Madam Speaker, today is the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, a special day for wonderful people in our lives who carry an extra burden and through whom we can experience and see the innate worth and dignity of their lives.
I think of Shailynn, who despite her wheelchair and SMA diagnosis is an advocate, podcaster, YouTuber and, judging from her Instagram, a beach bum too. I think of Calgary mom, Janelle, and her daughter, Ryah, who was born with Trisomy 13 like my late daughter, Lucy-Rose. Ryah is a fighter, having defied the odds many times over. I think of my oldest daughter, Jolie, who despite her dyslexia is working through her 14-volume Dork Diaries set with gusto.
If we focus on someone's disability, we will overlook their abilities, their beauty and their uniqueness. They and all Canadians with disabilities can count on my colleagues and me to fight for them each and every day. Conservatives are the voice of Canadians left behind by the Liberal government.