Amazing to listen to, and well worth sharing, as many of us work with young adults with complex presentations, but it is personal too. I remember when I was in a wheelchair following foot surgery, many years ago, and a waitress asked my Dad “Does the little girl want a milkshake?” – my Dad looked at me and told her to ask me myself, adding there was nothing wrong with my brain. It was my first experience of the stigma about disability, and a lesson for life – shaping my future career choice to be at OT. I can’t believe that in 2017, we have not yet moved on.

I remember when I was in a wheelchair following foot surgery in 1980, many years ago now, and a waitress asked my Dad “Does the little girl want a milkshake?”. My Dad looked at me and winced, and then told her to ask me myself, adding there was nothing wrong with my brain. It was my first experience of the stigma about disability, and a lesson for life – shaping my future career choice to be at OT. I can’t believe that in 2017, we have not yet moved on.

Listen to Jadine Baldwin’s story, where she talks about how some people don’t see her “as a person” due to her cerebral palsy. Maddy Hearne, talk about being part of a Toronto rehabilitation hospital’s campaign to end

Maddy Hearne, another young person then let’s us know more about how teenagers are working with Toronto Rehabilitation Hospital on a campaign to end stigma around disabilities. (Aug. 28, 2017)

This link will let you read more young people’s messages, this one particularly relevant to many of the young people and adults we work with.