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  • Depression – How it Affects Teens Today

    Depression – How it Affects Teens Today

    Depression – What is it?

    Depression is a very common and serious mental disorder that can affect anybody. It can negatively impact an individual’s way of thinking, feeling and acting. Oftentimes, it can feel like a heavy weight on someone’s shoulders. About twenty percent of teenagers suffer from depression, and only 30 %  of them seek treatment. It is said that those who have depression often feel sad or don’t feel anything at all; in other words, they are numb. Depression can create emotions of not only sadness but anger, loneliness and irritability. Many people believe that there needs to be a logical or reasonable explanation as to why someone is depressed, but it can be more complex than that. Depression is not easy to understand, especially if you’re not someone suffering from it. It is only recently that the world has begun to openly discuss mental health in hopes of reducing the stigmatization around it.

    Depression in Today’s Society

    Mental health in general is a difficult topic to discuss. It can be sensitive to some and threatening to others. Even mentioning any form of mental disorder causes the stigma around it to increase. In today’s society, more people are aware of it and increasingly gain a better understanding of what it really is. There are a number of youth groups, medications and treatment programs that anyone can attend.

    Today, adolescents react differently to how they cope with depression. Some easily share their story on how it affects them, and others hide their emotions out of shame or embarrassment. Luckily, many people have come to terms with the fact that there is nothing to be ashamed of, and that message is constantly being spread through social media and other platforms.

    Unfortunately, individuals resort to negative coping mechanisms such as self-harm or self-isolation. If this is ever the case, it is understandable, and it’s nothing to be angry about. This coping mechanism is indeed unhealthy, but it is also temporary, even though it doesn’t feel like it is.

    Today, teens tend to look for ‘a way out’, meaning, they want to do something about their depression, whether it be seeking treatment or simply finding a distraction from it. Teens today tend to rely on music to help them escape the world around them. Other people enjoy creative writing or journaling. Some enjoy the arts (painting, drawing, sculpting) or even dance in order to loosen any tension in them. These are only some of the healthiest coping mechanisms.

    How to Tell if an Adolescent is Depressed

    If there is somebody in your life who you love, whether it be a friend, child, relative or acquaintance, and you have a feeling that they are not acting like themselves, they are more distant, or they seem too happy, it may lead people to question why that individual is behaving a particular way. If someone is worried about another individual who may be depressed, it is good to be observant of how they act and how they look. Some signs include:

    • Withdrawal from friends and/or family
    • Having a lack of motivation or energy
    • Loss or increase in weight/appetite
    • Poor self-esteem
    • Sudden acts of anger
    • Strong feelings of sadness
    • A lack or an increase of sleep

    Looking for the Serious Signs

    Being depressed can impact the individual in a number of ways. If the individual is showing signs of depression, it is always a good idea to make sure that they are in a safe environment, both mentally and physically. Self-harm is a major consequence and is very dangerous, as is substance abuse from antidepressants that are often prescribed. Serious signs to look for in an adolescent in terms of their safety include:

    • Wearing long sleeves and pants in hot environments to hide self-injury
    • A bottle of antidepressants is being emptied faster than usual
    • Suicide threats (direct or indirect)
    • Finding sharp objects hidden around the house

    Conclusion

    Depression is a common mental disorder that affects more teenagers every day. Mental health is slowly becoming more common to discuss, which helps others along their journey to wellness. If we all worked harder to understand each other, maybe mental health would be viewed more as a priority in our world today, rather than stigmatized and seen as a taboo subject.

    Sources

    Warning Signs of Mental Illness, www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/depression/what-is-depression

    Borchard, Therese J. “Why Are So Many Teens Depressed?” Psych Central, Psych Central.com, 8 July 2018, psychcentral.com/blog/why-are-so-many-teens-depressed/

    Greenfieldboyce, Nell. “If You’re Often Angry Or Irritable, You May Be Depressed.” NPR, NPR, 4 Feb. 2019, www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2019/02/04/689747637/if-youre-often-angry-or-irritable-you-may-be-depressed

  • Student Finances Without Family

    Student Finances Without Family

    A lot of people are fortunate enough to say that family is something that they can rely on. Family can be and often is a huge part of a student’s financial support. Student loan and financial aid services look at family income when determining how much a student receives. Oftentimes, any other expenses that aren’t covered by financial aid services are most likely taken care of by a student’s parents or guardians.

