At drop-in Free Fall Writing we chuckled at our prompts Auntie Flo and younger lover. People were scandalized as I read aloud. … My Auntie Flora was a character, a dumb blond although her hair was dark. I remember she once telephoned my mother crying that she had done her income tax five times, and […]
Respect In Action Part One
I work with people with disabilities. My supervisor said affectionately, “I can put you with anyone.” That’s because, said a colleague, I always “lean in,” no matter how hard a client is. Yes, and also because clients with challenging behaviours may sense that deep down I respect them. Never, during a confrontation, do I stand […]
Mayor Sends Letter of Recognition for Disability Workers
From the OFFICE OF THE MAYOR, THE CITY OF CALGARY Letter of Recognition Community Disability Support Workers are essential to the lives of people with disabilities. Many of the individuals they support have significant and multiple disabilities, requiring partial to total assistance with all aspects of daily lining. From personal care responsibilities such as cooking, […]
Doctors Want Psychiatric Ward in Shadow
seanessay.com A Psychiatric Ward Mental health is in the news this year, with government imploring us not to stigmatize ourselves or others, but instead to believe in getting help. But is the government honestly serious? I remember… When other students were enjoying their Christmas break I was in the psychiatric ward. At night, I never […]
Loving A Gay Friend
seanessay.com They say “loving someone gives you courage,” but I was scared. It was Calgary, 1987. I was in the student union building, standing restless, screwing up my courage to go down the hall to a room where the Gay Student Society was about to have their weekly meeting. I was scared to be seen […]
Old Age and Wisdom
seanessay.com If old age brings wisdom, then how might that be so? I remember years ago, in my callow, less-organized years, when I would stand at a bus stop having missed a bus for something I thought I very much wanted to attend. Oh no! Gloom, despair! And after a while, I would remember a […]