Living Library

Born with Cerebral Palsy, I’ve always had others tell me what my capabilities and abilities were or were not. In addition to that, I grew up in what can sometimes be an ‘extremely judgmental’ South Asian community. However, I was born with the natural talents of being sarcastic and stubborn. I would not let others (especially those gossiping Aunties) decide for me what my life would be, or where my path would one day take me. My story is about staying true to who you are, embracing humour and sarcasm, and breaking barriers along the way; and allowing no one but myself to define my capabilities, abilities, or the existence of my disabilities… especially not the gossiping Aunties.

As an immigrant to Canada, my journey has been one of blending traditions, bridging cultures, and embracing a multicultural identity. Through the art forms of Chinese Qin music and traditional drum songs, I have not only deepened my own understanding of my heritage but also found a unique way to express my identity in a new country. Supported by a grant from the Edmonton Arts Council, I had the incredible opportunity to study with a professional teacher and artist in China, delving deep into advanced techniques in traditional Chinese storytelling drumsong. These ancient sounds and stories connect me to my roots and offer a lens to share my culture with others. In this session, I will share how learning and performing these art forms has shaped my personal growth and strengthened my identity. I’ll discuss the importance of passing these traditions to our next generations, who was born in Canada, and my hope to nurture in them a love for our cultural heritage. Join me as we explore how traditional music can be a bridge between generations, a voice of inclusivity, and a celebration of the richness that cultural diversity brings to all of us.

At 24 years old, I’ve already lived through what feels like a lifetime of change. I’m a transgender man, and my journey to becoming who I truly am has been far from easy. Living with PTSD and a chronic illness, I’ve faced battles that tested my mental and physical strength. I’ve known the crushing weight of failure—like when I failed out of college, feeling like my world had collapsed. But I also know the power of resilience, because I picked myself up, returned to school, and proudly graduated. Now, I’m pursuing an MBA, chasing dreams I never thought were possible.

My journey took a major turn when I was forced to pack up my life and leave everything I knew behind. Moving across the country was terrifying, but it was necessary. It was a decision I made to live authentically, to build a future where I could be myself—something I couldn’t do in the place I once called home. The waters have been rough, but I’m still here, learning, growing, and proving to myself that I can make it through anything.

Living with Chronic Migraine is living with a neurological disease; the seventh most disabling disease in the world. However, again and again, migraine attacks are belittled, minimized, and conflated with episodic headaches, despite their many other symptoms beyond head pain. Mallory Chipman, chronic migraine patient and professional touring musician, speaks to her experience with this invisible disability/chronic illness, and how it impacts her life as a creative person.

Our brains are wired to tell, and respond to stories. But we don’t only find them in books and movies. Every element of our lives is a story and every person is their own main character. Randy will dive into some of the universal elements of story, and how he has used them both in dramatic work, and in framing meaningful communications for organizations and businesses throughout his career. He’ll explore how understanding story not only helps us with basic communications, but how it can be a tool for deep empathy, connection and change.

Moving to a new place can feel disorienting, leaving us grappling with unfamiliar surroundings and routines. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed, but within every challenge lies an opportunity. In this session, I’ll share how to embrace change, find resilience, and create a sense of belonging in your new home. By shifting perspective and taking intentional steps, it’s possible to not just adapt, but truly thrive in your new home.

As a woman who was socialized to be people-pleasing, and to adhere to gender norms, ADHD went undiagnosed in me for more than 40 years. But those four little letters made my life make sense. It explained my tendency to throw myself into deep and abiding passions and obsessions, only to fall out of love equally as fast. It explained my need for unconventional and independent schooling and learning, as well as a self-directed career as an entrepreneur and artist. It has also helped me to address mental health concerns like treatment-resistant depression and anxiety. Unbeknownst to me, ADHD has shaped my whole life, and now that I know what it is, I have learned tools that make it work for me, rather than against me.