WHAT ARE YOU STUDYING AND/OR WHAT ARE YOUR PROFESSIONAL AMBITIONS?
I am currently studying aircraft maintenance at the École nationale d’aérotechnique in Longueuil, Quebec. I also work part-time at RONA.
WHAT ARE YOUR PASSIONS, INTERESTS, AND HOBBIES?
My passions, interests, and hobbies include coin collecting, wood carving, vintage and antique stuff, aviation, mysteries, investigations, reading, and history. Until 2019, I was also a competitive speed skater at the provincial level.
CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE WITH BRAIN-BASED DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES?
I have four brain-based disabilities: epilepsy, autism, dyslexia, and attention deficit disorder (ADD). I also have low-frequency (reverse-slope) hearing loss. I had my first big seizure when I was 10 years old and received my epilepsy diagnosis then, but I was only diagnosed with autism, dyslexia, and ADD in the summer of 2019, when I was 16.
My autism is the disability that I find the most impactful. For example, as a child, I had speech delays but now, as an adult, I have caught up and even speak too much sometimes. My autism also has the benefit of giving me intense interests and passions. It also gives me excellent memory skills for things related to my passions, good hands-on learning, and an ability to recognize patterns, especially ones that others don’t notice or see.
I love to read. My dyslexia doesn’t affect my reading too badly but does make reading tougher, depending on the colour scheme. It will often ‘switch words’ without me realizing it until later.
Why did you want to get involved with CHILD-BRIGHT?
I like sharing about my experiences and advocating for others who have disabilities like me. I look forward to joining the NYAP to work with the other youth members.