How can I be an artist and filmmaker when I have invisible disabilities?

I noticed when talking to other artists and crafters, it can be a hard sell to tell them I make videos as well, and try to get them involved in my projects. I started making videos on YouTube (we are almost at 500k views!), with my husband hosting them and providing input, because I didn’t know where to start.

Yes, there are film schools and groups out there, but I couldn’t go the traditional route. It’s mostly because I have an invisible disability, and the days or weeks where it can be tolerable or terrible and it’s totally unpredictable. Because of that, it can be weeks where I don’t leave the house and I have no choice but to learn things from home.

I can’t commit to showing up to volunteer for others’ films or go to a school that teaches these types of things on a daily or weekly basis. What TELUS STORYHIVE offered was an accessible option to those who really wanted to make video and film, and the traditional route was not an option.

They provide mentorship, one-on-one advice, training and a massive group of people who have solved the problem I need to solve or we can use a group mentality to solve it.

For the first series, I had major problems with my health. My mentor from STORYHIVE helped me along the way and made sure they did not leave me behind. How many schools would do that? Unfortunately, people with some sort of health issue need to work on their own schedule. They can get the work done, but may have a schedule that able-bodied people are not used to. For me, I usually feel better in the afternoons and evenings and not a lot of schools or businesses are available at 6 pm. 

I firmly believe people can be good at and capable of doing multiple careers in their lives and at the same time. The adage of “only doing one thing and doing it well” is terribly outdated and no one really does that if you think about it.

People who are photographers, tend to be social media experts, entrepreneurs and take on many other hats while being in business. While at an event, over the weekend, I met so many people who did multiple jobs. One was an MLA and Film critic. Those are both pretty enormous hats to fill, but if you have more than 1 passion, why not go for it?