No Piece of Cake
Image Description: Kae is an East Asian woman sitting in her black powered wheelchair, wearing a black tank top, beige crossbody bag and cream coloured jeans with black opened toe sandals. She is posing in front of a mural done by the Deaf Artist, Christine Sun Kim. The wall is white with black handwritten text that reads “All Night Future” above a drawing of a visual arch that displays the ASL for “all night”.
Image Description: Blue text on a white rectangle text box reads: “Growing up with a disability is no piece of cake.” Below text is a birthday cake with a slice taken out. Where the slice should be is a pile of sprinkles. Sticking out of the sprinkles is a long to-do list. A blue circle graphic is in the bottom left corner, with white text that reads: “Get the facts to close the gap.”
Transitioning into adult healthcare as a teenager with a rare muscle disease was isolating and overwhelming, especially without pediatric care or support. No one knew what to do with me or how to help. When I finally received a diagnosis, I was told there was no cure or treatment for my disease, and that there was “nothing they could do.” I entered the adult system without a care plan, without a family doctor, and with no clear path forward. I was left to manage my progressive symptoms on my own, all while navigating the challenges of growing up with a disability.
I became my own advocate out of necessity—repeatedly explaining my condition and symptoms to most providers who had never heard of it. Every time I sought help, it felt like starting from zero, and it still does to this day. For many disabled youth in Ontario, this lack of support and structured transition can result in poor health outcomes that follow them for life.
I’m excited to partner with Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital to amplify their ‘No Piece of Cake’ campaign to raise awareness and push for change. We need programs that bridge the gap between pediatric and adult care so that no young person with a disability has to face adulthood alone and unsupported. I encourage everyone to get the facts to close the gap. Download Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation's report and share it with your networks to help build a healthcare system that sees and supports disabled youth, equipping them with the care they need to thrive in adulthood. #NoPieceOfCake www.nopieceofcake.ca
Image Description/Alt-text L-R:
Blue text on a lighter blue background reads: "Challenges in the adult health-care system." Below text, to the left, additional text reads: "2/3 of young adults with disabilities report their health-care needs are not being met." To the right is a graphic of 9 blue people icons, arranged in a 3 x 3 grid, with the bottom row of three almost transparent. At the bottom of the graphic is the Holland Bloorview logo, centred.
Purple text on a lighter purple background reads: "Financial implications." Below text is a circle with some medical cross symbols and arrows in the middle. Below circle, text reads: "70% of young adults with disabilities face increased medical costs after transitioning to adult care." At the bottom of the graphic is the Holland Bloorview logo, centred.
Orange text on a lighter orange background reads: "Participation and quality of life implications." Below text is a series of orange icons, including a flower, a brief case, people and a gear. At the bottom, text reads: "64% of young adults' participation in life is limited by their health-care needs." At the bottom of the graphic is the Holland Bloorview logo, centred.
Green text on a lighter green background reads: "Barriers to access: 77% of young adults with disabilities face one or more barriers when accessing medical care." Below text is a green graphic of 8 people icons arranged in a line, with the 2 on the right almost transparent. In front of people icons is a lighter green fence icon. At the bottom of the graphic is the Holland Bloorview logo, centred.