This week on the podcast my guest, Amy Chavez, and I have a fascinating conversation about our central nervous system and how it relates to difficult behaviour. Amy explains that our nervous system seeks to do only two things. Connect or protect. That’s it. End of story. No other options. Which begs the question, do we want people with disabilities to connect with us or feel they need to protect themselves from us. Which then leads us to examine how we try to support people who are labelled as h...
Jul 10, 2022•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 146
Heather’s Values Of Inclusion are a pattern interrupt that challenge us to stretch and deepen our understanding of what inclusion really means and what it calls on each of us to believe and live out if we want inclusion to exist in our communities. If you aren’t sure you buy into inclusion for all people then this episode will be thought provoking. If you are sure you do buy into inclusion for all people then this episode will help you reflect and maybe even identify where you need to stretch. G...
Jul 04, 2022•58 min•Ep. 145
This week on the podcast, Sarah Buffie helps me better understand difficult behaviour. Our conversation covers trauma, what happens in our bodies when we are triggered by someone else’s behaviour and what we can do about it. It is a fascinating conversation and one I hope to continue as I deepen my ability to be with people who are struggling and expressing themselves through behaviour that I find difficult to cope with.
Jun 20, 2022•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 145
My new friend, Yeiter, wrote a book call Lessons In Listening and it challenges the popular behaviour modification approaches to supporting people with behaviours that are labelled as difficult. In addition to his listening skills, ability to empathize and connect with others who are often villainized and ostracized, Yeiter is a lovely storyteller. In this episode of the podcast, Yeiter tells the story of Michelle. Yeiter’s first job was to put Michelle in an isolation room - until he figured ou...
Jun 15, 2022•1 hr 16 min•Ep. 144
Christine Robinson, wife of late author William (Bill) Rush, joins me to talk about Bill’s book, Journey Out Of Silence . Journey Out Of Silence is an autobiography chronicling Bill’s early life in therapy based segregated programming to his graduation from the University of Nebraska. Bill, an articulate journalist with cerebral palsy who used a speech generating device, talks about his parents’ efforts and failures, his experience of segregated education, his pursuit of normal intimate relation...
Jun 07, 2022•50 min•Ep. 143
Have you ever had a moment when you just weren’t sure what to say or do in relation to someone who has a disability? Perhaps you were nervous that you would say or do the wrong thing and offend someone? There are lots of good people out there - you are probably one of them - who want to address ableism in themselves but are frankly too nervous to put themselves out there are risk messing up. This week on the podcast I interviewed Emily Ladau. Emily is the author of Demystifying Disability. Emily...
May 30, 2022•41 min•Ep. 142
Han Shan, that great and crazy, wonder-filled Chinese poet of a thousand years ago, said: We're just like bugs in a bowl. All day going around never leaving their bowl. I say, That's right! Every day climbing up the steep sides, sliding back. Over and over again. Around and around. Up and back down. Sit in the bottom of the bowl, head in your hands, cry, moan, feel sorry for yourself. Or. Look around. See your fellow bugs. Walk around. Say, Hey, how you doin'? Say, Nice Bowl! ~ David Budbill Thi...
May 23, 2022•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 141
DJ Nicholson runs Inclusiveology - a 12 week program helping schools plan for inclusion. This week’s podcast episode we hear a little about what kind of planning is important to support the success of inclusion. And, we hear about how terribly far we are from inclusion in some areas. DJ works in Florida and I’m thanking my lucky stars I’m not parenting my son in that school system! Let me know what it is like in your school system and what questions you think parents can ask that will help impro...
Feb 17, 2022•41 min•Ep. 140
“People coming together to celebrate what they have and what they can do - together.” ~Darryl Answer on what is asset based community development. So often when we have a need, a service or institution is available with a “fix-it solution.” The solution is determined by the service and we can fit in - or not. Take it or leave it. Asset-based Community Development (ABCD) is different. ABCD starts with the strengths and contributions of community members. This week on the podcast Darryl Answer, St...
Dec 13, 2021•59 min•Ep. 139
Susan Dunnigan is back on the podcast to talk about her book Warrior Angel - the story of her family’s journey with her son Matt. The first time we chatted we talked about Matt’s educational experiences. This time we talk about the trials and tribulations of adulthood. Susan describes the energy required by advocacy as waves. Sometimes you are carried forward and sometimes you are left with nothing. Yet, the need to advocate doesn’t ebb and flow like a wave. Or at least, one’s energy levels don’...
