EXSM 3989 - Digital Storytelling Class Blog

For two years, people across the world have navigated the COVID-19 pandemic and the new reality that it brought. While the restrictions implemented because of the pandemic have provided unique stressors and negative implications for the way individuals navigate day-today life – our society’s transition to utilizing online resources for daily activities has provided some with the tools they have been asking – or quite frankly begging – for.

As COVID has impacted the public’s access to almost all facets of day-to-day life, the shift towards accessibility has shed light on the importance of inclusion; and how Canada’s pre-COVID routines have negatively impacted the disabled community for years.

The Reality

While we can view the changes made towards more accessible and inclusive communities as a ‘win’ – the reality is that COVID-19 has highlighted the gaps in equitable situations for people with disabilities, and that really has to change.

Since March 2020, society as seen a significant shift – with a significant increase in resources available to support accessibility. These solutions are a result of organizations, public services and independent businesses looking to meet their audience where they are – something the disability community has been advocating for for years.

Globally, over 1 billion people live with some form of disability – yet it took a pandemic to implement real change to address the challenges these individuals face.

Now that non-disabled people are experiencing, for the first time, how it feels to have external barriers, countries around the world have finally put policies and practices in place to make public spaces, workplaces and other aspects of society more accessible; however, this doesn’t mean all is well that ends well.

What’s Next?

Are there other ways the world could become more accessible? The answer is yes. We don’t have to have all the answers now but engaging those who have experiences external barriers their whole life is a start.

If we have learned anything through this pandemic, its that human connection means a lot to a lot of people. Let’s continue with that human connection, by inviting everyone to the table and starting the discussion about what we can do better.

Variety – The Children’s Charity of Alberta (Variety Alberta) supports children who are facing physical, developmental, emotional, or learning challenges through education, advocacy, direct support and community outreach. Variety Alberta, and its clientele, have firsthand experience in attempting to break down barriers, and have seen the incredible changes possible when the world needs accessible services.

The pandemic had shed light on a very real issue and has started the conversation. It is our role, as humans, neighbours, friends and families of those living with disabilities to a conscious effort to continue the conversation, engage with those who are directly impacted, and make changes to positively impact our communities.

“Let’s go skydiving”

-said nobody ever!

I made a video to highlight all of the reasons why I love Kelowna.

Everything from food, to views from 10,000 ft up, wineries, and more! Click here to see the video and my love for this beautiful city!

On March 12, 2012, my husband Kevin and I hit the road for a 5 day drive across Canada to start a new life.

The trip started out on a dreary day in Southern Ontario at my parents house in Port Stanley. Within a few hours we were at the Sarnia border ready to cross into the United States only to be slowed down by a snarly CBSA guard who couldn’t believe that we were driving across the country in a Toyota Yaris with only our clothes and a few household items. After a few more questions, he was finally convinced and we were on our way. I immediately fell asleep once we were in the US, between the sound of the road and the heavy rain, I had been lulled into a deep sleep while Kevin continued to drive.

I was exhausted and burnt out. We were flat broke, in debt and stressed out after a couple of tough years trying to make a living as newlyweds. The past year was especially rough on both of us working and living in Wasaga Beach. Unfortunately the life we expected to happen there ended up being a lot more difficult. There were moments when we had to choose between milk or bread at the grocery store. It was humiliating and tiresome. When Kevin got the job offer, there was no hesitation, we were moving again.

Denny’s was our favourite restaurant of choice before hitting the road each morning. I was quite fond of the banana pancakes and Kevin couldn’t get enough of the Grand Slam. It was now March 13th and we were headed north towards the Dakotas. The roads seem to pass by endless shades of brown fields and billboards. An uneventful drive that brought us to our next stop to the infamous town of Fargo, North Dakota.

What a crappy motel with linoleum floors and beds out of a college dorm. It was cheap for a reason and well, we were broke still. 

Day 3 brought us back into Canada to a border crossing we will never forget. Portal, North Dakota was a ghost town with one lone guard, who must have been about 80. He had two questions for us: “Got guns?” No, we said. “Got 10,000 bucks”. Definitely not, we said. He waved us through and we were back on Canadian soil.

So here we are in Saskatchewan with nothing but more brown fields for our viewing pleasure except for one pit stop at “Dog River” aka Rouleau. It was super fun to drive onto the deserted Corner Gas set and take photos. Sadly we missed their re-opening by just weeks. 

