Posted by Hi, my name is Lionel and I am a university student living with cerebral palsy. A philosophy I live by is “live without limits” because I know that I face many barriers in society. I am not only living with a disability; I am also a person of colour.
One of my strong passions is participating in social advocacy
to help make Calgary a better place for
persons with disabilities and racialized communities.
For example, I enjoy speaking-out on social issues concerning marginalized populations and spreading awareness on inclusivity and equity. What I find most rewarding about social advocacy is that it gives me a platform to use my voice, as people like me are often ignored and unheard. Our current government and many employers frequently overlook people with disabilities.
One of my formative experiences was in 2011 when I experienced discrimination during a job interview. I noticed that something was off; I could feel that I was automatically being labelled as the interviewer was distracted and not at all present. They did not ask me to clarify my answers, which I found odd due to my speech impediment. Immediately after the interview, I was told that they could not hire me due to “liability issues.”
This experience opened my eyes to the discrimination that still exists here in Calgary. The whole situation was discouraging. I had never thought of myself as being different than everyone else until this interview.
It was disheartening that my disability affected the company’s decision as it is something that I cannot change about myself.
To gain more clarity, I met the recruitment team with my mother and my social worker. We were given numerous excuses as to why I was not hired. They said I could not meet the physical demands of the job, despite not being given a chance to demonstrate my skills. Nor did they offer me any accommodations.
I left feeling unsatisfied and disappointed. I began questioning and doubting myself. Does everyone view me in the same way this company so clearly did? My insecurities and self-doubt impacted my self-confidence and personal relationships.
At this point, I knew I needed help. I reached out to my social worker for support. She recommended that I write a letter to the company to voice my feelings and frustrations. I started out the letter very angry and bitter, but with the guidance of my social worker, it allowed me to advocate for myself and others with disabilities. This experience made me realize the importance of using my voice and sharing my knowledge to spread awareness of injustices.
From 2014 to 2016, I got involved in the University of Calgary Faculty of Social Work’s “Strength in Unity” project as a guest speaker. The project addresses mental health stigma in men from Asian communities. I spoke about my experience with the job interview and how it affected my mental health. The project allowed me to develop leadership skills, use my voice and connect positively with others.
My other passion in life is photography. It allows people to connect to the world around them and each photo has its own story to tell. It has allowed me to use my voice in a different way. Through photography, I got involved with Migrante Alberta, an organization that advocates for migrant workers. I took part in their project Kwento’t Litrato, which means “story and pictures” in Filipino.
In my photo series, I explored racism in Canada by focusing on a specific microaggression that I frequently face – the question “Where are you from?” The series challenges this question and expresses the subtle forms of racism that people of colour often experience.
Jatin 
Charles 
Arlene
As a person living with cerebral palsy I know that my disability will always be a part of me. I continue to navigate numerous injustices that I and many people in the cerebral palsy community regularly face. Although I have experienced several dehumanizing events, they have made me more resilient and a better advocate for others in the disability community.
I could not be the advocate I am today without my family and friends.
They have always believed in me and never once treated me any differently based on my disability. They have always been there to support me with my passions and stand up for me whenever I am in trouble. Last September I co-hosted a fundraising event with a few of my friends and raised over $2,500 for Cerebral Palsy Alberta’s Life Without Limits Challenge. Raising that amount of money with the support of my loved ones is one of the most significant accomplishments I’ve ever made!
I especially have to thank my mom for my love of social advocacy. She is the person that taught me how to advocate for myself and as a single mom she has made so many sacrifices to support my sister and I. She always had to fight for me to get the resources I needed while I was growing up. I am so lucky and blessed to have wonderful friends and family in my life. These are the people that allow me to believe that I can live my life limitlessly.
To learn more about Lionel and check out his photography click here:
lmigrino.info/
