You Taught Me
Talina Papazian opens her children’s book with the following line:
“That first day, I came to camp ready to teach you all the things that you could be. But in the end, each of you taught me what it means to be truly happy.”
As a young author who wrote her book during her senior year of high school, Talina seeks to raise awareness about inclusion through her children’s book titled You Taught Me and its associated campaign.
From a young age, Talina had wanted to become a pediatrician as a result of her younger brother’s anaphylactic peanut allergy diagnosis. Hence, at the age of 16, Talina started volunteering at Holland Bloorview - the children’s rehabilitation hospital in Toronto. Without knowing, her time as a volunteer at their summer camp was an experience that would impact her deeply.
“I went in with the mindset that I was a volunteer and that I would teach the kids so many things. But by the end, the campers truly taught me so much more than I taught them - hence the name of my book You Taught Me,” explained Talina. “I saw that children with disabilities are often isolated from their peers, just as my brother was. That was the moment when I realized that I needed to do something because I rarely saw a book that seamlessly included children with visible, non-apparent, and no disabilities. And so I decided to write the book You Taught Me to help champion inclusion”.
Difference Maker of the Year
In 2024, Talina was a recipient of the Rick Hansen Foundation School Program’s Difference Maker of the Year Award for her advocacy work as an author.
Each year the RHFSP receives nominations to celebrate the wonderful work that youth are doing across the country to help improve inclusion and accessibility. This year five inspiring youths were the recipients of this award - each of them being recognized for positively impacting the lives of people with disabilities in their school or community.
Talina’s journey as an author started when she wrote and illustrated her children’s book at 16 years old. “While writing the book, I never thought that it would eventually be published,” said Talina. However, she quickly realized that this book could be a broadly relatable tool through which she could help champion inclusion and accessibility. To support children with disabilities and their families, Talina is donating 100% of her book’s proceeds to Holland Bloorview Children’s Rehabilitation Hospital. Now at 18 years old, Talina has raised half of her $10,000 goal.
To build upon the book, Talina has also founded its associated campaign by the same name - it also works to educate young readers about the importance of inclusion. Through the campaign, Talina has had the opportunity to be a guest author at several schools across Ontario. “The best part of what I do is seeing a child’s face light up when they connect with the book - it truly is my motivation,” said Talina with a bright smile.
Promoting Access and Inclusion
Since the book’s release in August 2023, Talina has worked toward having the book accessible for children and families across the country. Her goal is to branch out through as many avenues as possible with the hopes of sharing her message through her book - a book that so many young readers can connect with. “I want to share my work so that all kids can see themselves represented, and everyone can learn about inclusion and accessibility,” said Talina.
To date, Talina has partnered with several organizations across the country from hospitals, such as McMaster’s Children’s Hospital, to nationwide movements such as Treat Accessibly, to children treatment centers such as ErinoakKids.
She has also been a guest author on podcasts, Accessible Media Inc. and Radio Canada.
Further, she has attended several book fairs to raise awareness and reach individuals who otherwise might not have the opportunity to connect with the book.
Talina’s goal is to continue working with organizations so that kids and parents everywhere have access to this tool. “I love meeting parents and children who tell me that the book has positively impacted their lives - it’s truly an honor to be a difference maker,” said Talina.
Creating the Story
“My book is for all readers, not just children with or without disabilities” explained Talina.
To represent the many things she learned from the campers that summer, the book explores a variety of topics. While some pages explore learning playful skills such as being funny and finger painting, other pages address personal space and expressing challenging emotions
“It’s important for parents, teachers and children to have the chance to talk about these topics and this book is a wonderful conversation starter”. Through her illustrations, Talina hopes to display a variety of situations that readers can relate to. From playing basketball and music to exploring the world, these illustrations present real-life situations that allow the kids to see themselves within the book’s pages.
When asked what accessibility means to her, Talina said, “It’s when everyone, regardless of their ability, has the opportunity to contribute to society and live their life to the fullest. Everyone has unique ideas, knowledge, and opinions, and everyone should have the opportunity to share them with the world.”
