Dr Kelly Fleming

Everyone’s life is a journey. Is mine different from anyone else’s? Yes. Why? Because it is my journey.

My journey includes discrimination, frustration, joy, loss, excitement and pain.

My journey has taken many paths. It is a work in progress and I look forward to where it will lead me.

My journey has taken me to places I would never have dreamt possible. My physical travels have taken me to places that have filled me with joy.

I’ve met celebrities that I probably would never have met, had I not been disabled.

I probably would never have learnt to kayak, canoe or go parasailing, had I not need disabled because I learnt how to do those things at accessible campgrounds.

I definitely wouldn’t have learnt to play shot put or discus, wheelchair basketball, quad rugby or sledge hockey if I hadn’t been disabled. I would never have gone to the Ontario Summer Games for the Physically Disabled in 1999.

My journey has also been a faith journey. One that has been filled with frustration and joy. Trying to find my way in life, discover my faith and where I belonged took a long time. Rejection was a big part of this journey. Welcomed but pitied. Inaccessibility. Attitudinal barriers.

I’ll talk more about my journeys in the future and share some of my experiences.