Building a Future from the Bubble:
Ari’s MentorAbility Story
I was working on my documentary, “Life in the Bubble,” made possible by STORYHIVE and Telus. I was working with Alpacalypse Productions out of Edmonton, and my co-director, Gabby Moukhaiber, encouraged me to reach out to MentorAbility. He told me that he was doing mentorships with MentorAbility and thought I should reach out, as he believed in me and my art.
My initial connection was with someone who left MentorAbility, and as a result, I was introduced to Susannah Tawse. Through Susannah, I met various connections in art, writing, and business. I met a writer who encouraged me to keep writing, join writing guilds, and pursue publishing. I met an artist who talked to me about different avenues for getting into Galleries, and I have since shown my artwork at Monarch House Studios and Teeny Tiny Art Collective. Art is my lifeblood and what keeps me breathing and centered while living an unconventional life of forced isolation due to a disease that makes me allergic to the world outside my door.
The ones that I found the most helpful and impactful were being connected with Mandeep Suri at SAIT for their Capstone. I have been a part of the Capstone program four times for two of my projects. Bubble Shuttle is a lifeline in transportation. Bubble Shuttle is unlike any Driving service that is currently available on the market. It is an opportunity for those who are disabled to find purpose and have independence while alleviating caregiver stress.
The other project is Canary Air, a consulting company that aims to make spaces breathable for everyone. Through the Capstone, I met others who want to see these companies get off the ground, help people in situations similar to my own, and aid people with disabilities by being part of the solution.
MentorAbility has helped me to pursue my dreams of making a difference and a positive impact in the disability community…
MentorAbility has helped me to pursue my dreams of making a difference and a positive impact in the disability community, through Susannah’s positive and constructive criticism I have come to realize even more now that both Bubble Shuttle and Canary Air would help so many people and through the continued support, I get from being a mentee I want to stay with Gateway as long as possible. I have so many dreams, and I want to keep pushing forward. MentorAbility has helped to bolster my confidence and encouraged me not give up on what I want. I may be a dreamer, but I am also a doer, and having Susannah help lead the way has helped me to keep pushing forward for the things I want.
As someone who has not had a ton of positive support in my life, MentorAbility is the positive support I needed to keep pushing through on those days when I felt hope was lost in my efforts to build businesses from my bubble.
Through MentoryAbility, I met Brad Bartko, a Disability Specialist, and chatting with him made me realize I could make a difference with my lived experience through consulting. This was an avenue I did not know existed with disability advocacy and accommodations.
I would recommend MentorAbility to anyone looking for work or pursuing their dreams. When we dream big, it can make it hard for others to relate to us, but if we want a different life, we have to walk a different path. The path may be hard, but MentorAbility is there to see us through, and for that, I am forever grateful.
Ari continues to pursue her vision of building a more accessible and breathable world through creativity, advocacy, and entrepreneurship. Through her projects Bubble Shuttle and Canary Air, Ari is working to address real barriers faced by people with disabilities — from accessible transportation to improving indoor air quality so that more people can safely participate in everyday spaces.
Beyond her business ventures, Ari is also a passionate artist and storyteller. Her documentary Life in the Bubble, created with support from STORYHIVE and TELUS, shares her lived experience and highlights the realities of navigating life with environmental illness. Her artwork has been featured in exhibitions with Monarch House Studios and Teeny Tiny Art Collective, where she continues to explore creativity as both expression and connection.
Those interested in supporting Ari’s work — whether by collaborating, learning more about her businesses, exploring her art, or connecting around accessibility advocacy — are encouraged to reach out and follow her journey. Ari welcomes conversations with people who believe in building a more inclusive and accessible future.
By supporting innovators like Ari, we help move forward ideas that can create meaningful change for people living with disabilities and complex health conditions.