As the sun set on our third day on the road, we drove into Saskatoon with plans to crash at another Motel 6. So far we had never booked lodging in advance so we didn’t expect to find every hotel and motel in Saskatoon booked up. Lady Antebellum was in town and there was no room at the Inn for weary travelers. After hitting up a few places, a front desk clerk took pity on us and got us a place outside of the city. By this time it was 10pm and we were starving for dinner. Pizza seemed like the best option so Kevin called up Dominoes hoping to take advantage of the thirty minutes or less guarantee. Thirty minutes turned into two hours because the delivery guy could not find our hotel. When he did, thankfully the pizza was free and cold.

The next day was thankfully less exciting as we drove into Alberta, taking a detour into Grand Prairie to treat ourselves to a luxury hotel and visit a friend for some pints at the local pub. It was a refreshing break on this week-long trip.

It was now the 5th day of our trip and we finally saw snow! For the entire trip thus far, the weather was unseasonably warm which we were grateful for. The snow meant we were closer to our destination. We drove a lot this day as the final road from Alberta to the Northwest Territories is a long and quiet straight away. The highlights of this drive were stopping at the North of 60 sign and driving on the frozen Mighty Mackenzie! (Our GPS was confused and if it could scream, it would have).

By 6pm, we had rolled into Yellowknife, our new home. It was our first big road trip to bond as a couple and dream of our future. We had left Ontario in a leap of faith and hope for a better life.

Last week we celebrated 10 years of being here and we have no plans to leave. Yellowknife is a great place to live, work and grow. I’m not the person I was when we arrived in 2012 and when the time comes for us to forge a new beginning, Yellowknife will never be forgotten, it will be full of cherished memories.

I’ve been an anxious wreck pretty much as long as I can remember. I don’t remember the last time I actually had a comfort zone. Then I had kids. That introduced a whole new flavour of apprehension and worry to the mix. Then I had to send my sweet, innocent child who did not ask to be brought into this hellish world to kindergarten where he would be away from me for the first time in the midst of a global pandemic. By this point, I’m basically just the little purple dude from Pixar’s Inside Out.

September 2, 2021

My smart, outgoing little boy could not be more ready to go on that warm September morning, decked out in his special button up shirt he and his Nana picked out for the first day of school. He skipped the whole 350 meters from our door to the school. I held his little hand tightly, trying not to cry, dragging my feet. My husband and our younger son amped him up as they followed us, matching our kindergartener’s energy.  My husband caught my eye for a second, but dared not hold my gaze any longer, knowing that the tear that was welling up in my eye would escape, and all hell would break loose.

I had been dreading this day all summer as the Alberta government had played jump rope with school closures and all kinds of restrictions and public health measures. It broke my heart that I was not going to be able to see the classroom where my son would start his academic journey. I hadn’t seen the inside of the school at all. My husband had, but not since he attended there some 20 years ago. It felt so foreign to give my child over to an establishment where I had never even set foot inside.

The Worst Part? It’s All the Worst Part!

I felt so unprepared. The pandemic had already robbed us of pre-school & playdates. I had spent the first 5 years of my son’s life, up until these moments, being responsible for his well-being at every moment of every day, and the realization that I was trusting him to strangers behind these brick walls for 3 hours a day, 5 days a week, was honestly terrifying. My only comfort on this day was that my son didn’t know that this wasn’t a “normal” first day of school experience.

We approach the school and give our son big hugs and tell him how much we love him, and that we’re excited for him to have a great day, making new friends and learning. I relinquish my son to his teacher with a brave face and watch them disappear into the unknown. As soon as they are out of sight, tears roll down my face. Before we are off school property, my younger son tells us he misses his brother and joins me in crying the whole way home. Seeing my toddler upset just makes me even more upset. My husband carries him and holds my hand.

We Survived The First Drop Off

My younger son and I make cookies while I push through an anxiety induced migraine and try not to look at the clock. 3 hours later, we go to pick up my older son, a full-fledged kindergartener now.

I wonder how he’ll be changed, after a whole 3 hours in the public school system. The students are dismissed one by one as the teacher spots their respective parent. It’s my son’s turn, and he football tackles me. He’s big for his age, I’m not a very big woman, and he’s really excited to see me. He excitedly tells me all about his day as we walk home.

All That Worry for Nothing, As Per Usual

Today, I had our second parent/teacher conference call of the year (he’s crushing it, by the way) and it’s caused me to reflect a little on that first day of school, and how difficult it was for me. In all honesty, while it still irks me that I don’t know what his classroom looks like, or have never been inside his school, I’m not sure that it would have made me any more ready to let him go that day.  It still comforts me that my son doesn’t really know any different that his Covid kindergarten experience wasn’t “normal.” It’s just our kindergarten experience.

