Celebrating International Women’s Day

Happy International Women’s Day.  I want to acknowledge some awesome women in my life doing impactful work and making a difference.

I want to acknowledge these women for the impact they are making in the world.  Meredith Sadoulet, Alycia Anderson, Karol-Ann Canuel, Lynn Bessette, Sophie St Jaques, Sam Warskett, Julie Hutsebaut, Nicola Johnson, Vicki Thomas, and Jennifer Stephenson.

Meredith Sadoulet’s world changed when her son was diagnosed with ASD.  Specifically when she heard the statistics on low employment rates for people on the Spectrum.  She then turned her life upside down and decided to do something about it.   She created the Profound Professional Disability and Accessibility Network.  Here professionals who are disabled and their allies come together to connect, elevate, support and make changes in the DEI world.   Most importantly educate on the importance of DEIA.  My world changed for the better when I met Meredith and became one of the coaches at Profound.  I believe in the mission and am proud to work there alongside her.

Alycia Anderson who is a powerful advocate to the DEIA movement.  A disabled wheelchair user, former paralympian, public speaker and entrepreneur.  Alycia is an inspiration to me in so many ways. Spreading the word on ableism, accessibility and inclusion in so many venues including the Victoria’s Secret stage last year.   I regularly recommend Alycia’s TEDX talk and Profound Fireside chat to my clients, colleagues and friends.

Multiple  former Canadian National and one US National Team riders who I want to acknowledge today are Karol-Ann Canuel, Lynn Bessette, Lauren Tucker Hall, Sophie Saint Jacques, Julie Hutsebaut and Sam Warskett. They raced their bikes professionally for years.  Some represented their countries at the Olympics and World Championships.  They didn’t leave their passion for the sport behind and they continue to work in sport to elevate women.

Karol-Ann and Lynn organize public cycling events each year to create a love of cycling and create community.  Karol-Annes 100% Feminin Ride brings together women of all ages to ride together while the young up and coming professional cyclists attending her camp learn leadership skills in leading all the women throughout the day.

Julie Hutsebaut who also lives with an invisible cognitive disability yet strives to educate and facilitate in the DEIA world  all the while supporting her two children who are both full time athletes and students.  I know how hard it is to balance energy, brain power, passion to help and make a difference all the while living day to day life.  Julie makes it all happen and makes an impact.

Vicki Thomas and Jennifer Stephenson also both retired competitive cyclists have created the Ottawa Women’s Cycling Network where local female cyclists have found a place to ride, connect and support in a non competitive environment.  Creating a community of belonging and fun.

Sam Warskett and Sophie Saint Jacques learned the impact injury and illness can have on your life and sport and the importance of prevention and health.  They both work in unique ways to help women age strong and healthy.

Nicola Johnson who first planted the seed of an idea that I might become an Executive and Life Coach.  Then helped and supported me as I navigated this journey of awesomeness. Thank you is not quite enough.   Nicola is an exemplary role model of a mother, athlete and coach.  Working hard for change in the world.

I want to acknowledge myself today.   In the 1990’s when I became disabled my world turned upside down.  I went from having a good paying, well respected job that allowed me to travel the world and live the life I wanted to being disabled and in bed all the time.  I went from my bedroom bed to a daybed in my family room.  Sleeping endlessly but never rested.   I took all the drugs and did all the treatments prescribed.  When my Doctor told me there was nothing more to be done for me medically and this was my new baseline I remember the devastation.

The journey forward was arduous and hard.  I tried many things that didn’t work and some that did.  Every slow step forward was a celebration and a building block to keep  momentum going.  My baseline kept changing.  I had debilitating fatigue and pain from chronic fatigue, FM and Lupus.  I had cognitive issues and trouble retrieving my words from Lupus and a stroke.  Jeopardy was my friend in helping me learn to retrieve words again.   I would have major reactions to chemicals whenever I left my house.  One foot forward 3 feet back but sometimes 3 feet forward and 1 foot back.  But always forward.

Here I am today living my purpose and life of my dreams helping others to start taking those steps forward.  I am so thankful I didn’t accept that baseline of living crippled and fatigued in my home dependent on others for everything.  Here I am thriving and striving and continuing to make improvements to my life daily.  My new baseline keeps moving up and forward.  My brain keeps changing and improving as I age.

To all the women in my life living or dead who made me who I am today.  Thank you.  Friends, family, friends who become family who elevate me everyday.  Thank you.

If you are a woman who you want to acknowledge for making an impact and difference?.  What do you want to acknowledge about yourself?  What wins do you want to celebrate?  Why is this important?

If you are not a woman what women in your life do you want to acknowledge and why?

I see you, I hear you and I acknowledge you.

Whether you are visibly or invisibly disabled, or able, we all make an impact and a difference.  As women we have come so far and have so much more to do.  As a woman in the DEIA space this is amplified.