Blog Without Limits

A blog series by Stephen Lee, CP Alberta Board Member 1986 – Joining the CPAA Board In 1986, Ken Thomas resigned from the Cerebral Palsy Alberta Association (CPAA) board. Before leaving the board, Ken suggested that I should consider joining. I contacted Shirley Church, who was serving as CPAA President, and told her that I was interested in becoming a board member. At the next Annual General Meeting, I was elected to the CPAA Board. At the time, the board was made up primari

October is Occupational Therapy Month, and it’s the perfect time to celebrate the incredible professionals who help people participate more fully in the things that matter to them. At CP Alberta, occupational therapists are part of several of our programs, bringing their knowledge, creativity and problem-solving skills into spaces that look a little different from a traditional therapy room. From spending time with horses at Pony & Me to moving through the water during our NE

A blog series by Stephen Lee, CP Alberta Board Member This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Cerebral Palsy Alberta (CPAA). To celebrate this milestone, I am sharing a series of stories about my involvement as a volunteer, board member and supporter with the organization and its programs over the past five decades. The story begins in the early 1980s, during a time when I was participating in sports. While competing in track and field in the early 1980s, I became involve

Last week, the Edmonton community showed us once again what can happen when people come together with a shared purpose. Over the course of two days, CP Alberta hosted two special events that brought together golfers, community members, supporters, donors, volunteers and advocates - all in support of individuals and families living with disabilities across Alberta. A Day on the Course Monday kicked off with our 2nd Annual Golf Without Limits Edmonton Tournament at Cattail Cros

Construction is underway on a landmark, $30-million disability arts campus on the former Scouts Canada building site along Memorial Drive NW, across from Broadview Park, in the heart of Calgary. The development is billed as the largest capital project in support of disability arts in Canadian history and will create the world’s first accessible, disability-focused arts learning campus. The National accessArts Centre (NaAC) officially broke ground on the project, known as the

Airdrie city council has adopted accessibility standards for new and replacement City playgrounds, with administration projecting the changes could add about $2.5 million to the city’s 10-year playground capital plan. Council approved the Accessible and Inclusive Playgrounds Policy on Tuesday without opposition, adding a provision allowing it to also be cited as Bronson’s Policy. The policy work began with a July 2025 notice of motion co-sponsored by then-councillors Heather

Sometimes, the most meaningful part of music therapy has nothing to do with the song being played. It’s the look between a participant and their music therapist. The shared smile after a familiar melody. The moment of anticipation before a favourite song begins. The quiet understanding that develops when two people have spent time creating, listening, laughing and growing together. Music therapy creates space for those connections to form. For participants at CP Alberta, a mu

CBC announced 13 new participants for the fourth year of AccessCBC: A CBC Initiative for Creators with a Disability, a national program that provides pre-development training, mentorship and financing support for creators with disabilities. The pioneering CBC program has supported over 60 creators in its first three years. For its fourth edition, AccessCBC will support seven participants across four projects selected for the scripted comedy/drama and kids streams, as well as

What do you see when you look at a challenge? A limitation? A roadblock? A reason to stop? Or could it be an opportunity to see what is possible? This September, we’re inviting Edmonton to start the morning with good food, great conversation and a speaker who has spent his life challenging the way people think about limitations. Meet Alvin Law, our keynote speaker at the Empowering Edmonton Breakfast on September 15. Born without arms as a result of thalidomide exposure, Alvi

Canada's first public park designed specifically for people living with dementia and their caregivers is set to open in southeast Calgary. The park, dubbed the Martin Family Legacy Garden, is in Southview Park, in the community of Dover. The park features wide, looping, colour-coded pathways for easy navigation, wayfinding features, sensory gardens, shaded seating areas and a playground catered to multi-generational families caring for both children and aging parents. Other f

During my time as a Program Coordinator with CP Alberta, I have the privilege of supporting individuals on their journeys toward growth, confidence, and independence. One of the most rewarding aspects of my role is witnessing the meaningful progress and achievements of our participants—whether big or small. Equally impactful is observing the social transformation that takes place within our programs. Participants who begin as strangers gradually build connections, share exper

A west Edmonton neighbourhood is celebrating the culmination of five years of rallying behind a student with disabilities who now has a playground built with him in mind. Francis Lahaye is a kid as bright as the yellow sunglasses he wore on Saturday at the newly redesigned Lynnwood Playground. He’s quick to make a ‘6,7’ joke and he loves to hang out with his friends at the nearby school. Francis has cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair, so in past years, joining his friends a

Learning is a bit easier for Liam Dansereau now that he can use AI to control his laptop, something the teen with cerebral palsy struggled with previously. CTV News Edmonton's Amanda Anderson has his story. Watch here: https://www.ctvnews.ca/edmonton/video/2026/06/20/ai-helping-teen-with-cerebral-palsy-with-his-studies/

AccessCBC CBC is thrilled to announce that AccessCBC, their national program for Deaf and disabled creators, is returning for its fourth season in partnership with the Disability Screen Office. Applications are now open for our scripted, kids, and podcast streams. Detailed program information is available on the AccessCBC website, and the application deadline is Thursday, July 9, 2026. Please help us spread the word! You can use their promo assets (video testimonials, quot

Every June, communities across Canada recognize Pride Month—a time to celebrate diversity, advocate for inclusion, and acknowledge the contributions of 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals. As a disability organization, some people may wonder why Pride Month is important to us. The answer is simple: inclusion is at the heart of everything we do. At CP Alberta, we believe that every person deserves to feel valued, respected, and empowered to participate fully in their community. Disability

At CP Alberta, we know that strong teams are built through shared experiences, collaboration, and a little bit of fun. Thanks to the rain and a postponed Golf Without Limits event, our Edmonton staff and part of our Leadership Team stepped away from their desks and headed to Axe Monkeys in Edmonton for an afternoon of team building that was anything but ordinary. The day featured two unique activities: a paint splatter room and a rage room. First up was the paint splatter exp

This week, we recognize National Accessibility Week — a time to celebrate inclusion, raise awareness about accessibility, and recognize the important work still needed to create communities where everyone can fully participate. At CP Alberta, accessibility means more than removing barriers. It means creating opportunities, building connections, and ensuring people with disabilities feel seen, supported, and included in every aspect of community life. Throughout the week, we e

Our latest Gaming Night brought connection, curiosity, and a whole lot of fun—and it’s safe to say participants are already asking when the next one is happening. The evening kicked off with a friendly round of Wii bowling, giving everyone a chance to settle in, connect, and get into the spirit of the night. From the very beginning, the room was filled with laughter, encouragement, and a shared excitement for what was to come. We were thrilled to once again welcome Tyler Fent

One moment that really stands out is our relationship with Kelly Edye from Fountain Tire. What started as support for the tournament has grown into something much more. Kelly is now the presenting sponsor of our Golf Without Limits Tournament, has helped bring in additional sponsors, players, and prizing, and even joined our Board of Directors last year. Together with his wife Shelagh, they’ve also helped grow the Darci Edye Memorial Putt for Prizes—making it a meaningful and

This First Person article is the experience of Alex Lytwyn, who lives with cerebral palsy and is a disability advocate, writer and small business owner of Willpower Media. At present, my life is beyond exhausting. Being in a power wheelchair can be — and is — at times very difficult. Every so often, life can feel like I am spinning my wheels and not getting anywhere. And honestly, I do have days when I just want to give up. But it's the simplest things in life that can help p