I began this many years ago simply as a "story telling" exercise for the sole purpose of capturing "one persons perspective" of growing up with a disability. That perspective was mine and I have come to realize over the years that I have been all over the map with my focus, to much activism and … Continue reading Rut or Routine?
Tag: history
On Returning to School
"School is a building which has four walls with the future inside" - Lon Watters It is that time of year again where kids walk that precarious line between the disappointment of summers end and the excitement of returning to school where they will meet up with friends they haven't seen all summer. For me, … Continue reading On Returning to School
Polio, Really
"Americans spend more money on Botox, face lifts and tummy tucks than on the age-old scourges of polio, small pox and malaria". - Victor Davis Hanson I no longer know where to start these days but as a polio survivor (1953 and I was a 3 year old) there is absolutely no reason for polio … Continue reading Polio, Really
I’m Back, I’m Pissed and I’m Confused
We all have a past. We all made choices that maybe weren’t the best ones. None of us are completely innocent but, we all get a fresh start every day to be a better person than we were yesterday. - Anonymous Another one of those 5am awakenings. I woke up, partly from the heat, but … Continue reading I’m Back, I’m Pissed and I’m Confused
History Repeating
"Liberty has been won. The battle for Equality is still pending" - Charles Sumner, June 1, 1865 Lost in thought Somethings should never wake up while other have to erupt in order to handle change. I would never have thought I would be writing about this but then I never realized just how many "buried" … Continue reading History Repeating
Decade by Decade – True Change is Slow
Approaching my first New Eve's middle of the century Yes that little lump of flesh was me on my first New Years. That year was also the decade that marked the halfway point of the 20th century. I now measure societal advances by the decade rather than the year. A year doesn't really provide a … Continue reading Decade by Decade – True Change is Slow
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 KĂĽbler-Ross, five stages of grief. However just as you think you have worked through one, a … Continue reading Running On Fumes
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?