And in so many ways, it was a normal first day of school, wasn’t it? An excited child, only slightly nervous, as he later confessed to me. An anxious mother, not ready to trust her child to someone else, but knowing it was time. That’s the part we’re going to remember, just like every other mother and child going to school for the first time!

It makes me feel a little silly for being so anxious about him starting school in the first place (as I often do after the thing I was so anxious about passes… ) I knew he would crush it!

My younger son is about to turn 4, and we’re grappling with the idea of sending him to pre-school. Oh hey, Fear… what’s up?

I’ve known my best friend, Jenna, for 12ish years now, and 9 of those years have been long distance. Jenna lives in Israel and I live in Edmonton, and unfortunately for us, the long distance will likely be permanent. That of course doesn’t stop me from asking her every now and again to come back home, but I know that “home” isn’t here anymore. So what does a BFF do to support her BFF?

We put in the work.

Long distance anything is HARD WORK. Our friendship is a labour of big love. When you live in opposite timezones, the instant gratification of having a real-time conversation doesn’t always exist. Sometimes, I’ll be having a really hard day and I just want someone to cry to. Sometimes, she’ll be experiencing a high, and will want me to share in the celebration. While we can’t always be present or participate in the ways we want to, we have never stopped showing up for each other.

How do we do it? I’ve summed up some highlights and insights I’ve gained from my 9 year LDR.

1. Our Inside Jokes Know No Borders

Over the years, Jenna and I have coined some specific language and jokes that are unique to us. We end all our conversations by saying “Olive you branches” (translation: I love you lots), and “shmeh” (that’s annoying.) For example, back in tenth grade, we both got really into Kid Cudi’s music (like…really into it). We’d text each other the lyrics of our favourite song, “Erase Me” while in math class. Somehow, this song has become our song. Does it have ANYTHING to do with us? No. Will I dedicate this to Jenna on her wedding day? Heck yes.

2. We show up for the Big, Medium and Small Moments.

When my dad stopped responding to his chemo treatments, Jenna flew out to see me. She showed up at my doorstep with a blanket that smelled like her, and the biggest, boniest hug. Of course, flights are expensive, and they’re not always feasible. We don’t expect each other to be able to fly back and forth from one country to another for all of our milestones, but we’ve found other ways to stay connected and involved.

This is where technology comes in. This is where we use and abuse Skype (now Zoom, because Skype never worked in our favour), Whatsapp, Instagram and Facebook messenger. Voice notes are our favourite thing. We send each other monologues on the daily. We talk about everything- what we’ve eaten that day, what that weird dream might have meant, what our biggest hopes and fears are for the future… those voice notes make it feel like we’re together, even when we’re not together.

3. When I spiral, she’s sane

When one of you is a hypochondriac, the other one cannot be. Case in point:

My best friend and I have known each for 12ish years now, and 9 of those years have been #longdistance. Naturally in that time, we've grown to know each other well. Almost too well… pic.twitter.com/dlWnglLRvJ

— Mishma Mukith (@MishmaMukith) March 22, 2022

4. We Anchor Each Other

Every so often, I get into a major slump (emphasis on major). This happens almost exclusively when the sun stops shining. Jenna ALWAYS #SADchecks me (SAD = Seasonal Affective Disorder) and I adore her for it.

Exhibit 1:

Exhibit 2:

Exhibit 3:

5. We Use Each Other’s Love Languages

Jenna and I are both big on words of affirmation and acts of service. We water our friendship with a lot of intention and care. Of course we argue and get upset with each other (that’s normal and it’s healthy), but we always hold space for remedying our grievances. Jenna reminds me often that I’m strong and resilient, and I tell her often that I’m so gosh dang proud of how far she’s come and how far she’ll go.

All this is to say that all relationships- friendships included, take work and watering. LDR’s aren’t always ideal, but they can also be beautiful. You can grow together even when you’re apart. I love you long time, Jenna. Here’s to a lifetime more to go!

When most people think of ‘self-care’, they think of bubble baths, face masks, indulging in a pint of cream or glass of wine. Although this can be considered self-care, I believe that self care goes a lot deeper than this.

Oxford dictionary definition of Self Care:

The Oxford dictionary definition of “self care” is: the practice of taking an active role in protecting one’s own well-being and happiness, in particular during periods of stress. Although it emphasizes practicing self care especially in periods of stress, I believe that should practice it all of the time. It is when we feel the most peaceful and happy (which self care is conducive to) that we are kindest towards others. Because of this, I believe that self care is service to others.

