Category Archives: Activist

Counting… The Day of Mourning and the Disability Clothesline

Posted on February 28, 2018 by Leah Kelley, Ed.D.

By Emma Van der Klift On March 1st of every year for the last three, a small group of activists – mostly activists with disabilities – have gathered together at Woodland’s Memorial Gardens in New Westminster, BC. The Gardens are … Continue reading →

Posted in ableism, Activist, ASAN, Disability Day of Mourning | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Toward the River: A Poem of Hope

Posted on February 27, 2018 by Leah Kelley, Ed.D.

Toward the River… Toward the River I saw the bird-tipped tree written strong against the smoke-faded hills and sky Living paintbrushes witnessing entwined as silhouette amidst destruction desolation resting there holding space and promise for tomorrow Leah Kelley February 23, … Continue reading →

Posted in Activist, poem, poetry, social justice | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The Teacher’s Kid – It’s not what you think…

Posted on November 22, 2017 by Leah Kelley, Ed.D.

I had the opportunity this evening to enter into a discussion with a colleague: a fellow teacher who is also the parent of a five-year-old Autistic son. So as we talked this man commented, “It is great that you are … Continue reading →

Posted in Activist, Advocacy, Autism, childhood, Disability, Educator, neurodivergent, Parent, prejudice, Teacher | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Self-Care is Resistance!!

Posted on May 25, 2017 by Leah Kelley, Ed.D.

I have been thinking about the incredible endurance and perseverance of people who are fighting for human rights, for themselves and for others… Activism is gruelling, slogging, hard work… and it is seemingly unending. It can be hard to step … Continue reading →

Posted in #NeurodivergentNarwhals, acceptance, Activist, Collective Responsibility, letting go, limits, Love and Self-Care, social justice | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Love more loudly…

Posted on November 10, 2016 by Leah Kelley, Ed.D.

Wednesday morning after the US election my sister, Michelle, shared: “What I will tell my children this morning…?  It’s not enough to be kind and believe in the good. We must love more loudly. We must make inclusion thunder. We … Continue reading →

Posted in ableism, acceptance, Activist, Collective Responsibility, inclusion, privilege, Silence, social justice | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Hell’s Gate and The Pumpkin Toss

Posted on October 10, 2016 by Leah Kelley, Ed.D.

Last night, on the night before Thanksgiving, we carved pumpkins. Yes, you heard that right! And today we travelled up the Fraser Canyon with our good friends – five of us in all.  We each had a pumpkin, that would … Continue reading →

Posted in Activist, Autism | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

You, yes you, need Autistic friends

Posted on June 21, 2016 by Leah Kelley, Ed.D.

The following is a guest post by Neurodivergent K  of  Radical Neurodivergence Speaking Intended audience: parents of Autistic kids. Though obviously everyone needs Autistic friends. So your child was just diagnosed with autism. Breathe. Breathe deeper. Relax. It’ll all be … Continue reading →

Posted in acceptance, Activist, Autism, Autistic, neurodivergent, relationships | Tagged , , , , , | 7 Comments

Disability Day of Mourning: The Loss of Innocence

Posted on March 2, 2016 by Leah Kelley, Ed.D.

A few weeks back I asked H if he would like to attend the ASAN Vancouver Disability Day of Mourning Vigil with me on March 1st, at the Woodlands Memorial Gardens in New Westminster, BC. He asked what the vigil … Continue reading →

Posted in ableism, Activist, Advocacy, ASAN, autism stigma, Autistic, Boycott Autism Speaks, Death, Disability, Grief, prejudice, Rail Against Stigma | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 14 Comments

Why can’t we all get along?!?

Posted on December 23, 2015 by Leah Kelley, Ed.D.

I am 100% in agreement that the stigma and ableism perpetuated by groups and organizations like The Mighty are harmful to the Disability Community, because they are misrepresenting ableism as advocacy. There is much action afoot to have The Mighty … Continue reading →

Posted in ableism, acceptance, Activist, Advocacy, Autism, Autistic, Disability, listening, Neurodiversity | Tagged , , , , , | 18 Comments

H: ‘Not an Impostor’

Posted on July 3, 2015 by Leah Kelley, Ed.D.

H and I recently co presented as a part of the training for the summer staff of our local Community Living/Inclusion organization.  This was a really fabulous experience for a number of reasons. The openness of the staff to considering the … Continue reading →

Posted in ableism, Activist, advocate, Autism, Autistic, Boycott Autism Speaks | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments