035: You Don't Need to Be Well to Be Whole, CJ Janzen’s Message for the Marginalized

According to Statistics Canada, nearly 1 in 5 Canadians aged 15 and older live with one or more disabilities—yet many of their stories remain untold. On this episode of Your Radical Truth, host Margaret Mary O’Connor shines a spotlight on one of those voices. Meet CJ Janzen—“The Singing Speaker”—a queer, disabled advocate, storyteller, and artist living with myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), a severe chronic illness that leaves them mostly bedbound.

From working as a paramedic and scuba instructor to launching {dis}ABILITY Unleashed, CJ’s life defies convention. Their journey of surviving childhood abuse, alcoholism, and complex chronic illness is matched only by their resilience and determination to create inclusive spaces where disabled artists can thrive.

With a mantra of “Choose to live joyously within the tempest of adversity,” CJ uses story, song, and strategy to challenge stigma and ignite hope. In this heart-opening interview, they speak candidly about brain fog, living with limited energy, and finding purpose in creative advocacy.

Whether organizing Disability Pride Month events from bed or writing for anthologies like Start Over and Pillow Writers, CJ is committed to amplifying the voices too often left out. They remind us that joy, connection, and meaning are still possible—even in the hardest moments.

To learn more, visit www.YourRadicalTruth.com/035-CJ-Janzen