Hello everyone, 

Welcome back to the Meeting Mighty People Podcast! I am delighted to be here again with a new episode. 

I've taken a bit of a break from the podcast because I recently graduated and am now attending College of the Rockies. I am currently working toward earning my Human Services Certificate, with the goal of gaining more knowledge and skills to make a meaningful difference in my community.

Today, we have the privilege of being joined by Stephanie Mervyn. Stephanie is neurodivergent herself and is passionate about supporting students throughout their educational journeys.

The intention of this episode is not only to help listeners better understand neurodiversity—a broad term that describes the many ways people's brains work differently, including conditions such as ADHD and autism—but also to share valuable insight into navigating college and university with diverse abilities. 

We discuss how post-secondary education is both similar to and different from high school. College offers students greater independence, autonomy, and rights, but it also comes with increased responsibility and self-advocacy. I also want to reassure everyone that College of the Rockies provides excellent Student Services and supports to help students succeed and maintain their well-being.

Join us as we hear from a highly educated and inspiring individual who shares her personal journey through life, education, and the experiences that have shaped her passion for helping others.

Thank you for listening, and I hope you enjoy this episode!

Dear Meeting Mighty People Fans:  

Happy International Day Of Person's with disabilities.

This time on the Meeting Mighty People Podcast; I had the privilege of hosting Jorden Lowe. In this episode myself and Jorden and I discuss what it means to live a meaningful life; but on the same token acknowledging your unique challenges or hardships. For me, having the opportunity to learn about an unfamiliar diverse ability was quite fascinating. 

 All my Meeting Mighty People Podcast episodes are always fascinating to host, because everyone has a uniquely different story and perspective on living a meaningful life while living with diverse abilities. My highlight of this episode was when Jorden made a heartfelt comment to one of my questions about understanding and asking about how he likes to navigate a world that is becoming accessible. He commented “Yeah Imagine if there was a perfectly accessible planet”. I faith all my listeners will enjoy this months episode Meeting Mighty People Podcast!

Dear Meeting Mighty People Listeners: 

It’s exciting to be back with another podcast episode, as many people are preparing to go into fall and potentially  going back to school. Please join me for a unique episode of my Meeting Mighty People with Monica Harrison who lives with Autism and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

In this episode of the Meeting Mighty People Podcast I interviewed an Education Assistant who lives with multiple abilities. She and I had a delightful conversation about how being an EA in BC schools can be very rewarding because you’re the main backbone of supporting the students 'success whether their unique disability is physical or emotional. For me being in a busy classroom without an EA was a challenge but I was very lucky to almost always have support in all ways. 

Something that I connected with quite well was the point she made when she mentioned the need to educate others on how to provide uniquely accessible education to all, in some cases just making small changes to something like the noise level to reduce overstimulation in a new environment. 

I hope  this episode is as exciting to listen to as It is always fun  for me to have the opportunity to conduct new Meeting Mighty People Interviews!

 By Alexis Folk

I  had the delightful opportunity to interview Zander, who is currently in elementary school in Fernie, BC. He has been part of the Panther’s Running Club at Isabella Dickens School since the day he was eligible in grade 2. What makes Zander’s situation unique is that despite having Cerebral Palsy, he chooses to not let his challenges defeat him. He continues to strive toward his long-term goal of running 100 km in a year. He says “Run on feel good” to keep himself motivated. His recent message to his fellow peers who struggle with their individual differences was something along the lines of: No matter the distance, making it to your ideal landmark for running is something to celebrate and be proud of!

Hello Everyone,

I am proud and honored to share that I had the opportunity to speak with Canadian Senator Honorable Chantal Petitclerc in this profound and authentic interview. Senator Petitclerc discusses her journey as a para athlete, where she was asked to represent Canada. From there, she pursued a degree in humanities and then in history. Later, in the spring of 2016, she was asked to represent all Canadians and people with disabilities in the Senate.

My highlight of this podcast conversation is when Chantal begins talking about the Accessible Canada Act, https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-dev elopment/programs/accessible-canada/act-summary.html

one of the biggest pieces of legislation that protects the rights of people with disabilities in Canada!

I also really appreciated Chantal’s response to the last question, What do think  makes a Mighty Person?

