Erin Bilawchuk

Erin Bilawchuk

Erin Bilawchuk

Internal/External Support Team Member

1. What is acceptance for you?
Acceptance means I try to receive everyone where they are at. I try not to tell their story, apply my bias to what I am being told or put my own story over top of theirs. Even when what they say seems so offside for me. I love differing opinions. John Moe, radio host and author once said “You can learn a lot more from listening than you can from talking. Find someone with whom you don’t agree in the slightest and ask them to explain themselves at length. Then take a seat, shut your mouth and don’t argue back. It’s physically impossible to listen with your mouth open.” It was phrase I saw on a Starbucks coffee I had, on a trip I took to San Diego (they used to put motivational phrases on their cups, a long, long, time ago) – I have kept this paper cup with me, for over 12 years. It is on my bulletin board, reminding me that not everyone will agree with me. It doesn’t mean they couldn’t be part of my village – some of my great friends have a different opinion from me about everything. We get together just to argue.

2. What’s your favourite holiday?
The best vacation we ever took was a about 9 days in Disneyland over Halloween, then on November 1 Halloween was gone and it was Christmas. We left the next day for another 9 days in Maui. It was so relaxing and so much fun.

3. Who’s in your village?
My village is filled with a few good friends and my crazy, but kind, family AND ALL the animals in the world, whether I have met them yet or not. Except anteaters, I don’t like them.

4. Why did you join Autism Edmonton?
I loved what the organization stood for. I liked how it was community-based. I came in knowing some of the team and knew it was a place I would enjoy coming everyday and could help make a difference.

5. What is your favourite book, author or movie?
My favourite book series is Anne of Green Gables. Favourite Author is John C Maxwell or Patrick Lencioni. Favourite movie is the Princess Bride or Meet the Robinsons – need a feel good inspiring, you are only limited by you kind of story – that is it. AND yes it from Disney. The story is great but it ends with a statement from Walt Disney himself “Around here however, we don’t look backwards for very long. We keep moving forward, opening up new doors and doing new things… and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.” It reminds me to push myself forward regardless of the past – success or failure.

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