The Current

How driving a school bus prompted a necessary discussion on disability and stigma

Craig Davidson ferried five kids in a small school bus, each with special needs. His experience gave way to a deeper understanding about disability and stigma. The Current discusses what the so-called able-bodied can learn when they stop fearing people with disabilities.
Author Craig Davidson shares what he learned about disability and stigma during his year behind the school bus wheel in his book, Precious Cargo. (CBC)

Read story transcript

Canadian writer Craig Davidson was just looking for a day job when he signed up to drive a yellow school bus. But he got much more than he bargained for. His book, Precious Cargo: My Year of Driving the Kids on School Bus 3077, explores some difficult, and often un-discussed terrain.

Davidson takes on the discomfort, the ignorance, and the prejudice that able-bodied and able-minded people have about people with disabilities. And, he finds that even the most well-meaning amongst us — himself included  — often end up making situations worse because they don't know the proper way to treat a person with disabilities. 

The Current convened a panel to have a frank, much-needed discussion to tackle the awkwardness, ignorance and prejudice around disabilities.

Guests in this segment:

  • Craig Davidson, author of, Precious Cargo.
  • Ing Wong-Ward, associate director of the Centre for Independent Living in Toronto.
  • Ian Brown, feature writer at The Globe and Mail, and the author of The Boy in the Moon: A Father's Search for His Disabled Son.

Join in on this discussion.

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This segment was produced by The Current's John Chipman and Julian Uzielli.