I got an email from the Canadian Kennel Club asking for photos of my dogs and I. Turns out they are doing a slide show at their AGM to share stories of "impressive" people and I've been selected.
I don't think impressive describes me. I just work really, really hard.
For those that think a single, middle aged woman in a wheelchair must have a miserable life...I'd like you to meet my dogs. I don't just train and compete with them. We do some pretty fun stuff as well.
We did it!!!!
We decorated the Christmas Plant!!!
Now we need to tidy the apartment cuz we have so much fun stuff to do the next few weeks! Baking! Crafts! Gift Wrapping! The Gingerbread Doghouse!
And I have to remember my letter to Santy Claws!!!
#ChristmasWithKuno
There's this big, tough looking guy with a shaved head and tattoos that I sometimes see at dog training events and competitions.
It turns out he refers to me as The badass chick that competes with Rottweilers and I'm quite flattered by this.
I think we should stop naming bridges, roads and parks after people, and then having to rename them because humans do shitty things. We should just name them after dogs because dogs are inherently kind.
I have no problem taking the Sir Wigglebum Bridge on my commute.
City Councilor Janz has changed the venue of his next presentation to one that's accessible. I suspect the 1000s of tags, and many emails contributed to that decision. It should have been accessible to start with, but it's still a win for the
#disability
community.
#yegcc
Me: I'm planning on taking 2 rottweiler and driving 5 hours to spend 3 days kicking butt in competitive dog sports.
Also me: I can't get my wheelchair into the off leash park.
It's not my disability that prevents me from being successful.
Every time I'm almost ready to head to obedience trials with the dogs I have this moment of self doubt. "I can't do all this" "We aren't good enough" "People will stare"
I call those brain lies. It will be hard but I'm capable. We're very good. The only truth is people stare
I was invited to a Christmas party. It's upstairs at a local brewery. There's no elevator.
"Oops sorry. We never thought about that."
This is why we need leaders that practice and promote inclusion. Not because of a party, but because accessibility wasn't even considered.
My dad is in the hospital very ill. It's unlikely he'll go home. We're discussing ways to keep him comfortable. I feel like I should be there as much as possible and I'm incredibly frustrated at how hard it is to find anywhere to park a van with a ramp so I can do this.
It's so icy out that while taking the dog for a walk, my wheelchair slid down a driveway that crossed the sidewalk and onto the road. And if it weren't for the power rottweiler assist I'd still be trying to get back up the driveway to the sidewalk.
I'm happy to announce that a significant amount of snow and slush related barriers were cleared today. Not by the City. By mother nature.
Even she gave up waiting for them.
It's International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
I'm spending it competing dog trials today and doing well so far. Being disabled isn't what stops me from doing things. Barriers are what stop me.
That's why I can compete in a dog trial but not my city councilor's events.
There's a fairly new bakery on Whyte Ave, Bonjour Bakery, that has done a great job at accessibility. They even have a power door button at foot height for those who might not be able to use hands. In an area where many businesses aren't very inclusive, this is awesome to see.
I write a Christmas Story every year. There's always some sort of adversity that needs to be overcome in it. I haven't quite figured out the storyline yet but I'm leaning towards the grinchy city councilor who tried to make Christmas inaccessible to those he felt were less than.
I normally struggle staying focused, but today I've been extra scattered, impatiently hoping/dreading the vet would call to say my dog's biopsy results were back from pathology. They didn't. Now it'll be at least Wednesday before they'll call. That feels like a long time.
I remember a time when I thought wheelchair life meant I would be limited to taking a bus to a mall and being in by 7 p.m yet here I am parking my van at 11 p.m. on a Tuesday night after spending my evening training a dog and planning a group field trip for service dog puppies.
I get frustrated when people tell me it's "nice" when I can participate in something. It shouldn't be nice. It should be normal.
It's not the wheelchair or my disability that stops me from participating in things. It's the ableism that keeps so much of our city inaccessible.
I submitted my entries for the first 2 indoor dog trials of September. I still remember people telling me it would be impossible to train dogs from a wheelchair. But here I am, going for a Masters title with one dog and dog Advanced Rally and Novice formal Obedience with a puppy
I struggle this time of year. So much of my happiness comes from the freedom to get around in the outdoors. In a matter of weeks that will be drastically reduced for months. What I wouldn't give for one enclosed, outdoor spot with a cleared path so I could play ball with the dogs
Dear
@CityofEdmonton
,
It would take all day to submit 311 reports on all the curb ramps your plow blocked in my area. They seem avoid blocking alleys and intersections so it's not a matter of not being capable. It's poor training or employee apathy. Address it.
