June 2023 Newsletter Edition
The month of June has been interesting. My right knee has been troublesome. I haven't worked on what I planned. But as I sit here and write this I am happy with what I was able to get done.
I had my next pain management appointment with my specialist. He asked if I would consider using vitamin D3. His explanation was that this would help my body run better and that when I experience a setback with my physical disability I'd recover faster. What I really liked is when my doctor said he keeps his vitamin D3 in his vehicle as his strategy to ensure he uses this each morning. He said this proactively to me. This was before I had the opportunity to ask him. I really appreciate it when my specialists say they would be willing to do the same treatment as they are recommending to me. I found an immediate difference. I have more energy. This is proving a net gain to my life.
The grief support group I attended this spring had the "6 week reunion" session in mid June. It has been very positive attending the grief support group for a second time. This was different than when the group ended in December 2022. The first time around felt too fast. The reason it felt too fast was on account of the chronic pain I experience. It takes me longer to work through emotional related issues. The organization that hosted the grief support group were very understanding when I asked to attend for a second time and explained this was on account of the chronic pain I experience. I've been able to move my life forward when this group ended. The past 6 weeks have been consistently positive. I got what I needed from the group. The memories of my aunt have changed from being sad to happy reminders of different things her and I spent together.
My nephew was married this month. I wasn't able to attend. The wedding venue they selected wasn't wheelchair accessible. There isn't a wheelchair accessible ramp at this facility. When I began assessing if it it would work (logistically speaking) I reached out to the social worker hired employed by the village at the nearest train station. After explaining my physical disability the question I posed was if the village had what I needed to function and logistical questions related to using a power wheelchair in order to attend the wedding. It was the social worker who thought of contacting the wedding venue to inquire if it was wheelchair accessible. I had taken this for granted. When we found out the social worker wanted me to make a human rights complaint. I considered this. However the Federal Government of Canada has made a proclamation concerning accessibility standards for 2027. I believe this would supersede the Province of Ontario building standards. I didn't think a complaint would prevail under scrutiny with this proclamation. However what alarmed me is that seniors benefit from the same accessibility upgrades as a wheelchair makes use of. If I was the venue owner I'd be concerned of the reputation damage to their facility if a grandparent attending a wedding fell and broke a hip.
I completed my income tax return for 2022 and sent it to Canada Revenue Agency for processing. I am late submitting this. I don't anticipate a problem submitting this late. A division of Canada Revenue Agency is able to waive any late fees assessed when there is a legitimate reason. I was late filing on account of my physical disability and chronic pain. The past few months has been very physically challenging. My physical disability has been hard to manage. I have a "disability tax certificate" with Canada Revenue Agency. I have confidence I will be understood.
Every now and then I am able to do something that has a lot of meaning and I am able to draw from the experience living with a physical disability. One of my friends suffered a stroke. I purchased an exercise book to help her develop her fine motor skills and some carbines for hanging things off her new wheelchair. I wouldn't wish for to have a stroke. I have been glad to make time supporting her as she re-learns how to live.