A reminder to City Hall and to the media

 — Para Transpo riders and people with disabilities also deserve better! At this point, you don’t need me to talk about the LRT. There are already enough local media outlets talking all about the LRT. However, I will talk about another transit service run by OC Transpo and the city

A time to give thanks, and to feel thankful

 As I type this, it’s Sunday of Thanksgiving Weekend. With that in mind, I figured that it was a perfect time for me to talk about what I’m thankful for this year. I admit that I had a hard time compiling a list in my head. That’s how I operate.

Vaccine passports and public transportation in Ottawa

 Addressing the elephant in the bus Last week, I talked about vaccine passports and how some people with disabilities may not be required to show theirs. As it turns out, I was correct. In this case, I wish that I wasn’t. I’ve recently learned that both OC Transpo and Para

Canadians with disabilities are living in poverty

 By Krista Carr Twenty-two per cent of people in Canada over the age of 15 have a disability. They are your friends, neighbours, family members and coworkers — and almost a quarter of them are living in poverty. People you know and love can’t afford to pay their rent, put

Do vaccine passport rules also apply to people with disabilities?

 With all the talk of vaccine passports, a thought occurred to me recently. When it come to checking vaccine passports, are people with disabilities being included? Now, I know some of you are probably saying that yes, of course, they apply to PWD. I’m sure that some would even ask

Why this is an important time for all Canadians, and how you can play a positive role

 This is an important week for both Canada and the Province of Ontario. By the time this article comes out, it’ll be Federal Election Day. For those who missed it, last week, I talked about this election and its relation to people with disabilities. I encourage you all to please

Roll the vote: A PWD’s guide to voting

 As you’re probably aware, Election Day is fast approaching whether we like it or not. To be honest, I’m not one to openly discuss my political opinions. In my experience, it has started many arguments and even had friendships end. With that in mind, though, I did watch the English

The toughest battles are often the ones we fight silently

 Please forgive me if this article seems a bit different. As I type this, I’m not feeling 100 per cent. I’m currently on antibiotics due to a sinus infection, and my allergies are acting up. Initially, I was going to talk more about the Paralympics, but plans fell through, plus I’m

A quick thank you, and a big shoutout to our Canadian Paralympic athletes

 ABOVE: Danik Allard competes for Canada in Boccia at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics. This week, I’d like to talk about a few primarily favourable things. Often, when I mention healthcare, and specifically hospitals, it’s negative. I’m happy to say that I had a good experience last Thursday at the Ottawa Hospital. As some

OC Transpo: The public transportation system that also leaves PWD behind

 To put it lightly, OC Transpo had a rough week last week. First, the LRT broke down due to a “minor derailment,” which, by the way, are two words that should never go together. The minor derailment forced the shutdown of the LRT for almost a week. During those seven

Accessibility and learning don’t always see eye to eye

 ABOVE: Scenes from the Queens of Egypt, at the Museum of History, (RIGHT) Beyond Van Gogh, at the Aberdeen Pavilion at Lansdowne Park. (PHOTOS: OLM STAFF) Last week, I had the chance to check out two popular exhibits. I went to see the Queens of Egypt, at the Museum of History,

Providing proof of vaccination, and how it could affect people with disabilities

 Recently, there has been more talk about people needing to prove that they are 100 per cent vaccinated against Covid. This week, I’ll be examining the potential impact that it could have on people with disabilities. First off, let me again mention that several individuals and even families scattered across

Ottawa—the city that people with disabilities probably don’t dream about

 People have asked me if I’ve ever imagined what my life would be like if I weren’t physically disabled throughout my life. I have. Perhaps even too often. It’s hard for me not to. Almost everywhere I look, I see a city that wasn’t made for people with disabilities. For

The more we reopen, the more closed some may feel

 This week, I want to focus on Mental Health. It’s been a while since I’ve talked about it here, and it’s a pretty important topic to me. Enough about me, though. More importantly, how are you? I hope you’re all doing ok. If you’re not feeling ok, that’s alright too.

The long wait is finally over. Fully vaccinated and counting the days.

 I’m officially fully vaccinated! As I’m typing this, I’m not experiencing any side effects. Hopefully, by the time this comes out, I’ll still be ok. Even if I do have side effects, it’s a small price to pay. The procedure itself was pretty quick and straightforward. As I mentioned last

Getting my second shot at home and how to find out if you qualify

 Last week, I received some good. My appointment to get my second dose of the vaccine had been moved up. As if that wasn’t good news already, I was also asked if I wanted it to be done at my place. I immediately said yes. So, I’ll be receiving it

Let’s award businesses that are wheelchair accessible

 Let’s start off with good news. I want to say a special thank you to Al’s Steak House for having a wheelchair-accessible patio AND bathroom. In case you missed last week’s edition, I crowned them as “Most Wheelchair Accessible Patio On Elgin Street.” That should seriously be an award or

My picks for best wheelchair accessible patios on Elgin Street

 ABOVE:  Al's Steakhouse’s rear patio looks beautiful but more importantly, it has wheelchair ramps on both sides. Last Friday, Ontario entered phase one of reopening. This meant that restaurants and patios would be allowed to open for business again. However, for a patio to remain open, they must follow specific rules.

Accessibility shouldn’t just be an annual topic of conversation.

 It’s a daily problem that needs to be addressed & fixed.  Tis’ the season to talk about accessibility. This week is National AccessAbility Week. (May 30 - June 5, 2021) Each year we celebrate the valuable contributions of Canadians with disabilities. the accomplishments of individuals, communities and workplaces to remove

It’s ok to help us but please don’t baby us.

 As I type this, it’s another beautiful day here in Ottawa. It finally feels like Spring or Summer if any of you were outside last week. I managed to enjoy the sun a few times last week after training two more caregivers. My favourite time of year is Spring and

Inarticulate Speech of the Heart

  by Larry McCloskey    “A young guy who had roared down country lanes on his motorcycle in the liberating spring after a Canadian winter lay imprisoned in a room with three other spinal cord patients, windows shut to keep summer from seeping in, with a novice unwanted stranger doing unwanted strange

To all business owners: don’t forget about PWD when you reopen

 By the time this comes out, I’ll be training another caregiver. This week, I’ll be training at least two new people. I believe there will also be another person the following week. Of course, things can always change, but that’s currently the plan. I hope that I’ll be done with

Why would a caregiver suddenly quit and how should you handle it

 The news of a caregiver quitting is typically not the best news to hear. An example of when it may be good to hear is if they’re not good at their job, or there’s a clash of personalities between you and them. Of course, there are several more reasons why

How the ER can be improved for people with disabilities

 Last Friday, I had to go to the ER because of a breathing issue. I should quickly point out that it wasn’t related to Covid or the vaccine I received last week. As I’ve mentioned in previous articles, I use a portable ventilator at all times to help me breathe.

The relationship between a caregiver and the person receiving care

 ABOVE: A young boy takes a walk with his caregivers. (PHOTO:iSTOCK) “If you have a good working relationship, the better chances you have of them (caregivers) sticking around and positively impacting your life.” The relationship between a caregiver and the person receiving care can often seem confusing to those not involved. Throughout