The bakeries in my area are winning at inclusivity. Stopped in at
@sugared_spiced
, another easy to access bakery, to pick up a few happy things.
Maybe bakers just have a better understanding of community and inclusion than most. ❤️
I'm getting ready to head to Lethbridge Thursday morning. I have a separate container of dry food for each dog. I have supplements, toppers in case they get picky, I have training treats, bully sticks for boredom and super high value rewards. For me I have yogurt and hot dogs. 🤷♀️
I'm so mad.
My puppy got hit by a cyclist this morning. On a multi-use path. She's ok, but it scared her. The cyclist didn't ring their bell until they were right behind us, so there wasn't time to move onto the grass. The lanes aren't wide enough for a dog and a wheelchair.
1/2
My wheelchair became firmly stuck in this pile of mush trying to get onto the sidewalk. The local fire station is at this corner.
Thankfully after a few minutes my dog walking partner got me out. I'm relieved because it would have been embarrassing to have to ask the firemen!
I love this dog. He's taught me that if something seems impossible, I should just focus on a small part, and then another small part and if I keep going one day what was impossible becomes very probable.
One day we're going to get that pretty photo with the high point ribbon❤️
You know who made it to the post office today???
Me neither because I sure didn't.
I did, however, spend almost 3 hours walking dogs because the sidewalks are predominantly clear.
Today I feel like I fell off a building. The problem with chronic pain is that if you don't stay ahead of it, it runs over you and won't let you back up.
Hopefully drugs and sleep will make the building I fall off of tomorrow not so tall.
Today I let a popcorn vendor toss the puppy a piece (I seldom let others feed but once in awhile I'll do this to guage response) and this led to her offering boops, paw touches, hi 5s, hopping in place, sit, stand, and a down all in hopes of another piece. I need energy like that
This afternoon I wanted tacos.
And there was literally a taco restaurant across the street from where I was.
They were not wheelchair accessible and I was suddenly really mad.
What kind of country do I live in where I can't access tacos?
Tacos are for everyone.
I'm packing dog food and my clothes because we leave tomorrow for a weekend dog show.
I'm anxious. It's my first time at this venue and I have no idea what accessibility will be like. Usually a group of us meet there so I have help if needed. This time it's just me & 2 dogs. 😬
Alberta Govt: In order to get funding for a power wheelchair you need to prove that you will use it to be active in your community
Also the Alberta Govt: We only fund one set of replacement tires a year. You shouldn't have used your wheelchair so much and worn the tires down.
"My dog is friendly!" That's what they say as their dog drags them over so it can meet mine.
The guy who insists on putting his arm around every woman at the bar is also friendly. But friendly doesn't mean socially acceptable. Even amongst dogs.
Snowdays literally hurt my heart and mind. It could be several days before enough sidewalks and intersections are cleared for me to access my community. It feels like house arrest. I really struggle when I can't get outside.
I saw something cool at one of the community rink dog parks this summer. They started putting ramps in so people like me could use them. But I came across a woman with a dog that had a canine wheelchair playing at one. The owner said that ramp made it so much easier to get in. ❤️
If your wheelchair access involves me using the same back alley ramp as the building's trash bins, you're not allowing me the same access other people have. It's the same access garbage has.
In 3 hours 31 strangers intentionally tried to engage with and distract my service dog today.
Please, do not call her, make kissy noises at her, wave things at her, stare deeply into her eyes, ask her questions or tell your children to say hi to her. You make her job harder.
I'm working on a human rights complaint from an incident in November. I have to gather emails, photos, screenshots, and fill out a complaint, get it reviewed by my advisor, then file and wait months.
If we had accessibility legislation I wouldn't have to do this.
A local business reached out to me because they'd like to put in a ramp to become accessible. Apparently the
@CityofEdmonton
wants their landlord to pay 26K to expropriate 3 feet of sidewalk. This is how municipalities perpetuate barriers and promote discrimination.
@aacyeg
Sometimes I hate advocacy work. I spent all day explaining barriers. In the evening I went to a community consultation on the renewal of a road in the area.
It's kind of soul sucking to see how many places in our community I don't belong and how many people are ok with that.
You know how Ikea has their little mock apartments you can go through? A wheelchair can navigate through all of them.
Yet for some reason in regular apartments we can't have doors wide enough to get into bedrooms and bathrooms.
