The Disenabled Podcast

The latter half of a conversation I had the good fortune of having with two veterans (both of whom served in the Canadian armed forces). PTSD, current changes in the military, and the meaning of Remembrance Day are just some of the many topics discussed, with a handful of good stories thrown in for good measure. . 

You can find part 1 of this conversation at:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/6nWNcJvxm6go4sDkQxRyqx?si=ZbyhuspqTiqmVMt48amxew&nd=1

Music Credit- The Royal Australian Airforce (The Last Post):

Join me and my family friend, Gary Williamson, in a half-hour discussion about some of the adaptations he’s made over the decades due to a gradual loss of his sight and hearing, along with a few reminiscences about the people who re-taught him basic life skills thrown in for good measure.

For further information about the CNIB’s history

A resource summarizing the institutes major accomplishments since it’s inception can be found at:

In this episode, former president of the Toronto Ice Owls (one of Canada's oldest blind hockey teams), Ed Parentaugh, talks about how blind hockey gradually transformed from a fringe novelty supported purely by small-time fundraising in the early seventies, to a current fast-tracking mainstream athletic pursuit that continues to gain national and international popularity.

     To learn more about blind hockey, visit the Canadian Blind Hockey Association home page at:

A diagnosis at 3 years old. Many months spent at “Sick Kids” hospital not knowing what challenges may come. Embracing all necessary adaptations (physical and non-physical alike) that became part of the day-to-day in the decades that followed. In this episode, I chat with family friend, Pam Anderson, about all of this, as she shares her experiences as someone whose had to contend with the long-term effects of Polio.

You can find the Disenabled Facebook page, where I share a variety of disability content at:

 How have the “tech giants” of the world incorporated accessibility features into the products people use daily? Are niche accessibility companies slowly becoming obsolete because of a more competitive, accessibility-centric market? And what about AI; its continued rapid development might be creating more opportunities for people with disabilities than you think. In his second appearance on the podcast, Trent University’s Adaptive Technologist, Caleb Hunt, discusses all of these topics, and more.

     Take a listen to Caleb’s previous appearance on the podcast here:

With some self-deprecating humour and a few laughs mixed in for good measure, in this episode I sit down with my good friend, Kayla Gaspar, to talk in-depth about how her height impairment has influenced some people’s perception of her in social settings, along with some ways she goes about diffusing any awkwardness people might feel about acknowledging said impairment.

     You can reach out to talk all things Disenabled at:

Is the white cane more effective than a guide dog when it comes to helping people who’re blind/visually impaired navigate in public? What is the basic process for someone to get a guide dog? Can a person pet an on-duty guide dog? In this episode I sit down with fellow podcaster, Devon Wilkins, to talk about such topics, along with other misconceptions about traveling in public when blind.

You can find out when new episodes of “Insight Peterborough” air on Trent radio by visiting:

Former ONM instructor turned teacher for people who’re blind/visually impaired, Anne Lanz, joins me behind the mic yet again. In this episode we talk about some effective ways that she has successfully taught students with visual impairment how to advocate for themselves in an academic capacity, along with a few methods to ensure the student-teacher rapport is as strong as possible.

     Check out the “What’s Your Excuse Network” for more disability-based podcasts at:

In this episode I chat with Orientation and Mobility (ONM) specialist turned teacher for people who're blind/visually impaired, Ann Lanz, about some of  her professional training experiences, her thoughts on different English braille codes (and some modifications made to them), as well as a host of other blind-related topics.

     A basic definition and information about Nemeth Braille can be found here:

     In this final part of my conversation with blind snowboarder, Emily Trepanier, we discuss  topics such as nutrition, athletic recovery, podcasting, and the origin story of how Emily garnered the nickname, Starfish.  

     You can follow Emily's journey to a Paralympic debut at:

     In this second part of my interview with Canadian blind Snowboarder, Emily Trepanier, we chat about how the pandemic has impacted her ability to hit the slopes, how snowboarding can be a physically unforgiving sport, and some of the  costs (physically and monetarily) of pursuing the goal of competing in the Paralympics

     Follow Emily's quest for gold on social media here:

In this episode I chat with blind competitive snowboarder, and prospective Paralympian, Emily Trepanier about where her love for the sport began, her experience returning to the slopes after 18 months, and how she went from taking up snowboarding as a recreational sport, to possibly gracing the Paralympic podium with a gold medal draped around her neck.

     You can follow Emily's journey to the Paralympics on Facebook here:

Podcast Description

Whether you wear a Poppy to commemorate those who fought in Flanders Fields, or spend the day in quiet reflection, Remembrance Day is an occasion symbolic of an infinite number of meanings for all. Some march in a celebratory parade to the beat of a snare drum and the melodic whine of bagpipes. Others find solace in merely acknowledging said parades, alternatively choosing to set their sights on the forthcoming holiday season. Neither choice is better or worse than the other. However, some topics (such as the effects and treatments for PTSD, the culture of the military, changes to said culture, etc.) are undeniably thrust into the limelight during this time of year.

In this episode I sit down with two former Canadian soldiers to discuss some of these topics, as well as some other military stereotypes. With a collective career that spans nearly 30 years, you’d be surprised to know that even though the military still has its functional structures, there have been some changes for the better along the way.

Music Credit- The Royal Australian Air Force (The Last Post)

In this episode I sit down with former Trent student, Brette Leblanc, to talk about some of his life experiences and daily challenges he's had to face as a person living with visual impairment.

Drop me a line to talk all things disability and/or podcasting at:

In this episode I sit down with former Toronto Ice Owls player and long-time participant of multiple athletic pursuits, Kyle Rawn, to discuss what it's like to play blind hockey, the personal significance that playing sports had on Kyle's life, and how people who are visually impaired/fully blind can involve themselves in athletics.

Drop me a line to talk all things disability and/or podcasting at:

In this episode I kick things off by rolling a pre-recorded conversation I had with Jess Anderson (a Student Accessibility Services (SAS) advisor at Trent University) where we discuss topics such as the process of implementing academic accommodations for Trent students, and Jess's thoughts about her profession. I then close out the episode by sharing my retrospective perspective on the interview.

Drop me a line to talk all things disability and/or podcasting at:

In this episode I sit down with my first in-studio guest, Trent university's Adaptive Technologist, Caleb Hunt, to discuss what academic responsibilities are included in the profession of adaptive technology. We also talk about the role Student Accessibility Services (SAS) plays in helping students more easily chase their academic pursuits.

Drop me a line to talk all things disability and/or podcasting at:

Flying solo behind the mic, in this episode I share some personal stories about a couple of high school teachers, in an attempt to illustrate the impact that ignorance can have on the academic performance of a person living with a physical disability.

Drop me a line to talk all things disability and/or podcasting at:

In this episode I kick things off by briefly discussing a CBC article about the growing presence of wheelchair boxing in the realm of disability athletics. I then roll my first ever pre-recorded interview with guest and friend, Kayla Gaspar, to talk about what her life has been like living with the after-effects of meningitis.

You can read the CBC article about adaptive boxing referenced in this episode at:

A short but succinct episode where I talk about the inspiration behind starting the podcast, and what content is to come in future episodes.

Drop me a line to talk all things disability and/or podcasting at: