The Lived Experience Initiative

"To finally have a day — a formal day acknowledged by the federal government — is a good first step. But until every single Canadian learns and acknowledges the truths, we will never have reconciliation."

FIRST PERSON | We finally have a national day for truth and reconciliation. But it's not nearly enough | CBC News To finally have a day, a formal day acknowledged by the federal government, is a good first step. But until every single Canadian learns and acknowledges the truths, we will never have reconciliation, writes Patricia Bourque.

Indigenous community marks National Day for Truth and Reconciliation As the Windsor and Essex County community marks the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Thursday, local Indigenous leaders say this day is just…

"In the years since her injury, as she’s become one of Canada’s best wheelchair basketball players, Llanes has done extensive work with policy leaders to expand access on Canada’s mountain trails for individuals with cognitive, sensory and physical disabilities. She’s been instrumental in getting adaptive mountain biking added to B.C.’s Whistler Adaptive sports program."

Q&A: Tara Llanes on importance of visibility for Paralympic athletes - Sportsnet.ca Canadian wheelchair basketball player Tara Llanes hopes to win Paralympics gold this summer. And that’s just one item on her to-do list.

1. Donate to organizations that support residential school survivors and their families.

2. Learn about the residential school system and its ongoing impacts.

3. Call on your MP and other elected representatives to take action.

4. Demand action from the Catholic Church.

5. Prioritize the safety of survivors and their families when sharing this story and others like it.

6. Talk to non-Indigenous friends, family and children about the residential school system and its ongoing impacts.

7. Attend memorial events where non-Indigenous people are invited.

Non-Indigenous people — here’s what you can do, right now 7 ways to support Indigenous people grieving in wake of news about 215 children at KIRS.

Great news for residents of Ontario!

Ontario expands COVID-19 vaccine eligibility to those 18+ a week ahead of schedule Starting Tuesday, all Ontario residents over the age of 18 will be able to book a COVID-19 vaccine, a week ahead of the province’s rollout schedule.

As we celebrate International Women's Day, here's a great resource for anyone looking for tangible ways to help promote gender equality in Canada - not just today but every day.




https://canadianwomen.org/get-involved/

Get Involved | Canadian Women's Foundation | Help Advance Gender Equality in Canada Canadian Women's Foundation. Get Involved, support, donate, participate, connect. Our long-standing partnerships help move women and girls out of violence, out of poverty, and into confidence and leadership. Become a donor, corporate partner, private foundation, volunteer today.

Approximately two-thirds of Canada's West Indian population resides in the greater Toronto area. On July 28, 1967, ten Torontonians with a common West Indian heritage founded the Caribana Cultural Festival to display their rich cultural traditions.

Mary Ann Shadd Cary arrived in Canada from the United States at the time of the Underground Railroad. In 1853, she broke the glass ceiling in the Canadian print media industry when she became the first female publisher in the country with her newspaper, The Provincial Freeman.

The first Black person thought to have set foot on Canadian soil was Mathieu Da Costa, a free man who was hired by Europeans to act as a translator.

Ontario closed its last segregated school in 1965. Almost 20 years later, the last school in Nova Scotia closed in 1983 - that's less than 40 years ago.

This is a great article for those us who struggle to shut off their inner monologue when it's time to sleep (or in my case, 24/7).

My inner monologue needs to shut the F-up! (I’m trying to sleep)

One of my personal goals for 2021 is to learn how to better manage my adult ADHD. Since my diagnosis a couple of years ago I've realized that many of the medications commonly used to treat the disorder just aren't for me as they cause my already weak appetite to become non-existent. I often flip back and forth between feeling a sense of pride at how much I've been able to accomplish knowing that I'm functioning at, at best, 40% of my potential, and being extremely frustrated at what I could accomplish if I lived with a non-ADHD brain.

For anyone living with the same struggle, here's a link to one of the better resources I've come across.

