Spoonie Table, Ottawa, ON (2026)

11/04/2025

Andrew makes the whole experience so comfy and enjoyable — it was honestly like chatting with an old friend. 💙

We talked about disability, parenting, business, and so much more.

🎧 A Seat at The Spoonie Table, A Disability After Dark episode, is out now — listen wherever you pod!

https://www.playpodcast.net/podcast/disability-after-dark/

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Image description:
A beige graphic with a rusty red border around the sides, as well as two thin rusty red borders — one outlining the photo near the top and another outlining the text section below it.

The top section shows a photo of a smiling person in a yellow shirt and wheelchair, speaking into a microphone against a bright pink background. Text on the photo reads “Disability After Dark w/ Andrew Gurza.”

Below the photo, centered purple text says: “Thanks For Having Me, Andrew Gurza, I Adore You!”

At the bottom of the image is the Spoonie Table logo in teal, brown, mustard, and orange lettering.

09/01/2025

Being disabled isn’t always talked about openly. Whether it’s about business, accessibility, or simply the realities of everyday life, so many truths go unsaid — the good, the difficult, and everything in between.

That’s why I created Spoonie Table: to offer a space where we can share these truths safely.

Today, I’m introducing a new hashtag: 💙 [blue heart emoji]

This will be our place to share whatever’s on our minds — the good, the bad, and the messy in between. Let’s use it together, love it, and make it a space where we can all feel seen and safe.

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Image description:
A beige square graphic with centered teal text. The larger heading says: “Bringing you: .” Below, in smaller text, it reads: “A place to share the honest realities of being disabled.” At the bottom of the image is the Spoonie Table logo in multicolored text: red, mustard yellow, teal, and dark gray.

08/25/2025

NOTE: This isn’t my own experience — I’m sharing it after hearing from another disabled person in the community through the Ottawa Disability Coalition.

During construction — or in this case, a renovation — so many people come together to plan and make decisions. What I’ll never understand is the moment someone says, “Oh, this’ll be fine” or “That’s good enough.” Because that’s the exact moment they’ve chosen to exclude people.

That’s what happened during the renovation of Westboro Beach. Yes, there’s a ramp — but it stops halfway to the water. There’s no safe place to store a mobility aid while its user is swimming. Details like these make it clear: we weren’t part of the process, the planning, or the outcome.

Hire disabled consultants. Work with disabled designers. Include us.

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Image description: A beige rectangular graphic with a teal border. In teal text it reads: “Access created for only certain people is not access.” The words “only certain” are italicized, and "not access" is bolded. At the bottom is the colorful Spoonie Table logo.

08/17/2025

Here’s to the day access isn’t rare, but the norm. That’s my dream.
Until then, let’s work together to make your projects more accessible — online and off.
I can help with accessibility testing and feedback. Hit me up!

Image description:
A digital graphic with a beige background and a thin warm brown border. In the center, bold teal text reads: “Access is a Human Right.” The word “Right” is underlined in warm brown, adding emphasis. The design is simple, clean, and direct.

Hashtags:

08/15/2025

The other day, my mom and I went to the movies. After picking our seats ahead of time, we found out the only way to get to them was up steep stairs, with barely anything to hold onto. We ended up switching seats, with my mom carrying my walker and helping me navigate — basically crawling up the steps.

When I asked about it, an employee told me this was the last theatre room without an accessible entrance — and that others have raised the same concern. They said it’ll be “gone eventually.”

But “eventually” isn’t enough.
Only access in every room is actual access.

Image description:
A rectangular beige graphic framed by a rounded medium-brown border. In the center, brown text reads: “Access in every room = access for us all.” At the bottom centre of the image, the Spoonie Table logo appears, with the words “Spoonie Table” in a mix of muted teal, orange, and brown tones.

Hashtags:

08/08/2025

I applied for the Canada Disability Benefit on day one—June 20th—and still haven’t heard a thing.

I’ve been sitting here trying to write a post about it, but honestly? All I can think is:

Seriously, Service Canada? Seriously?

Enough said.

Image Description:
A beige graphic with a thin rounded brown border. Centered in the middle is the bold text: “It Should Not Be” followed by the italicized words “This” and “Hard,” both underlined in rust orange with a hand-drawn style. The Spoonie Table logo, in multicolored text, is centered at the bottom.

Hashtags:

08/05/2025

A few years ago, I was a guest on StartUp Canada’s StartUp Women podcast and was asked what advice I’d give to other disabled entrepreneurs.

I said:
“Give yourselves permission to be disabled.”

That’s what I slowly started telling myself once I got my walker—because I felt like I couldn’t hide my disability anymore (not that I was fooling anyone to begin with, though lol).

I realized that if I let myself just be disabled—whatever that meant for me: wobbly walking, coughing, dizziness, needing rest—it could feel liberating instead of limiting.

