Zeus

I lost my dog this past Wednesday, so I've been feeling down. He had a huge impact on me and my family, so I wrote a poem of sorts.

True to your name, you rolled in like loud thunder

At first stealing shoes, and socks as your plunder

And then your stole hearts, and helped to start a family

Two years later, consoling a lost, angry, teen that was me 

You listened to teenaged heartbreak, helped sadness and sickness pass

But simple life was not to last

2 new sisters took you by storm,

Through playing, pulling, and riding you stayed warm

 

You helped us grow, to truly know what love is like, 

A true friend, who led a full life

And though your thunder died away, On our hearts a paw-print will stay

Thank you Zeus… <3

Words can go Farther Than Feet

So today wasn't the best dayfor me, because I did not make it into my Masters program… although I am really disappointed, I am already looking into getting the qualifications to teach English as a second language. I was really proud of this, so I decided to share anyways. It's an autobiographical essay that which required you to outline your life in 750 words

Words Can go Farther than Feet

Words have always carried me farther than my feet; being born with cerebral palsy has limited my capabilities to a degree, but never my love for words and the stories they tell. 

Sometimes words have been more crippling than my disability itself: "You'll never... You can't" --but that only pushed me onward.

It started with a love for English in high school, where my teachers showed passion in their own way; and unknowingly fueled mine.

During that time, I also learned that stories had the power to bring about change. I used words to advocate for accessibility, and a ramp was made for our school courtyard.

From that small victory came a desire to help people, so I registered at Fanshawe College, in the General Arts and Science program, with the intent of testing the waters, and later pursuing their Social Work program. Along the way, there were several courses that provided useful insight into a world I didn't know I would enter. HerStory was a course that showed history from a female perspective, highlighting the struggle for voting rights, and the sexual exploration of the 60s. There was also a Media Analysis course that examined trends in media, and taught how to write editorial letters to discuss our findings. Both courses taught me to examine a story from all angles. In spite of this useful information, I was becoming too comfortable in the very waters I was testing; I knew I had to make a change. 

People often have no idea the effect that words can have on others. For me, those influential words came from a message I received out of the blue from a high school acquaintance. In truth, I wasn't being challenged enough in the college setting. I had ample time to write my assignments or to go the extra mile on a project. I was particularly proud of a journal article I submitted detailing the similarities between the Salem witch hunts and modern day society, so I decided to share it on Facebook. Then came the message, seemingly out of nowhere, from someone I had quietly admired for his wonderful balance of brains, kindness, and humour. He said that my piece had evoked a strong response, that I had real talent, and that if I didn't pursue something that helped me build on it, that talent would be wasted. His words were the extra push for me to make the change I knew was coming anyway. After graduation, I became a King's University College student-- the first in my family to attend university.

At King's I had both triumphs and failures; including helping with the student orientation program, having to take summer school, and raising over $1000 for Cancer research in memory of my Nanny. I kept a blog, detailing my time spent at university, and it covered everything from my first experience at Starbucks to proper wheelchair etiquette. That was a worthwhile endeavor because now I am able to look back and reflect on my personal growth during those three years. No matter what I went through, I rose to the challenge, each one adding a colourful chapter to my book. My biggest accomplishment to date is being a university graduate by the age of 23, in spite of the extra weight of a disability.!

Since graduating in October, I have been volunteering for a website called workstory.net. It has been a very rewarding experience. I interview people about what makes them happy in their work, and I put their stories together like puzzles. I've covered all sorts of careers from an artist to a firefighter, and if there is one thing I have learned, it's that any life story has its twists and turns, and sometimes stories intertwine.

I am hoping that the journalism program will be the next chapter of my own story. I would like to develop the skills necessary to help others share their stories, or even uncover a story that is important to the world. There are some whose voices are too quiet to be heard and others whose voices have been silenced. Those are the people whose stories I wish to tell.

Not "Why?" but "What?"

I've had a rough time with being forgotten by the company that is supposed to help me live independently. When you are stuck in bed waiting for help to arrive, it is so easy to ask: "Why do I have to rely on others?" "Why can't I just help myself?

Later in the day, I had agreed to speak at my friend Kayla's diabetic support group. I was feeling so far from inspirational, that I almost didn't go. Sometimes it feels like I have DISABLED tattooed across my forehead, and it's the only thing I can see. 

