Heather & Brad Share Their Journey with Sexuality, Disability and the Power of Education
Speakers: Heather Hynd and Brad Schneider
Heather & Brad Share Their Journey with Sexuality, Disability and the Power of Education
At a self-advocacy panel titled “The Lived Experiences of Sexuality & Disability,” Heather Hynd and Brad Schneider took the stage with courage, humor, and honesty. Representing COR and their broader community in Saskatchewan, these two individuals opened up about their journeys through the Tell It Like It Is program—a comprehensive and inclusive sexual health curriculum designed for people of all abilities.
Right from the start, Heather and Brad lit up the room with their personalities. Heather introduced herself as someone who loves going to the movies—Super Mario Bros. being a recent favorite—and spending time with friends. Brad, who’s a passionate gamer (shout out to Knack), shared his love for movies and video games.
But beyond the fun facts and laughter, their message was deeply impactful.
Why Talk About Sexual Health?
Both Heather and Brad emphasized the importance of sexual health education—not just for people with disabilities but for everyone. As Brad put it, “I want to be a teacher and make everyone laugh and learn.” Heather added that it’s vital for people, including caregivers and those with disabilities, to have safe, inclusive spaces to explore these topics—especially when they don’t know how to express their feelings or ask the questions they’re holding onto.
“I was scared at first,” Heather said, reflecting on earlier experiences with sexual health classes in school. “The environment didn’t feel safe. I didn’t know how to deal with my feelings.” But everything changed when she encountered Tell It Like It Is.
Learning Through Tell It Like It Is
Both Heather and Brad have taken the Tell It Like It Is program multiple times—Heather estimates six! Each time, they learned something new and gained deeper confidence. Brad shared that smaller class sizes made a big difference for him: “When the classes were smaller, I learned more.”
So, what do they actually learn in the program?
- Healthy vs. Unhealthy Relationships: Heather emphasized that understanding what you need in a relationship—and how to ask for it—is empowering.
- Body Autonomy & Consent: “Consent is very important because it gives people permission before you touch their bodies,” Heather explained. “It protects both people.”
- Hygiene & Self-Care: Brad humorously but honestly highlighted the importance of hygiene in relationships: “You want to smell good for your boyfriend or girlfriend. Not stink them to Mexico!”
- Safe Sex & Protection: Heather expressed a strong interest in learning more about how to protect oneself and practice safe sex. “That’s something I want to talk more about in the future.”
And yes, they both recommend Tell It Like It Is to others—enthusiastically.
Advice for Caregivers & Educators
Brad and Heather offered heartfelt advice for caregivers, support people, and anyone thinking about facilitating the program. Their message? Show up, learn together, and create space for real conversations.
“It gives you lots of information to really protect yourself,” Brad shared. Heather encouraged future teachers to sit in on a class to get a feel for how to create a welcoming, judgment-free zone.
They also touched on the realities of online spaces and how important it is to access content that is safe, respectful, and consensual—especially when navigating adult material online.
What’s Next?
As they looked to the future of the Tell It Like It Is program, both Heather and Brad had ideas. They want even more focus on safe sex, real-world dating scenarios, and maybe even discussions about how sex is portrayed in movies—breaking down what’s realistic and what’s not.
One thing is clear: They’re not finished learning, sharing, or showing up. “Oh, heck yeah,” Heather answered when asked if she’d keep taking the course. Brad joked he might take a little break—maybe—but he’ll be back.
A Final Thought
Heather and Brad reminded everyone in the room that sexual health education isn’t just about preventing harm—it’s about building confidence, fostering communication, and empowering people to build the relationships they want and deserve.
And perhaps most importantly, they showed us that these conversations—when led with honesty, humor and heart—can change lives.
