Fostering a culture of accommodation through experiential education and open discussion
“A lot of material was covered but it didn’t seem overwhelming. It was to the point and the time lines seemed to work well. Anyone who needed further discussion was encouraged to contact you directly and that was also a good opportunity for them.
“The facilitators were very knowledgeable about the information from a government regulation standpoint and also from a personal standpoint. It was very interesting for others to hear first hand the difficulties people face and how they have been able to overcome them.
“The variety of perspectives from the different presenters brought in a wide spectrum of experience. We would absolutely consider engaging Changing Paces again in the future.”
Micole Ongman, Program and Aquatic Supervisor,
Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville
Meet Our Team!
Trish Robichaud is a Disability Awareness Coach, Maximum Life & Business Coach, Author, Facilitator and Motivational Speaker. She serves as a Facilitator, Disability Awareness Program Manager, Owner and Founder of Changing Paces.
Trained in the facilitation of adult education, support counselling, self-advocacy, social action and life skills, Trish has been providing coaching, counselling and advocacy support to people with multiple sclerosis and other chronic illnesses for over a decade. She has also been facilitating support groups and adult education for nearly 15 years.
Minimizing her own MS symptoms through profound lifestyle changes, she has lived a very joyful and rewarding life despite her 20-year battle with depression. She coaches people facing life, health and vocational transitions.
Trish served 4 years as Chair of the York North Chapter of the MS Society with a total of 12 years service on that board. She was appointed Vice Chair of the York Region Accessibility Advisory Committee in 2006 and is currently serving a second term as a member of that committee. Trish is a past long-term Board Member of Georgina Mobility Transit. She was recognized by the MS Society of Canada in 2004 as top volunteer in Ontario as well as top volunteer in Canada.
Marg Gaukel is a Disability Awareness Specialist. She serves as a Facilitator on the Changing Paces team. Her background and training as a Social Worker serve her well in being able to empathize with the people she advocates for.
Marg lives with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis and uses a power wheelchair for mobility. She has never allowed the disease to stop her in her tracks. On the contrary, she has harnessed the experience to empower herself to make a difference in the lives of others similarly challenged.
Currently serving as Chairperson for the York East Chapter of the MS Society, Marg is a past member of the Board of Directors for the Kingston Chapter of the MS Society and a past Board Member for the MS Society, Ontario Division. Marg has given 18 years helping to improve the quality of life of countless people living with multiple sclerosis in Ontario.
As Chair of the Accessibility Advisory Committee for the Town of East Gwillimbury, Marg plays a very active role in advocating for the identification, removal and prevention of barriers to accessibility in her own municipality. She is also a member of the York Region Accessibility Advisory Committee.
Kirsten Hill is a Disability Awareness Facilitator and Advocate. She serves as a Facilitator and an Administrative Assistant on the Changing Paces team. Kirsten lives with a degenerative eye disease called Retinitis Pigmentosa, which has now left her blind in her left eye with a small amount of residual vision in her right eye. A more recent diagnosis of Rheumatoid Arthritis has given her challenges with daily mobility and pain management.
She is currently a member of both the York Region and the Whitchurch Stouffville Accessibility Advisory Committees. As such, she is passionate about the Accessibility Movement and the rights and equitable treatment of people living with a disability and their equal access to all aspects of society.
Kirsten is a very active volunteer with the CNIB working on Advocacy and Education. This includes facilitating an eight week Peer Support program designed to help clients newly diagnosed with vision loss. Kirsten continues to volunteer in her local school providing reading support for grade one children experiencing difficulty with reading.
Kelly Weedon is a Disability Awareness Facilitator and brings over 25 years of experience in the business realm to her new role with the Changing Paces team.
She has a BA in Office and Administrative Studies from Ryerson Polytechnical Institute, as well as her Life Skills Coaching Certification. Her 25 years of business experience include 20 years with IBM Canada Limited where her responsibilities included business practices & internal process audit and adult education facilitation on government legislation.
One of Kelly's special interest areas is Mental Health Disabilities. Being diagnosed with concurrent mental health disorders a number of years ago, she has an intimate understanding and personal experience in this area. Today she lives a serene and happy life.
She is also a founding member of The Rose Foundation, a not for profit organization in Barrie, Ontario focused on reducing poverty and homelessness in Simcoe County. Their goal is to provide transitional housing for individuals and families facing homelessness. In addition, she is a member of the Crime Prevention Committee of the Downtown Barrie Neighbourhood Association.
Exemplary Customer Service has been a passion of Kelly's and she thrives on building relationships and injecting humor into her daily life.
Marie Marchildon is a Disability Awareness Facilitator. Her experience advocating for people with disabilities began in her primary years, supporting family members living with developmental delays, addictions and untreated bi-polar disorder. In her late teens she began working with youth as the caregiver of a boy who had visual impairment, and at Morton House Barrie she was awarded Outstanding Volunteer Service in the Observation and Detention of Youth. Marie has advocated for people refused legal aid, acting as their agent through the appeal process.
In her late 20’s she sustained multiply fractures to her left leg, leaving her with ongoing pain and mobility issues. While fighting to walk she began experiencing symptoms of bi-polar disorder, sought treatment and responded very well. These complicated challenges affirmed her resolve to further assist others.
She studied Child and Youth and has a diverse volunteer and employment background; from facilitating “English as a second language” for adults, to helping implement the “Out of the Cold” program in Niagara. To assist youth with learning difficulties, Marie has identified learning styles and implemented aids to enhance learning, targeted vocational strengths and procured jobs for youth with developmental delays.
JoAnn Lewis is a Disability Awareness Specialist and Facilitator on the Changing Paces team. She has over 30 years professional experience, working with children and adults experiencing developmental and/or mental health disabilities, supporting individuals steering through the service system and in their communities. From a personal perspective, she has a parent with mental health concerns as well a daughter with multiple disabilities.
JoAnn has served as Special Education Advisory Committee Member, on the executive of Georgina Mobility Transit/Transit Georgina, and is currently Chair of the Georgina Accessibility Advisory Committee, and Executive Member of her Residential Co-operative.
As a parent, JoAnn has been an ardent advocate for her daughter’s equal treatment in placement determinations by her local Board of Education, up through and including an Educational Tribunal and the Human Rights grievance process. Currently, JoAnn also works as a Community Crisis Worker providing telephone and mobile support to people overwhelmed by crisis in their lives.
As a facilitator, JoAnn brings both professional and personal skills and passion ‘to the table’ when educating about the strengths, contributions, rights and needs of people experiencing disabilities and the benefit to all when participation is fully realized by all community members.
