The First-Ever Adaptive Living Expo Comes to Ottawa on June 1st!

Life can unexpectedly throw us a curveball, turning our world upside down in mere seconds. Whether it’s a diagnosis or an accident, you may suddenly find yourself in unfamiliar territory, far outside your comfort zone.

This scary and daunting time necessitates changes, adaptations and modifications to your daily life. The daily activities you took for granted may now appear as daunting as scaling a high mountain. 

Kyla and her partner, Sean, founded BuildABLE 10 years ago. What began as help for family and friends has expanded into a nurse-led renovation enterprise, offering adaptive living solutions that transform homes beautifully. BuildABLE renos do not feel institutional.

This year, BuildABLE has taken on the challenge of showcasing all the amazing services offered in Ottawa by creating Ottawa’s first Adaptive Living Expo.

The expo takes place at the Nepean Sportsplex, Halls A & B, on June 1st from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Expect to interact with local businesses that provide support, resources, knowledge, and connections for individuals finding themselves in a new life situation regardless of age, gender, or disability. There will be something for everyone. 

Entrance is FREE and parking is also FREE — there’s plenty too!

• If you have a loved one or know a friend who is aging, has mobility challenges or is living with a mobility-altering disease such as Parkinson’s, then this event is for you and them.

• You might be the parent of a young child or teenager with physical disabilities looking for support; then this event is for you and them.

• Whether you are learning to deal with a colostomy bag or challenges resulting from amputation, this event is also for you.

The Adaptive Living Expo aims to empower caregivers and those living with these disabilities so they can go out and make the most of who they are. As Bethany Hamilton, a professional surfer who survived a shark attack, says, “I don’t need easy; I just need possible”. 

Ottawa Power Hockey will be on hand to demonstrate that not everything in our world needs to come to a standstill. The show—or, in this case, the game—can go on, but with a modified script. 

The hidden talents of some very special artists will be on display. Each one has used art therapy to tell their own story. Adaptive door pull company T-pull will be on hand offering free coffee, so grab one and check out the works by these local artists. You just might pick up a birthday gift or even a Christmas present if you plan that far ahead! 

In addition, interactive workshops and presentations will be held throughout the day. Learn how to make your home more accessible with Sean MacGinnis from BuildAble; find out about the benefits of staying active from Boxing 4 Health; and be inspired by Michell Earle, who will share her story of how she has adapted her life following a sudden accident. For those interested in innovation and technology, a team of uOttawa engineers and their partners living with disabilities have teamed up to create a robotic arm that can assist individuals with limited mobility.  

The Adaptive Living Expo is an opportunity to create community connections for families, friends, and loved ones who are experiencing a life-changing situation that requires adaptive solutions.

Don’t miss this one-stop-shop opportunity to discover a wide range of adaptive living services.