Dec 07, 2021•37 min•Ep. 138
Cussing alert in this episode. Nobody lasts long in this world of supporting people with disabilities without finding themselves in a WTF? situation. There are few or no options. The only existing options are segregated. The expectations are abysmally low. Even good people are unsure how to move forward. If I’m wrong, and you’ve never been frustrated with a reality like this then reply to this email and tell me. But I’m guessing that you can relate in some capacity. Because this is such a common...
Dec 01, 2021•56 min•Ep. 137
David Sharif is a young man in his twenties who has autism and a long list of enviable accomplishments. I am particularly envious of his extensive travel. David’s journey has not always been easy but he has strong sports hero mentors and a clear vision of the good things in life plus friends and family who are there to support him. This week on the podcast, David and I discuss his life experiences, aspirations and achievements. One of David’s goals is to reach a large audience with his story. Ch...
Nov 30, 2021•43 min•Ep. 136
Christine Robinson joins me on today's podcast to talk about the remarkable journey that she made with her late husband William Rush. William was a journalist, writer and disability rights advocate. Christine is a therapist. In this podcast, Christine shares her thoughts about life with Bill including what it is like to be a witness to disability rights advocacy. She also speaks of the importance of their communities of support, giving them hope and encouragement as Bill did the hard work of mak...
Nov 15, 2021•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 135
This week on the podcast we hear from Steve Coulson from the Thistle Foundation in Scotland. For many years, Steve has been facilitating the Big Plan - a group person-centred planning process. To be honest, I told Steve that “group” and “person centred planning” sounded like an oxymoron. Yet, after speaking with Steve, I can see that it can be helpful to have the voices of others to inspire our own vision and hope. Check out this week’s podcast here....
Nov 13, 2021•58 min•Ep. 134
Despite decades of progress, three key myths seem to persist that keep many people from getting involved in disability advocacy at the policy level. But Dave Deuel knows that just about anyone can be an advocate—he’s the parent of an adult with a disability and has a lifetime of successful political advocacy behind him. He joins Genia for this episode to break down these myths and discuss advocacy techniques like storytelling and teamwork, and offers advice on getting past those hard moments whe...
Nov 01, 2021•1 hr•Ep. 133
The education system’s sole purpose is to help students reach their maximum potential and strive to give them the knowledge they need to succeed. Although, they don’t always have the resources on hand needed to help with each student’s individual needs. In this situation, it can feel difficult for parents to speak up on behalf of their children. After all, not all parents are experts on education, and speaking up can feel like they’re being burdensome. However, it can’t be stressed enough that w...
Oct 25, 2021•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 132
For students, the best part about going to school is feeling like a “part of the group”. Feeling like their thoughts, opinions, and contributions matter. Feeling like they matter. Inclusion is crucial in the classroom. There’s no denying the importance that it holds, and it’s equally important that students with disabilities don’t miss out on the incredible opportunities that it offers. Join Genia, Wendy, and Carrie as they discuss the benefits of inclusion, and how parents and educators can hel...
Oct 18, 2021•35 min•Ep. 131
It’s easy for families and service system workers to adopt an “us vs. them” mentality when trying to work alongside each other, or to blame others when things go wrong. However, it takes more effort to look within to find the answers and be willing to make changes. “Turning the beam of inquiry inward” means asking yourselves as parents or service workers if there is anything that you can change about your behaviour to help find solutions. It means swallowing your pride, putting your differences ...
Oct 11, 2021•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 130
The importance of inclusion is a subject that was discussed on this podcast in the pas, as it offers so much to individuals with disabilities. Although making that transition from exclusion to inclusion in the community can be difficult. It can also be hard to find that courage to keep pushing, but it’s important to keep on trying. Keep moving forward and pushing back; when there’s apparently no room for inclusion, then try and make room. It can be hard to persist, and consistently push for that...
Oct 04, 2021•49 min•Ep. 129
Friendships are one of the best things that life has to offer. Having people in your corner that will back you up when seeking out support, comfort you when there’s a no, and celebrate with you when there’s a yes can make life’s challenges easier to manage and overall make life better. Although it can be daunting to take that first step when forming friendships, it’s important to not fall into the trap of waiting for others to act. CEO of KFI Barbara Beaulieu joins Genia to discuss the importanc...
