07/22/2026
Coming Soon: The August 2026 Kamloops Self Advocate Newsletter!
The wait is almost over!
The August 2026 Kamloops Self Advocate Newsletter is arriving soon, bringing another inspiring issue filled with disability awareness, community inclusion, accessibility, positive stories, and local events. This month's edition celebrates the many abilities that make our community stronger while encouraging readers to build a more compassionate and welcoming world for everyone.
Whether you're a self-advocate, family member, educator, support worker, employer, or community member, you'll find stories that educate, inspire, and remind us that everyone deserves the opportunity to belong and succeed.
This Month's Highlights
⭐ Krystian's Corner: A Story About Believing in Someone
Every edition of the Kamloops Self Advocate Newsletter begins with Krystian's Corner, where publisher and founder Krystian Shaw shares personal experiences, reflections, and lessons that connect with the newsletter's mission of disability awareness, kindness, compassion, and community inclusion.
This month's feature is one of the most personal and meaningful columns Krystian has ever written.
In a heartfelt tribute to his mother, Krystian reflects on the tremendous influence she has had throughout his life and the important role she played in helping him become the self-advocate, publisher, and community leader he is today. While growing up with a developmental disability was not always easy, his mother never defined him by the challenges he faced. Instead, she focused on his strengths, encouraged his interests, and believed that he was capable of achieving great things.
Readers will discover how that encouragement made a lasting difference. From supporting his education and helping him strengthen his reading and communication skills to introducing him to technology at a young age, she continually looked for opportunities to help him learn, grow, and become more independent. Those early experiences helped build the confidence that would eventually lead to the creation of the Kamloops Self Advocate Newsletter, a publication dedicated to celebrating the voices, achievements, and experiences of people with diverse abilities.
The article also reflects on some of Krystian's experiences in the education system. Like many people with developmental disabilities, he sometimes encountered low expectations and assumptions about what he could or could not accomplish. Yet throughout those experiences, his mother remained one of his strongest advocates, continually reminding him that disability should never define a person's future or limit their dreams.
While this story celebrates his mother's birthday, it also honours every parent, teacher, educational assistant, mentor, support worker, family member, and friend who has ever believed in someone when they needed encouragement the most. It serves as a reminder that one caring person can make an extraordinary difference in another person's life simply by believing in their potential.
Krystian also shares how those experiences inspired his passion for self-advocacy and community inclusion. Today, the Kamloops Self Advocate Newsletter has become a disability-focused media platform that shares success stories, promotes accessibility, encourages respectful language, educates the public, and gives people with disabilities an opportunity to have their voices heard.
Filled with gratitude, hope, and inspiration, this month's Krystian's Corner reminds readers that the greatest gift we can give someone is the belief that they matter, they belong, and they are capable of achieving more than they may ever imagine.
It is a powerful opening to an issue dedicated to kindness, inclusion, accessibility, and building communities where every person has the opportunity to thrive.
🏕 Lake Joe – You Rock!
Celebrate friendship, adventure, and unforgettable camp experiences while recognizing the caring community that makes Lake Joe a place where everyone belongs.
🎢 Dollywood: A Place Where Everyone Belongs
Explore one of North America's most accessible theme parks and discover how inclusion, hospitality, and accessibility help families of all abilities create lasting memories together.
♿ Understanding Disability
Learn about the Medical Model and the Social Model of Disability and why removing barriers—not changing people—is the key to creating inclusive communities.
❤️ Kindness & Compassion
An inspiring interview explores how empathy, kindness, and compassion can strengthen relationships and build healthier communities.
🤝 Inclusive Fun
Discover how inclusive recreation and employment opportunities help people of all abilities participate, contribute, and succeed.
💖 Love Story
Enjoy a touching personal story celebrating friendship, love, encouragement, and building a life together.
🗣 The Power of Words
Learn why respectful language matters, explore the impact of ableism, and discover how the words we choose help create welcoming communities for everyone.
🌱 Fresh Starts
As Labour Day approaches, discover ways to prepare for returning to school, work, volunteering, and community programs while supporting mental health and overall well-being.
🎉 Community Festivals
Celebrate Kamloops Ribfest, the Dragon Boat Festival, and other exciting summer events that bring people together through food, culture, teamwork, and community spirit.
👥 Buddy Up
Find out about social opportunities that encourage friendships, inclusion, and meaningful community connections.
🍋 Summer Recipe
Cool down with a refreshing recipe that's perfect for enjoying the final weeks of summer.
More Than a Newsletter
Every issue of the Kamloops Self Advocate Newsletter celebrates the voices, talents, and achievements of people with diverse abilities. Through education, positive storytelling, accessibility awareness, and community resources, we continue working toward a future where every person is respected, valued, included, and empowered to reach their full potential.
Coming Soon — the August 2026 edition!
Watch for printed copies throughout Kamloops and visit KSANews.ca to read even more stories, discover valuable resources, and celebrate the power of community inclusion.
Every Person. Every Ability. Every Story Matters. Together, we're building a kinder, more compassionate, and more inclusive community—one story at a time.
