From a young age, Tami Pedersen was faced with challenges. Diagnosed with a developmental disability that made tasks like homework and processing information difficult, she often felt like she didn’t fit in. But it wasn’t just the hurdles of her disability that she had to overcome; societal pressures weighed heavily on her as well.
Growing up, Tami was criticized for her appearance, from how she dressed to how she styled her hair. Like many people with disabilities, she felt pressured to fit in – she recalls her family often suggesting that she wear lighter colours and less black. Tami realized the importance of staying true to herself as she grew up: “I always felt I had to please people, but I’m happy being me,” she reflects.
When the COVID-19 pandemic swept across the world, it changed Tami’s life. Locked down with her family, she could not engage in her usual advocacy work in her community. Being stuck at home for so long made things tough for everyone, and it really tested how close Tami and her mom were. One day, Tami’s mom said something that changed everything. She told Tami it was time to start doing more things independently and move out.
Moving out had its challenges. With limited support, Tami faced the daunting task of setting up her household. Yet, she persevered with the help of kind souls from her church. Today, Tami resides in a comfortable flat, grateful for the push towards autonomy.
Advocacy has always been at the heart of Tami’s journey. She is a member of the Speaking Up Self-Advocacy Awareness Group (SUSA) and the Thompson Cariboo Community Council, which amplifies the voices of people with disabilities.
Tami’s path to empowerment took a significant turn when she joined a community connections program. Here, she found a supportive environment where she could embrace her true self without fear of judgment. Inspired by her experiences, Tami led a panel discussion titled “Being Me,” emphasizing the importance of authenticity and self-acceptance.
This experience fueled Tami’s passion for advocacy, leading her to organize a panel at the Self-Advocacy Leadership Institute in Kelowna in 2023, focusing on resilience and self-care. Through her journey, Tami exemplifies the power of resilience and the transformative impact of embracing one’s true identity. Tami continues promoting self-love and is presenting a session called “An Amazing Race to Inclusion” at the sold-out Everybody Belongs conference in Nanaimo, Inclusion BC’s annual learning event.
Tami’s story shows us that being strong means being yourself, even when others try to tell you who to be. Her journey to find herself and stand up for what she believes in teaches us that it’s important to explore who we are and take action to make our own path.
Written by Katie Miller
Edited by Galen Exo
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