My first Rick Hansen Foundation School Program presentation - 900 students later!

Last Friday morning, I did my first virtual presentation as an Ambassador for the Rick Hansen Foundation School Program, and I’m still not over it. 40 classes in the Renfrew County Catholic District School Board signed in, and they estimated that over 900 grade 5-8 students attended! 🎉

The chat was overflowing with questions from the students, and it was so heartwarming to know they were so engaged. From “Did you ever feel left out at recess?” to “What different mental health strategies do you use to block out the negative comments towards your condition?” to “How does your disability affect your future choices?” and “Have you written a book?” (🥹), the idea that I got so many students thinking about how other people experience the world, and the different things that can be going on with them, feels exciting.

In one section of the presentation, where other ambassadors can talk about the mobility aids and adaptations they use in their day-to-day, I talked about having to pace myself to be able to get things done, and about the daily yay. Absolutely surreal to think I could share that with hundreds of students and 40 teachers to end off National AccessAbility Week!

The school year is coming to an end soon, but I’m definitely looking forward to my next presentation to help create a more inclusive, empathetic world 🫶🏽✨