It’s been like 5 years or more since my last blog post; it’s been…. I’ve gotten more disabled, physically, as my connective tissue disorder and platelet disorder caused more damage and my joints have gotten more damaged and loose and my spinal injuries of course contribute. I now use a walker or gait trainer. So it’s been hard for me to get out and do exciting things never mind have the energy to blog about them. Since I blogged last several family members have reached out about what genetic disorders I have because they also experience mysterious ailments and pains and are looking for diagnoses or to find more information out about what it is. I have remembered a lot of stuff I was blocking as part of my complex trauma like attending specialist appointments and getting tested and have more information as to what is ruining my life and destroying my ability to work a “real” job.

I quit blogging first because I was sick and felt like I was being punished by the system for existing and then because stressing out about DJT and Russia and things well outside my sphere of influence on a pittance from the govt and living in a really crappy part of town and recovering from a potential brain bleed and kidney attack really made me realize I needed all the energy I could spare to try and live my life day to day because my disability required it. But also because unfortunately I made a poor choice in partner and dealing with his mental health and behavioural concerns ate up whatever energy I could spare. He’s been out of the picture for almost 6 years now somehow? And I have a healthier relationship with a guy I rarely see because of his job who manages to be kind and supportive and I really don’t mind him not around a lot because I don’t have him causing me stress.

I have remained politically engaged in whatever limited capacity I can now that I’m unable to get out and protest easily; I write letters to my member of the Legislature or Parliament often and sign petitions and work to educate everyone I can about disability rights in Alberta, because most Albertans are actually very kind and want disabled people to be supported, they’re just too busy working to keep afloat and maintain their standard of living to be abreast of every political issue and unfortunately conservative media, well, media in general, tend not to have air or space dedicated to disability issues.

At the time of this writing, the UCP government in Alberta is facing a recall petition wave for nearly half the caucus and there are hints of a possible election this spring, hopefully before the ADAP program starts.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/alberta-disability-advocates-benefits-9.6993934

Disability poverty is absolutely a policy choice and it’s disgusting how the disabled community is being treated both here and in the US. People gleeful that the “undeserving” are being punished while blithely forgetting the innocents who will suffer. It’s positively chilling.

I wasn’t planning to write today but it’s time for my annual domain rental fee and I felt like if I’m paying the cost I might as well use it, and I may return to it, though without the getting around and interviewing people part.

I never did get an assistance dog; I’m too physically disabled now to walk one daily even if it’s tiny and I didn’t want my ex around a dog and especially not him having responsibilities for it.