I could navigate several blocks in Ritchie today in a power wheelchair. The places that were impassable were a few curbramps blocked by snow and the sidewalks around parks and greenspaces that are maintained by the
@CityofEdmonton
I need to make yam chips, pork balls, mini meatloaf for my canine Christmas platter, and dig out the coffee table. But I spent 4 hours doing dog walks and now I'm ready for a nap.
It's very isolating to be disabled. I find it hard to foster friendships without being able to go to someone's home. It makes things one sided. Awkward. I miss hanging out in a friend's kitchen, doing girls night in, joining backyard BBQs. I'd be very lonely if I didn't have dogs
Every year the
@CityofEdmonton
plows block the curb ramps. After complaints they send someone else to clear them. By March the plow drivers learn not to push the snow there. It would improve accessibility and save tax dollars to do it right the first time.
@AACyeg
According to my city councilor one of the main reasons many of the events he organizes aren't accessible is that he has a difficult time finding accessible venues to host them at.
Something seems off about that. It's not 1987. I didn't think our city was that far behind.
#yeg
Winter weather is finally here so it's time to start scent detection work. I use the underground parking area to hide the scent vials.
I'm pretty sure some of the neighbors think we're looking for drugs.
We're not. But we could 😉
Had a local pub tell me their patio is pet friendly but not wheelchair friendly.
So is the dog supposed to just leave me tied up outside while he enjoys a burger and bowl of water?
The sad part is that there's way more places like this than you'd think.
#Yeg
#InclusionMatters
Tree is up. Not decorated but it's up. Dogs walked/trained. Dog nails dremeled (but it's a half ass job because my wrist hurts) Dog gear for show ready. It's finally bedtime at 1 a.m. and aside from 8 Sq ft around the tree, my apartment looks like wild hyenas live here.
I accidentally ran over a dog toy which caused me to get a rubber backed carpet stuck in my wheels and trapped me in a doorway.
Stuff like that is why disabilities come with anxiety.
I made Sardine and Bison tripe Fudge for the dogs.
It smells..interesting. I've had to light candles to hopefully eliminate some of it.
The dogs are very interested though.
Someone shared this on my other account recently. While the majority of the time I don't have the energy to do anything about the inaccessible places I see, when it comes to community events, I'll speak up. Loudly.
We need to be seen as part of the community.
#Inclusion
I'm so fortunate to have an accessible vehicle. There is absolutely no way I could have gotten to appointments or done essential errands without one. Most curb ramps have been blocked by plows, bus stops are uncleared or blocked.
Today's list of priorities...post office.
And you know what I totally forgot to do? Yep. Go to the post office.
But the remnants of the gingerbread house chaos have been addressed.
My Friday nights consist of driving 45 minutes out of the city to meet 3 or 4 other women to run rally obedience patterns with our dogs. I'm the only one with a disability but they built me a ramp and set it up for me every Friday. This is one of the few places I feel I belong.
I'm starting the day of with the same 2 goals as yesterday... find the coffee table under the clutter and get to the post office. And I'm adding one more. Help the dogs build they gingerbread house. Odds are I won't see the post office 🤣
If you don't have a Spotify Playlist called Dancing with the Dog with a collection of tunes to dance to with your dog, then you're missing out on all sorts of happy.
I've posted a lot about my city councilor's discrimination of people with disabilities. He hosts discussions and presentations on important topics, and knowingly selects high barrier venues that make participation difficult for some people.
This also promotes discrimination.
1/
Asking for accessibility accommodations can be incredibly stressful. I get labeled as a whiner, a complainer or an inconvenience. I'm not trying to make it easier for me than anyone else. I'm literally asking for the minimum I need so I can have the opportunity to participate.
This is what happens when back alleys cross the sidewalks. There are ruts over 6" deep. It's incredibly hard on mobility equipment IF you can get across. It's not the homeowners responsibility and the city claims it's not their's either.
@CityofEdmonton
this is NOT accessible.
I never realized how much I hate trying to get through the partially blocked aisles of a shoppers drug mart to get to the post office at the back of the store. It's aversive enough that I've avoided it all week. Even when I've passed the mall.
It's that time of year where the insurance company needs me to spend money to get a doctor to fill out a form to tell them my legs did not grow back.
I feel like that's a waste of a doctor's time, my time and even the resources of the insurance company.
There's a big push to curb urban sprawl and create more housing density in existing areas. And I'm all for that, but there needs to be the same push to make the services, shops, and other amenities much more accessible in the existing older areas.
Evening plans: video dogs assembling Christmas plant, dremel dog nails, hour long dog walk/training session, prep dog treats and the gear bag for a one day dog trial tomorrow, 30 minute dog walk, brush dogs, and suffer from insomnia.
