Back in the day, the left was all about protesting for rights for marginalized people, and the right fought for a more individualistic, pull-yourself-up-by-the-bootstraps ideology. Another thread from Kelly, this time on something I’ve also noticed in my life: this individualistic right-wing ideology in left-leaning friends: Had a discussion with
Continue readingTag: Disability
wmtc: what i’m reading: the invisible kingdom: reimagining chronic illness
The Invisible Kingdom: Reimagining Chronic Illness by Meghan O’Rourke is a important book. I would even call it a landmark. For ten years, O’Rourke suffered from a debilitating condition that was either misdiagnosed or dismissed. Her search for answers forms the structure of this book. Although the author writes about her
Continue readingA Puff of Absurdity: For all the Fierce Raindrops: Lessons that Should Have Been Learned
Changing minds on big issues takes a long time and the work never ends. Anti-drinking and driving groups appeared in the early 1980s, like MADD, typically made up of survivors or relatives of victims who saw first hand that something must be done to prevent so many disabilities and deaths.
Continue readingA Puff of Absurdity: How to Profit from Pandemics
Three threads from this week outline the political and media pandemic protocol being followed around the world, the similarities and differences between prior pandemics, and how the profit motive fuels it all. Prognostic Chats outlined a baker’s dozen of steps taken by many countries to get us to this damaging
Continue readingA Puff of Absurdity: Depending on One Another
A.H. Reaume, disabled from a brain injury, wrote about how dramatically her life changed with some help once in a relationship. Her partner does the household chores and makes sure she eats well and regularly. “Being in my disabled body feels different with him than without him in my life.
Continue readingwmtc: judy heumann, rest in power
Judith Heumann, one of the founders and primary movers of the disability rights movement, died recently at the too-young age of 75. Judith Heumann was a force of nature. She was the consummate activist — a brilliant communicator, a charismatic organizer, and a warm, compassionate, attentive person. Judy was the
Continue readingAccidental Deliberations: Saturday Afternoon Links
Assorted content for your year-end reading. – Allison Maher et al. study how COVID-19 causes fundamental changes to a person’s immune system, resulting in far greater vulnerability to other infections. Spencer Kimball reports on the rapid spread of the XBB.1.5 COVID-19 variant – which appears to be rendering previous types
Continue readingAccidental Deliberations: Thursday Morning Links
This and that for your Thursday reading. – Gloria Novovic writes about the desperate need to start planning ahead to control the damage done by the COVID pandemic, rather than reacting only to calamities already in progress. Ed Yong highlights why there’s no reason to minimize the effect of the
Continue readingAccidental Deliberations: Tuesday Morning Links
This and that for your Tuesday reading. – Charlie Smith highlights how attempts to minimize the ongoing pandemic have reduced the public credibility of both government and public health officials alike in British Columbia (even as they’ve provided a messaging boost to anti-vaxxers). Nam Kiwanuka laments how parents have been
Continue readingTHE CAREGIVERS' LIVING ROOM A Blog by Donna Thomson: PARENT TO PARENT: Learning to TRANSITION
A few weeks ago, I came across this wonderful piece on transitions by a parent of twins, Marquitha Gilbert. I contacted Marquitha and we had a rich conversation about parenting, writing and the many transitions that we experience with our children over time. I am so grateful to Marquitha for
Continue readingwmtc: chuck close, rest in peace
The artist Chuck Close died last week at the age of 81. He was an incredibly talented artist, a progressive thinker, and a diehard New Yorker who was often seen around town, especially in museums and galleries. I had the good fortune to interview Close at his studio in 1998.
Continue readingTHE CAREGIVERS' LIVING ROOM A Blog by Donna Thomson: DISABILITY PLANNING FOR MY CHILD: HOW TO BEGIN NOW
I talk to lots of different people who have a role in supporting families of children with disabilities. This week, I had an interesting chat with Bruce Maier, a financial advisor and managing partner of Iron Birch Advisors, a division of Ameriprise Financial Services. Bruce is based in New York
Continue readingTHE CAREGIVERS' LIVING ROOM A Blog by Donna Thomson: Our 2020 Intl Day of People With Disabilities Agenda: No More Poverty!
The disability community in Canada has a long history of being fractured. Disability groups have traditionally competed for scarce resources – that’s just the way things were. Jockeying for limited funding resources can pit the interests of various disability communities against each other, a situation in which there are no real
Continue readingwmtc: ruth bader ginsburg, rest in power
These highlights of Ginsburg’s decisions and dissents on the SCOTUS are a joy to read. I used two sources, and decided to keep the overlap. Many highlight the reason she was affectionately known as the Notorious RBG. United States v. Virginia, 1996 In United States v. Virginia, Ginsburg wrote the majority
Continue readingMarginal Notes: Questionnaire for Canadians on Medical Assistance in Dying
Remember to give 5 minutes or so to provide feedback to the federal government on assisted dying legislation. You can access the questionnaire here. I have been an advocate for disability rights for years and I have lived as a disabled person most of my life as I had significant
Continue readingTHE CAREGIVERS' LIVING ROOM A Blog by Donna Thomson: AGAINST ALL ODDS – Blending Research and Disability Parenting
It is my pleasure to host this guest post today from Queen’s University doctoral candidate, Lorraine (Read more…). I was amazed by Lorraine’s story of perseverance and her research question about how we as parents of adult children with disabilities use social media for support. This is an international study,
Continue readingTHE CAREGIVERS' LIVING ROOM A Blog by Donna Thomson: IT’S NATIONAL SIBLINGS DAY! SIBS CARE TOO
–> –> Dr. Yona and her sister Danielle I am delighted to host a guest post by Dr. Yona Lunsky in celebration of National Siblings Day. Dr. Lunsky is a loving sister and tireless advocate for the good care and mental health support of adults with developmental disabilities. Today is
Continue readingTHE CAREGIVERS' LIVING ROOM A Blog by Donna Thomson: I ASKED, “WHAT DO OTHERS LIKE ABOUT YOU?”
I’m working on a writing project and looking through old notes. Today, I found this fascinating gem from 2011:Yesterday, I had the most interesting conversation with our son Nicholas. On our to-do list before leaving London are two three hour skype interviews with the Ontario Ministry of Community and Social
Continue readingWise Law Blog: LawFact of the Day: Employment Law
Here is your daily #LawFact from Wise Law Toronto for Tuesday June 13, 2017. Today we are talking about Employment Law. Did you know that your Employer has a duty to accommodate your disability up until a point of undue hardship? An employee is however responsible for requesting the accommodation
Continue readingWise Law Blog: LawFact of the Day: Employment Law
Here is your daily LawFact from Wise Law for Wednesday February 22, 2017. Today we are talking about Employment Law. For more information on Employment Law, Family Law and Wills, Estates, and Estates Litigation, visit our website at www.wiselaw.net A post shared by Wise Law Office (@wiselaw) on Feb 22,
Continue reading