Tag: true stories

International Day of People with Disabilities

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Hi everyone! Mary here. Today we recognize the International Day of People with Disabilities. To celebrate, we attended a flag-raising, award ceremony and reception Dec. 2nd, 2019 at HRM City Hall. We had many interesting conversations, including an important take on the history of Disability Rights and Inclusion from Gerianne. She reminded us that is wasn’t that long ago, only 1980, that restaurants had the right to kick her out for no reason other than existing with a disability and wanting to eat.

Gerianne’s lesson in history is valuable reminder as to how far we’ve come and how far we have left to go to ensure the full inclusion of people with disabilities in every aspect of life. It was a stark reminder to hear Gerianne’s experiences after we were let in the side door, because the front door of City Hall is not accessible. Yesterday, a group of people walked into City Hall to be recognized, a group that would not have received the same treatment 30 years ago. We have much left to do but today, we will celebrate inclusion, diversity and uniqueness.

Save Yourselves!

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By: Mary M. Wilson

Taking the ferry to Dartmouth today, we noticed the safety video was missing instructions for people who rely on wheelchairs and mobility aids. @hfxtransit should be aware that traditional life jackets and inflatable rafts are not useful for wheelchair users and should include instructions for our safety too!

The Precipitous Enemy…… Doubt!

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Today I became abundantly aware of how pernicious DOUBT is. – Doubt of self, Doubt of others, Doubt of the good that YOU KNOW TO BE TRUE!!! Lets confront doubt with everything we’ve got in us!!!!

Doubt hurts! Doubt can and often does destroy! STOP DOUBTING!!!! (I’m telling myself as much as anyone.)

Good “Full Inclusion” Discussion With Our NS Barristers Association!

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Thank you to ReachAbility NS and the NS Barristers’ Society for hosting the Disability and Inclusion Awareness Workshop yesterday!

There were so many amazing conversations and ideas! We look forward to seeing what comes next

 

(photo & news by: Mary M. Wilson)

Taking My Own Advice

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A few days ago, while talking to my attendant, I realized something about myself, that I need to work on. I realized that I have to take my own advice.

I have a couple people in my life who I often tell: “You can’t let your past control your present. You can’t blame people & things from your past on your life now. How you feel about your present is on you.”

As I said this, I realized I’m kind of doing that. I have a situation in my life that I’m currently very anxious about. I’m hoping it will work out but I’m not sure. Sometimes I’m very positive and very hopeful. Other times I feel like doom and gloom is all around me.

When I went to see my mental health counselor last week and he asked me how I was. I replied (partly to make him laugh [I love making people laugh and smile]): “I’m feeling a little bipolar these days.”

His response: “Up. Down. Riding the wave huh?”

Yet there’s a grain of truth in that statement. My emotions seem to be all over the map lately and I suddenly realized I always assume the negative.

So as I was talking to Kristina, I wondered out loud: “Why do I always assume the negative? Why do I always assume the worst?” Okay, maybe not always, but often.

I try to keep positive. I do, but it takes constant effort, constant reminders to myself. The outcome could be great, so why am I assuming the worst.

As we were talking about this, I realized that some of this comes from 30 + years of being married to a man who was always negative. His first reaction was always to assume the worst. For instance, if I had said to him: “Why don’t we go for a walk?” His response would be: “Well, we have nowhere to go! I don’t want to just go walking.” Or if I said: “Let’s go bowling.” His response would have been: “Nahhh! It’s probably not accessible. And besides, how are you going to bowl? I can’t even see the lanes. Nahhh!”

Others throughout my life have also added their own negativity with all their “You’ll never…(s)”

But as I often tell others, you can’t keep blaming your past for your present. So I’m just now realizing that I need to not let my past affect my future. How will I do this? I’m not sure, one step at a time.

If anyone has any advice, drop me a line! I don’t want to be a nervous wreck and I also don’t want to mess up potentially great things coming my way. I don’t want to assume the worst. I want to assume the best.