And it was.

In fact, just a few years later (in 2020), when the pandemic hit and I was invited to give a presentation as a disabled entrepreneur, I jumped at the opportunity.

The rest is history, as they say.

Image description:
A rectangular digital graphic with a light beige background and rounded brown border. The brown text is centered and reads: “I’ve Been Disabled My Whole Life,” followed by a red heart graphic, and then, “But Only Embraced It Five Years Ago.” The Spoonie Table logo is placed at the bottom center of the image.

Hashtags:

08/01/2025

Disability Pride Month is over — but the fight, the joy, the visibility? That’s not going anywhere.

Even if the world stops focusing on disability, Spoonie Table is still here for you.

Let’s keep:
• celebrating ourselves
• taking up space
• being loud and proud
• being visible
• not shrinking ourselves or our needs
• showing we’re not tragic
• demanding accessibility

We’re still here. Still proud. Still disabled.

Ready to keep showing up — in life or in business — without hiding your needs? That’s what I help with. Come to our table!

Image Description:
A beige graphic with brown text reads: “Disability Pride Month Might Be Over, Yet My Disability’s Still Here.” Below the text is a stylized flip calendar with the word “July” printed on the top page, crossed out with a red X. The Spoonie Table logo sits beneath the calendar in multicolored letters. The entire graphic is framed with a rounded brown border.

Hashtags:

07/31/2025

I’ll never forget the paramedic who looked at me and my wife and said:
“I’m going to be honest with you—I have no idea what FD is. But you clearly know what you’re doing, so I’m going to listen.”

Then he pulled out his phone and googled “Familial Dysautonomia” right there in front of us.

On the surface, it might seem unprofessional. But truthfully? I had never felt so seen by a medical professional.

I’m the only person in Ottawa with FD. No one here knows what it is.
And that’s okay.
You don’t have to know—just don’t pretend.
Be honest. Listen to us.

Image description:
A rectangular graphic with a beige background and rounded corners. The text reads in all brown lettering: “It’s Familial Dysautonomia — Not Dystonia. And Yes, It’s Real.” A frustrated emoji appears underneath the text. The Spoonie Table logo is in the bottom centre.

Hashtags:

07/28/2025

Your mobility aid isn’t too much.
Your pace isn’t too much.
Your rest isn’t too much.
Your access needs aren’t too much.
Your meds aren’t too much.
Your symptoms aren’t too much.
Whatever makes you feel safe and happy isn’t too much.

Image Description:
A rectangular digital graphic with a beige background and rounded corners. The centered text at the top reads “Being disabled doesn’t make you too much” in bold font. Beneath the text are two teal hearts with a red walker placed between them. The Spoonie Table logo is positioned in the bottom centre

Hashtags:

07/26/2025

You’ve finally arrived and are ready to settle into your hotel!

What are some spoonie-rific tips to make yourself feel more at home?

1. Bring a few linens from home. If you’re anything like me, you love your comforts and familiar smells. A towel, pillowcase—whatever helps you feel more settled, pack it!

2. Use that “Do Not Disturb” sign! I mean, who really wants strangers knocking unexpectedly?

3. Request a late checkout. Mornings can be rough with chronic illness, so having extra time before checkout gives you some much-needed breathing room.

4. Don’t hesitate to ask for an accessible room. You deserve a space that works for you.

5. Location, location, location. Look around the area ahead of time—where’s the closest convenience store, coffee shop, or pharmacy? Anything that makes your life easier is worth noting.

Image description:
A rectangular digital illustration of a hotel room door outlined in dark teal with a peep hole and double handles. Hanging on the handle is a rusty red door hanger that reads “Please Pace Yourself” in white text. The background is a soft beige, and the top of the image displays the title “5 Spoonie Hotel Tips” in brown. The Spoonie Table logo appears in the bottom centre.

07/25/2025

Headed on a road trip as a spoonie?
Here are 5 tips to help make your journey a little more spoonie-safe:

1. Pack the night before.
Even if it’s just the essentials, it helps make your departure a little less chaotic.

2. Bring hydration gear.
I bring my feeding pump in the car now — especially during a heatwave, staying hydrated is crucial.

3. Snacks.
For a sugar boost, caffeine hit, or just keeping your energy steady, snacks can be a lifesaver.

4. Accessible parking permit (if you have one).
You never know when you’ll need that extra space to get in and out comfortably.

5. Don’t forget your “personal pharmacy.”
Daily meds (with extras), plus any go-to pain relievers or OTC essentials like Tylenol or Gravol.

Image description:
A rectangular graphic with a warm beige background. Centered on the slide are two illustrated upright suitcases—one red with yellow wheels, and the other one teal— both with navy and white accents. Above them, in bold teal text, is the title: “5 Spoonie Packing Tips.” At the bottom, is the Spoonie Table logo.

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