Although self care can look like the examples named above, it can also look like appreciating the little things in life (a sunset, for example). It can look like spending more time in solitude with yourself, or picking up a good book. For me, self care also looks like attending a daily spin class after work and listening to self-improvement podcasts in my free time.

Don’t get me wrong, I do love a nice glass of red wine in the evening as well. And I will consider this to be self-care (to an extent).

I made an Instagram reel showing different ways that I practice self care. These are the more ‘stereotypical’ ways of practicing self care, but nonetheless I enjoyed putting this reel together.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by @exsm5510

I encourage everyone to take more time for themselves, whether this be taking some time to self reflect or going out for a walk in nature. When we take care of ourselves, we can better take care of others.

Need more ideas on how you can practice self care?

Go read my Twitter thread:

Ways to practice self care:
Go for a walk outside
Call your friends/family and express your love to them
Watch silly dog videos
Listen to a self-improvement podcast
Create a vision board
write out 3 goals you have for yourself for the next year#EXSM3989

— Rachel (@Rachel844497501) March 22, 2022

Through a series of social media stories, I give a small glimpse of what life is like for my dad. Someone who grew up looking Indigenous in Alberta. The problem is my dad has a plethora of stories like these only worse throughout his life. Whether it was getting beat up in school for being the only Indigenous kid, being pulled over by the police officers for suspicious activity, or simply not getting the respect and love he deserves.  

I live a completely different life than my dad because of the colour of my skin and I realize my privilege especially when he shares these stories of blatant racism. I wanted to share them with the world to remind us of all of what a normal day can look like for someone who might look a little different.  

A bit about him 

My father is half Irish and half Cree. He grew up with his brothers and sister and his mother for a short while before being scooped up and placed into a white family as a foster child. Separated from his culture, his family, hand is siblings, my dad was a product of the Sixties Scoop. My dad grew up in a fairly European community that did not have too many children that looked like him. He was bullied and became a quiet person. When I was growing up, I thought my dad was just like me. He looked like me and we have a similar personality. He was someone I looked up to. But as I got older, he started to share the stories that shocked me. Why would anyone treat my dad as less than?  

Shame 

I feel like my dad used to hide who he was. He would not openly tell anyone he was Indigenous, and he liked to keep his hair cut short. He would joke that some people at work thought he looked Spanish or something else. People would make jokes about his culture right in front of him, completely unaware. Growing up away from his own people he just learned to ignore who he was.  

As my dad got older though something shifted. He grew his hair out long; he wears shirts that clearly show that he is proud of his heritage. He wears hats with dream catchers, and he is not afraid of what people think.  I have never been prouder.  

I may not look like my dad, but I understand the shame. When I was a kid, I hated telling people I was part Cree. I thought that they would look at me differently or tease me. I hated when my mother put my hair in braids and called me her little Indian. I was ashamed. But seeing my dad embrace himself has been huge. I will never not be proud of my heritage again.  

Stories 

I tell 3 short stories on my Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter pages if you would like to explore some small first-hand injustices my dad has faced in everyday life.  

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Teagan (@teaganadrianne15)

I shared a story earlier this week about my Dad. https://t.co/JE4eQ2Lfdm
Unfortunately he has many of the same sort of stories to share with the world. Let me tell you another simple story about him and my mother shopping at London Drugs. #EXSM3989

— Teagan Adrianne (@AdrianneTeagan) March 22, 2022

So why this story?

Well, check out my Twitter thread to find out!

When most people find out I have three cats at home, they often act surprised and ask "why so many?" And my immediate response is something like this… pic.twitter.com/SPvlmkD69J

— Liora Shafir (@LioraShafir) March 21, 2022

Looking For the Full Story?

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Lilah 🍋, Willa 🧇, Daisy 🍩 (@lilah.willa.daisy)

The Promised Extras

One of the best things about having cats are the funny situations they get themselves into.

For example, Christmas is an extremely eventful time around our apartment. The Christmas tree is a big attraction for them. Willa’s first Christmas was especially eventful for her. She decided to pretend to be an ornament… Let me show you what I mean…

What a weirdo…

Or, let’s talk about the time Lilah sat in the dryer… For no reason…

@lilah_willa_daisy

Mama said that it was okay 💛 #petsoftiktok #catsoftiktok #cat #dryer #catindryer #tabbycat #Lilah #floof #cute #foryou #foryoupage #lookatmycat

♬ original sound – Zelda & Morty

The funniest thing about this is, she looks so innocent and unassuming.

Also, check out this great sleep position by Daisy…

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Lilah 🍋, Willa 🧇, Daisy 🍩 (@lilah.willa.daisy)

Well, as the famous Tiktok audio suggest “these are my three cats”.

