We’re pleased to announce that Stephen Lytton will open the program on Thursday, November 25, by acknowledging First Nations land and speaking about the impact involvement in community arts has had on his own life.
Stephen Lytton is on the Board of Directors of the BC Aboriginal Network on Disability Society. The following biography is an excerpt from their website.
Stephen Lytton was born in Lytton, BC in 1955. He was born affected with cerebral palsy that has affected his mobility from the waist down. The condition led to many developmental delays due to limited access to service out of Lytton. Stephen experienced a great deal of corrective surgery and lengthy hospital stays throughout his childhood. He walked assisted by leg braces from the waist down or at times he used crutches. The last surgery was in 1970.
Stephen attended St. George’s Residential School and participated in many organized activities although he missed regular family life and the companionship of his younger sisters. As an adult, Stephen looks back on his schooling with some regret at missing opportunities to learn more about the Nlha’7kapmx people.
It is Stephen’s goal partly through his education and participation with the Board to ensure that disabled Aboriginal people have greater opportunities for personal development. He would like all disabled Aboriginal people to play an active role in community planning and decision making to promote opportunities and understanding of issues of disability and well-being.
Stephen’s aspirations were captured in this quote: “I feel that every disabled person, Aboriginal or other must be involved in the community. This involvement not only benefits the individual, but also strengthens and promotes the health of each community. Involvement in government policies an decisions that affect our communities and that of the country in general will, I know make way for a much more productive and hopeful future for all Aboriginal people, and perhaps all people.”