I hope everyone finds this  podcast episode uplifting, delightful, encouraging, and finally resourceful. Finally I would like to thank my parents, my mentor Marco Pasqua, Dan Coulter, and MLA Brittny Anderson for supporting my aspirations  and for coaching me to become more confident in my interviews!

Host of the Meeting Mighty People Podcast 

Alexis Folk

Greetings, everyone. Thank you for joining me once again for a new episode of the Meeting Mighty People Podcast. This month, I had the honor of interviewing Harrison Orpe, Is a Registered Psychologist with Cerebral Palsy who lives in Alberta.

In this podcast, Harrison shares his experiences in coming to terms with the reality of Cerebral Palsy and the joys of life. He also explains the insights that a Psychological Educational Assessment can provide and how it can support students throughout their schooling!

He is also a board member of the Pediatric Onset Neuromotor Impairment Lab. In this podcast, he shares research on the benefits of the newly studied assistive walking technology called the Trexo Robotic walker. He also volunteers with Dr. Elizabeth Conliffe to support her lab and research by adding his lived experience as a person with Cerebral Palsy. I would like to express my gratitude to the founder of Orpe Psychology for being willing to share his journey!

Hello Everyone, 

Thank you for joining us this month on my Meeting Mighty People Podcast!

I am more than happy to announce that I have the pleasure to be interviewing Georgina Hackett  is an incredibly Mighty person. Georgina is a person who lives with Cerebral Palsy. She went on the journey to University to become a Mechanical Engineer. Currently Georgina is the Director Of Occupational Health and Safety in Vancouver BC. Outside of Georgina’s work advocating for and supporting BC Health Care workers; she also enjoys adapted Rock climbing, horseback riding and finally Diamond dot painting! I really enjoyed doing this podcast episode with Georgina. Happy Listening!

Hello Everyone. Today we are lit with joy to be joined by Alex Mertens Alex is  a student at Mount Royal University! Congratulations Alex on studying Kinesiology to make a difference in people’s lives. 

In the podcast Alex will  talk about a recent helpful discovery; of The Trexo Robotic Waller. I will end the intro there.

 https://thealexscoop.com/

Hello Amazing and Mighty People:

My name is Alexis Folk. I am pleased to be back with a unique and informative podcast episode with Honorable Mitzi Dean, Minister of Children and Family Development.I wanted to interview Minister Dean to hear her journey, background, experience, and education behind her that made her applicable for this position working as Minister of the  uniquely talented community!

We also learn that being the Minister of Children and family Development is a very rewarding job because you have somewhat of a voice in making a small to large difference in the lives of all types of people whether it's taking their concerns into consideration. Or working with government stakeholders, ministers, and cabinet members to develop a new funding model mandate to support adults transitioning to a different branch of government  supports supplements and care. Newly named SAJE supports offer youth in care a stronger path to adulthood | BC Gov News

As well there is also a new model of support in progress for  youth in need of care.  CYSN Engagement Updates - Province of British Columbia 

Hope you enjoy listening to this episode as much as I enjoyed the journey of advocacy asking Minister Mitzi Dean to join me on my Meeting Mighty People Podcast. So I can get a heads up on what to expect  when working for MCFD. as well as to hear from her about Strengthening Journeys to Empowerment new branch  supports for young adults.  

Hello to all you amazing Mighty People:

This month I was fortunate to have the pleasure to speak with Mike Prescott for  this episode of the Meeting Mighty People Podcast. Mike has 2 Post Doctoral 1 in geomatics and the other is a PHD in Rehabilitation Sciences. Congratulations to Mike Prescott for his success in accomplishing this unplanned but a path that sealed his interest. I will say his career is passionately driven and by maybe some divine timing. 

On  this fascinating informative and passionate speaking episode of the Meeting Mighty People Podcast we are joined by Mike Prescott to learn about the new Accessibility Legislation that finally received royal accent  in June of 2021.  

This new BC accessibility legislation consists of three different pieces/

For me being a person with Cerebral Palsy I enjoyed hearing that BC is now mandating   public sectors and organizations in BC are mandated to have a accessibility plan started by September 1st 2023. Eventually with a long term goal of making Canada fully accessible to everyone regardless of one’s ability or function.