The Voice - Disability and Community with Ian Young

Voice of Albertans with Disabilities  talks candid with Ian Young about the disability community and his opinions about how this can be better.

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00:00:00 Teresa

Welcome to the voice of Albertans with disabilities AKA vad society’s Third podcast.

I'm Teresa Jackson, your host, and VAD’s programming & service manager.

Thanks for joining us today.

Today on the podcast I'll be talking to a great community influencer and getting his perceptions about the disability community in Edmonton and across Alberta.

I met this man through his volunteer role as a board member for voice of Albertans with disabilities and was blown away by his knowledge and understanding of the community as it pertains to inclusion, accessibility and full participation.

I wanted to get him on the show to share his insights with you and let you meet a great guy from the local community.

Together we hold the power.

Please welcome my friend Ian Young.

Hello Ian, can you give us a brief introduction of yourself?

00:00:46 Ian

Thank you, Teresa, yes, I’m Ian young.

I have been disabled since 2004 so I Have lived most majority of my life as an able bodied person.

So When I became disabled and was finally released from care in on independently, I saw the struggles that were going on for myself, said that these must have been Going on for a long time.

I thought if I can't be part of it, I'm not going to be part of the problem. I’m going got be Part of the solution I believe with my recovery and better responsibility cause I'm  I find myself very outgoing, not afraid  To speak out.

00:01:21 Teresa

Nice, it was kind of wonderful. Thank you.

So I have a few fun questions to get to know you a little better and then I have some more serious questions that we can jump into later. So let's get started.

00:01:34 Ian

Fun it's always fun.

00:01:35 Teresa

What do you like to do in your spare time?

00:01:38 Ian

What music is a big part of my life I like to listen to Music I like to read? And I have a big film watcher.

00:01:47 Teresa

Any specific film that comes to mind?

00:01:49 Ian

I am very fond of documentaries.

I studied film science studies for two years at Concordia University, Montreal so I Look at that Films differently through the basic direction everything studied but I’m really fond of documentaries, seeing past lives, how things were done I've just found them very, you get ideas from things that really happened and solutions.

00:02:13 Teresa

OK, what makes you feel inspired or like your best self?

00:02:18 Ian

When I hear that I helped somebody else. When I hear of if I've recommended an agency, Recommended a method of a Healing or a doctor or anything to Say thank you, thank you That really helped me out. I felt I don't need an award or anything. I just feel very accomplished that I could help my fellow man.

00:02:38 Teresa 

I like that.

00:02:38 Ian

Or woman

00:02:41 Teresa

If you could go back and give your 18 year old self one piece of advice. What would it be?

00:02:45 Ian

Don't smoke cigarettes.

00:02:47 Teresa

That's it, plain and simple.

00:02:48 Ian

Don’t smoke cigarettes, take. Education seriously, take your health seriously. Ah, don't worry too much so don’t let your past define you. Let your future advise you.

00:03:03 Teresa

Tell me something fun about yourself.

00:03:06 Ian

I was, when I was six years old on a fight, to UK, London from Seattle.

It was during the Vietnam War and I was flying from Seattle, the FBI had everything, we're all over the airport. 'cause it's a very critical Time there are taking over commercial airplanes to fly more socially.

My mother dressed me up as a Cowboy just show off, I was very little I. felt very, very dumb and dumb.

The FBI, as a joke Said hey, this guy looks suspicious. And frisked me

And my mother said. I'm on a plane and everything and the only thing I could say is I got Frisked by the FBI.

So I don’t know if that is a badge of honour or what or badge of interest at 6.

00:03:52 Teresa

Better at 6 than 16 or 60.

00:03:56 Ian

Well, I don't think it even really won't be frisked by the FBI for any reason, but I guess it was exciting To a 6 Year old in a cowboy costume from Edmonton.

00:04:06 Teresa

Thanks for those great answers Ian, let’s talk serious and get your perceptions of what's going on in the disability community.

Can you tell me about the disability, community and. How you're involved.

00:04:18 Ian

How I’m involved, I sit on the Executive Council to the Canadian Council of disabilities.

And it was as past board member from vad that introduced me to the Canadian council of disabilities, which I feel very passionate about.

I like to take ideas that other provinces are they're doing and try to turn them and let them know what's going on in other provinces that is working.

Right now we're in every fragile state because During, were in a pandemic, things should be pushed aside expenses are we don't really have transparency in the expenses that are happening and our programs are being cut and we don’t have any say in that and that we're not the ones Making decisions are made from higher ups and we've actually been lied to.

Like with the indexing they're we were told straight out there was not going to be happening and it was. And I think it's a fragile  State there's a  Lot of during The pandemic I think a lot of people actions have Changed from anger of fear  To apathy  To I can't really  Do anything about it

 So you'll see that side, there's love opinions floating around. Always try and seek out a truthful answer.

'cause power of the Internet to where people are now very secluded their relying on Communication through the Internet. And social media wrong things can be told they'll put People in a panic.

