Derick Fage speaks at International Day of Persons with Disabilities event

Posted on Wednesday, November 30th, 2022

On this International Day of Persons with Disabilities, Derick Fage joined the Algonquin College community to give a compelling and vulnerable talk about his experience living with an invisible disability.

Fage is the host and producer of Daytime Ottawa at Rogers TV and the President of the Canadian Continence Foundation — a cause he has championed since going public with his personal struggle of living with chronic fecal incontinence since birth. Fage’s candid conversation focused on what he’s coined “The Relentless Pursuit of Happiness”, an inspirational chat about how he overcame the mental health challenges, loneliness and shame he’s faced as a result of his disability.

“When you have a condition of any kind, the problem we have is we often times end up isolating ourselves or the rest of society starts isolating us,” said Fage. “When you have a disability of any kind, it’s been shown that your group of friends and support system is surprisingly a lot smaller than other people — I don’t think people understand how serious that is.”

He credits much of his success today to the support system who championed him throughout his life, including his parents, brother and sisters, extended family and childhood friend.

But as strong as his support system was at home, school was a whole different story.

“Through elementary school I was a terrible student, I had very low self-esteem, and absolutely no confidence in my ability,” said Fage. “I probably missed 50 per cent of what was being said in the classroom because of the worry I had of trying to manage my condition.”

And when it came to relationships with his peers, Fage also struggled.

“The bullying in school became quite relentless, not just verbal abuse but physical abuse,” said Fage. “And to this day I don’t think I realize how serious it was and how it affected my mental health.”

Today Fage serves as a champion for others, advocating for awareness and change for people living with disabilities. In 2012, Fage was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for his community work and contributions to charitable organizations. Since receiving this award Fage has gone public with his personal struggle, sharing his story as a TEDx Talks speaker in 2017. Fage shares his inspirational words internationally to draw attention to the challenges people face and encourage acceptance and inclusion.

View the full conversation here.

Derick Fage, center, stands with four nursing students for a photo in front of a green wall in Nawapon.

Derick Fage, center, stands with four AC nursing students who took part in producing today’s event as part of their studies.


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