Regular Contributors

Filed under: Regular Contributors, David Roche, Irked Videos

This is something you already know if you’re on David Roche’s mailing list.

Hello friends: ”Shameless: The Art of Disability” is now available to view (free) at the National Film Board of Canada website! This iconic feature-length documentary about disability and creativity is a National Film Board of Canada production, directed by the noted documentarian, Bonnie Klein and released in 2008. It focuses on the stories and creative processes of four artistic people with disabilities, including myself, Persimmon Blackbridge, Catherine Frazee and Geoff McMurchy (and of course Bonnie herself). Enjoy!

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Quoting the NFB.ca film synopsis:

Art and activism are the starting point for a funny and intimate portrait of five surprising individuals with diverse disabilities. Packed with humour and raw energy, this film follows the gang of five from B.C. to Nova Scotia as they create and present their own images of their disabilities.

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Watch the feature-length documentary now:

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And please buy David’s phenomenal book:

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Filed under: Regular Contributors, Lewis Schofield, Themes, Auties & Aspies, Irked Videos

Quoting Elyse Bruce:

Recently, the news carried an item about Canadian Blood Services. In light of the H1N1 flu and vaccines, blood donors have been shying away from donating blood. Blood donations are important all year round however they are even more important at this time of year. In some areas, blood donations are half of the required weekly minimum for hospitals in their region.

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After hearing the news, 14-year-old Lewis “Codeboy” Schofield decided to do what he could to help get the word out that blood donations are greatly needed, after having undergone IVIg treatments in 2008 and 2009. So he scripted, filmed and produced this 55 second PSA currently uploaded to YouTube.

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Please forward the link to this video to friends, family, colleagues and the media in your area. It doesn’t matter if you live in Canada or live in another country … blood donations save lives!

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Thanks!

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Elyse Bruce
Lewis Schofield’s mom
Peterborough, Ontario

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To buy Lewis’ beautiful art cards (with 20% of the proceeds going to autism organizations) CLICK HERE.

And then…

Read Irked posts tagged “Lewis Schofield”
Read Irked posts tagged “advocacy”

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Filed under: Regular Contributors, Lewis Schofield, Themes, Auties & Aspies, Irked Videos

Here’s an AWESOME YouTube video—a Trent University-produced “vignette” starring the multiple-award-winning Mr. Lewis “Codeboy” Schofield:

Click to continue »

Filed under: Regular Contributors, Donna Williams, Themes, Auties & Aspies

By now, you all know Donna Williams. Here’s a poem called “Butterflies” that Donna wrote recently.

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if someone takes your disabilities and makes them your
gilded cage
then you take charge of your disabilities like never before
for they are your fallibility, the keys to your cage

a key you allowed someone else to call theirs
because they taught you this was love and caring
and in the light of day you realise it had nothing to do
with you

so you look in the mirror and say, wow, there’s a fool
and brush off the dust and say, ok, so the world is full of
fools so I’m in good company

and you look at your life and say, wow, there’s an island
but islands can build bridges

and you look at your smile and say
wow, I’d forgotten I could wake up with this

and you look at your time and say
you ain’t Florence Nightingale, so follow that smile
because a heart shouldn’t be heavy
it should be light
because a heavy heart will never fly
and butterflies can.

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Buy Donna’s gorgeous (and reasonably priced!) paintings

(Holiday tip: Nothing says "I love you" like original art!)

Check out Donna’s band

(With a name like Donna and The Aspinauts, how can you resist?)

Read Donna’s blog and visit her website

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If you live in Canada, you can support Donna and Irked SIMULTANEOUSLY:

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Read Irked posts tagged “poetry”
Read Irked posts tagged “painting”
Read Irked posts tagged “autism”

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Filed under: Regular Contributors, Philip Patston, Themes, Tumour Humour, The UpDown Report, Campaign Watch

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….then give a little bit Mo’

As most of you know by now, Movember is an annual, month-long celebration of the moustache, highlighting men’s health issues, specifically prostate cancer and depression in men.

Philip Patston is certainly doing his part to raise awareness.

Now help him raise the dough.

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Read Irked posts tagged “depression”
Read Irked posts tagged “cancer”

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Filed under: Regular Contributors, Lewis Schofield, Themes, Auties & Aspies, QuIrked Kids, Art Gallery

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This is Mr. Lewis Schofield’s latest painting. It’s entitled “Undersea Stroll” and it’s about to be exhibited at an autism conference…

Isn’t it totally awesome?!

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Click here to read the story behind the artwork >>

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Filed under: Regular Contributors, Philip Patston, Themes, Cerebral Ballsy, Wheelchairman of the Board

Philip Patston’s been telling naughty naughty jokes again.

To see what we mean…click here.

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Read more Irked posts that will make ya giggle
Read more about Movember
Meet other Ballsy Palsies
Meet other Wheelchairmen of the Board

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Filed under: Regular Contributors, Philip Patston, Themes, Cerebral Ballsy, Wheelchairman of the Board, Tumour Humour, The UpDown Report, Campaign Watch

“Movember is an annual, month-long celebration of the moustache, highlighting men’s health issues, specifically prostate cancer and depression in men. Mo Bros, supported by their Mo Sistas, start Movember (November 1st) clean shaven and then have the remainder of the month to grow and groom their moustache. During Movember, each Mo Bro effectively becomes a walking billboard for men’s health and, via their Mo, raises essential funds and awareness.”

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Visit Philip Patston’s MoSpace page >>
And please donate, donate, DONATE

Then…

Read Irked posts tagged “fundraiser”
Read Irked posts tagged “Philip Patston”

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Filed under: Regular Contributors, Philip Patston, Themes, Cerebral Ballsy, Wheelchairman of the Board, Irked Videos

By now, most of you already know the indomitable, the unsinkable, the mind-bogglingly entrepreneurial Mr. Philip Patston.

Here’s an October 20th video clip of Philip onstage at The Thirsty Dog, in Auckland, New Zealand reciting poetry (with Tony Lewis on blues harp):

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Check out Philip’s awesome work @ philippatston.com

Then…

Read Irked posts tagged “poetry”

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Filed under: Regular Contributors, Lewis Schofield, Themes, Auties & Aspies, QuIrked Kids

“Lewis, I think you embody the spirit of Trent—you’re mighty, tenacious and very creative,” said Su Ditta, a selection committee member, in front of a crowd of about 60 people.

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Read Irked posts tagged “Lewis Schofield”
Read Irked posts tagged “creativity”

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