Change Coalition

08/13/2026

🌻 TRIVIA THURSDAY — THE REVEAL! 🌻

The votes are in, and it’s time to reveal the answer to this week’s Trivia Thursday!

🎉 The correct answer is E — ALL OF THE ABOVE!

Change Coalition is proud to offer a variety of programs that support, empower, and connect our community:

🧵 Comfort Quilts
💰 Tax Clinic
🎓 Bursary Program
💪 Virtual Workout Room

Thank you to everyone who participated! We hope Trivia Thursday is a fun way to learn more about Change Coalition and the programs we provide.

💙💜 You are not invisible.

👉 Want to learn more? Follow Change Coalition on social media and visit our website to discover more about our programs, initiatives, and the work we’re doing in our community:

Visit ChangeCoalition.ca

Stay tuned for next week’s Trivia Thursday! 🌻

08/13/2026

🌻 **TRIVIA THURSDAY!** 🌻

How well do you know Change Coalition?

This week, we’re putting the spotlight on our programs!

Which programs does Change Coalition provide?

Take a look at the choices in our infographic and tell us what you think.

💬 Drop your answer — **A, B, C, D, or E** — in the comments!

We’ll reveal the correct answer soon. 👀

08/12/2026

🌍 Today, we recognize International Youth Day.

Young people are not only the leaders of tomorrow—they are already contributing to their schools, workplaces, communities, and the causes that matter to them today.

That includes youth living with invisible, hidden, and non-apparent disabilities.

Their contributions may take many forms: volunteering, working, learning, creating, advocating, sharing their experiences, supporting their communities, and speaking up about issues that deserve attention.

But meaningful youth participation also means making sure young people have access, opportunity, representation, accessibility, and the support they need to participate fully.

At The Change Coalition, we believe inclusion means creating space for young people with disabilities to be heard, valued, and empowered—not simply included in conversations, but recognized as contributors to change.

This International Youth Day, we celebrate their ideas, perspectives, resilience, and leadership. 💙💜

Change starts here. Change starts with you.

Learn more about International Youth Day through the United Nations⁠ and about our work at The Change Coalition⁠.

Image description

A blue, purple, and white Change Coalition infographic recognizing International Youth Day on August 12. The poster highlights youth leadership, participation and inclusion, with a dedicated section recognizing young people with invisible disabilities and their contributions to education, employment, volunteering, advocacy and community life.

08/11/2026

🌻 The Power of a Sunflower — A Journey of Discovery

I want to begin by sincerely thanking my friend **Brent Homan** for his thoughtful article, *The Power of a Sunflower*. The article has special significance to me because it captures our journey together in Guernsey and the deeper meaning behind my experience with the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower.

🌻 Please take a moment to read Brent’s article here:
https://guernseypress.com/opinion/2026/08/10/brent-homan-the-power-of-a-sunflower

As Co-Founder of the Change Coalition, I used my travels from Canada through London, Guernsey and Herm as an opportunity to test the Sunflower lanyard in real-world situations.

The experience was mixed and revealing. There were times when the Sunflower was recognized and understood, and others when it became clear that greater awareness and education are still needed. The lanyard can only reach its full potential when people and organizations understand what it represents and respond appropriately.

For me, wearing the Sunflower was nevertheless liberating. It provided a discreet way to communicate a potential need for additional patience, understanding or assistance while preserving dignity, privacy and independence.

My time in Guernsey became about much more than testing the lanyard. Brent gave me a memorable tour of the island, where I learned about its remarkable history and the courage and resilience of its people. Our “Sunflower spotting” throughout Guernsey was both fun and meaningful.

And then there was beautiful Herm, where I can officially confirm that the "Herm Burn” is real! ☀️ A discernible tan on my Black skin followed by peeling is fairly convincing evidence!

London, Guernsey and Herm will always hold a very special place in my heart.

I returned to Canada with an important message for our work at Change Coalition:

🌻The Sunflower has tremendous potential—but recognition must be accompanied by awareness, education, understanding and meaningful action.

There is progress to celebrate, but there is still work to be done.

Sometimes change begins with recognizing a sunflower—and understanding the person behind it.

— Marcel Allen
Co-Founder, Change Coalition

08/09/2026

Race Against Time! A must see podcast.

Amy Cameron and Joe Ross lived a globe-trotting life — with weekend trips to different cities, often skiing, hiking and cycling — while they both balanced demanding corporate careers.

The couple thought life would continue like that well into their retirement.

But when Amy was suddenly diagnosed with early onset dementia, they realized that their future was going to look different.

Now, the two are living life together knowing that at some point, the brain disorder will fully take over.

Hear Amy and Joe's story on the 'Race Against Time' episode of the Now or Never podcast:

https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/he-wouldnt-have-made-it-another-12-hours-stories-of/id151485802?i=1000753444135

https://open.spotify.com/episode/4Gw9CnweO2RYvcDdoiSyZa?si=x5-VN4pmTrCeIBwtXjAg2g

08/08/2026

Today, on PVNH Awareness Day, we’re beginning with Elise’s story.

Elise is a young Canadian living with Periventricular Nodular Heterotopia (PVNH) and epilepsy. Her journey has included significant challenges, including seizures that interrupt her daily activities. Yet her story is also about persistence, joy, and continuing to engage in the things she loves. Her family’s experience is an important reminder that a diagnosis is only one part of a person’s story.

PVNH is a rare neurological condition in which nodules of neuronal tissue form along the walls of the brain’s ventricles. For some people, it can be associated with epilepsy, developmental challenges, and other neurological symptoms.

Because PVNH is rare, awareness and understanding matter. Greater recognition can help individuals and families feel less isolated, encourage informed conversations with healthcare professionals, and build communities where people living with rare and often non-apparent conditions are met with understanding rather than assumptions.

Today, we recognize people living with PVNH, their families, caregivers, advocates, and the communities working to increase awareness and understanding.

Learn more about PVNH and read lived-experience stories at pvnhsupport.com.
Learn more about The Change Coalition at changecoalition.ca.

Change Starts Here. Change Starts With You.

Image Description

Awareness poster for PVNH Awareness Day on August 7 featuring the pink and yellow awareness ribbon, information about PVNH, why awareness matters, ways to help, and a brief spotlight on Elise, a young Canadian living with the condition. Change Coalition branding and educational resources appear at the bottom.