104 - Navigating the Education System as a Person with Spinal Bifida, with Ghofran Alyass

Loading player...
In today’s episode, Lois speaks with Ghofran Alyass about her life and how she navigated the educational system as a person with a disability living in Canada.

Ghofran was born in Iraq at a time of war, when obtaining medical supplies and accurate medical advice was a challenge. Her parents managed to care for a child with spinal bifida for ten years, until she was able to travel to the USA for lifesaving surgery.

In this conversation Ghofran discusses her early life, her experiences navigating the education system in Canada, her recent memoir and her current work running a not-for-profit called BeyondAbilities International

Reach out to Ghofran and buy her book:
BeyondAbilities International Website: http://www.beyondabilities.ca
Ghofran e-mail: beyondabilities51@gmail.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/C3nIsr0oB5u/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BeyondAbilitiesCanada?mibextid=ZbWKwL
X/Twitter: https://x.com/AbilitiesBeyond?s=09
GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/45589891.Ghofran_Alyass

Read Ghofran’s memoir:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CLF32B4B
Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/wishlists/378c4096c9329957e182a9a7eca41b3283fb1647

Podcast Image description:
A smiling woman who is sitting in a wheelchair. She is wearing a white hijab and a white long-sleeved shirt. Behind her is a tree with red and green leaves, with fallen red leaves on the ground. There is also a stone structure and greenery.

I’d love to hear from you – contact me at
Web: https://www.loisstrachan.com/
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lstrachan
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/loisstrachanspeaker

This episode edited by Craig Strachan using Hindenburg PRO – find out more on Hindenburg.com
Credits and music by Charlie Dyasi of Naledi Media.
28 May 2024 English South Africa Society & Culture · Non-Profit

Other recent episodes

118 - Raising Guide Dog Puppies, with Wendy Purdon and Tania Robbertze

** My new book, Paws for Thought (second edition) is now available for pre-order. Get your copy at https://www.amazon.com/Paws-Thought-second-Seeing-Through-ebook/dp/B0DRTJF95G/ In today’s episode, Lois returns to the fun topic of the training of guide dogs, this time focusing on the crucial early months of the dogs’ life before they start formal…
14 Jan 57 min

117 - Introducing Talking Books, with Jeremy Opperman

** Interested in being an advance reader of my latest book? Contact me on https://www.loisstrachan.com/contact-lois/ In today’s episode, Lois and Jeremy Opperman have a conversation about books that represent characters with disabilities. This is the first in a series on specific books that represent various disabilities, though this is a…
17 Dec 2024 57 min

116 - Cheryl Robertson on Training Guide Dogs

** Interested in being an advance reader of my latest book? Contact me on https://www.loisstrachan.com/contact-lois/ In today’s episode, Lois speaks with Cheryl Robertson, who is a trainer at the South African Guide-Dogs Association for the Blind. Cheryl outlines the process used to train guide dogs and explains how they are…
3 Dec 2024 1 hr 05 min

115 - Adrijana Prokopenko on Living and Working as a Teacher in North Macedonia

In today’s episode, Lois speaks with Adrijana Prokopenko, who lives in North Macedonia and works as a teacher for blind children. Adrijana explains the training she received as an educator and outlines some of the logistical challenges she faces as a woman with a disability in North Macedonia. As a…
20 Nov 2024 39 min

114 - Mitch Kidd on Living as a Blind Transgender Individual

**Find more about Lois’s memoir at https://www.loisstrachan.com/books-and-author-support/#acc-content In today’s episode, Lois speaks with Mitch Kidd about their life as a transgender blind individual. Mitch and Lois discuss some of the unique challenges faced by people living with this intersectionality and solutions to enhance inclusion of all individuals Mitch talks openly…
5 Nov 2024 54 min