is, will online learning be here to stay? Is it time for online education? What are the benefits and what are the drawbacks? Our latest documentary, Is it Time for Online? will help answer those questions. We spoke to a variety of people, from educators to students and parents and received many different viewpoints on the new online model that’s been utilized by many school boards in Canada. 

While some see the benefits to online education, it is hard to ignore the hardships. Students, educators and parents were all thrown into this situation last year with little to no time to prepare. Educators express that because of this, students at the elementary and secondary school levels are only consuming about 60-65 per cent of the curriculum. While schools have tried their hardest to adapt to online, some learning elements cannot be done virtually. 

There was one clear message mentioned by every single interviewee: education should be individualized from person to person. What works for someone doesn’t always work for another. We all learn differently, and this pandemic has forced schools to think outside of the box and explore their options. 

A lot of uncertainty lies ahead, there are no clear answers on whether this new way of learning will stick around in a post-pandemic world. One thing we know for certain is that the Government of Ontario is considering it. As for students and parents, well, many are open to the idea of permanency, but believe that in order for it to work, improvements must be made and the flaws dealt with.

Learn how students, families and educators are adapting to online learning and what impact this sudden switch has had on their daily lives by watching Is It Time for Online? on Friday, May 28, at 8 p.m. Eastern on AMI-tv. Stream it post-broadcast anytime right here on AMI.ca or the AMI-tv App.

Want to read more from Chris? Search his name!