Sep 27, 2021•40 min•Ep. 128
Our journey has twists and turns. It isn’t a straight line. Especially when our kids are young and newly identified, we are open to the advice of those we look to for guidance. This is true whether the advice is good or bad. This week on the podcast, guest host Katie Bachmeyer interviews Lynn Dew, who shares her personal journey from segregation to inclusion as a mindset and as a destination.
Sep 20, 2021•39 min•Ep. 127
Goals. Dreams. Aspirations. Everyone has them; it’s what makes us human. The system places an expectation on students to strive towards their goals, handing them the tools and support they need to work towards them. There is a wide selection of programs and resources in place to help young people achieve their aspirations, because it’s only natural that they should. However, students with disabilities are not given these same opportunities to shape their own futures, which is why it’s important ...
Sep 06, 2021•1 hr 30 min•Ep. 126
As a concept, co-teaching is sometimes difficult to explain, partly because it’s so unstandardized—the way one school district applies co-teaching might be really different from the way another district goes about it. Beth Lakretz is a special education consultant who’s trying to demystify co-teaching and other key principles of inclusive education. She joined Genia for this episode to talk about her take on co-teaching and how she helps parents and educators collaborate effectively according to...
Aug 30, 2021•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 125
What does “privilege” really mean? Privilege isn’t just a thing some people have and others don’t—like so much else, it comes with layers of complexity. As founders and owners of Rebel Revolution, Alison Gomez and Nikki Haffner consult with individuals and offer training to help people in positions of power learn to combat systems of oppression that privilege the white, male, heterosexist, Christian, able-bodied perspective. Genia welcomed them to the podcast for this episode to talk about how t...
Aug 23, 2021•57 min•Ep. 124
Organizational Health and Inclusion Specialist Faith Clarke knows all about how to put together a strong team. Faith looks for a collection of personality traits in her teams: archetypes that embody the characteristics of what she’s looking for. Supporting people today has more to do with fostering independence than it does with caregiving, and Faith calls this a “liberation movement role.” This was Faith’s second time on the podcast and Genia was happy to have her back to talk about all the abo...
Aug 16, 2021•57 min•Ep. 123
Beth Gallagher’s supported living service agency Life Works is built on authentic person-centred planning and she knows how to help other agencies incorporate the principle into their own organizational structure. With her principle of “intentional teaming,” teams are built around the person they’re supporting with every team member’s strengths in mind, rather than a top-down barking order that’s built around the manager. By thinking of each team as its own autonomous micro-enterprise, service a...
Aug 09, 2021•48 min•Ep. 122
Buddhism teaches the principle of “right relationships”: the moral obligation to be in “correct” relationships with fellow humans. When working with staff or volunteers from disability service organizations, families form relationships, and forming right relationships—based on mutual respect, forgiveness, compassion, and understanding—can be an important component of building trust and ethical partnership with the organization as a whole. With time and baby steps, more and more relationships can...
Aug 02, 2021•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 121
When it comes to social progress, the “edge” of possibility expands over time. The Centre for Welfare Reform’s John O’Brien John wants to find the edge of what is possible for all people in their communities so that what seems like just a dream today could be an achievable goal tomorrow. He joined Genia Stephen on the podcast this week to talk about his ideas about how to widen this edge, which starts with understanding what the main dimensions of inclusive communities are, and where the edge si...
Jul 26, 2021•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 120
Belonging, respect, sharing spaces, contribution, and choice are the five valued experiences for the good things in life as defined by John O’Brien. The experiences are the same for everybody, but far too often, people with disabilities have more access barriers to these valued experiences. John joined me for the podcast this week to talk about the social foundations that prevent those with disabilities from fully experiencing the five valued experiences—the “diabolically clever” forces of socia...
Jul 19, 2021•1 hr 16 min•Ep. 119
Naiomy Ekanayake has two sons with disabilities who both started their education in a segregated program. When she successfully transitioned both boys into the general education classroom, she saw how many ways inclusive education helped them: not only were they doing better academically, but they also other learned important new social skills from the other kids, formed meaningful friendships, and helped their family make wonderful connections with other families in their community. Listen now ...
Jul 11, 2021•32 min•Ep. 118
