Let your voices be heard — advice on advocating for yourself and others

 There’s been an increase in people protesting and speaking out against injustices. I’ve personally attended rallies for Black Lives Matter, Violence Against Women, and for ODSP, and many others. I’ve also organized a few rallies for better service for Para Transpo users. Through Social Media, it’s become easier for others

Advice on looking after your mental health during the winter in the age of Covid

 As we move closer to Winter, many people may feel depressed and isolated. This is particularly true this year due to Covid-19. For people with disabilities, the Winter months can affect us in a multitude of ways. During the Winter season, many PWD stay home. This is due to cold

There is no need to make things awkward

 In a previous column, I briefly mentioned that people are often awkward around people with disabilities. This week, I’ll be looking at just some of the things that people have said and done that were very awkward. I hope that this will give some of my readers an idea of

While healthcare advances, PWD’s are left behind

 Most of us have been to a Hospital at one point or another. I’m willing to bet that at least some of you have had bad experiences while being in a hospital or being seen by a health care professional. Now, what happens if you’re a person with a disability.

Travelling off the beaten path

 I’ve been fortunate to be able to travel a bit. As of this writing, I’ve been to Toronto several times, Montreal, Kingston, and London, Ontario. All of these places have one thing in common. They’re all big cities. What happens when a person with a disability wants to travel to

Dating tips for PWD and that anyone can use

 In a previous column, I talked about some of the challenges that many PWD face regarding dating and relationships. Shortly after I wrote that, I began thinking that I should also add some positivity to the subject, or at the very least, offer some tips on how to meet that

A look back at when I ran for Mayor in 2018

 October 22nd, 2020, will mark two years since the 2018 Ottawa Municipal Election was held. For those that may not be aware, I was one of the candidates that ran for Mayor. With the anniversary coming up, I figured that I would take the opportunity to talk about my experiences

Shining a positive light on Personal Support Workers

 As I sit here and write this, it’s Thanksgiving Weekend in Canada. I figured that it would be the perfect time for me to discuss one of the things that I’m very thankful for. This week, I’ll be talking about Personal Support Workers. The short form, and the term that

Perceptions & misconceptions part two: Love shouldn’t disable us

 Dating, in general, can be difficult. It can be incredibly challenging if you’re a person with a disability. This week, in part two of my two-part series about perceptions and misconceptions regarding people with disabilities (PWD), we’re going to talk about dating, relationships, and some of the misconceptions people have

Perceptions & misconceptions: We may be different, but we’re just like you

 What’s your first thought when you come across a person using a wheelchair or another mobility device? Do you think of us as just another person, or do you view us as less or more of a person only because we appear and do things differently? In part one of

To whom it may concern — An open letter to the restless ones

 Above: I'm asking Ottawans to stay home in order to keep everyone safe. To whom it may concern: Hello, my name is Ryan Lythall, and I’m a person with a physical disability. Being physically disabled, I’m susceptible to getting COVID, more so than most because a large part of my disability

Becoming wheelchair accessible — some assembly NOT required

 Above: Bank Street businesses that have integrated accessible entrances by creating a slopping incline from the sidewalk to the doorway. When I was younger, most of my weekends consisted of going to bars and nightclubs. Ottawa’s long-time residents may remember such places as Grand Central, Zaphod Beeblebrox, On Tap, and

Special Education — The silence that speaks volumes

 For the past few months, we’ve all seen or heard about kids going back to school. Most of the talk has been about parents, teachers, and students regarding Covid-19. Issues such as how to teach your child to wear a mask, physical distance, wash their hands, what day(s) they’ll be

Adaptive Technology: Making life easier in a world driven by technology

 Technology plays an integral part in our lives. Everything from smart cars, watches, phones, tablets, computers, and other devices used to make our lives easier, keep us connected and informed. Let’s face it, without technology, and you wouldn’t be reading this right now, at least not online. For many, it

Para Transpo: The never ending battle for a smoother ride — part two

 In this second part of a two-part series on Para Transpo, I’ll be discussing the fare structure, issues surrounding the use of the Presto card, and other concerns. Plus, I’ll talk about ParaParity, a local advocacy group. Para Transpo Fare Para Transpo users have a few options when it comes

Para Transpo: The neverending battle for a smoother ride

 If you’ve lived in Ottawa for any length of time, you’ve probably seen a Para Transpo vehicle. In the first of a two-part series on Para Transpo, I’ll give an overview of how the service works. What is Para Transpo? Para Transpo provides door-to-door service for people with disabilities and

How Covid-19 has impacted myself and PWD

 Covid-19 has impacted many peoples lives in a magnitude of ways. Jobs were lost, small businesses were forced to close, and many people are no longer with us. The list is long in terms of the different ways in which we’ve all been affected. For people with disabilities, it’s been

Introducing OLM’s new contributor, Ryan Lythall

 My name is Ryan Lythall. This is my first column for Ottawa Life Magazine, so I wanted to introduce myself. My story is a bit different than most. In 1975, I was born with a rare Neuromuscular condition called Nemaline Myopathy. NM causes muscle weakness, speech impairments, and respiratory problems.

Best of Ottawa 2020: Activists and changemakers

 ?After over 20-years writing about life in Ottawa, we think we have a pretty good idea of the best of what this city has to offer. In this weekly series, we share our picks with you — our top hotels, live music venues, local brews, bands and more. Check, share and discuss