Thank you to the Coast Salish people for welcoming us. I promise to keep working as a friend and ally toward healing and reconciliation.
Congratulations to my long-time friend Dulcie on her new book, The Audacity of Inclusion. I’m proud to be part of it and glad to be here with you.
The “Eve” Case
Years ago, I was part of a group that fought to protect the rights of a young woman known as “Eve.” That wasn’t her real name—it was changed for the court case. Her mother wanted her to be sterilized, even though Eve already had a boyfriend and was on birth control (possibly without her knowing). At People First, we believed no one should have anything done to their body without saying yes. So, we helped take the case to court.
At the time, most parents and doctors thought they should decide for people with disabilities. Even my own mom believed that. But we knew people needed the right to understand their choices and make decisions about their own bodies. That includes knowing the risks and the benefits—in language they can understand.
I joined the Consumer Advisory Committee and worked with the legal team, including Dulcie. I was the only woman on the committee. I used to think sterilization only affected women, but I learned that men with disabilities were being sterilized too, without their consent. Some women were also given drugs that caused health problems later.
It was a long court case—over five years and three trials. People kept saying Eve couldn’t walk, talk, or make decisions. But when I finally met her, I realized they were wrong. She could walk and talk. She just hadn’t been given the chance to speak for herself.
We won the case in the end, and I was proud to be part of the team. But I also remember how we were treated. When I travelled in a wheelchair with my boyfriend Harold, they made us use a scary freight elevator instead of a regular one. That was wrong—and it hurt.
Speaking Up and Sharing the Truth
I once said in an interview:
“Why should people with disabilities be sterilized just because of their label? Why sterilize anyone?”
I get frustrated and angry sometimes. I worry that if I speak out in public and someone doesn’t understand me, I could be put in an institution. That’s still a fear for many people. I was lucky I never had to live in one, but many of my friends did. It’s important we don’t forget that history—and that we keep fighting for our rights.
Speaking Up Around the World
While all this was happening, I co-founded BC People First and went to an international conference in Kenya. I was nervous—it was my first big trip alone. But I made it. I learned so much about how people with disabilities are treated in different countries. Canada still has a lot of work to do, but some countries are just starting.
In 1992, I became the first person with a disability to speak at the United Nations in New York. A staff person tried to change my speech the night before, but I still got up and spoke. That taught me to always stay involved in preparing what I want to say.
What Still Needs to Change
Even now, people with disabilities are being sterilized or institutionalized without their consent. That’s not okay. We need to use plain language so people can understand their options. We need to work together to protect the rights we’ve fought for.
I’ve worked with doctors, city planners, and students to make systems more inclusive. I still believe in self-advocacy—speaking up for yourself—and I encourage others to do the same.
A Message for Everyone
To self-advocates: Keep using your voice. It matters.
To families: We love you. We need you beside us, fighting for our rights.
To professionals: Listen to us. Work with us. Help us live full lives—lives with love, support, homes, jobs, education, and choices.
We will share our dreams in our own ways.
This year, I met young kids in my community. I dream that their world will be one where everyone is welcome. No more institutions. No more taking rights away. I want people to have friends, homes, support, jobs, and respect—even if they need help.
A Joyful Memory
The last time I saw Eve was at an inclusion conference in PEI. I dressed up as Marilla from Anne of Green Gables, and my fiancé Harold was Matthew. We danced the night away. It was beautiful.
Thank you for listening.
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Credits:
Inclusion BC and Inclusion Canada Conference, Keynote, June 2025
Barb Goode & Jim Reynolds, A Goode Life, 2012
Dulcie McCallum & Barb Goode, The Audacity of Inclusion, 2025