Looking beyond with openness and curiosities to see what’s out there…

Karen Lai

Karen feels very grateful to be doing her work on the stolen lands of the Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations, which is central to the work of inclusion.

Karen Lai is a trained facilitator who leads honest and authentic conversations about inclusion by instilling a sense of curiosity, thus shifting the culture of inclusion. She uses the pronouns she/her and identifies herself as a CIS female, who was born in Vancouver BC to parents that immigrated from China and Hong Kong. In addition, she identifies as having a disability since birth, Cerebral Palsy, a neurological disability affecting her speech, balance, coordination, dexterity, and mobility. Because of this, she currently uses a walker to navigate the world as her legs experiences chronic pain as she moves. This allow her more support and gives her a chance to sit when she is tired or exhausted.

When she was young, her parents wanted her to join the local community soccer team along with her twin sister. However, she didn’t make the team because she lacked the coordination, the speed, or the dexterity of the game such as running and kicking at the same time. So, they decided that they would put Karen in the swim team for Cerebral Palsy Sports of British Columbia, but she didn’t fit in because she was too independent and spent too much time waiting for others as they required a higher degree of support because of their level of cerebral palsy. As a result, Karen felt like she was not challenged and given opportunities to learn new skills in either of the two programs.

She did not know at the time, but it started her quest of finding where she is valued and a sense of belonging. She did not belong in the “able-bodied” world or the “disabled” world. Where did she belong? Where will she be challenged?

Karen graduated from Langara College and Vancouver Island University (formerly Malaspina University-College) with an undergrad in Tourism Management with a major in Recreation. After a few years of working in program delivery for individuals with disabilities, she completed her Masters of Arts in Human Kinetics with a thesis focusing on social inclusion.

Inclusion is messy and complex. Each of us bring so many layers of identity into every space we occupy or into every conversation we have with one another. So how do we make space for everyone to be heard, valued, supported, and belonged? Karen uses organic conversations to breakdown the layers so we can shift our thinking and perspectives about people with curiosity and vulnerability.