Life Stories

Mary Mammoliti, a legally blind culinary expert. PHOTO BY AGNESKIESZ /Pure Studios

One woman’s journey of life re-imagined after the loss of sight

When Mary Mammoliti was young, she’d tell her mother she saw the world differently…What the Toronto native didn’t know was she was slowly losing her sight.

An image of a person looking confused while holding a puzzle piece and an infinity sign.

The Puzzle Piece Vs. Infinity Symbol — What To Use To Represent Autism?

Though the design may seem innocuous, the meaning of the puzzle piece can be harmful to the autistic community.

Picture of a woman sitting her head against a window.

Silent Confessions Of A Single Mom Of 2 Sons With Autism

The ugly truth of caring for kids with special needs as they age is that it starts to feel like a job or a burden. Loving them and parenting them does not.

Man and Woman each on a wheelchair looking into eachothers faces

Sexclusion

Who remembers the 1990’s Bloodhound Gang song that went “you and me baby ain’t nothing but mammals, so let’s do it like they do on the discovery channel”? Not your normal opening line in an article, admittedly. But it illustrates how we all understand that sex, and relationships, are simply in our nature. On a basic DNA level we are driven to procreate and keep the human race going.

Picture of a kids hand on a window that has raindrops on it.

I’m At Home With A Profoundly Disabled Child And I’m Afraid I Can’t Meet His Needs

“With schools closed during the coronavirus pandemic, parents of children with disabilities are facing a new set of challenges.”

Picture of Selma Blair.

I Have Multiple Sclerosis. It Takes Courage To Disclose It To The World.

“The more openly we speak about MS, the more we provoke discussion where people can learn and understand.”

No Barriers: A Blind Man's Journey to Kayak the Grand Canyon Book Cover.

No Barriers: A Blind Man’s Journey to Kayak the Grand Canyon

Erik Weihenmayer is the first and only blind person to summit Mount Everest, the highest point on Earth. Descending carefully, he and his team picked their way across deep crevasses and through the deadly Khumbu Icefall; when the mountain was finally behind him, Erik knew he was going to live. His expedition leader slapped him on the back and said something that would affect the course of Erik’s life: “Don’t make Everest the greatest thing you ever do.”

Picture of a teacher helping a young girl.

What Back-To-School Was Like For 3 Families Of Kids With Disabilities

“Without hesitation, they wanted to stay home.”

Picture of Kate Stanforth in her wheelchair making a dance pose.

Kate Stanforth: Disabled dance teacher empowering inclusive dance

Kate Stanforth is a dance teacher, charity founder, disability activist, model, and PR manager from Northumberland. When she became a wheelchair user, she made adaptations to dance in order to continue to pursue her passion and gain her teaching qualification. She now runs an inclusive dance school and encourages others to start their own exploration with dance, no matter their ability.

A box of Purdys Chocolates

Chocolatier extends accessible braille box beyond the holidays

Purdys Chocolatier’s first-of-its-kind product box uses braille to make shopping for chocolate accessible to the blind community.