Advocacy
What do you mean, Diversity and Inclusion?
What is Diversity? Who does it include or not include? Today in 2021 it appears that diversity includes gender, sexual orientation, race, but not disability. COVID has been a very hard time for me being a person with disability. Working remotely I’ve deepened my understanding of the issues of diversity and gained new language to […]
Point of View
Canada like most countries has a complex history, as all other countries have our junk in the trunk. As a disabled person in Canada I look at the country through a lot of different lenses. Not all of the points of view that I have are straight forward or compatible. My lenses: I’m a disabled […]
Isolation
I am sometimes / generally unsympathetic about TAB’s, Temporarily Able Bodied People, experiences with the realities of life. Its striking that as we age the TAB’s are realizing that we are not that different after all, especially when things start breaking. With the Covit 19 pandemic we are all isolated and socializing and working from […]
#MeAsWell
My mentors are critical of the trajectory of my career. Apparently, I change jobs too often, sadly many times because of my disability, I’m not a good fit or the employer isn’t a good fit for me, or just blatant discrimination. My average in a position is less than sixteen months. The cool side of […]
I Don’t Want To Help You
Recently I’ve met a new demographic. Until recently I didn’t understand that there are people who do not want to help. I live with a disability and sometimes need the assistance of another. It’s not that I’ve expected the help and there are some who haven’t helped. Until recently I’ve never encountered people who can […]
Communication & Imagination
Living with Ocular Albinism I’ve always tried to define the word accommodation? My definition for accommodation recently changed. I’m an Information Technology professional; naturally my definition of accommodation has revolved around technology. Here are the solutions I’ve found to the problems I face with Ocular Albinism. Light Sensitivity My irises are translucent so […]
Support Systems
As the Beach Boys put it, “I Get Around!!”. It’s all about gettin around. If you’re blind, simply put, you need to be the easiest date at the prom. It’s all about logistics. Getting groceries, getting to the doctor, getting the kids, etc. It’s about getting things done. Your support system is everything. Without it […]
Cycling
I have cycled all my life. Cycling has always been a reliable way for me to get from point A to point B. I would cycle to the swimming pool or my friends place etc. I am adept at commuting on a bicycle and riding across the city if necessary to get somewhere. I’ve only […]
Driving
Not being able to drive was the most painful thing in my life. For the first time in my life there was no way to pretend to be like everyone else no more illusions. I am legally blind. I was definitely different. It didn’t matter how high functioning I was or wasn’t or how well […]
Coming Out Blind
For most of my life I have not lived openly with my blindness. I have hid it and rejoiced in its invisibility. The sad thing with most things you try to hide about yourself the only person I was fooling was myself…. It takes a lot of energy to appear sighted, you’re constantly acting and anticipating the […]
