Increasing numbers of people in Canada (over 2 million people in a recent estimate) live with ongoing episodic disabilities. These include disabilities related to long-COVID, multiple sclerosis, lupus, arthritis, cancer, HIV, diabetes, and mental health conditions, amongst others.

Episodic disabilities are chronic health conditions characterized by fluctuating periods and degrees of illness and wellness.  These periods can be unpredictable in duration, types of symptoms and frequency of recurrence.

For example, a person who is living with rheumatoid arthritis or depression might be well for several months, and then experience several episodes of illness in a row.  Each episode may be different in terms of the symptoms experienced, how long it lasts and how intense the symptoms are.

The unpredictable nature of episodic disabilities can lead to many challenges for people living with these conditions. It can have a negative impact on meaningful community participation, employment, income security, social inclusion, and access to care. 

Find out more about the challenges of living with an episodic disability.

Realize is a national charitable organization that was founded to address the rehabilitation needs of people living with HIV. Some of the challenges people living with HIV face are related to the episodic nature of their conditions – challenges that are also common to people living with other episodic conditions. That is why an important part of our work now focuses on episodic disabilities more broadly and why we collaborate with a wide range of organizations working to support people with other health conditions. Together we are stronger and have a greater capacity to effect change.

For instance, people living with episodic disabilities face significant employment and income support issues. Recurring, unpredictable periods of ill health make it difficult to work, especially full-time. Most people with episodic disabilities must rely on health and disability support programs. And due to the strict definitions and policies that govern these programs, many people are not able to participate in the workforce part-time or when their health allows.

Realize is a leader in research and advocacy addressing the range of complex barriers to inclusion that people living with episodic disabilities experience.

Realize is the convening organization for the Episodic Disabilities Forum — a pan-Canadian forum comprised of people with living experience, national disability organizations, federal policymakers, and researchers. Collectively we identify relevant evidence and policy initiatives and disseminate information to raise awareness of episodic disabilities, and to promote the inclusion of people in Canada who live with episodic disabilities.