I went anyway, and said honestly that my day was awful. It was the best thing I could have done; because not everyone has good days, and sometimes the real thing says more than fluffed up reasons I'm awesome…

I shared that my biggest question as a kid was WHY?, but as I'm facing the world I've come to realize the bigger question is WHAT? We go through hard things with disabilities, diabetes and many other things, but what do we do in spite of it…

Karli

Why Walk When you can Fly

In my first year of university, I struggled with many challenges. I was very aware of my differences, and having no one go through University before me, I thought that even though I had made it, I might not finish.

I remember when the first wave of essays and exams hit, and for some reason my computer kept crashing. I went to the library with hopes of putting a dent in my work, but I ended up having a meltdown instead. Someone who I had just recently met,  found me in the corner close to tears. She dragged me out of the library, and into a deserted room. 

That moment was a changing day for me, because not only did she let me sob incoherently into her sweater, but she also listened to my concerns, and told me that no problem was too big or too small for somebody to listen and care. She even came over that weekend to help me catch up on my papers. A few days later, I found the attached video in my mailbox.

I had the good sense to save the video for a rainy day, because I knew that there would be more rough times ahead. Sure enough, there was, and there will be, but I made it 

I decided to share this video, and this story today because it is a big day in regards to  Bell Canada and raising awareness for mental health, and just like my friend said, no problem is too big or too small for somebody to listen. Just opening up to conversation can change somebody's attitude and perspective for the better. 

I never really thanked her for her unwavering support in my years of university, but I hope she knows how much I love her and appreciate herfor that, and every day I've  known her since.

More Than a Quick Fix

Today was the dreaded wheelchair fix-it day. This happens yearly (sometimes more than once if the elements are cruel). It's usually dreaded because they show up at the last minute; and when they do, you just know they want to be anywhere but on the job.

Today was different. The man made the necessary fixes, but also told me what/when he was fixing things. He even made conversation, and juggled a rambunctious kitten jumping in his tool bag.

In spite of the latter being funny to watch, the conversation was a nice surprise. He asked me about my life; where I'd been, what I'd been through, and where I wanted to go. I brought up my interest in journalism, and replacing the "biggest booty of 2014" stories with more substantial information.

He agreed with the importance of substance, and then added that a lot of people probably swallowed celebrity happenings, to escape reality.

We then got on the subject of healthcare, and I started by saying the company that I got help from was moving forward by hiring men. He said that he had worked in the system for years, and was always  trying to prove himself. I confided that most of the men that I had I liked, but I could tell when they weren't in it for the right reasons. When I raise concern about anything at all, I'm not really acknowledged.

In his own job, he said he found a similar issue. He would suggest changes to serve and help us in the best possible way, but he wouldn't be heard if it didn't  fit with the profit margin. It was really interesting how our different perspectives lined up today. One thing is for sure, no matter what you are trying to fix, the solution is not always a quick one.

Karli

This is the Best

Music keeps me afloat, just as much as my writing does. The right song can pump me up or mellow me out, and the right band can hold relevance forever. I like a little bit of everything, but especially the home-grown stuff including Billy Talent, LIGHTS, and more. Odds are I will never meet Billy Talent, but I will keep dreaming.

Last night, I saw one of my longtime favourites USS, or Ubiquitous Synergy Seeker. It's hard to put a name to their sound, but I've been to a show every year since 2009, and have never been disappointed.  The best part about them is not only their music, but also the kindness they show towards fans. Every time I go to a show, I've gotten a hug, or a chance to sing along. Nothing beats being remembered an recognized by a band that I love!

Just like a Puzzle

I've mentioned my position with workstory.net, but I haven't really told you why I love it. As you know, or maybe not, I ask  friends and acquaintances to share stories about careers they love. It's really interesting, because in some cases now I understand what it means what my friend says I have to go to work; when previously I would not have known their extent of busyness. I see their passion, their drive, and see that the path is full of roadblocks and detours, just like mine

I've heard about the love of helping others, but also it's ups and downs. I've heard compassionate tales of firefighters in training being pushed to the brink, and hugging someone who has lost everything. Every time I hear these stories, they give me an opportunity to fuel my fire, and perfect my dream. When I work with information, it's like nothing else exists except what's in front of me. I snap every piece into place like a puzzle, and there is nothing more rewarding than seeing the finished picture. If I'm having this much fun with my first opportunity, then I know I'm the right place.


Karli