The Disability Diaries With Steven Vine

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In this episode, Steve talks with Walt Lawrence from GF Strong rehabilitation hospital. When he was 17 years old, he took a dive in shallow water off a seawall, hit the bottom and broke his neck. Walt instantly because a quadriplegic. In the hospital in Kelowna, he was hooked up to a ventilator, and he could not speak. He remained positive that he was going to get through this. Walt wondered how his parents coped with his injuries; but he just knew that he could count on them. An educator by nature, he would engage with people and started to adjust to his vulnerability, and he eventually allowed people to help him. While doing rehabilitation at GF Strong, he was asked to help other injured clients with consulting, counselling and support, which he's done for the past 36 years. Walt is the epitome of a guru/mentor for others. 

G.F. Strong Rehabilitation Centre | Vancouver Coastal Health

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In this episode, Steve talks with Zafira Nanji who is a caregiver on many different levels. Besides her son who is neurodivergent, which can be an exploding controversy in some circles; Zafira has also had challenges with her parents' health, their passing, and her own grief. She is a doula, a human resources manager and an author of children's books. Her motto is 'Have Fun' (inspired by her father) and 'Never alone' (inspired by her mother). These phrases are indelible to Zafira as permanent tattoos on her arm in her parent's own handwriting using tattoo technology. 

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In this episode, Steve talks with Agust who lives in Iceland. Our guest has had 2 serious conditions: Ostomy care and bouts of manic episodes. He's had a very challenging life as he was affected with manic episodes when he was 19 years old. He also dealt with colitis and cancer, which led to the removal of his colon and getting an ostomy. He is an avid mountaineer and leads an active outdoor lifestyle. The news of his health challenges was very difficult. To help in his healing process, he started to move and get back to the outdoors - which turned out to be a very positive motivation for him. He found a supportive network in the ostomy community which gave him life and opportunities. His manic condition at 19 manifested itself in bizarre beliefs of something powerful. He struggled with institutions and medication, but he finally found positive care and was ready to heal and become whole again. He is very open about his struggles, which he wrote a book about based on his own life. His story is his strength.

His Book: "Nights of Nonsense: an Icelandic memoir of healing and hope"

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In this episode, Steve interviews Deborah James Sabo - a student of Therapeutic Recreation, which is therapy designed to improve the health, wellbeing, and quality of life of the individual seeking help with cognitive challenges. Debra has a diverse background, but found her interest to be in the emerging field of therapeutic recreation. She is working mostly with older adults with dementia; but the other areas that she also works with are children, youth, mental health and workplace wellness. She enjoys helping other people and seeing their quality of life improving, with the additional domain of spiritual fitness and wellness coaching.

Adult Cognitive Wellness CentreWe Focus on Ability | Langley

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As a younger man, Marty was into sports big time. He eventually worked in the tech industry as a technician for Apple.  He slowly lost his vision completely. Marty eventually applied his technical experience into 2 Podcasts entitled 'Unmute' and 'Code Orange' (on the Aftersight Network). Unmute is a podcast focused on technology for blind and visually impaired users. Code Orange is the disability inclusive guide to emergency preparedness for the blind and low-vision community. No hype - just what to do before, during and after a crisis.  You think your life is tiring? Try being a blind person - it takes a lot of energy to compensate for the lack of sight. 

Unmute Podcast Network - Podcast - Apple Podcasts

Code Orange - Podcast - Apple Podcast

Stream Podcasts - Aftersight

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Steven talks with Seaver Stafford, a representative from the Neil Squire Society, a Canadian national not-for-profit organization that helps Canadians with disabilities through advocacy, computer-based, assistive technology, research and development, and various employment programs. There are four locations across Canada. Seaver also hosts a podcast on Spotify "We have solutions"

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Unedited, uncensored, and raw. Please join Steven and Chris as we warmly reflect the project’s first year, including memories of: unforeseen challenges, memorable episodes, and other anecdotal stories. All said with a sense of humor and candor over a bottle of bubbly. Don’t miss the announcement at the end (before the abrupt ending)

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Steve has a candid discussion with Andy Manson, a recently retired Ostomy nurse about the crappy and not so crappy sides of having and caring for an Ostomy You will find topics that you can slide right into, it's a slippery slope - but Steve and Andy think you won't find anything stinky about this episode. After all, as Andy reminds us: it's just poop. HOME - Ostomy Canada Society

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Steve has an ever so interesting conversation with Brian Mackie; representative of Vision Loss Rehabilitation Canada about the challenges of teaching the visually impaired technology and other tasks. Collectively, Steve and Brian cover the use of iphones, smart speakers, computers, braille, and other tasks around the house that might be of use to help clients living a higher quality of life with their disability. Brian is extremely focused and passionate about what he teaches, as Brian is also blind himself. If you know someone who is new to vison loss and needs support with learning how to adapt to blindness, contact Home | Vision Loss Rehabilitation Canada.

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Steve and Chris talk to Dr. Alyssa Hodgson, a pain specialist doctor at CPRI (Canadian Pain & Regenerative Institute); a multidisciplinary clinic in Vancouver and New Westminster. Steve has a personal connection with Dr. Hodgson, as she has been treating Steve for his chronic pain for over a year now, as he continues to see her and other doctors in the pain clinic. Pain management can be very complicated and different for each person – but Dr. Hodgson suggests that if you have chronic pain, you start with PainBC.ca   Even though this is a very serious topic, as pain can be a debilitating disability – we managed to share some laughs in this episode.