Learning to Find Joy In Myself

IDIC Includes Me...Or Does It? written by Heather Leigh Cameron It's Disability Pride Month and I have been reflecting about why I struggle to have pride in myself. I am a person with neurodevelopmental disabilities, specifically ADHD and Non-Verbal Learning Disorder, which is on the autism spectrum. I am connected to spiritual beliefs that teach me to have joy in who I am and how I was made. But I most certainly do not have joy in who I am or how I was made. One of the reasons for that is how I am treated when I engage with spaces in hopes of enjoying my special interests with others who share them. One of my special interests is Star Trek. The statement Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations and the diversity I see within that world warmed me to it. I always thought IDIC meant Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations was widely accepted throughout the fandom of Star Trek, but I've come to learn that my innocent, optimistic belief simply isn't true. This year marks...

Ever since Lethbridge artist/entertainer Andy Davies was charged with with one count of sexual assault and one count of sexual interference of a person under 16, I've been deep in thought about the predatory people of the world. Specifically, predatory people who make their home in the art/entertainment industries. The Andy Davies situation is truly horrific and I pray for those who have been hurt by him that they might eventually find healing from their trauma. The City and arts groups within the city are reacting appropriately by distancing themselves from him and his work. The general public is also justifiably reacting at their own pace and are likely also thinking about their own experiences with him and other predators they have encountered in their lives. The Andy Davies situation actually made me reflect deeply on my own experiences with an artist/entertainer who exhibited predatory behaviors towards me, experiences that happened when I was first transitioning from theatre ...

The Dark Side of Disability Pride written by Heather Leigh Cameron It's Disability Pride Month and I admit, I don't have as much pride in myself the way I am because my negative experiences and the negative interactions I've had with others over my disabilities have made me regret being me more often than not. I've been thinking about something a lot lately: that there is a severe lack of respect towards people with developmental disabilities who want to involve themselves in communities of any kind. I am saying this as both as an artist and a a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, an actor and a writer with ADHD/Non-Verbal Learning Disorder, which is on the autism spectrum who was only properly diagnosed in 2008, and someone who has faced 'the ugly side of community' and life in general more than I have faced positive things. I've struggled very hard to develop myself as a person and within my careers over many years and a barrier to m...