Latest news with #JosephineAnderson
National Post
07-07-2025
- Health
- National Post
Canadian curler, 20, paralyzed by rare condition: 'She can't move her legs, sit up, or care for herself'
A 20-year-old woman and curler from B.C. has been left paralyzed by a rare neurological condition called transverse myelitis. Article content The story of Brook Aleksic has been shared on fundraising website GoFundMe. Aleksic's former curling coach, Diane Dezura, an Olympic bronze medalist in the sport, organized the fundraiser. As of Monday, it was around $6,000 shy of its $100,000 goal. Article content Article content 'Her onset was rapid and severe,' according to the fundraising site. 'She can't move her legs, sit up, or care for herself. The damage to her spinal cord is extensive. While there is hope for some recovery, her path will be long, uncertain and expensive.' Article content Article content Canadian filmmaker Josephine Anderson, who directed Curl Power, filmed Aleksic and her curling teammates 'for much of their teenagehood, as they pursued their dream of becoming national champions,' she told National Post in an email over the weekend. Anderson said audience members connected with Aleksic. Article content 'Brook always leans towards gratitude and optimism, even when facing difficult moments in her life,' said Anderson. 'When we filmed, Brook was bravely open about struggling with body image and self confidence. We had many, many audience members tell us that Brook was especially inspirational to them.' Article content Anderson urged anyone who could help Aleksic and her family 'during this life altering time' to 'please come forward' to offer support. Article content Article content 'Becoming paralyzed in a matter of hours is surely the biggest and scariest challenge she's had to face,' Anderson told National Post. 'But somehow Brook is still finding a way to look on the bright side.' Article content It's caused by inflammation of the spinal cord, which can damage myelin, the insulating material that covers your nerves, explains a webpage about the condition by Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. There is no cure, but there are treatments that include high doses of steroids or plasma exchange therapy. Article content A third of those with transverse myelitis can have a full or near-full recovery, per Johns Hopkins. Another third can have 'fair recovery' while the final third could 'recover poorly and have major physical disabilities.' Recovery can take up to two years.
Yahoo
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
AMI-tv announces 2025-26 production slate
TORONTO, June 17, 2025 /CNW/ - Accessible Media Inc. (AMI) is pleased to announce its 2025-26 production slate for AMI-tv and AMI+. Telling a wide range of authentic stories by and for Canadians in the disability community through positive portrayal, these new and returning projects promise to resonate with viewers. AMI is currently in production on new scripted and docuseries from Big Time Decent Productions, Mike Wavrecan, Josephine Anderson and Sam Graham, Barbershop Films and Mirror Image Media. "We are excited to offer these new and returning series to Canadians of all abilities," said Cara Nye, Director, Content Development and Production at AMI. "The upcoming broadcast season furthers AMI's vision of providing a platform for Canadians with disabilities through authentic, honest and entertaining storytelling. You won't want to miss them!" New Series Adapting - 6 x 30 scripted comedy Between small town scandals, messy love triangles and a whole lot of bad decisions, Adapting takes a heartwarming and raw look at disability, adolescence and the minefield of family dynamics—dysfunction and all. Based on the concept by father-daughter writing duo Garner Ransom and Rachael Ransom, the series is inspired by Rachael's real-life experiences with cerebral palsy, offering a long-overdue, unfiltered look at disability. Adapting is produced by Bread & Better Films, a scripted division of Big Time Decent Productions (Underdog, Inc., Rust Valley Restorers). Breaking Boundaries (working title) - 8 x 30 docuseries Paralympic champion Tyler Turner pushes beyond his limits in Breaking Boundaries (wt) an action-driven documentary series where he immerses himself in unfamiliar adaptive sports, learning from elite athletes and redefining what's possible. Breaking Boundaries is produced by Mike Wavrecan, Josephine Anderson and Sam Graham. History in 60 - 6 x 30 docuseries Journalist and author John Loeppky wants to tell the stories of Canada's evolving disability history … and he wants to do it in 60 seconds. In each episode, John will dig into a moment of disability history and then take on the challenge of fitting it all into one minute. History in 60 is produced by Barbershop Films (Historica Canada Heritage Minutes). Untitled April Hubbard documentary - 1 x 60 documentary This powerful documentary follows April Hubbard, a determined advocate with a tethered spinal cord and chronic