Letters from the Editors - Mitchell's Statement

With what’s left of my strength, I gathered myself and got off the bus and into Kipling Station, in Toronto. My experience with multiple disabilities, mental illnesses and a life of poverty, homelessness and survival rattle around my anxious head as I travel towards Queen's Park, home of the Ontario legislature. This day held a protest against the very things that have kept people with disabilities down for decades: explosively high rent, surging food and supply prices, and the Ontario Disability Support Program / Ontario Works payments being well below liveable. 

I think of these types of events when explaining my intent and reasons for doing my advocacy work. For years, my life was stuck in fight or flight survival mode, feeling like a pest and a target, facing repeated homelessness and terrifying shelters. Now, with stability after 23 years on and off the streets, I dedicate much of my time to push the issues that almost took my life. Someone advocated for me while I was at my worst and incapable, so now I fight for all those out there in increasing numbers under current failed federal, provincial and municipal policies. 

Mitchell being interviewed in downtown Guelph
Mitchell being interviewed in downtown Guelph. Image credit: Tyler Oliveira

As a result, I have tried all kinds of approaches from creating and editing a season and a half of the podcast PWDcast to hosting Zoom conversations with Jann Arden and Elizabeth May. Currently, I make protest advocacy posters and ads with my certificate and diploma from George Brown College in graphic design for public use on social media. 

This newspaper is another attempt to reach the disability community, gather our stories together and show the country of Canada what life is really like - without puff pieces or false hope. It's time we build a network of sharing, warnings, support, and our own truthful, unsweetened news across this nation of nations, these lands also known as Turtle Island, from the coasts through the Prairies and Great Lakes and into the Northern Territories. If you are disabled, neurodivergent, or an ally, then this newspaper is for you.

Written by Mitchell Tremblay (Co-Editor)

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