    It’s safe to say that when you’re young, and especially when you’re young and pursuing a post-secondary education, it’s almost a given that you’ll be relying on family to help out with your finances. But what if you have no support from family? What can you do if you’re in the unfortunate situation in which you cannot financially depend on your family?

    Take Stock

    Before making any important decisions, first consider your situation and what might be the best option. If you want to pursue a post-secondary education, there are a lot of factors to consider. Should you go to college or university? Maybe an online education would be better? Should you study nearby or farther away? Should you go to school now or should you work and save up money? Or should you go to school and work at the same time? Should you study full-time or part-time? Every situation is different, so what’s the right choice for someone else may not be the right choice for you. Try to choose the most realistic and viable option that does not completely compromise what you want.

    Some Obvious Difficulties

    It can be challenging to convince financial aid services that you’re not receiving any financial support from your family. Unfortunately, it’s common to be unable to get the exact amount of financial aid that you need. Sometimes, applying for scholarships, bursaries and loans is all you can do to get some extra outside help. There are plenty of scholarships and bursaries that are based on merit alone and not your family’s income. Doing research on what rewards and scholarships you could qualify for will be extremely beneficial in this situation. Afterwards, a day-to-day challenge will be minimizing spending outside of necessary expenses like food, transportation or rent.

    Some Tips

    If it’s possible, walk more to reduce the amount spent on transportation. There are often food banks, religious clubs, and groups near college and university campuses that provide free meals to those who need them, no questions asked. Not to mention, school events that give away free toiletries, snacks or even groceries. It’s hard to save money on necessities like rent, but other expenses can be decreased as long as you’re willing.

    Regardless, keeping up with your studies on top of having to worry about your own financial situation is a lot to have on your plate. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by it all. Thus, it’s important to focus on one thing at a time. If you have friends who understand your situation, it’s never a bad idea to ask for help when you need it. This doesn’t necessarily mean borrowing money from friends. But, getting emotional support and socializing is important. It’s a difficult situation to be in but it does not always have to be.

    Really, the best way to improve your financial situation is to survive it until better options become available to you, whether that is a better-paying job or a substantial amount of financial aid. Ultimately, not depending on family for money is one of the first steps towards independence as an adult. It’s a responsibility that most of us will have to take on. Eventually, it becomes easier to manage.

  • Ideas for Fun Family Day Activities and Suggestions for Connecting/Reconnecting with Family Members

    Ideas for Fun Family Day Activities and Suggestions for Connecting/Reconnecting with Family Members

    Family Day was created so that families could spend more time with one another. Without a doubt, it’s an occasion many look forward to. While this has been a good addition to certain provinces’ various holidays, some might be unsure about how they can make the most of it.

    Here are some ideas for fun, Family Day activities:

    Ideas for Activities

    Cook and/or Bake Together

    Cooking and baking are great activities to do together, as everyone can have individual and/or shared tasks. For example, if you’re planning on making baked goods like chocolate chip cookies, maybe designate a family member to gather the necessary ingredients, two may combine these to make the dough, and then everybody can separate this dough and place it onto the cookie sheets.

    You could either choose a favourite recipe or take this opportunity to try a new one.

    Go to a Park and Engage with Your Favourite Outdoor Activities

    This is a good idea if your family loves being outdoors. Think of every activity you want to do, then gather all the necessary equipment and go to a park.

    Watch a Movie

    If you’re all feeling tired but still want to spend some quality time with each other, enjoying a movie is a great way to do so. You could go to the theatre or watch one at home. Look up newly released movies and see if any pique your interest.

    Take the Time to Just Talk

    Sometimes, it’s fun to just have lighthearted conversations with your family. This would be perfect for those who are often busy and don’t normally take the time to sit down and talk with loved ones. You could do this after any meal on Family Day (after breakfast or lunch are good times) by lingering at your kitchen table for a while and letting the conversation flow.

    Suggestions for Connecting/Reconnecting with Family Members

    Reach Out to Them via E-mail or Social Media (When Connecting)

    This avenue would be best if you don’t feel comfortable verbally speaking with the family member(s) yet, but still want to effectively break the ice. Via e-mail or social media, reach out, ask how they’ve been doing, and express your interest in connecting with them.