00:05:38 Teresa

What is it common myths about having a disability?

00:05:43 Ian

That we're lazy that we don't try to better ourselves.

That we're unemployable.

That we all have very Low IQ's and can’t really function.

That is a big myth 'cause we have some you know, people I know personally that have been AISH recipients that are now graduated from university, 

We’re disadvantaged yes, because you don't fit into the norm and there’s a  lack of funding Lack of programs. But there's a myth that we’re out of Political section direction that we're just lazy.

00:06:19 Teresa

That's a terrible, terrible stereo type.

00:06:20 Ian

Yes, there's a gentleman works for Jason Kenney. Spokesperson who gets paid a fabulous amount of Money just go on Twitter and they Said we're all just lazy.

00:06:32 Teresa

Terrible 

What is the biggest challenge of disability community is facing today and what are the most immediate concerns that need to be addressed?

00:06:41 Ian

I believe financing because when you are In a state of a  financial woe you're always worrying, which can lead to  A lot of depression for us left now that we're getting resources, cut  We are, I'm very afraid. There've been high suicide rates and because we’re in the pandemic People are not getting proper care.

Currently they're allocating services which they have cut their directing in other areas. I am just worried about the. State of mental health with People who are recipients are living in poverty.

00:07:14 Teresa

Who should care about this problem and why?

00:07:17 Ian

Well, the government is controlling the funding so they should care about it because one thing leads to another.

Give a man a fish he'll eat for a day.  Teach a man to fish he’ll eat for lifetime there’s an old Saying if you give us Just some ground level we can start making decisions for ourselves. You would not believe  It will prosper.

00:07:37 Teresa

The independence and the self-reliance.

00:07:38 Ian

Independence of any talent, so we're always reliant 'cause we don't know and people panic if they're check doesn’t come in on time, which is happening. They face eviction and then the province is not responsible for paying outside fees so they’re Out, almost half their paycheck in the NSF fees with fear eviction I Know for instance, a lot of buildings, through my history if you are  Late with your rent, like three times then goodbye. And as we spoke earlier, subsidized housing is a very big problem So I'm sorry I don't like it, but it's up to the government to be transparent, be Honest and listen to us.

00:08:17 Teresa

Have any others done anything to rectify these concerns?

00:08:21 Ian

Uh, yes.

I'm fortunate enough to meet some Fantastic people and attend housing labs.

Uh, there’s A group called Radical inclusion, radical justice, which I find absolutely fascinating 'cause they wrote a letter to the United Nations human rights. Housing is a human right

There is a Lot going on there’s a lot of Very hard dedicated people that Instead of throwing out Opinions are actually Doing very hard work and I'm very fortunate to know a lot of those people and be involved with them.

00:08:50

Nice

What is your solution to the problem?

00:08:57 Ian

I don't have the lived experience that I think my solution to the problem is please have forums, have several.

Our last government when before they introduce the indexing, which I was very proud to make in helping make a decision and they went around our province twice and interviewed recipients of AISH, their family members, support workers and then came to the conclusion.

Yes, that's what we want. So they listen, get their people and listen  This thing is  A very important fact to make decisions like  This don't ever  I very fortunate to live in a cooperative where majority rules, and we Just ask every facet. If they're going to Paint the walls in the hallway we have decision in it.

As the saying goes, in the disability community. Nothing about us without us please  Include the decision that would impact Our lives.

00:09:44 Teresa

If you could speak with the decision. Makers that fund services. What would you want them to know?

00:09:49 Ian

To listen to us.

They're not really quality lights or not lazy or human beings.

All of us have contributed to society all of us do have one way to contribute society, so please let us give us the experience, the freedom to express ourselves, 'cause we could do better.

We don't like the situation we're in, but you're controlling it and making it worse. Listen to us. That's the biggest thing. Listen to us.

00:10:14 Teresa

I have a couple more questions here, so one of them is what's the biggest challenge you're facing in your role within the community, and how are  You tackling it.

00:10:23 Ian

Opinions, I will see opinions that  Are not based and that  Frightens me, 'cause I see other  People getting very worked up. So somebody feeling the opinion always dissect from what is the truth?

And what’s an opinion people don't realize if you're reading an article or newspaper, this is the opinion.

And now we're in a very social network especially during seclusion No one asserts they're coming from Not everything you read is true. And Infighting I see like an if somebody disagrees with somebody, I go. We all have different personality types then try and come together. Not only help you, it'll help the community. Maybe one day we can all sit down and relax. I don't know when they'll be, but. We work as a group. There’s an old saying that I use in all my speeches. As one we are a voice, as two we are a concern, but as a Group we become an action.

00:11:21 Teresa

Oh I like that.

What is something everybody in the disability community should start doing?

00:11:29 Ian

Respecting themselves listening and Educate themselves there on decisions that are made, and if you don’t, never be Afraid to ask a question.

There's an old saying, the only stupid question you, the only stupid question is the one you never ask.

