Diversity goes beyond the question of skin color, origin or sexual orientation. Diversity is also lived depending on the condition of each individual. People who live with physical or mental disabilities haven’t had any role models on our television for a long time. In celebration of Quebec’s Disability Week, we take a look at current series that offer inspirational models to normalize differences and all their richness.
In the documentary
love and difference
Photo courtesy of ICI Télé
Being loved can seem easy. But when you live with a disability, evoking a simple feeling can be a more difficult task. Marie Lee is 30 years old. She was born with a mild intellectual disability. She now shares her life with a neurotypical man. Elisanne is also 30 years old. This political science teacher at UQAM suffers from cerebral palsy and is paraplegic from the waist down. François is 54 years old. He has been living with multiple sclerosis since he was 20 years old. He is also developing an inclusive dating app. All have a lot of character and express themselves clearly. You have all your head and all your heart. They need to be loved and loved, to be touched and to have an emotional and sexual life. But the difference is still scary. This documentary by Helgi Piccinin offers beautiful reflections on a situation that is all too often silenced.
◆ Broadcast on ICI Tou.tv
boundless love
Photo courtesy of Urbania
Vanessa, Dalène and Émilie founded the Rencontre Adaptée agency to enable single people with a disability or a physical or mental disability to make first contact. They are generous, sensitive, and independent people who aspire to spend some time with someone who shares their values. people with or without disabilities. Each episode explores the journey of six people searching for love but held back by existing dating patterns. The agency creates evenings where goodwill prevails. We accompany singles in their quest to find a soul mate.
◆ Streamed on Crave
my little life
Photo courtesy of Bell Media
For four seasons, thanks to this documentary series, we got into the everyday life of little people. We have no idea how much everything is designed for “adult” people. There are many challenges, even when it comes to making small gestures. The protagonists are active, athletic, creative. They work, have hobbies, passions, the need to surpass themselves, make dreams come true, take risks. They have health issues, desire to have children, ambitions, family and love dynamics. You inspire us all.
◆ On channel vie
what if it was you
Screenshot AMI TV
The stress of the first date… Here, single people with a disability have agreed to step out of their comfort zone to take the “risk” of meeting their soulmate. In each episode, one of them is offered three dates with suitors with and without disabilities. Their names are Charles, Noémie, Andrée, Jasmin. We’ll be witness to their conversations and have a front row seat if there are sparks. Varda Étienne is hosting this programme, which aims to break down barriers between people with disabilities and others.
◆ On AMI TV
The Deschamps key
Photo provided by AMI Télé
Martin Deschamps never let his disability stop him. The singer-songwriter and rocker has had a great career. Music undoubtedly contributed to his well-being. It is said that it often saves. In the 10 episodes of the series he meets people for whom music has become a balm, a boost or a way of life. It is also an opportunity to create duets after a moving, clear and inspiring exchange.
◆ On AMI TV
In fiction
About Anthony
PHOTO provided by Club illico
Comedian and screenwriter Cathleen Rouleau drew inspiration from her life to create this series, which stars Antoine, her polydisabled teenage son-in-law, who plays his own role. She doesn’t minimize the adjustments she had to make in her life to make room for him and the adjustment so that her reality became her normal. She relies on complicity, small victories, and the importance of family, whatever it may be.
◆ Broadcast on Club illico
six degrees
PHOTO courtesy of KarlJessy Jomph
Puberty is a difficult time for some. Imagine losing your eyesight while the future awaits. That’s what worries the half-sighted Léon, who must balance grief, a new family reality, and a new school where he just wants to be like everyone else. Two seasons are currently airing—.
◆ Season 1 on VOD
◆ The second season will be broadcast extra on ICI Tou.tv
Lion
Photo courtesy of TVA and Encore Productions
Cindy has a disabled brother, Yannick. He lives with an intellectual disability. Early on in Cindy’s relationship with Leo, it was imperative that he get along with Yannick. A fun first encounter that quickly became second nature, proving that clumsiness in the face of the unknown is normal. Cindy’s family is very close. Everyone is there for Yannick, who brings Cindy and Léo’s everyday life to life.
◆ Broadcast on VOD
We
Screenshot club illico
Sometimes people find it difficult to accept their child’s disability. Camille always felt like her life was a little off the rails. She endured the trauma of her twin brother’s death for a long time and aspired to be perfect. But his mother lied to him. Her twin brother Diego has Down syndrome and lives with a loving family. So bridges should be built to this young man, about whom she wants to know everything. And to rebuild with his parents who didn’t know how to adjust to his differences.
◆ Broadcast on VOD
Portrait Robot
Photo QMI Agency, Joël Lemay
Sophie Lorain plays Maryse Ferron, head of the investigative unit. A strong woman, a fighter, with great intelligence. It has character and cannot be imposed. She was born with a degenerative disease that confined her to a wheelchair. She tries to delay the development of the disease through consistent training and intense work. She doesn’t want to be defined by her disability, but rather by her efficiency and the skill with which she conducts her investigations.
◆ Broadcast on Club illico