Solace I
when you can talk about disability without people getting weird about it
when you can have shared interests and meaningful conversations;
feeling valued
both people being able to be understood and supported
for me to be seen as a whole person and not feeling broken
how is your body
how is your mind
how are you, really
allowed to be more myself and less guarded
respect
**In a year of chaos, I found an amazing person and friend. We support each other, laugh on the good days and encourage one another on the bad ones. I don’t have to pretend I’m someone I’m not.
II
It doesn’t have to be complicated. Help can be offered, systems can
work, walls can be climbed. This is something we can do, together.
Without the fake smiles and the funding calculations. With
thoughtfulness and caring, knowledge-sharing and collaboration.
Join us, we are happy to meet you. We want to help you climb to the top.
I spent a weekend in Whistler this summer. And it was profound. The
support was amazing: yoga, mountain biking, canoeing, climbing. Not
once did I feel less than, every night I fell asleep feeling joyful.
I didn’t have to “fit in” to a world not built for me.
Feeling that was intoxicating. Surviving every day with a hundred pound load of ableism, and the freedom of being able to put that down for a while.
I did this for me.
And for those three days, the world was barrier-free.
Disability-led. Built for people like me.
**Thank you to Spinal Cord Injury BC and Whistler Adaptive for an
unforgettable experience
III
Put that backpack down.
I brought you pizza!
I will follow this through.
We can talk about crutches, we can talk about cats
You can just “be”.
**This piece is about people who give you the love and support you
need without being asked, without judgement.
The ability to meet people where they’re at and not where you want
them to be, or where you think they should be.
Just be.
And enjoy the pizza!
Paths Forward
What do you see?
Peers
Circle of care
People who show up for each other
Ongoing conversations and growth
I feel invisible
Don’t make me the diversity hire
Bring me on to your team because we are passionate, hardworking
professionals with skills, values and goals that align
Let’s collaborate
Don’t pick me last
Show me what you know, where you are going
My personhood matters
Disabled professionals exist. I’m one.
Tell me you’ve done the work, so I can come to work
Tell me I can help you build something meaningful
Tell me if the elevator is broken, I won’t have to befriend the dumpster
Isolation is a powerful thing — inclusion isn’t a back alley
I want to grow with other disabled professionals and allies
I want to thrive, not just survive
Peers
People who show up for each other
Disability-led
New hope, new paths
Forward
**Advocating for myself to find and keep paid employment has been a difficult journey with limited supports available and a general lack of
knowledge and resources for workers, job seekers and employers.
Growing up disabled in a small town, I was and still am often the only
disabled person in the room. I feel having open ongoing discussions and
sharing lived experiences with other disabled individuals in the workforce would make a real, needed difference going forward.
Support this research by completing the audience survey.
It will help me understand your perspective after viewing the artwork above!
Artists' Showcase:
Sam Riesco
I live in Gibsons BC, a ferry ride away from Vancouver. I’m 35 years old.
I was born with Cerebral Palsy and walk with forearm crutches. I’ve worked from a young age and am passionate about connecting with people and making a difference.
In my free time I love to read, write, hike, and try new foods!I am grateful for the opportunity to participate in this study —it’s been both challenging and fun.
Artists' Showcase:
Sam Riesco
I live in Gibsons BC, a ferry ride away from Vancouver. I’m 35 years old.
I was born with Cerebral Palsy and walk with forearm crutches. I’ve worked from a young age and am passionate about connecting with people and making a difference.
In my free time I love to read, write, hike, and try new foods!
I am grateful for the opportunity to participate in this study —it’s been both challenging and fun.
Discord I
I don’t see myself represented in the community.
I am often the only disabled person in the room.
Help is on other people’s terms.
I want to go to the store, I want to eat pizza.
I want to have a friend to rely on and not always prove that I am good
enough.
Instead, it’s advocacy and body image and access.
Symptoms and failings and doctor’s notes.
I am enough.
But who else knows that? Who shows up?
**I have to do a lot of things on my own, I have to be the person
actively requesting disability accommodations in work and school and
life. And that is exhausting and isolating when everyone is constantly
asking “What’s wrong with you?” “Why should we help you” “Just try
harder!”
II
You can’t do life with a hammer
You don’t fit in this box
I’m building something new
**This summer, I purchased my first manual wheelchair and now have
one more tool in my toolbox. It has made my daily activities more
doable and fun and given me the chance to learn new skills.
As an adult with CP, I wanted something that would allow me to rest on
the days when I need more support and somewhere to SIT because
places to sit are ridiculously hard to find.
I can go farther, faster — because sometimes going slow is boring.
I’m trying something new. I’m giving my mind and body a rest.
My family shocked me by telling me I was giving up.
I don’t see it that way.
III
Please knock
During heavy weather, and seasons of struggle
The door may be locked
You may be snowed in
You may be unhinged
There may be more than one
Gatekeepers, variables.
Fresh paint
Old habits
I live here
Please knock
**Walking is hard for me. Non-disabled people walk from A to B.
Autopilot. No problem.
I walk from A to B, but every action is directed, consequences are
considered, obstacles are navigated, mobility is challenged. Weather is a
factor, time and distance and function and rest. I’m a fall risk. My
muscles are spastic and don’t always do what I want. The mental and
physical load is significant.
The door is me asking my body to move. It also represents my personal
space, access and difficult house guests.
**Rock climbing #1
**Rock climbing #2
**Photos by Forrest Riesco. Used with permission.
Exhibition work
It doesn’t have to be complicated. Help can be offered, systems can work, walls can be climbed. This is something we can do, together.Without the fake smiles and the funding calculations. With thoughtfulness and caring, knowledge-sharing and collaboration.
Join us, we are happy to meet you. We want to help you climb to the top.
I spent a weekend in Whistler this summer. And it was profound. The support was amazing: yoga, mountain biking, canoeing, climbing. Not once did I feel less than, every night I fell asleep feeling joyful.
II
I didn’t have to “fit in” to a world not built for me.
Feeling that was intoxicating. Surviving every day with a hundred pound load of ableism, and the freedom of being able to put that down for a while.
I did this for me.
And for those three days, the world was barrier-free.Disability-led. Built for people like me.
**Thank you to Spinal Cord Injury BC and Whistler Adaptive for anunforgettable experience