Category: Experiences

Support and services

Q: What support services were the most/least beneficial to you and why?

I honestly couldn’t break it down to any specific services. I really had to think about this question before I arrived at a semi-workable answer. And the answer isn’t quite as specific as I’d have hoped. Oh well.

I believe my “support” and whether it has benefited me, either positively or negatively, simply boils down to whether it was obtained independently, or through a so-called “service provider.”

I didn’t have much control with any “formal” service entity. I was at the mercy of the service and what they’re able to provide at any given time. At least where PSW services go. They were not very flexible and, either unwilling, or unable to deal with change. Like if a staff member was sick, or unable to “report for duty,” not once were they able to provide me a back-up. And given this relations were often strained as a result. A person’s care is, inevitably personal and important. As it should be. I expected dependable help, but was provided anything but. Continue reading Support and services

Society and treatment

Q: How do you see you have been viewed by the dominant or mainstream Canadian society since your accident and how has this evolved over time?

A: Generally most people are quite accepting and genuinely (assumed) nice to me. That said, no-one is totally sheltered, I encounter “ignorance,” on occasion. Specifically from people who don’t know how to and go out of their way not to take the time to interact with me. But perception goes both ways, kid. When people choose to carry on as such I interpret them as possessing a somewhat closed mind. Frankly it has nothing to do with me. It’s their problem, not mine. I can’t control my “perception,” nor would I wish to. All I can hope to do is to change peoples impressions with my innocent charm… Continue reading Society and treatment

First visit

Q: Could you describe your first visit to a public setting after your accident including any cultural challenges you may have faced?

A: I guess my very first visit to a public setting was to a movie with my community support worker sometime in April-May ’97. It was a brand new theatre, so wheelchair accessibility was looked after. As far as entrance ramps and seating were concerned. Though I do recall having to duck behind nearby office supply store for a bathroom related issue after the movie, once we left the theatre and were awaiting the chariot ride back to hell. So accessibility was an issue. Figures… Continue reading First visit

Adjustment and culture

Q: Could you describe how you and your family members, friends, etc. adjusted to your return to the home environment and how the family culture may have changed?

A: After such a nightmarish (for lack of a worse word, I feel somewhat restrained to remain polite) hospital stay, for me at least my return home and the any adjustment that had to be made was a smooth one. To be fair, I suspect not rushing my return helped quite a bit. 2 or 3 months before I was eventually discharged I was able to go home every weekend. So my return wasn’t hard on my family with respect to me not being there one day and being there the next. My family and support staff had run through the drill a bunch of times well before I actually came home. And I’d imagine that greatly helped with the transition for them, as well as myself. Continue reading Adjustment and culture