    Contact Them through a Text Message or Phone Call (When Reconnecting)

    If you had a close relationship with the relative(s) before but you’ve drifted apart over the years, contact them through a text message or phone call. Let them know that you’ve missed them and have been thinking about reconnecting.

    Of course, this all varies according to everyone’s unique situation. The two most important factors when contacting these family members are addressing them as well as initiating the conversation in a suitable way and via the means that you see fit.

    Overall, this holiday is an important reminder that time is very precious, and everyone should make the most of it, particularly regarding time we have with loved ones. Whether it’s doing fun activities or reaching out to other family members with whom you can potentially have/continue to have fulfilling relationships, if you take the suggestions above, you’ll likely experience an enjoyable Family Day.

  • Women in Skilled Trades (French version available)

    Women in Skilled Trades (French version available)

    You’re a girl that knows what she wants.

    Rolling up your sleeves for a demanding, rewarding, and well-paying career that combines both your hands-on and creative interests; that’s the future you want. And now is the perfect time to go get it!

    Currently, the Canadian government is working to address a skills mismatch, which has many workers undertrained or unprepared for the current economy’s workforce.

    There is a worsening shortage of tradespeople in Canada. For women interested in pursuing a career in the skilled trades, this means that now is the perfect time to start the path to career success in this high-demand industry.

    While some may be nervous to start a career in the skilled trades, which has been and is predominantly male, there are a number of support programs and aids available to assist women as they train for a career in the trades.

    The government of Ontario offers a Women in Skilled Trades and Information Technology Training program, which provides unemployed and underemployed women in communities with a high demand for skilled trades and IT professionals funding and training both in-class and on-the-job.

    Additionally, there are other organizations and support programs throughout the province, country, and world dedicated to women interested in the trades. For example, Women in Nuclear (WIN) offers mentorship, networking and professional development opportunities for women interested in nuclear energy.

    Similarly, the Canadian Association of Women in Construction provides support for women interested in pursuing a successful career in the construction industry.

    There are plenty of other programs designed for women interested in pursuing a career in the skilled trades, offering a community of mentorship, funding, networking, and support specifically for women.

    With a growing presence of women entering the skilled trades, there has also been a growing presence of women’s skilled trades equipment and clothing. Moxie Trades provides mentorship, support, and apparel for women working in the trades. Whether it’s pink work boots, hard hats or safety glasses, or speaking at events across North America, Moxie Trades is a voice for women in the trades.

    Once thought of as primarily a male industry, women are moving toward more inclusion in the skilled trades.

    If you’re looking for a rewarding, secure, financially stable career in your future – it’s time to invest in the next steps toward a career in the skilled trades.

  • A Brief Report: Sexual Assault on Campus

    A Brief Report: Sexual Assault on Campus

    It’s a sad and disturbing fact that sexual harassment occurs on campus. It’s even sadder to think that many universities don’t do much in the way of aiding the victim; the accused walk free, people turn a blind eye, and often victims aren’t granted justice. It is hard enough when the victim is scared to tell anyone in the first place, let alone telling, and having nothing done about it.

    Macleans published an article discussing harassment and why so many universities don’t like to talk about it. U of T only reported two cases of sexual assault on its campus in 2013.

    The cases are endless, yet only a few are being reported. A table showing the reported assaults from the years 2009 – 2013 was published by CBC, with Ryerson University topping the list with 57 reported cases. York University followed in second with 52, and Dalhousie University was in third with 38.

    The Star drew attention to the fact that “the big three” universities in Toronto, York University, Ryerson University, and the University of Toronto, have yet to update their policy on sexual harassment.

    Some universities have taken the proper steps in talking about the issue and have provided information on who to call on campus, how to report it, and what the school is doing about sexual assault.

    “It’s Never Okay: An Action Plan to Stop Sexual Violence and Harassment” features a foreword from the premier and over 30 pages of content discussing how we can make the workplace and campuses safer through understanding that there is a problem and talking about it openly.

    Though despite the steps being made, not enough is being done to help the survivors and victims of assault. The number of cases reported and articles written has been staggering.

    It’s not just a few universities that need to get involved. Every university needs to step up to talk about the issue and offer its students a safe place to go for reporting these cases, and also for providing information on the topic.

