Meeting Mighty People

Meet Brittny Anderson,  Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) for Nelson/Creston, and Parliamentary Secretary for Accessibility and  MLA of Chilliwack, Dan Coulter.  This was an exciting episode because it gave me a glimpse into politics and understanding laws, both old and new, around disability rights, accessibility and funding models. 

Here is the amazing story: One day, I was really fed up with the way people with disabilities and funding models were being distributed. So I decided to write a letter to Brittny Anderson and we eventually met in Creston at the farmer's market July 2022. In the discussion I got more information on the new funding model that is in the works. I then invited her onto my podcast so that she could talk about this new funding model and other new laws around accessibility so that other can learn about it. Brittny thought it was a good idea and invited Dan Coulter, who also has a disability, to the interview. Having first-hand experience living with a disability, Dan is passionate about creating an accessible province. This was a great interview, and I so pleased with how this interview turned out because it allowed me to give Brittny and Dan my perspective on living with Cerebral Palsy in a small community. I am hopeful that I will get to work with them in some capacity in the future.

Dear Meeting Mighty People Audience,

Yesterday, I had the honorable pleasure of sharing my perspective on being a person living with diverse needs with all the teachers and staff of School District 8.

Being the student chosen to participate  in presenting my perspective on being a person with diverse needs in the general community and in school made me feel important, meaningful,  valued, heard,  and proud of my  team who supported me in  this particular part of my personal journey.It means lot to be able to share my life experiences with you all.

Thank you all for joining me in this part of my journey.

Alexis Folk 

Ever wonder what it's like having a sibling with diverse needs? In this episode, Marina Pasqua talks about her experience growing up with her little brother, Marco, who was born with Cerebral Palsy. If not learn more in this interview. Which is amazing! I will leave off there and my guest Marina speak to the rest as well as share her own personal story and experience.  

Noor Shaker is a 14-year-old teenager with cerebral palsy living in Port Coquitlam, BC, who decided she wanted to make a difference with how people with disabilities live an everyday life. She is a part of the StrongerBC Young Leaders Council, which has given her opportunities to talk to other youths who also want to create a better world for young people living in British Columbia. In June of this year, she was interviewed by Alexis to discuss accessibility issues and how making a difference, even a small one, is important. In this interview, she shares her experience with talking to Premier John Horgan, as well as how education needs to change to include more accessibility.

Meet Alexis Folk, host of the popular Meeting Mighty People Podcast. In this interview, you will hear all about the founder of this MMP show, how the show has opened her perspective on living life with Cerebral Palsy and what she has learned from almost two years of podcasting. 

Alexis notes that she has seen so many people open up after being interviewed on her show, and they say "Alexis you have made such a big difference to my life." This is important because people with disabilities need to feel like they are making a difference to the lives of others. Sometimes, people with disabilities can be underestimated because all that is seen is their disability. Alexis points out that everyone comes with gifts and abilities and this is what she focuses on in her show.

 This is a very special episode that provides a glimpse into Alexis's life.  

Hello Meeting Mighty People Fans!

Today we are honored to share my last interview with you, Melissa Lyon!

The part I enjoyed most about having Melissa on the show was that I got to hear her Mighty excellent story about her jobs, challenges and the fact that she had some similar challenges and passions!

I also enjoyed hearing her thoughts on  accessibility in the BC universities.

I  really appreciated her being vulnerable about her accessibility journey during her university term to become a Special Education teacher with Cerebral Palsy & Epilepsy Thank you for sharing your inspiring school experience Melissa.

Dear Meeting Mighty People Fans!

As of today I’m excited  to announce that I have accomplished a BIG dream of mine, which was  to interview someone on my Meeting Mighty People Podcast every month. 

In this Meeting Mighty People Podcast with inspirational Lexi Czar, I learned about the steps to becoming my own better ally. I really learned about how Lyme disease works! Thank you to my interviewee Lexi! I also liked learning about what her thoughts were on what makes a fabulous ally or support worker! Honestly her thoughts are very similar to mine.

Please join me to listen to Lexi Czar’s wonderfully courageous and educational Meeting Mighty People Podcast!

Dear Meeting Mighty People Fans!

Today I am happy to announce that I have come out with a new MMP Podcast!

This MMP podcast educates people on Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease and its individual effects on people.

Brianna’s   MMP podcast was a big eye-opener. I learned how fortunate I was to just have Cerebral Palsy eye-opener and no more than one challenge!

Brianna’s story also reminded me that although we live with challenges, we are still  amazingly talented people in our own ways as individuals!

Please join us to learn more about  Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease and hear Brianna's inspiring story!

Thank you listeners for all your support!

Alexis Folk

Dear Meeting Mighty People Fans,

I’m so happy to share with you Episode 12 of the Meeting Mighty People Podcast!

In this Meeting Mighty People Podcast, I had the opportunity to interview the amazing Jason Dunkerley!