@lilah_willa_daisy

These are my three cats 🥰 #petsoftiktok #catsoftiktok #tabbycat #Lilah #Willa #Daisy #foryoupage #foryou

♬ original sound – IndoorOutdoorKat•Kat Newquist

Hope you enjoyed my little story 🙂

Like other women who signed up to participate in the war effort, many women joined the ambulance core and the fire brigade, whereas May and Grace took their training to become plane spotters with the 161 Battalion and Field Regiment in Northern England.  They spent many long hours in the cold wind and rainy days looking to the sky.

May and Grace saved many lives with their plane spotting, they would radio to the platoon leader if the incoming plane was friend or foe.  May and Grace had to be quick and had to be correct.  They were both good at their posts and always ready for duty when called.

Eventually May met Bob and fell in love and shortly thereafter, Grace met Allan and fell in love, with weddings 6 months apart, it was only natural that May and Grace would be each other’s maid of honours in their weddings.

When Grace’s husband Allan got a new job in Australia, it was too good an opportunity to pass up.  May and Grace faced the difficult task of saying goodbye to each other and promising to write and visit when they could.  Years passed and many letters passed hands, and many phone calls for those special holidays despite the enormous costs.

May was stuck, she only had an outdated phone number, half a military service number and years of friendship to start looking.  May contacted her local police department, there wasn’t anything they could do across international borders.  May tried to contact the police in Australia, but since Grace no longer lived at that address anymore, there wasn’t any location to start looking in.

27 years later, May’s eldest daughter Linda took it upon herself to write a small little story in the community newspaper about her mother always wondering what happened to her friend Grace. The story touched many in the small village and the story was eventually picked up by a national news station and aired on the 6 o’clock news.

https://www.dorsetecho.co.uk/news/features/lookingback/1798273.did-you-know-grace-the-plane-spotter/

One evening, Grace’s eldest daughter Susan was in northern England watching the 6 o’clock news, when suddenly – a youthful picture of her mother flashed across the screen! Susan yelled for her husband to come quick – he too confirmed that indeed that was his mother-in-law, Grace! Susan called the number listed on the television and spoke to the producer of the show who was very excited there could be a possible connection.

Susan called her mother Grace, who was living in Canada to tell her the news.  Grace was excited and fondly remembered her friend May.  Time, moving, traveling, children and losing the contact details for May, Grace was eager to see her friend again.

May and Grace connected for the first time by telephone almost 30 years after last seeing each other in England.  Up until the passing of May in 1998, May and Grace made several trips across the ocean to visit with one another – forever remaining the best of friends and making life-long connections between their two families!

Click the link below to finish the story on Searching for Grace!

https://www.instagram.com/tv/CbWAs5wlCKJ/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Blogging allows a business to connect with its customers in an authentic, trustworthy, and reliable way. Blogging also allows a business to set themselves apart from their competitors, and provide unique value to customers which goes far beyond pushing for a quick sale. When a customer feels like they can relate to the tone and values of a business, they are more likely to be loyal. Blogging allows for this. 

Benefits to blogging for your business:

-Blogging sets yourself apart from your competitors 

-Blogging acts as a vehicle of communication from you to your audience. Use this opportunity to build an authentic tone of voice, which will help your audience trust you.

-Connecting your blog content to your social media business accounts will increase traffic to your socials and increase consumer engagement in this way.

-Blogging is a great way to share customer testimonials, which will give your audience real opinions about your brand

-Blogging enables you to share information about your industry, rather than just information about your products/services. This create trust between you and your customers

-Blogging from a place of value and experience creates a unique bond between you and your customers, which makes you stand out from your competitors

-Blogging gives your business the perfect opportunity to optimize your website for search engines. Optimizing your blog with keywords in your content is a great way to do this 

-Blogging consistently and providing value in this way fosters customer relationships and customer loyalty. offering your audience free, valuable information on your blog increases return readership and fosters relationship building

-Blogging is a way to convert blog readers into valuable customers!

Tips on how to blog successfully:

– Maintaining a comprehensive and consistent blog keeps your brand at the forefront of peoples’ minds

-Think about ‘why’ you are blogging to guide ‘what’ you are blogging about

-Conduct extensive research for each blog post, as to provide your audience with useful and accurate information  

-Publish new and up to date content to not only engage with your audience, but ensure that there are key and relevant words for search engine optimization

-Make it easy for your customers to share your blog content and promote it for you on their social accounts 

-Include links to all of your social accounts, allowing your readers to easily visit these accounts

Now that I have convinced you to blog for your business, go out and give it a try!