I should probably stop procrastinating
🧵In my neighborhood there are at least 11 of us wheelchair users (not including residents of a nearby seniors lodge) but most of us you'll never see out in the community or at local events.
Why?
Physical barriers play a role but there's more to it than most people realize.
1/
A dog trial is a lot of work, especially being a wheelchair user. However it demonstrates that despite my disability, I'm very competent, committed and capable. There's 5 or 6 trials that I'd like to get to this fall to earn the upper level titles. Now I need to find sponsors.
Almost a month ago I submitted a 311 report to the
@CityofEdmonton
. It's a vacant corner lot by a crosswalk I frequently use...when I can get to it. For 3 weeks the 311 app shows enforcement action taken. Today a crew was finally clearing the snow.
How is 3+ weeks acceptable?
@JasonNixonAB
You're the minister of social services. You can't even support people with visual impairments by taking 30 seconds to add ALT text on your social media. That says a lot about your commitment to the disabled community.
If you simply don't know how, ask.
Yesterday I saw a City of Edmonton employee clearing a strip of snow in front of a bus stop. Not all the way to the regular sidewalk though. He left a big ridge of snow between the 2. Same thing at the stop on my street. It's almost like they don't want disabled ppl to ride a bus
Because being in a wheelchair doesn't stop me from training and competing with large dogs, I'm taking a K9 first aid course. The facility is built for dogs, not the public, yet they built a ramp in the fall and now they've made the bathroom accessible so I can take this course
1/
It's not like we were taking up the whole path. She was just on the yellow line. She's training to be a service dog. I've spent hours doing desensitization to bikes & scooters so she'd calmly stay in a proper heel when they sped by. Hopefully this hasn't undone all that.
2/2
I was sitting in bed feeling sorry for myself when my 87 lb puppy rolled slightly and fell off the edge. This startled her so she jumped up, knocked over a laundry basket that hit a small table causing a water bottle & reading light to fall to the floor.
Self pity is destructive
"How are you possibly going to train a puppy? You're in a wheelchair!"
I get comments like that a lot, especially from other people with disabilities.
The answer is quite simple.
Commitment, patience, experience, food & a clicker and not getting sucked into negative thinking.
You know when you're starving and you want a relatively healthy lettuce, tomato and cheese sandwich but you have no lettuce and tomatoes so you have to eat a Reese peanut butter cup instead?
Please tell me this happens to you too.
A restaurant was listed by their local business association as barrier free. I double checked on their Google business profile. It stated wheelchair accessible entrance and accessible seating.
There's 3 steps down to get to their door 🙄
I asked Councilor Janz to provide a proper portable ramp that met safety requirements, ensure that meet and greets and info sessions be in an area we could access and to make arrangements for an access to a bathroom.
He is the event organizer and refused all accommodations. 🤦♀️
🌟A brighter future in Edmonton! Join us in person or online on Nov 28
@themetrocinema
for a night of impactful discussions. From tackling homelessness to climate action and youth empowerment, let's explore the big ideas shaping our city.
#EDTalk
I hate calling or messaging to ask if something is wheelchair accessible. Unless it's a yes it usually ends up awkward and embarrassing. When the answer is no often it comes across like it's my fault I can't get in.
Accessibility info on websites could prevent a lot of stress.
I videod a dog training session this morning. I was focused on the dog and forgot where the phone was recording. I now have 4 minutes of dog video and over 20 minutes of leaves blowing across a tennis court.
#Yeg
city councilor
@michaeljanz
continues to promote his "EdTalks" event on Instagram.
Today he listed "improving public transit accessibility " as one of the topics. Yet the very people who need better accessibility on transit can't participate as his venue isn't accessible
People are often uncomfortable with others who are visibly different than what they are used to. I experience this a LOT, even amongst other wheelchair users who look "normal". So I'd like you to know that people with scars, atrophy, amputations etc don't breathe fire or bite.
It took over 2 weeks for the
@CityofEdmonton
to clear this sidewalk. This is the job they did.
Today's snow has covered the ice patches and made it a treacherous skating rink. People were falling!
For the amount spent on snow removal they shouldn't be doing such a crappy job.
Every year I try to write a spin off of the Night Before Christmas about an online community. It never works.
Twas the night before Christmas,
And all throughout X,
Not a creature was stirring,
Except the ones having...
Last year the only one stirring was using the shitter.
My puppy weighed in at 54 pounds this week. That means between both dogs that's 180 pounds I jaywalked (jayrolled?) across a street with today.
I felt kinda bad ass. Maybe I should start a gang of rebellious wheelchair users.