Author’s note: This is my story. Many people feel and think quite differently than I do. I believe it’s necessary and important to make room for diverse and multiple narratives of pain, suffering, mental illness, and disability among ourselves and visible to the public. I had a hot button pushed (of course like most I
... read more.My (new) Left Foot
Follow me as I learn to walk with a prosthetic leg and left foot.
Concerning Choice, Acceptance, and Disability
FLUBBING AN INTERVIEW
I was on CBC RADIO NOON, but couldn’t “find” my words. This is really frustrating and why I call the longer essay Pieces Of My Mind, as my words and my thinking feel like scattered pieces, and yes, I’m mad as hell about it. Let me see …how about a do-over.[1] Write it out.
... read more.CLOTHES GET ON MY NERVES
BEWARE THE NAKED MAN Clothes get on my nerves. My sciatic nerve particularly. My back is degenerate, like mortal and pestle grinding my cartilage to dust. The nerves make me squeal, any waistband or belt draws the pain into my groin. Be aware of the naked man, spread-eagled on 400 thread cotton sweat shop sheets,
... read more.I Dreamed I Met Justin Trudeau
Last night I dreamed I met Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in an almost empty Winnipeg Hudson’s Bay building. I explained a problem about needing new shoes for my feet, one real, one fake. I wanted real shoes, perhaps not as fancy as his, but leather white-collar shoes, black, brown, no matter. Not sandals, not sneakers,
... read more.Come to the “Lame Is…” Cabaret!
Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow’s good thing iswas theatre, preparing for the “Lame is…” cabaret. The good people; the whole company of 24 or more, in rehearsal. Big nights are next week Friday and Saturday. There’s a “pay what you can” matinee on Saturday afternoon. I’m making my adult stage debut as a sit-down comic. Come
... read more.MY DAILY FLOG: TODAY’S PAIN
It’s hard to explain, but my pain remains more or less the same. Three surgeries ameliorated pains in my hips (both artificial hips approaching 5th year) and in my left foot. It’s prosthetic replacement is allowing me to stand, to walk, and to sit more comfortably at my desk when I’m working. Nothing has been,
... read more.Me – My Left Foot
I am in Bed 3, though not right now. I am doing well enough I can go home and look after myself all long weekend. The walker photo is from week before last, the end of week two. I can easily make the rounds of the rehab gym on forearm crutches, and then on Friday,
... read more.Roommate Bed 4
Roy has a spinal injury as a result of fall in his bathroom. He hit his head and his back, badly damaging three vertebrae requiring surgery. He and Eugene have been here in room 525 the longest. Roy is nearly ready to go home, likely by the beginning of September. His home is in Beausejour,
... read more.Roommates Bed 2
Eugene & Joyce Eugene’s spine was crushed in a farm accident on April 8th, 20 miles east of Russell. His son’s emergency call to 911 got a quick response from Rossburn Fire & Rescue. His son kept him motionless until the rescue workers arrived applying a cervical neck collar, and other aids to minimize movement,
... read more.My (New) Left Foot
My new left foot is resisting me, or me it, more likely. I will write down the instructions for putting it on, because I always forget something. Today my walker, my extra liner socks, and my shoe for the right foot. Those are just things, and easy to retrieve. I need them to do the
... read more.