The past week has been fairly light for “hard news” affecting PWD — specifically in Canada. Whether by coincidence or design, MSM news sources concentrated on the various observances of renewal that all converged during the past week. For the first time in decades, the three major Abrahamic religions of Judaism, Islam, and Christianity observed Passover, Ramadan, and Easter, respectively. Additionally, other faiths also celebrated the northern hemisphere’s launch into Spring.

However, there were some events of note specific to PWD. Thankfully, concerns regarding the exclusion of any mention of a Canada Disability Benefit in Budget 2022 continue to be expressed; this issue is too important to be subject to the less-than-a-day news cycle we have come to expect. Specifically:

• Over 70 Canadian MPs, representing three major parties and one Independent, released an open letter on Canada Disability Benefit stating, in part, “The Canada Disability Benefit is an important step in removing the barriers that people with disabilities face in Canada, and it must be part of a comprehensive government approach that includes creating good quality jobs and disability-inclusive spaces.”
• B. Pellerin (Ottawa Citizen writer) wrote an insightful piece about this, echoing the frustrations and mixed emotions felt by many PWD and their allies.

There were a few other items of note:

• The Supreme Court of Canada (SCC) denied an application from Nova Scotia to hear their appeal. In a case dating back to 2014, several PWD were awarded compensation for systemic mistreatment and abuse by various NS government departments. A small win is still a win.
• In Kentucky, a man suffering from severe panic attacks and other issues successfully sued a former employer for wrongful dismissal resulting from his disability. In summary, he expressed his concerns about an upcoming birthday party in his honour, stating it would cause him harm; his employer ignored his concerns, thereby causing him serious harm. He was fired later the same week for, in part, “stealing other co-workers’ joy” when he became unable to participate in said party. He was awarded $450K (USD) by the court. This writer sincerely hopes that he is able to throw himself a healthy, relaxing, gleeful celebration with some of his winnings.
• Dennis Tran & Vanni Le reviewed Everything Everywhere All At Once through a lense of how some Neurodivergent persons navigate both their outside and inside worlds. Their review highlights how what many would perceive as (ab)normal occurrences are processed very differently by a growing number of PWD. Learning how to see things differently from what one is used to is a priceless skill in understanding the needs of others.

In closing, I offer you a quote from a SciFi series that continues to inspire and motivate me over 30 years after I devoured the first volume — Dune. This quote is from the 5th book in the series:

Humans can balance on strange surfaces. Even on unpredictable ones. It’s called “getting in tune.” Great musicians know it. Surfers I watched when I was a child on Gammu, they knew it. Some waves throw you but you’re prepared for that. You climb back up and go at it once more.

– Darwi Odrade, Reverend Mother Superior, ~15000 AG

Be well, Gentle Reader,

– Gryph