Now there are resource centers out there like VAD, other Agencies brain care Center, for every. Disability, just ask. There's people out there that will tell you the truth. Don't go on the internet to find out, don’t go to A Facebook page or whatever. Ask

And these people like yourself will be very glad to answer and I have found, especially with VAD if you don't know the answer you'll find out ‘cause you guys are more in tune to the resources then we are fortunately.

00:12:18 Teresa

There's a little more resource space there.

00:12:21 Ian

Find out actual resources if somebody is having something that if it sounds too good, it's. Probably not true and unfortunately in desperation, desperate times will turn out to  Be desperate measures or People will believe anything and be unwise. So watch out and don't feel, don’t beat yourself up that you're. You're not intelligent or whatever  Its worth, I'm saying, with my recovery comes Responsibly, if some strangers tell you something That’s not true Don’t think you're silly.  We’ve all fallen for it

00:12:58 Teresa

OK, in your opinion, what is the most important personality trait or strength someone in the disability community needs to be successful?

00:13:07 Ian

Although it may be Very, very hard decision to say, positive attitude dismiss the anger turn the anger into action. Unfortunately, I don't like being around angry people much, I'm sure. You don't either.

So approach things where people are going to listen if you come it’s a human nature. If I approached you aggressively your back is going to be up. And you’re going to react aggressively think of the reactions and how you're talking to people and what you're exactly trying to get Across and try and not Make it you know, it's hard to differentiate if you're helping them or if you're helping yourself.

So we are a Community, but we we can be a Very strong community. I've met some Fascinating person, most fascinating people I've ever met in my life, and I've lived a full life Until I became disabled, but some of these advocates I met Kavin-she in Calgary, Mary salvani, I’m  just blown away by their attitudes and what good they do and it's very inspirational.

Let's just  Say I used To be worshipping rock stars and 1st Sports Stars now I'm actually getting to worship real people, look up to real people, so yeah  Get yourself involved in in a in a Good way on. Check resources, but the approach as much as it's hard. Everybody gets angry about one thing or another. We can be angry about the weather. Let yourself be somebody who could be easily worked to work with.

00:14:35 Teresa

That's a good advice.

00:14:36 Ian

If you keep our anger you get anger back.

00:14:39 Teresa

That's one thing that I haven't. Asked you that I should.

00:14:44 Ian

If I want any money.

00:14:47 Teresa

I don't have any money to give you sorry.

00:14:50 Ian

I'm not sure Teresa, you’re pretty thorough. Can you give me a job?

00:14:56 Teresa

Can I give you a job - I can give you a job Resources

00:14:57 Ian

I do a lot of volunteer work and I'm I'm very Proud of doing that, but when push comes to shove, I Live in poverty. I live below the property level. And I worry about my future, I'm not getting younger. I’ll always be young Because of my last name but ‘cause of the price tag.

Investigate,like the RDSP program but not all people know about it and make it hard and challenging but there are agents like yourself, other agents, your Bank will help you. Yeah, you just have to ask.

There's good people there, I was very lucky 'cause my bank I won't   Say the name of it, It’s not a promotion for them. It was a desperate situation, my only Income was my moderate CPP payments and my AISH so they actually to catch up on the RDSP and They give me a $5000 loan.

00:15:51 Teresa

Oh nice 

00:15:51

So I can contribute that right Back into the program so I feel a bit more secured by future getting older.

I mean we have senior discount but 15% so I can get through life.

00:16:05 Teresa

No, it doesn't pay your electric bill

00:16:07 Teresa

Awesome that was a great conversation.

I appreciate your ability to support and advocate in the Community as an influencer and educator.

One final question Ian, If you could have dinner with any three people better alive. Who would it be?

00:16:24 Ian

William Shakespeare

Martin Luther King and Barack Obama.

Some of my idols, 

William Shakespeare for literature.

Martin Luther King. For his defiance and standing up for the right things and Barack Obama, through the influence of Martin Luther King How he made things possible and was one of those 20th century greatest people for realizing LGBTQ, Disabled, people of color, the me too movement - I Think he's a Prime example of an international hero in my books.

00:17:00 Teresa

Very nice.

OK, well thank you for your time and energy today and your understanding of the community is a value to all that  Know you

00:17:08 Ian

Well I want to thank you too and every member of VAD anybody who works with agency and anybody that is advocating We’re in this together and I thank You for all the education and This part that your agency gives out and I  Know it probably can't be easy and you're probably quite overwhelmed, but you're doing good work. I'm very thankful for those agencies like I'm very proud like attach my name to a service like you represent.

00:17:35 Teresa

Thank you, that's very nice.

Ian can be contacted through the VAD office. Oh, you can reach Ian at www.ianyoung.ca.

Voice of Albertans with disabilities is across disability nonprofit organization of and for people with disabilities. VAD is guided by principles of accessibility, equity and inclusion.

Learn about our services at our website www.vadsociety.ca or call 780-488-9088 for more information. Thank you again for joining us today Ian.

 Signing off together, we hold the power.