On this episode, we shine light on the Art & Soul program at Wagar Adult Education Center. The class focuses on teaching social skills through art. The class has also become very passionate about the topic of residential schools, as they've been learning about issues related to our indigenous communities. Host, Mark Bergman chats with students Jessica Teixeira-Pinto as well as Branden, and Social Integration Teacher Anna Persichilli. Have a listen...

Wagar Adult Education Center's Art & Soul!

On this episode you'll learn about a support concept, for families with special needs, called Circles Of Support. Evelyn Lusthaus has a support circle for her daughter Hanna, who has Downs Syndrome. Mark chats with them both, as well as  Hanna’s long time network facilitator, advocate for people with disabilities and their families, Nancy Rother.
For more, please visit http://www.inspirationsnews.com/inspirations

Cirlcles Of Support

Looking for greeting cards this holiday season? Check our www.zachdesigns.ca The business is run by Zach Reisman, who is an illustrator and 3D artist. Zach, who has Autism Spectrum Disorder, runs the business together with his mother Lorri Benedik, and they both joined Mark Bergman to share their story.

Meet Zach Reisman, creator of Zach Designs!

It's been another challenging year for us all, yet with every challenge they're faced the students at Galileo Adult Center & Mackay Center Philip E Layton always find the silver lining. There's ALWAYS something to be grateful for!

Looking back at 2021, I am grateful for...

In this episode, Mark Bergman chat with Kevin James Reason (Liam's father) & Christine Tellier about the foundation's mission and goals, and how you can support the foundation.

The Liam Foundation

Listen to how Anna Maria Civitella started an initiative of collecting toys with a range of different abilities, so that students at The Mackay Center and Phillip E Layton schools can use them. We'll also chat with grade 5 student Ella, who will share her thoughts on how these new toys relate to her and her friends.
*Photo credit: CIUSSS West-Central Montreal.

Toys that look just like me!

We're focusing on mental health on this edition of our podcast. The Glee Club at Vincent Massey Collegiate, better knows as the Clef Notes,  performed at the Just For Kids Voices competition, which raised money for mental health awareness at the Montreal Children’s Hospital! 
Listen as Mark Bergman chats with teacher Alessandra Martoccia, Sec V student August Di Liello, and Sec IV student Charlotte Renaud.

Vincent Massey Collegiate raises money for mental health

Summit School Tech program has opened a café inside Maimonides Geriatric Centre. It's a fully functional cafe that serves two purposes: training students, as well as serving and interacting with the centre's residents. Listen, as Mark Bergman chats with Maimonides Development Officer, Lisa Kasner - Job Integration Specialist, 
Thomas Saviolidis - And Onder, who works at the café!
Enjoy!

Welcome to the Summit Café

Following Federation CJA West Island's arm-chair interview with Jana Popliger, Maya Sinclair, and Rabbi Fishman, Mark Bergman sat down and chatted with both Maya & Jana. Learn more about her road to her Bat Mitzvah, and some of the hurdles they encountered.

Becoming Big and the road to Maya's Bat Mitzvah

Get behind the scenes insight of the Fun Fashion For All show, that took place at The Mackay Center on June 9th.
Mark Bergman chats with Simon Chang, Luca “Lazylegz” Patuelli, Christina Sollazzo, and student organizers Ella and Bella!
Enjoy!

Fun Fashion For All show

On our second episode of the Inspirations Podcast, Mark Bergman sits down with world renowned, special education expert, and motivational speaker Rick Lavoie. This episode deals with Rick's "theory of fairness", how to better communicate within a special needs family, and the one thing a parent needs to deal with a child with learning disabilities.

Our exclusive chat with Rick Lavoie

Mark Bergman speaks with Marla Cable about the incredible services at the Giant Step Resource & Training Center!

The amazing services at the Giant Step Resource & Training Center.

The Centre for the Arts in Human Development (CAHD) at Concordia University, established in 1996, is an educational, clinical and research centre serving adults with developmental disabilities and other special needs populations. On this episode, Mark Bergman will chat with Director of Clinical Services and Public Outreach, Lenore Vosberg, as well as CAHD member, Robbie Zunenshine. They'll chat about all the amazing services offered at the centre, as well as the big Nikki Yanofsky concert coming up on November 13th!

Center for the Arts in Human Development

Five friends, all diagnosed with autism/aspergers, created a film where they share their accomplishments, hoping to inspire viewers to follow their dreams. The Power Of One, is about inclusion and diversity despite differences with special needs, beliefs, race and rough backgrounds. Listen, as Mark Bergman chats with Steven Atme (producer & director), and Fareed Gul (co-writer, actor & songwriter).
The film premiers March 13th & 14th at the Vanier College Auditorium.

Five friends with special needs come together to share one dream.

The Inspirations News Podcast is sponsored by Quebec’s only newspaper devoted exclusively towards the special needs community. Tune in regularly to hear  uplifting success stories and  gain timely advice in the area of special needs, featuring experts in various fields.

Inspirations News

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