Maya Pajevic has been a patient partner for a decade, contributing to different aspects of the healthcare system. She believes that person-centred care starts in the heart, that engaging with different stakeholders, especially those with lived experience, does not only result in a more robust and resilient system, but also a safer one. Maya graduated from Mount Royal University in 2023 with a degree in Information Design and a minor in Social Innovation. Currently she is the communications lead for two CBI-Health-led programs, which look at meaningful employment opportunities for those that identify as having a disability in Alberta. When not working or advocating, Maya can be found on the hiking trail or ski hill, and she enjoys endless snuggles with her dog Dyna.
Dr. Phoenix and authors explore the metaphor “a seat at the table” in the context of including Disabled People and their families in system-level service design and research. They challenge us to consider inclusivity by interrogating this vision of “the table” in terms of ownership, participation, and consequences after a discussion ends.