I have just finished week 7 of the COVID19 life-style and I'm starting to run on fumes. The fight is draining out of me. I feel like I'm trapped on a carousel of an ever changing cycle of Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, five stages of grief. However just as you think you have worked through one, a … Continue reading Running On Fumes
Author: terrywiens
Certainly past my best before date which helps when experiencing the growth of social justice while, as a young polio survivor, understanding the reality of adaptability but still with the same heart of an activists with decades of participatory "wisdom" (I hope), namaste
In Fascist Fields Where Hate Does Grow
For some reason I woke up at 3am this morning with the song "Romper, stomper, bompar boo" floating in my mind. Why that should have been there is beyond me. I was a few generations ahead of the TV show "Romper Room" but the tune was stuck in my head. I knew I wasn't getting … Continue reading In Fascist Fields Where Hate Does Grow
Are You Paying Attention?
Your complacency is killing me! I use to wake up in the morning looking forward to my coffee, blueberry bagel, check my news feeds and follow-up with my social media requests. I'm a news junkie, I don't deny that but I am dealing with an increasing number of friends and relatives who don't want to … Continue reading Are You Paying Attention?
The Convenience of Fear
I have just finished my "voluntary" isolation period. Haven't been tested but not feeling ill at all. I have taken the opportunity to get out for a good wheel when weather allowed practicing "social distancing". The reality of life in a wheelchair is that "social distancing" is standard practice. I experience way too many people … Continue reading The Convenience of Fear
Speak Up
I truly thought my days of writing were behind me. I still continue to write for myself however I haven't been sharing it. When you have no one at home to discuss how your day went you either bottle it up or write it down. Bottling it turns it into a disease, I know I … Continue reading Speak Up
The Erosion of Rights
"Believing without questioning is an insult to the human conscience" - Abhijit Naskar I have purposely been trying to stay politically quiet for the past four weeks while fuming internally. I grew up in Calgary but have had the opportunity to live and work in other areas of our great country Canada. However I continue … Continue reading The Erosion of Rights
The Resurrection of a Memory
Alberta Children's Hospital (1958) Growing up in the Children's Hospital you really have little control over your day to day life. You learn quickly two things, routine is very structured and your activities are very planned. I knew everyday that a nurse would be there at 8am, noon, 4:30pm and again around 9pm to check … Continue reading The Resurrection of a Memory
New Decade, New Direction
I just got back in from a quick wheel around the community. It is still warm enough (the sun is bright) to do a good wheel and not lose too much air out of my tires. However, based on the numbness of my fingertips it was chillier than I thought. But they are forecasting a … Continue reading New Decade, New Direction
Christmas 2019 – Memories of Christmas Past
"My life isn't a book, it's a collection of short stories" - Terry Wiens Christmas, a day of family, friends and memories. It is a day that can be loud, boisterous and full of activity. It can also be a day of quietude, reflective and personal relaxation. I have experienced both and find myself, maybe … Continue reading Christmas 2019 – Memories of Christmas Past
Activist or Advocate?
Advocacy is often seen as working “within the system” whereas activism is seen as working “outside the system” to generate change. I think this is really useful, as clearly the role or issue can shift from one to the other. - Author unknown #SpeakOut, make your voice heard, silence only supports injustices I have fifty years experience as … Continue reading Activist or Advocate?
