Image Credit: Krystian Shaw

By Silvia Senna

Kamloops Self Advocate

Ten years in, Kamloops’ Krystian Shaw still loves sharing positive stories of people with disabilities in his newsletter

Jan 19, 2024 | 6:30 PM

KAMLOOPS — Krystian Shaw has been producing a local newsletter for the past ten years, highlighting success stories of people with disabilities. With the support and encouragement from his mother, the Kamloops Self Advocate newsletter has become a success. The goal is to overcome and halt the stigma associated with having physical or mental challenges.

“I wanted to stop discrimination and I wanted to share their success stories and how people can overcome barriers. There’s lots of bad news online and stuff, and I wanted to put a slant to it,” explained Krystian.

However, he had to overcome some barriers of his own to start the business.

“I’ve always told him, ‘You can do whatever you set your mind to with the right supports,'” said Linda Shaw, Kystian’s mother. “He went out like the go-getter he is and looked for the right supports. He was determined in order to do a newsletter that he had to know how to read and write — school never taught him, thinking that he just wouldn’t be able to retain anything he learned. We did it ourselves at home. He’s now a fluent reader, writer and speller.”

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Ten years later, the newsletter has brought Krystian a new perspective on life.

“It made him think more positively about things. He can do more things than he can’t do, and when he realized that, his self esteem was just really boosted up and he’s just a different person,” Linda shared.

The success of the newsletter has provided Krystian with new opportunities.

“Inclusion B.C. was very impressed by his newsletter and have invited him to do some speeches at conferences. He’s been given a lot of opportunities and he’s looking forward to more of these,” told Linda.

Krystian hopes to keep the newsletter operating for a very long time. His advice for anyone pursuing their dream is perseverance.

“If you have a dream, just go for it. Never listen to being told no,” Krystian advised.

People can read the Kamloops Self Advocate Newsletter online at ksanews.ca or pick up a copy of the newsletter at local restaurants and businesses