    The stigma surrounding important issues is still present because people feel like they can’t talk about it. Others don’t want to. But we need to discuss these things to bring light to the fact that sexual assault happens on every campus, and unless every campus brings change, we’re standing still on the issues.

  • Breaking Down Barriers: Employment Opportunities for People with Disabilities

    Breaking Down Barriers: Employment Opportunities for People with Disabilities

    When it comes to liveability, Canada is certainly not lagging behind. According to the Economist’s global rankings of the most liveable cities in the world, Canadian cities such as Vancouver, Toronto, and Calgary are in the top 10 for obtaining high scores in five key areas: stability, infrastructure, education, health care, and environment.

    An important factor to have stability is, of course, consistent employment or steady employment opportunities, something that Canada has certainly achieved. However, while the country’s employment rate is consistently strong, it isn’t safe to say that there are equal employment opportunities for those who are differently abled.

    In fact, according to Statistics Canada, people with physical or mental limitations still fall behind their physically or mentally abled counterparts when it comes to gainful employment. In 2011, it was revealed that in the age group 25 to 64, only 49% of the population with limited physical or mental capabilities were employed, as against 79% of the population without a disability.

    While it is true that some people have severe physical or mental restrictions that they can’t be expected to perform certain tasks to the full extent as their able-bodied counterparts, the government should be more active in implementing programs and policies that will allow people with disabilities to secure employment. Not only that, they should also be more involved in imposing more streamlined practices for companies to provide more accessible environments for these individuals. Fortunately, the Canadian government are indeed on the right track when it comes to these things.

    A Step in the Right Direction

    Accessibility strategies are currently the top item to gain a higher job rate for disabled individuals. As of February this year, only Ontario and Manitoba have provincial accessibility legislation, although Nova Scotia, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and Newfoundland are open to addressing this issue.

    Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Sport and Persons with Disabilities, believes having accessibility strategies in place will have a big impact. With them, people with disabilities can better integrate themselves into the workforce.

    “If you don’t have a building environment that’s accessible, you can’t work there. If you don’t have the transportation that gets you there, you can’t work there. If you don’t have technology that’s accessible, you can’t work there. All roads lead back to employment in some way. So in that regard, absolutely, employment will be impacted quite significantly by this law,” she says.

    Government Can Only Do So Much

    Joe Dale, executive director of the Ontario Disability Employment Network, believes that there is much to be done for the full integration of differently abled individuals in the workforce, and the responsibility should not solely fall on the government’s shoulders.

    Dale believes that it is up to the community to end the stigma that people with physical or mental limits face in terms of their competence in work environments. Discriminatory hiring practices are one thing, but attitude and bias among employees themselves are another.

    Heads Up! Business Owners

    Business owners can make their contribution to breaking down the barriers that people with disabilities experience in employment. A good example is Mark Wafer, who owns several Tim Horton’s locations. Having a disability himself, Wafer understands exactly what the situation is, which is why he’s been determined to provide employment for people with disabilities, and the result has been amazing so far.

    For instance, in one of his locations, Wafer had 46 employees with disabilities out of 250 employees, and the 46 employees’ absenteeism rate was a staggering 85 percent lower than those of the abled employees.

    “In some labour markets across Canada, including where I live in Ontario, where we have a tremendous shortage of workers, that we start to work very seriously at the disability community. That is going to solve your problem,” says Wafer.

    There is a lot to be done for differently abled people to completely escape underemployment, but for sure, Canada as a whole is on the right track.

    SOURCES:

    http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/disabilities-employment-legislation-1.3968555

    https://www.economist.com/blogs/graphicdetail/2017/08/daily-chart-10

    https://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/75-006-x/2014001/article/14115-eng.htm

    http://www.humboldtjournal.ca/news/local-news/disability-employment-strategies-must-be-business-focused-1.23080896

  • Career Profile: Butcher

    Career Profile: Butcher

    Any time you enjoyed a sizzling steak or plump burger, have you ever stopped and wondered what went into getting that Grade A beef from the cow to your dinner table? You have the butcher to thank for that! A butcher is essentially a person who works in meat preparation who either slaughters the animal, prepares the meat for sale, or sells the meat to consumers (or perhaps all three of these jobs). You will find them working at grocery stores and markets, slaughterhouses, independent or franchised butcher shops, or running their own business. There are no educational requirements to get into this field, though training may require the butcher to understand how the industry machinery works and know the different cuts of meat. Most of the job positions across butcher shops or industrial meatpacking plants are full-time jobs, though grocery stores often employ part-time or seasonal workers (which can be ideal for high school and university students looking for summer work).