pain, who is navigating the end of her life. April's unwavering commitment to inclusivity and her courageous decision to share her Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) journey sparks an emotional and thought-provoking narrative. This documentary is produced by Mirror Image Media. Returning Series Returning series include Season 2 of Game Changers, Season 2 of Underdog Inc., Season 2 of Got Game, Season 2 of Pretty Blind, Season 2 of Crip Trip, Season 2 of The Squeaky Wheel: Canada, Season 7 of Postcards From… Season 10 of Our Community and a brand new All Access Comedy special. All AMI-tv originals are available post-broadcast on demand at AMI+. Follow AMI on social media: Facebook X Instagram TikTok YouTube About Accessible Media Inc. AMI is a media company that entertains, informs and empowers Canadians with disabilities through three broadcast services — AMI-tv and AMI-audio in English and AMI-télé in French — and streaming platform AMI+. Our vision is to establish AMI as a leader in the offering of accessible content, providing a voice for Canadians with disabilities through authentic storytelling, representation and positive portrayal. To learn more visit and SOURCE Accessible Media Inc. (AMI) View original content: Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Cision Canada
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Cision Canada
AMI-tv announces 2025-26 production slate
TORONTO, June 17, 2025 /CNW/ - Accessible Media Inc. (AMI) is pleased to announce its 2025-26 production slate for AMI-tv and AMI+. Telling a wide range of authentic stories by and for Canadians in the disability community through positive portrayal, these new and returning projects promise to resonate with viewers. AMI is currently in production on new scripted and docuseries from Big Time Decent Productions, Mike Wavrecan, Josephine Anderson and Sam Graham, Barbershop Films and Mirror Image Media. "We are excited to offer these new and returning series to Canadians of all abilities," said Cara Nye, Director, Content Development and Production at AMI. "The upcoming broadcast season furthers AMI's vision of providing a platform for Canadians with disabilities through authentic, honest and entertaining storytelling. You won't want to miss them!" New Series Adapting - 6 x 30 scripted comedy Between small town scandals, messy love triangles and a whole lot of bad decisions, Adapting takes a heartwarming and raw look at disability, adolescence and the minefield of family dynamics—dysfunction and all. Based on the concept by father-daughter writing duo Garner Ransom and Rachael Ransom, the series is inspired by Rachael's real-life experiences with cerebral palsy, offering a long-overdue, unfiltered look at disability. Adapting is produced by Bread & Better Films, a scripted division of Big Time Decent Productions (Underdog, Inc., Rust Valley Restorers). Breaking Boundaries (working title) - 8 x 30 docuseries Paralympic champion Tyler Turner pushes beyond his limits in Breaking Boundaries (wt) an action-driven documentary series where he immerses himself in unfamiliar adaptive sports, learning from elite athletes and redefining what's possible. Breaking Boundaries is produced by Mike Wavrecan, Josephine Anderson and Sam Graham. History in 60 - 6 x 30 docuseries Journalist and author John Loeppky wants to tell the stories of Canada's evolving disability history … and he wants to do it in 60 seconds. In each episode, John will dig into a moment of disability history and then take on the challenge of fitting it all into one minute. History in 60 is produced by Barbershop Films (Historica Canada Heritage Minutes). Untitled April Hubbard documentary - 1 x 60 documentary This powerful documentary follows April Hubbard, a determined advocate with a tethered spinal cord and chronic pain, who is navigating the end of her life. April's unwavering commitment to inclusivity and her courageous decision to share her Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) journey sparks an emotional and thought-provoking narrative. This documentary is produced by Mirror Image Media. Returning Series Returning series include Season 2 of Game Changers, Season 2 of Underdog Inc., Season 2 of Got Game, Season 2 of Pretty Blind, Season 2 of Crip Trip, Season 2 of The Squeaky Wheel: Canada, Season 7 of Postcards From… Season 10 of Our Community and a brand new All Access Comedy special. All AMI-tv originals are available post-broadcast on demand at AMI+. Follow AMI on social media: About Accessible Media Inc. AMI is a media company that entertains, informs and empowers Canadians with disabilities through three broadcast services — AMI-tv and AMI-audio in English and AMI-télé in French — and streaming platform AMI+. Our vision is to establish AMI as a leader in the offering of accessible content, providing a voice for Canadians with disabilities through authentic storytelling, representation and positive portrayal. To learn more visit and SOURCE Accessible Media Inc. (AMI)
