I have a short, blunt ask: Can you commit just 25 minutes of your time, to save lives from assisted suicide?
Your 25 Minutes Can Save Countless Lives.
Tag: chronic pain
“What is your vision for your vocation?”
“What is your vision for your vocation? How would you articulate to others where and how you are being called to use your gifts in God's service? What challenges do you want to take up? What changes in your sphere of influence or in the world do you want to see?"
Your peace may not lie
Your peace may not lie In finding the answers But in accepting uncertainty...
Acceptance
I [used to] think thatAcceptanceWas a synonym for DefeatThat the white flag of SurrenderMeant giving permission for annihilation By an enemySo I foughtAnd fought and foughtAnd swore that I'd tear down the starsAnd rearrange their atomsBefore I would bend or yieldTo RealityI'll fight like hell, I thought smugly, I'm a fighter.But when you fight like … Continue reading Acceptance
No Man is an Island (or, the myth of autonomy)
We enter this world helpless, vulnerable, and dependent. Most of us will also end life in a state of vulnerability and dependence. And between the beginning and the end, we will all experience periods, long or short, when we'll desperately need the help of others. Some of us go from a healthy high school athlete … Continue reading No Man is an Island (or, the myth of autonomy)
You’re not a mistake.
The apples we place in our grocery carts are all perfectly round. Each red rose in the bouquet from our local florist is the same size and the same shade as her companions. When we don't spend much time in uncultivated nature, we sometimes end up thinking that plants always look so similar to each … Continue reading You’re not a mistake.
Poetry Rx
Dear patient, Your prognosis is unclear. The treatment journey for your chronic illness will be complex. As a start, please add in iron supplements, to improve your energy levels. I am also prescribing some poetry, to fortify your spirit. These “prescriptions” are actually, in the main, descriptions. They are not curative; rather, they will anchor … Continue reading Poetry Rx
What is the duty of the living?
Retired Cpl. Christine Gauthier had been trying for 5 years to get Veterans Affairs Canada to install a wheelchair ramp at her house. The former Paralympian was speaking yet again with the VAC, describing the disability-related challenges she was facing. Eventually, an employee suggested that if life was becoming so difficult for her, perhaps she … Continue reading What is the duty of the living?
Taxi Rides, Disability, and Unexpected Grace
I had an unexpected and beautiful encounter with my cab driver today in Toronto. He called me because he was having difficulty stopping at my location, and he asked if I could walk to another place nearby. I nervously replied that I couldn't because of my disability. (My hips and back were aching, making walking … Continue reading Taxi Rides, Disability, and Unexpected Grace
Lobbying for Paratransit Reform
Yesterday, I had the opportunity to speak briefly at a London City Council meeting. I talked about the challenges I have faced while using the London paratransit system, and shared some ideas for improvement. Paratransit has been in the local news frequently (e.g. here, here, and here) for posing problems to its users, and the … Continue reading Lobbying for Paratransit Reform
Maria McCann 