    What are the perks of the job?

    Being a physically demanding job, the butcher role is often in high demand to replace workers that are often leaving the profession. This leaves many positions open for the butcher-to-be when getting into the profession or transferring to another location. Another trait that makes this job an easy one to get into is the fact that there are no educational requirements to get into the field; a new butcher can get the job after some job training. For people passionate about the culinary arts and knowledgeable about different types and cuts of meat, being a butcher is a great choice in occupation.

    What are some of the setbacks?

    The largest con with this job is the physically demanding nature of moving large meat products, repetitive cutting motions, and working with large industrial meat-cutting devices. This kind of work can lead people to an earlier retirement. As well, the job has an average hourly pay of approximately $18.49. There are also few means of being promoted through the career. However, many butchers who are passionate about the career go on to start their own business.

    How can I grow with this career?

    After serving a few years in an entry-level position, you could be promoted to a more managerial position within the company, depending on what kind of establishment you work at. There aren’t too many ways to be promoted in the job, though some butchers go the entrepreneurial route and begin their own butcher shop or business.

    That’s all great, but could I be hired for other careers?

    Being a butcher gives you a better understanding of how food is prepared, which can make it easier for butchers to get into other jobs in food preparation, such as food preparation jobs, food manufacturing jobs, and other industrial food jobs and grocer jobs. With business skills, another career the butcher can consider is starting their own meat packing business, where they can be their own boss, set their own hours, and develop a franchise.

    Reference:

    Payscale: https://www.payscale.com/research/CA/Job=Butcher/Hourly_Rate

    Truity: https://www.truity.com/career-profile/butcher-or-meat-cutter

  • How the Marketing Industry Is Changing to Acknowledge Positive Body Image

    How the Marketing Industry Is Changing to Acknowledge Positive Body Image

    For numerous years now, Victoria’s Secret has ruled the lingerie industry. Born out of an ingenious idea by Roy Raymond in 1977, who initially thought of it because he was too embarrassed to be caught buying lingerie for his wife at a regular department store. Named after the Victorian era, the company was later bought by retailer Leslie Wexner, who had the business acumen to transform it into something Raymond didn’t think of at first. By 1995, Victoria’s Secret earned $1.9 billion and had 670 stores across the United States.

    Fast-forward to 2019, and a lot has changed since then. Victoria’s Secret is no longer the queen of the lingerie business it once was. Its profit has steadily dwindled over the past years, and as a result, the inevitable has happened: it will be closing a total of 53 stores in North America (3 of which are Canadian locations).

    We’re “Woke”

    Some business insiders attribute the declining sales and store closures to the growth of the online retail market, but some know there is a far more significant reason than that. For the past 20 years or so, the company has staged one of the most highly anticipated fashion shows each year, where models known as the “Angels” parade down the runway in the most colourful and fanciest lingerie from the store (at one time, supermodel Gisele Bundchen donned a Fantasy Bra totalling $15 million). These Angels’ average body size is 0, and anything above that means out of the norm in the fashion show. The show’s over-the-topness made it a delight to watch.

    However, given the present cultural climate brought on by the #MeToo movement and numerous organizations bringing more awareness to women’s rights and equality causes, something does not sit quite right for a fashion show heralding ladies of body size 0 in sexy attire and nothing more. For years, the fashion show has painted an unrealistic standard of beauty, and the world has come to grips that it’s no longer all right, and it’s about time.

    A recent article by Joel Miller on the connection between advertising and body image pointed us to interesting yet painful marketing approaches. First, Miller wrote that on average, most models weigh 23% less than the average woman. Second, eating disorders increased by over 400% since 1970. And last but not least, only 5% of women possess the body type typically portrayed in modern advertising.