Also, before anyone feels the need to comment with some variation of, "it's all in your head!":

1) I, along with everyone else living with ADHD, knows this.
2) Being reminded of this is not remotely helpful.
https://www.verywellmind.com/overcoming-chronic-procrastination-20390

12 Ways to Finally Stop Chronic Procrastination If you are an adult with ADHD who struggles with chronic procrastination, check out these 12 strategies to help you get things done.

"Typically, we provide emergency food, usually about three to five days, but during the crisis, we ensured that people had a week's worth of food, and that's because we want people to stay at home as much as possible."

'A year of crisis and kindness:' Ottawa Food Bank issues 2020 report Read the full story and comment on OttawaMatters.

PSW's have proven to be some of the most valuable members of our workforce during this pandemic. The fact that many have to work 50+ hours in order to make a livable wage is beyond ridiculous. No employer should be allowed to pay an employee less than a living wage for work that is essential to the success of that business. Period.

A long-term-care PSW needs to work 50 hours a week or more to afford the cost of living in Toronto. A look at the numbers After tax and deductions, PSWs working in long-term care are short over $10,000 of what it costs to live in Toronto.

Here are some useful tips for anyone looking to make a food bank donation.

Some great tips here for mini pantry stocking!

Talking about Mental Health is important.

Beautifully said.

Just wanted to wish everyone a happy and healthy new year. We've got lots of big plans for this platform coming in 2021. Stay tuned!

It really isn’t about immigration.

Someone had to say it.

“It changed my life. It started with one small step and it was the best step I ever took,” he said. “It’s like if you have a leaky faucet, you try to fix it first instead of calling the plumber. Well, the plumber’s a professional. People have to swallow their pride and just call the plumber first. I wasn’t trained at fixing it, but I thought I could.”

‘It changed my life.’ After 20 years, Sportsnet anchor Ken Reid sought help for his mental illness, and was able to be himself again The co-anchor of the prime time edition of Sportsnet Central has always prided himself on being kind toward others and not taking himself too seriousl...

Delivery day!

Today we'll be delivering gifts to some of the long-term care homes in Ottawa. Altogether we raised $1665.00 towards the initiative! Due to COVID (and budget) restrictions, we were not able to donate to each and every LTC in the city. However, I'm sure the residents of St. Patrick's Home, Grace Manor, Laurier Manor, and Elisabeth Bruyere Residence will enjoy their gifts! Thanks again to all those who donated and made this fundraiser possible. Looking forward to using this platform for more fundraising initiatives in the new year.

Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays!

"These things started to make me think, you got to quit just living for yourself every day of your life and be thinking about, 'How can I help someone else? People get lost in the cracks."

How a N.S. carpenter learned to live life for others — and kept his neighbour from losing her home | CBC Radio A Nova Scotia carpenter who has rallied volunteers to build his neighbour a new home — for free — says it taught him the importance of giving back to others.

Another update on our LTC fundraiser. Thanks to all who have contributed so far!

Bringing Holiday Cheer to Long-term Care Residents, organized by Kyle Shea With COVID-19 still very much a part of our lives, these are difficult t… Kyle Shea needs your support for Bringing Holiday Cheer to Long-term Care Residents

Ordered the first round of gifts for our long-term care fundraiser today! Going to try my best to purchase as many of the items specifically requested by the LTC homes as I can, while also supporting local businesses when possible. I'll continue to update as the gifts arrive! Thanks again to everyone who made this possible.



https://www.gofundme.com/f/bringing-holiday-cheer-to-longterm-care-residents

Bringing Holiday Cheer to Long-term Care Residents, organized by Kyle Shea With COVID-19 still very much a part of our lives, these are difficult t… Kyle Shea needs your support for Bringing Holiday Cheer to Long-term Care Residents

https://www.gofundme.com/f/bringing-holiday-cheer-to-longterm-care-residents

Hey folks, just wanted to give a little update on our campaign to raise money to buy gifts for long-term care residents here in Ottawa this holiday season. So far we've raised $1425. Thank you so much to all those who have donated so far. Your money will go towards buying LTC residents items such as art supplies, adult colouring books, crossword puzzles, jigsaw puzzles, toiletries, etc.

