"Privilege is when you think something is not a problem because it's not a problem to you personally." Like election promises, we hear what's convenient Coming out of this (maybe) pandemic nightmare, I believe, is going to leave some unexpected "long hauler" effects on a society in general. Personally, having been through this before, albeit … Continue reading Preparing the Garden of Privilege (edited)
Category: seniors
He Didn’t Know
Well it is Monday, a nice sunny day with a bit of a cool breeze. I thought my days of writing were behind me and that it was time to just quit. People don't seem to want to hear. However when you look at what is going on in, not only the world, but in … Continue reading He Didn’t Know
Running On Fumes
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
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
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
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
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?
Writing From Frustration
(A variant quote) - "It's easier to ask forgiveness than to get permission" - Grace Hopper With the writ finally coming down for the next federal election it is time to start writing again. I have ignore my writing all summer while I took on other challenges only to realize my absence of expression only … Continue reading Writing From Frustration
Return to Sender
"A lesson learnt and not shared is destined to become a lesson lost on wasted time" - Terry Wiens (2019) I stopped writing about six weeks ago thinking my publishing days were over. In part because one just gets tired of writing the same thing over and over by finding different words but also in … Continue reading Return to Sender
Syphoning Hope
"When I was young my ambition was to be one of the people who made a difference in this world. My hope is to leave the world a little better for having been there" - Jim Henson I think most people are born with a certain amount of hope. I believe I was born with … Continue reading Syphoning Hope