    Adapting to the Changing Times

    Fortunately, there are trailblazing businesses that are adapting to the changing times, realizing the importance of ingraining a healthy body image in all women, starting at an early age. One such company has become one of Victoria’s Secret’s fiercest competitors: Aerie. Its creative marketing campaign of featuring unphotoshopped images of women of all colours drew praise from Internet users everywhere.

    Even Aerie’s in-store image is staying true to its promotion of female empowerment and healthy body image. Its stores are laden with realistic images (a model is seen with untouched cellulite on her legs, etc.) and positive messages, “Strong Beautiful You.” In contrast, Victoria’s Secret has stuck to what made it popular to begin with: models with legs that go on forever in lingerie and often doing racy and sexually suggestive poses.

    And while Victoria’s Secret depend on fashion models for marketing, Aerie’s product endorsers are still popular celebrities, sure, but in no way match Victoria’s Secret Angels’ standards of beauty perfectly. For example, actress Emma Roberts of “American Horror Story” fame, while a looker herself, stands at an extremely petite 5’2”—a striking difference from Angel Karlie Kloss, who is 6’2”.

    Overall, the AerieReal campaign features inspiring women from a wide range of ages, ethnicities, sexual preferences, and most importantly, sizes. Back in February 2016, the company launched a campaign which featured Iska Lawrence, a beauty who also happens to be a size 14. What’s more, the AerieReal campaign doesn’t just rely on personalities, but also ordinary women. Last year, Aerie chose 57 non-models to be part of its advertising efforts.

    Still a Long Way to Go

    While Aerie’s efforts to diversify its marketing campaign are worth applauding, other retailers have a long way to go. Aerie is definitely paving the way for the others. Inclusive sizing is gaining more traction, and it’s good news for women everywhere.

    It’s a tough act to follow, for sure, and for some companies, it could mean failure and a costly mistake. Take, for example, Avon UK recently drew the ire of Netizens after releasing an ad that promoted aversion to cellulite. The “Dimples are cute on your face, not on your thighs” ads were pulled out after the criticism. Scientifically, cellulite is common and a natural occurrence, but the advertising team behind this campaign certainly knew how to prey on the misconception that having cellulite automatically means one is fat.

    It Will Get There

    Marketing campaigns that prioritize a healthy body image can’t happen overnight. It will take a lot of hard work and effort. Fortunately, more and more people in charge of these advertising campaigns are open to incorporating the changes and adapting to these modern times. In due time, everyone will get there eventually.

    SOURCES:

    https://www.businessinsider.com/victorias-secrets-crazy-history-2015-7

    https://www.standard.co.uk/fashion/victorias-secret-fantasy-bra-history-a3983381.html

    https://www.businessinsider.com/history-of-the-victorias-secret-fashion-show-2015-12#in-2000-the-show-was-held-at-the-cannes-film-festival-as-a-part-of-the-cinema-against-aids-2000-gala-it-raised-35-million-7

    https://www.businessinsider.com/victorias-secret-pink-aerie-compared-photos-2019-3#empowering-images-are-scattered-all-around-the-store-16

    http://time.com/4215404/size-14-model-iskra-lawrence-newest-aerie-model/

    https://www.warc.com/newsandopinion/news/fashion_retailers_need_to_play_catchup_on_sizing/41682

    http://www.admedia.com/media-and-body-image.php

  • Portraying Disability in TV and Film: We Can Do More

    Portraying Disability in TV and Film: We Can Do More

    Before Ryan Murphy catapulted into fame and became an award-winning mega-producer, he was the brains behind “Glee,” the highly rated TV show on the highs and lows of a high school glee club. “Glee” shone a spotlight on LGBTQ character representation through the love story of Kurt and Blaine, which fans followed ardently through six seasons. However, Murphy also had a chance to portray characters with disabilities accurately through the show, but missed out on the chance, hiring a well-abled actor to portray Artie, the always positive glee club member who injured his spinal cord due to an accident when he was eight years old.

    Fortunately, by the later seasons, Murphy realized he had to make a wrong right, and he did so with the talent competition show inspired by “Glee,” “The Glee Project.” Through this show, a real-life disabled, talented actress, Alyson Mackenzie Stroker, was discovered, moving on as a finalist and even appearing on a few episodes of the hit show. Stroker went on to be a Broadway star, even winning a Best Featured Actress in a Musical at the 2019 Tony Awards for “Oklahoma.” At the same time, Stroker continues to inspire people with different abilities with her involvement in numerous causes, including Women Who Care, which supports United Cerebral Palsy of New York City, of which she is co-chair.