Jason is a blind Paralympic runner, who has won FIVE Medals!!!  Jason has an incredible story!  Jason has been blind since birth. It was when he attended the school for the blind in Ontario where his running passion really took off! He has been on an incredible journey that I am excited to share with you.

Jason is also involved in the Active Living Alliance organization which provides, promotes, and encourages adapted physical activity with local Recreational Facilities to create an inclusive activity plan for all types of people, no matter their abilities!

I am honored to present Jason Dunkerly’s story and bring an amazing perspective of people who are blind.

Enjoy!

Thank you for your support everyone!

Alexis Folk

Hello Meeting Mighty People fans!

Today I have a new Meeting Mighty People Podcast ready to be heard by all of the proud Meeting Mighty People supporters and listeners, thank you for supporting everyone.

Today we have the pleasure of talking to Trish Smillie, about her amazing career choices involving people with  disabilities. In this Meeting Mighty People Podcast episode Trish, will inform us about why she chose to go to university for a degree in inclusive education and inclusive design, and many more interesting topics!

I learned that if people are supported through Universal and Inclusive Design by staff or family members who are well educated about supporting people with diverse abilities, that anything is possible. This interview provides perspective from a person who is able-bodied, about the importance of developing an inclusive environment to support students and youth everywhere.

Have you heard of Easter Seals BC Camps? These camps are life-changing for many BC children and youth with disabilities. In this episode you will learn a little more about the camps and their many fully accessible activities. From rock climbing to swimming to crafts, the individuals who attend these camps are given the opportunity to just be kids without worrying about how they are going to participate in activities. 

In this episode, you will meet Dale Kilgour, Assistant Director of Camps, and Marco Pasqua, former camp participant and current Easter Seals Board Member. Come join us to learn more about Easter Seals BC. 

Picture Description: The accompanying picture of this episode is of Marco Pasqua, as a child, attending Easter Seals Camp in Squamish, BC. He is dressed like a detective, wearing a brown oversized suit jacket and he holds a round magnifying glass to his eye with a big smile on his face. Listen to this episode to find out why Marco is dressed like a detective. 

It is so exciting to interview Izabell because she is from the same town as me. Izabell is an inspirational and talented young woman living with CP. Join me in this fun interview with Izabell.

There are so many interesting people who work with students with disabilities. Steve is one of these people. He is a Speech-Language Pathologist who works with many different type of students in my school district. Steve is very talented. Not only is he a very knowledgeable SLP, he is also a musician and is in a band where he plays the sitar. Join me in learning more about the job of an SLP and listen to some of Steve's music too. 

Meet Lily and her Mom Keely who have a very inspiring story to tell. Lily is diagnosed with a motor disorder and she currently loves riding her adapted bike that she got from the Alberta CP Kids and Family Organization. Lily will be riding her bike for 150 Km to raise money so that other children can have the same opportunity as her. These bikes are very expensive and the money she is raising will go toward purchasing adapted bikes. So far, Lily has raised over $10,000. Her goal is to raise $15,000. Way to Go Lily! Interested in donating to Lily's fundraiser? Click this link to donate: https://micharityp2p.com/calgarycp/product/lilly-sorettes-70-km-summer-challenge/?fbclid=IwAR00JJbRsEBv5RUx2o1xOfhW55UpJ4qf1dsoTMx-Fq1VYSmYLmjZpTrwDzs

In this episode of the Meeting Mighty People Podcast, I was joined by Emerson, a grade three student, with Cerebral Palsy! Like most kids, Emerson loves video games, drawing and hanging out at the youth centre. However, he is also a budding advocate for people with CP.  Join us to learn about Emerson’s Journey. 

Join me to learn about the journey of having Cerebral Palsy (CP) with an inspirational interview with Marco Pasqua. This interview is so important to me because I have CP myself. I realized, after this interview, that there needs to be more conversation around CP, particularly with students who may be frustrated or struggling with their disability. In this episode, I will be interviewing Marco Pasqua, inspirational speaker, accessibility consultant, award-winning entrepreneur and most recently, the spokesperson for the B.C. Cerebral Palsy Association. In my presentation you will learn about Marco’s eye-opening journey from growing up with CP to becoming a champion for accessibility and equality for anyone living with a disability.  This interview made me feel so comfortable because it made me feel like I was in my own community.  I was speaking to someone who is a champion for individuals living with disability. I was truly speaking with someone who understands what I go through and my possible bright future with CP.

Did you know that living life with Down Syndrome can be complex? Heart and lung complication are part of living with this syndrome. Individuals with Down Syndrome can also have vision difficulties and low muscle tone. In this episode we meet a 14 year old youth with Down Syndrome and her mom. Together they share their journey about having a youth with a disability. Sit back and enjoy this episode.

Welcome to Episode No. 1 of the Meeting Mighty People podcast. I am so excited to share with you an interview with one of my teachers from elementary school who is diagnosed with Developmental Coordination Disorder. In this episode, we find out what DCD is and how it can affect a person's life. If you haven't heard of DCD, then here is your chance to find out more.