‘Pecha Kucha’ gives mother stage to speak on challenges of intellectually disabled in Medicine Hat

Pecha Kucha, Japanese for “chit-chat”, is a public speaking event held around the world.

Four times a year, diverse and personal collections of stories are shared as part of the event in the city.

This could range from a presentation on the history of knitting to a specialist’s expertise on pelvic health.

Daniel Meller, a volunteer for the organization, said that the event brings community stories, knowledge, and people together.

He said that it can be an opportunity to bring to light an issue in the community or general public.

“A typical night of Pecha Kucha here, it’s kind of like a TED Talk. It’s a very short TED Talk,” he said.

Hale is one of the speakers at tomorrow night’s Pecha Kucha and will be speaking on the challenges those with intellectual disabilities face.

Janae Hale will speak at Pecha Kucha Night about her daughter who lives with an intellectual disability. Ross Lavigne/CHAT News

She said that she’s never done something of this magnitude in the public eye before, especially on this topic.

She said that although it feels a little uncomfortable, she thinks it’s a necessary conversation to be having.

“It doesn’t really matter what other people think about what I am going to be sharing,” she said.

“It’s a lonely road and a lonely community, and I want to use my voice and inspire and be supportive to the people that need it,” she added.

“What I’m just telling myself is to just go in, and be true to myself, and really think about my daughter, because it’s her life that I’m advocating for and that I want the best for.”

Hale said that only in the last few years has she become aware that there’s an issue in regards to awareness about people with intellectual disabilities.

She said that there’s still work to be done, and unless someone is directly affected or has a loved one with a disability, you may not know that an issue exists.

“What I see in society today is all these adults who don’t understand, who don’t have the language, who don’t know,” she said.

“And therefore sometimes aren’t maybe the most compassionate or understanding towards that group of people,” she added.

“So some of the work that I think needs to be done is just individually reflecting on how we view people with disabilities.”

Hale said that it’s easy to sometimes see people with their disabilities and not see what they are able to do.

She said that some of the work that needs to be done is changing our mindset, our views and our biases, and have some conversations about the matter.

Hale spoke at Pecha Kucha Night on Jan. 18. Anyone is encouraged to speak and share their story at future events.

by Jayk Sterkenburg

‘Pecha Kucha’ gives mother stage to speak on challenges of intellectually disabled in Medicine Hat

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