Storyteller

JASON DASILVA

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Documenting his journey,
even through his hardest times

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In 2005 at a tender age of 25, DaSilva was having trouble with his vision and ability to walk. He received the diagnosis of primary progressive multiple sclerosis (MS) and learned that his physical abilities would begin to deteriorate over time. Once a completely independent man, today he can’t do the essential daily activities like dressing, bathing, and eating, without significant help from his personal care attendants.

After receiving his diagnosis, DaSilva decided to take a break from filmmaking and go back to his alma mater to work towards his MFA in Applied Media Arts. He received a full scholarship from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada for his graduate studies. While still in school, DaSilva founded and established the disability non-profit organization, AXS Lab, and AXS Map, a crowd-sourced Google Maps based platform that rates the wheelchair accessibility of storefronts and landmarks.

Staying true to his filmmaker spirit, even during his hardest times, DaSilva documented his journey of facing his MS diagnosis and drastically shifting his way of life because of it.

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“It’s going to be a real challenge, but you’re going to make it work. I’d like to tell my 25-year-old self that it’s going to be a bumpy ride, but you’re going to make it out.” Read more about Jason's journey on the CAAM blog.
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