    Stroker’s success story is one of the few; however, as Hollywood continues to overlook the talents of differently abled actors and actresses, but the upside is that more people are becoming aware of the problem.

    For example, Bryan Cranston, an multi-award-winning actor for the acclaimed TV show “Breaking Bad” is undoubtedly not lacking in talent, but he, along with the movie, faced a backlash with the 2017 release of the movie “The Upside,” a Hollywood remake of the French blockbuster “The Intouchables,” a dramedy featuring a Black caregiver and a millionaire quadriplegic. Movie fans took to social media and expressed their disappointment with Hollywood’s missed opportunity of accurate representation of people with disabilities. Their cries were heard as the movie, despite being top billed by Cranston and Kevin Hart, performed below expectations at the box office.

    Moviegoers are slowly learning their lesson. Two years prior, a movie focusing on a quadriplegic created a storm at box offices worldwide, “Me Before You,” despite the criticism it faced. Based on a best-selling book, the movie was accused of selling the message that a life with disability isn’t worth living and romanticizing euthanasia.

    Last year, Hollywood proved it’s trying to change things with the 2019 release of “The Peanut Butter Falcon” featuring Zack Gottsagen, an actor with Down syndrome as the main star, supported by Shia LeBeouf and Dakota Johnson. The film went on to garner numerous nominations in the awards circuit, and Gottsagen even got to present at the Oscars telecast in February this year.

    In the same vein, an independent film from 2019, “Give Me Liberty,” gave movie audiences a truthful glimpse of the lives of people with disabilities through the eyes of a medical transport driver, Vic, who was the main character. Vic has his own problems, but goes out of his way to lend a hand to those who need it, including Tracy, one of his passengers. Tracy was portrayed by actress influencer Lolo Spencer, who has Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. The film felt so real and inspiring that those who saw it at the Cannes Film Festival reportedly gave it a 10-minute standing ovation.

    The TV world isn’t lagging behind in terms of bringing disabled individuals to the forefront. “Speechless,” a TV show which ran for three seasons, centred on the DiMeo family as they navigate the challenges that came their way. One of the sons, JJ DiMeo, was afflicted with cerebral palsy and was portrayed by Micah Fowler, who himself has cerebral palsy. The TV producers made sure Fowler was comfortable on set, providing him with a trailer with a ramp off the back. Fowler remains active in the limelight and also devotes his time to promoting awareness of cerebral palsy as an ambassador for the Cerebral Palsy Foundation.

    These are a few portrayals of people with disabilities, and there will be more to follow. While there’s still a lot to do, it’s getting there for sure.

    SOURCES:

    https://www.metrotimes.com/the-scene/archives/2019/09/26/give-me-liberty-producer-discusses-why-a-movie-about-the-disabled-community-changed-his-life

    https://disabilityhorizons.com/2018/05/what-do-you-think-of-how-people-with-disabilities-are-portrayed-in-films-and-on-tv/

    https://www.forbes.com/sites/andrewpulrang/2020/02/13/disability-movies-arent-what-they-used-to-be-thats-good

  • Exploring a Career as a Librarian (French version available)

    Exploring a Career as a Librarian (French version available)

    By Olivia Condlln-Wilby

    For high school students, it can be overwhelming to consider the vast number of career options that lay ahead. It’s a good idea to research the pathways you’re interested in and weigh the pros and cons of each one. If you’ve considered pursuing a career as a librarian, this resource is for you.

    Roles and Responsibilities

    Librarians monitor the daily operations of public and/or private libraries, including those that can be found in schools, government agencies, and research organizations. Their work may involve any or all of the following responsibilities:

    • Engaging directly with library visitors (e.g., suggesting books, resources, etc.)
    • Managing library staff – including assistant librarians and other employees
    • Developing literacy-based and recreational programs for children, youth, and adults
    • Ensuring that library content is appealing and updated (e.g., researching popular literary genres, ordering new books, updating research and inventory databases, etc.)

    What are the Benefits of This Career Path?

