Outsider Artist Janitorial

The Boy Who Cried Wolf is a story with two morals. We teach children the first moral lesson about the dangers of telling lies and how, once lost, trust and credibility are hard to regain. There is a second moral to this allegory. When there is a dangerous predator on the loose, do not appoint as your sole watchman the one person your entire community has ostracized . During August 2023, I went to Belleville General Hospital out of desperation to find help for my mother. She had made a rebound friend after our family suffered the loss of a woman my mother had known for several decades. This new ‘friend’ was manipulating my mother into acting as her free personal support worker - and I was furious. Autism runs in my family. I knew my father had it, but now I suspect that both of my parents are on the spectrum, based on how difficult it had been to warn my mother about this negative encounter - and how easy it is for others to victimize my family members. However, because doctors misdiag...

My visit to Belleville General Hospital in August 2023 was a pivotal moment that positively transformed my life. While it wasn’t an easy experience, I recognized that the challenges I faced during that time were crucial for my growth, and I knew I needed to navigate this journey with intention. After my initial discharge from the emergency department, I strongly wanted to contact Constables Walden and Smith at the Belleville Police Service regarding my experiences. While the police station couldn’t provide the assistance I hoped for, I realized this was just a step in a longer process. I soon returned to the emergency room, reflecting on my unsettling encounter. The memory of my run-in with that individual haunted me, manifesting as vivid nightmares about the numerous ways those situations could have spiralled out of control had I not managed them with care. Yet beneath this turmoil, I sensed a protective force guiding me toward resilience and understanding. A familiar voice emerged in...

Artwork made by artists living with disabilities is not a genre; It's just art. A filmmaker I greatly respect once suggested that true artistic success requires moving away from what he deemed "loserville" and not competing with those he labeled as "losers." I take a different view. As creatives, our environment—whether it’s a bustling city or a quiet town—doesn’t dictate our success. What matters most is choosing to live in a space that challenges our perspectives and enriches our experiences. When we surround ourselves with a community that inspires us, we unlock the potential for our artistic aspirations to flourish. Nearly a decade ago, after completing my university studies, I returned to my hometown to live with my family. This transition posed a unique challenge for me; I felt no urge to chase a career in cities like Los Angeles or Paris. I realized that, for someone like me, the profound personal growth I sought didn’t require a big move. My hometown was...

Mayor Mitch Panciuk startled me with the way he exited the stairwell by the elevator. It was as if he were ‌trying to intimidate me deliberately by throwing his weight around. Still, on this day at Belleville City Hall, it was a very enlightening security contract for my career and life. I had access control duties this afternoon during a presentation that the Belleville Police Service delivered at City Hall on interactions with law enforcement personnel and the mentally ill—a topic I care deeply about. Mitch clenched his jaw and fists in aggravation. Before the virus outbreak, I used to sit behind Mitch and his wife in the pews at St. Thomas's Anglican church. Was this a display of anger management or patience? My boss, Bill Armstrong, did the same things during our meetings. Once he and I were inside the elevator, I tried to make light of the situation. "I hope I showed up at the right site," I chuckled nervously. When I arrived on my floor, Deputy Chief Callaghan and I...