Yesterday I faced the snowpocolypse to deliver a guest lecture at Dr. Klinger’s 2nd year OT Class on Representations of Disability and Media Activism. I’m pretty sure this is my 4th year speaking to the class and I absolutely love it–the students are so engaged and determined to make a difference in the lives of people with disabilities.

Keep up the great work, together we can get people moving!

This morning I returned to the Thames Valley Children’s Centre for another keynote presentation, this time at the School Age Children with Disabilities Workshop. Similar to my last visit to TVCC, my presentation was to parents of youth with disabilities to talk about the importance of self advocacy and education. It was a great crowd with tremendous conversation following the presentation. Looks like our next generation of youth with disabilities are being well positioned to become the advocates of the future because of some wonderfully supportive parents.

Earlier this summer I was invited to speak to a group of potential principals about teaching youth with “exceptionalities.” It was a really interesting group and I learned during our subsequent discussion that the education system doesn’t just have trouble handling students with disabilities, but also students with above average intelligence. As it turns out, teachers are beginning to look at these two populations in the same way–students whose needs go beyond the standard level required by “average” students. Interesting indeed.

It was at this presentation that I met Jana Bayer-Smith, a teacher from Stratford who expressed interest in me coming to speak to her english class. After a bit of scheduling and a few months waiting, I finally made the trek up to Stratford to speak to her class at Stratford Northwest Secondary School. The kids were awesome (as to be expected) and I had a ton of fun sharing stories and meeting the other teachers. I even managed to make a few friends who share my anti-Bieber sentiment.

Thank you to the staff and students of SNSS for all the support, kind words, and willingness to listen. Also, a special thanks to Jana for bringing me in to visit. You’re an amazing teacher Jana, keep up the great work!

Tonight I had the chance to get back in the classroom, presenting at Professor Digby’s OB class. It was my first time seeing the revamped UCC class rooms, which feature some exciting accessibility features to allow for teachers with disabilities. The class was great and asked a lot of fun questions, including one student who wanted to know if I could “get drunk.” I’m not sure if he was implying I was drunk at the time–perhaps I was swerving a lot? I have to say, it felt good being back in a university classroom. I’d love to make a habit of this going forward.

Thanks again to Dr. Digby for being such a great host and for the amazing conversation afterwards!

I headed over to my old stomping ground, the Thames Valley Children’s Centre this morning to deliver at keynote address at the Neuromuscular Clinic Family Education Day. For this morning, I did things a bit differently, incorporating some of the work Clara and I have been doing on Cripz: A Webcomic to talk a bit more about the disability rights movement and creative activism. The presentation went off great with some great questions afterward. Good to see some familiar faces and to meet some new ones as well!