    Working as a librarian can be very rewarding. Your primary job is to help people find the information they need and support their learning. You might connect them with scientific articles, historical records, editorials, or other resources. For that reason, this career is suited to people who are interested in the fields of education and academia. Even if you don’t want to be a teacher or professor, this career allows you to engage in the learning process.

    This career is also a good choice for social, customer-service-oriented people. As a librarian, you will spend much of your time interacting with others. You may engage in story-telling, research assistance, or casual conversation.

    What are the Drawbacks of This Career Path?

    Some people (mistakenly) believe that being a librarian doesn’t require much skill or expertise. In reality, most library positions require at least an undergraduate diploma. Employers may also expect you to have experience in research, administration, and/or management. People who pursue this career path should be passionate about learning and willing to complete multiple credentials.

    Unfortunately, it is also possible that demand for librarians will significantly decrease over time. As technology advances, libraries may become obsolete. With that in mind, people who enter this field must be adaptive, flexible, and open to change.

    How Much Can I Make as a Librarian?

    In Ontario, librarians earn approximately $36 per hour. Depending on the region, that can add up to over $84,000 annually. Across Canada, librarians earn salaries ranging from $62,000 to $107,000 – not including benefits or bonuses. With one to three years of experience, you can expect to earn roughly $30 per hour, with gradual increases as you progress in your career.

    Education and Experience

    To become a librarian, you typically need at least an undergraduate diploma. For Ontario students, these programs usually look for credits in English, math, business, and/or computer science.

    The requirements for this career path vary widely across Canada. For example, in Alberta, librarians are expected to complete a master’s degree in library sciences. They may also be required to provide evidence of subject knowledge (e.g., English, history, science, etc.). For students in any province, it may be helpful to pursue additional credentials to advance more quickly in your career.

    Advancement and Other Career Opportunities

    As a librarian, you may choose to specialize in specific areas of practice. For example, administrative librarians manage daily operations, supervise library assistants, make budgeting decisions, and identify funding resources. On the other hand, user service librarians support visitors with research. They may provide digital and print resources or teach people how to use technology, databases, or search engines.

    You may start out as a library assistant but eventually become a library director or branch manager. Depending on the level of education you attain (e.g., diploma, bachelor’s, master’s, etc.), you may also pursue a career as a teacher, guidance counsellor, paralegal, archivist, researcher, historian, or policy analyst.

    Employment Challenges

    Since technology is always evolving, it’s difficult to predict what skills and experiences librarians will need in the future. Even today, librarians require knowledge – such as data management and computer literacy – that wasn’t necessary as little as ten or twenty years ago. People entering this field must be committed to lifelong learning if they want to maintain their employment.

    Career Prospects

    Currently, job prospects for librarians are best in Manitoba and worst in Alberta and Nova Scotia. Across Canada, over 5,000 positions are expected to open in the next seven years. At the same time, roughly 5,600 people are expected to enter the field, meaning it may become more competitive.

     

    References

    ALIS. (2021, March 4th). Librarian. Government of Alberta. https://alis.alberta.ca/occinfo/occupations-in-alberta/occupation-profiles/librarian/#:~:text=New%20entrants%20to%20the%20profession,or%20master’s%20degree%20in%20music

    Canadian Job Bank. (2021, October 5th). Libraries in Canada. Government of Canada. https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/marketreport/outlook-occupation/5263/ca

    Indeed Editorial Team. (2021, June 11th). The Essential Guide On How To Become a Librarian. Indeed. https://ca.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/how-to-become-a-librarian

    Indeed. (2021, November 25th). Librarian Salary in Ontario. https://ca.indeed.com/career/librarian/salaries/Ontario

    Kermode, M. (2012, February 20th). Six Reasons to Become a Librarian. Career FAQs. https://www.careerfaqs.com.au/news/news-and-views/six-reasons-to-become-a-librarian

    Ontariocolleges.ca. (n.d.). Library Studies. Ontario College Application Service. https://www.ontariocolleges.ca/en/programs/education-community-and-social-services/library-studies

    Owl Guru (n.d.). Librarians: Salary, Job Description, How to Become One, and Quiz. https://www.owlguru.com/career/librarians/#pros-cons

    Salary.com. (n.d.). Librarian Salaries in Canada. https://www.salary.com/research/salary/benchmark/librarian-salary/canada