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According to Statistics Canada, nearly 1 in 5 Canadians aged 15 and older live with one or more disabilities—yet their stories, talents, and truths are too often ignored. On a recent episode of Your Radical Truth, host Margaret Mary O’Connor brings one of those voices to the forefront. CJ Janzen, known as “The Singing Speaker,” shares their extraordinary journey of resilience, creativity, and advocacy as a queer, disabled person living with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME).
Listen on Apple Podcast CLICK HERE
CJ’s message is as much about survival as it is about joy. Through storytelling, music, and activism, they offer a powerful reminder: it is possible to live fully—even when facing chronic illness, marginalization, and trauma.
From Paramedic to Performer, Then to Advocate
Before becoming mostly bedbound, CJ held nontraditional jobs that defied stereotypes. They were a paramedic, scuba instructor, truck driving trainer, and even a professional clown. But everything changed when they developed ME, a disabling neuroimmune illness that quickly stripped away physical independence, speech, and energy.
CJ described how brain fog and aphasia affect their daily life, sometimes leaving them unable to recall common words. “I could be looking at a mug and ask someone to fill my ‘thingy’ because I can’t find the word ‘cup,’” they shared.
The Birth of a Mantra and a Mission
Out of darkness came light—literally. In one of their lowest moments, CJ received the words that would become their personal mantra: Choose to live joyously within the tempest of adversity. That mantra now underpins their talks, music, and writing.
Their life experiences—surviving childhood abuse, losing a parent to cancer, and overcoming alcoholism—have shaped their radically honest voice. Five days after returning to Canada to seek medical answers, CJ walked through the doors of Alcoholics Anonymous. That choice changed everything.
Disability Unleashed, Inclusion in Action
Last year, CJ launched Disability Unleashed after realizing there were no local celebrations during Disability Pride Month. In just three months, they created
and hosted an inclusive showcase of artists living with disabilities—many with invisible conditions. The event featured deaf poets, blind comedians, dancers with chronic illness, and more. Instead of applause, audiences offered jazz hands—a small yet meaningful shift to protect sound-sensitive performers and attendees.
They’re now preparing for the next edition of the show and hope to expand it with sponsorships, vendor booths, and increased accessibility tools for both performers and audiences.
Life with ME, Living Beyond the Diagnosis
CJ’s symptoms are severe. Most days, they begin with about 30 percent of the energy an average person their age might have. On the worst days, even breathing feels like too much effort. “My lungs are working, but my body feels so tired that taking my next breath doesn’t feel worth the energy,” they explained.
Despite this, CJ speaks at summits, contributes to books, and continues their advocacy work. They are determined to reclaim their power—and help others do the same.
The Power of Words, the Impact of Story
CJ believes stories can save lives. Whether in recovery spaces or on stage, they’ve witnessed how the right words, spoken at the right time, can offer hope. “If someone had told me, ‘There’s light at the end of your tunnel, but there are still a few turns ahead,’ I might’ve believed it,” they said.
Their storytelling continues in anthologies like Start Over, a 10-volume series on turning loss into triumph, and Pillow Writers, written by those living with ME and long COVID. Their goal is simple—to remind others that they’re not alone.
Three Core Beliefs That Shape Everything
CJ’s talks and teachings center around three principles:
- Live in a constant state of gratitude
- Become willing to fearlessly fail
- Find your folks
From creating a show with no prior producing experience to learning social media strategy on the fly, CJ has proven that these beliefs aren’t abstract—they are actionable.
Support the Mission, Elevate the Message
CJ is actively booking speaking engagements and seeking grant writers, sponsors, and collaborators to grow Disability Unleashed. Their dream is to offer a living wage to disabled artists, while creating transformative, inclusive spaces for all.
To learn more, visit cjjanzzen.com or follow them at @CJ_Janzen.
About CJ Janzen
CJ Janzen is a powerful force for change, known as The Singing Speaker—an inspiring voice who helps audiences cultivate Joyful Resilience through a compelling blend of stories, songs, and skill-building. A queer, disabled trailblazer living with a serious chronic illness that leaves them mostly bed-bound, CJ refuses to be defined by limitations. Instead, they rise again and again, using their voice to empower others to do the same.
CJ has held non-traditional roles—from paramedic to scuba instructor to truck driver—and now brings that bold, lived experience to stages (and spaces in front of them, due to accessibility barriers). They are a fierce advocate for disability rights, an active member of their city’s Accessibility Advisory Council, and the visionary behind {dis}ABILITY Unleashed, a groundbreaking event born from a refusal to let Disability Pride Month go unnoticed.
Their journey is one of transformation—from surviving childhood abuse and alcoholism to embracing faith as a baptized Mennonite and reclaiming joy in the face of adversity. CJ’s activism also includes fighting for people with ME (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis), raising awareness and funds for research, and standing up against medical injustice—including helping free a young woman wrongfully institutionalized due to disbelief in invisible illness.
CJ lives by their own quote:
“Choose to live joyously within the tempest of adversity.”
And they do—unapologetically, passionately, and with purpose.
Whether speaking, singing, or simply showing up, CJ Janzen is not just surviving—they’re creating a world where others are celebrated for doing the same.
About Margaret Mary O’Connor
Margaret Mary O’Connor, as a member of the Catholic Laity, thought she knew everything about the Catholic Church, at least until she came upon a centuries-old Scandal of lies and cover-up by the Hierarchy of that Church. Frankly, she was fed up being lied to by her own Church, about its own past Church’s History
on Women priests. With that realization, she truly felt in that moment, the monumental feeling of betrayal by her own Church.
Follow Margaret, as she travels down this Highway of Radical Truth where lies and outright coverup will be disclosed. Millions of Catholics are unaware of that past presence of Women Bishop’s, Women Deacons, as well as Women Priests, all there hiding in plain sight, in Early Church History.
As the complicity of this centuries-old Scandal continues, Margaret wants her fellow Catholics to learn the actual truth of this matter for themselves. She strongly
believes, at minimal, any Catholic deserves the actual truth of this matter. To say that change is needed is hardly an understatement. She doesn’t let the Church’s betrayal stop her from uncovering some very fascinating Church Skeleton’s – one which very well might help solve our current priest shortage issue today.
Margaret Mary O’Connor has been called, “The Modern Day David” on many occasions. On a mission to reveal carefully guarded secrets of the Catholic Church, she unveils the truth through her well-researched writings.
Author of Scandal in the Shadows and Journey of a Celiac’s Soul, Margaret Mary is a force to be reckoned with.