If you are still thinking about donating, I would encourage you to do so sooner rather than later as I plan to begin purchasing items (particularly those being bought online) within the next day or two in order to ensure their timely arrival.

Cheers!

Bringing Holiday Cheer to Long-term Care Residents, organized by Kyle Shea With COVID-19 still very much a part of our lives, these are difficult t… Kyle Shea needs your support for Bringing Holiday Cheer to Long-term Care Residents

An incredible accomplishment by someone from my home province.

Dalhousie University student named Rhodes Scholar Read the full story and comment on HalifaxToday.

When you stop comparing yourself to others, you can accomplish great things.

To overcome challenges, stop comparing yourself to others When you stop comparing yourself to others, you can accomplish great things, says wheelchair athlete Dean Furness. He shares how, after losing the use of his legs in an accident, he discovered a powerful new mindset focused on redefining his "personal average" and getting better little by little.

Those who know me well know that I'm not a "phone person". I much prefer to communicate in person, face to face. But sometimes, it's worth it to make an exception.
Again, thanks to Dahlia and the crew at 580 CFRA for the opportunity to speak!

One Ottawa Resident Plans To Bring Holiday Cheer To 17 Long-Term Care Homes - 580 CFRA - Omny.fm Joining Dahlia on The Goods is founder of The Lived Experience Initiative, Kyle Shea.

gf.me/u/y83zgw

We're currently at $655 of our $1000 goal to help buy holiday gifts for long-term care residents in Ottawa. Thanks to all who have donated and shared so far.

Bringing Holiday Cheer to Long-term Care Residents, organized by Kyle Shea With COVID-19 still very much a part of our lives, these are difficult t… Kyle Shea needs your support for Bringing Holiday Cheer to Long-term Care Residents

More than half way to our goal in just over 24 hours! Thanks to all those who have donated and/shared our fundraiser so far. Your generosity will help lift the spirits of many people living in Ottawa LTC homes this holiday season.

Really hoping to make a difference for those living in LTC homes throughout Ottawa this holiday season. Thanks to for the shout-out! Please, consider donating if you are able or sharing to your various social media accounts. Every donation, no matter how small, counts.

Ottawa man starts fundraising campaign to buy gifts for residents living in long-term care Read the full story and comment on OttawaMatters.

Hey folks! I know that this has been a stressful year financially for many of us - especially with the holidays approaching. However, if you are able to help contribute to my cause, I and the many seniors living in long-term care facilities throughout Ottawa would be forever grateful. Any amount helps and will go towards providing gifts to LTC residents in Ottawa.
Thanks in advance!

Bringing Holiday Cheer to Long-term Care Residents, organized by Kyle Shea With COVID-19 still very much a part of our lives, these are difficult t… Kyle Shea needs your support for Bringing Holiday Cheer to Long-term Care Residents

Lest we forget.

Veterans share what Remembrance Day means to them 2020 marks the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II

"It was like a production line," said one former counsellor. "Like, we need another target, we need to hit three million calls. I mean, we're not in sales. I'm helping people."

Calls to Kids Help Phone have surged. Now some counsellors are making a distress call of their own | CBC News Kids Help Phone has given mental health support to millions of young Canadians over its 30-year history. But now some current and former counsellors are going public about the helpline's working conditions. They say staff are being micromanaged, burning out, and it is affecting the quality of care.

"Lehmann cycled more than 40,000 kilometres. It took him two years of cycling nearly everyday to complete his goal. He said his body struggled at times, but he never thought of giving up."

Cycling around the world, distance-wise, from home A 91-year-old Red Deer man has cycled the distance of the earth’s circumference on a stationary bike.

Accurate.

R.I.P. to a Canadian icon.

Alex Trebek, host of ‘Jeopardy!,’ dies after battle with pancreatic cancer Alex Trebek, the host of syndicated game show Jeopardy! since 1984, has passed away from pancreatic cancer.