Transitioning Tuesday (on Thursday!): Housing Hopes

Sorry this is coming so late, but I only got the idea for this post the other night.


I've written about my experiences with accessible housing before, as seen here and here. My feelings of the subject have never been that positive. Until now.

The other night, I read the following article: http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2015/03/02/new-housing-disabilities/20099/

The article describes a planned gated community for developmentally (and I would assume physically) disabled adults in Florida. When finished, it will be an inclusive community that will feature apartments, assisted living, and recreational facilities. It could accommodate up to 224 people. Similar housing projects are being planned elsewhere.

Most of the information I've come across has been from the U.S. The first time I read the article, I actually had a moment of "Yeah, I could do Florida." It would be great to see something like this pop up in Canada. I really like the "community" concept, and the fact that they use apartments and even what look like town houses instead of making it just another stereotypical "home".

So, even though there's probably a million to one chance of me getting into something like this, at least I know places like this exist and that people are thinking outside of the box for a change. It gives me hope, rather than the usual headache.

And with that, I actually wrote an entire piece on housing without getting depressed or wanting to throw something. It's a miracle!

Cheers

Transitioning Tuesday: Postponed Due to Good Things Happening

This month's Transitioning Tuesday has been postponed this week and will be posted next week. The reason for this is because some very good things have been happening over the last little while. These include:

• Getting permission to be part of a rare disorder support group (even though it's for parents)
• Possibly arranging a speaking opportunity for the near future (I'm expecting to learn more about it this week.)
• Submitting my two cents about accessible housing in Ottawa
• Volunteering at a bake sale later this week for Rare Disease Day
• Starting to plan Spring/Summer stuff
• Finally planning on getting an age of majority card (because it's only taken me over a decade to commit to it.)

Of course, I'll post about all of these things as they happen.

Cheers!

A Really Great Message in a Really Great Comic Book

It's not often that my interest in comics and my writing about disability issues and advocacy cross over, so this is something I definitely want to share.

I was re-reading the second volume of Guarding The Globe, a spin-off of Invincible, both great titles from Image Comics.

Pretty standard comic book stuff: super-beings, aliens, robots, etc. Then at about two-thirds into the story, I read something pretty awesome. The whole moment centres around the character Brit (sort of a Captain America type). Earlier, he and his wife learn that their son has been diagnosed with autism. Both parents spend a fair bit of the story worried about the boy's future. Then, the awesome part happens.

After being accused of not caring about his son's diagnosis, Brit takes his wife to the scene of a battle between some of the story's heroes and a monster. His wife plays off the sight, thinking it means their son's autism doesn't even come close to one of the worst things her husband has seen. Brit counters by first describing some of his fellow heroes to her (most of whom aren't even human) and tells her that when he sees these characters, who are far less normal than their son, accomplish great feats, it gives him hope for what the boy will be able to accomplish, rather than what he won't.

This comic just used some of the following characters as a way for a couple to accept their child's disability:

• A yeti

• A girl who transforms into a monster

• And a super-powered bulldog

I've seen a lot of comic books tackle disabilities, but I've never seen it done with this much care and originality. There weren't any of the usual stereotypes used when this kind of subject matter comes up, like bitterness, goofiness, or (thank God) transforming wheelchairs. It was just a nice moment accented by really cool, different characters. I'm glad I noticed it, and I applaud the writers for including it.

Cheers!

Happy Blogiversary to Me!

This weekend marks the one-year anniversary of my first post as The Rare Writer.

Wow, a whole year of writing. Thanks to everyone who've followed the blog so far.

I looked up appropriate anniversary gifts, and year one is paper. Comic books are paper, right?

Pictured: Paper!

Cheers to another year!

Transitioning Tuesday: Feeling Comfortable

Transitioning to Adulthood with a Disability: Being Comfortable with Your Disability

 

Normally when I write about transitioning, it’s an article or post about some concrete milestone, like going to college or looking for work. This time, I wanted to do something different.

 After many years of listening to people’s comments, questions, and opinions, as well as looking at my own experiences, I’ve found that one of the most important aspects of transitioning to adulthood with a disability is the ability to be comfortable with your disability, and disabilities in general.

 I’ll admit that this is something I’ve only come to grips with relatively recently. I’ve always had this fear of people thinking I’m developmentally delayed, especially when I need help with something. It has nothing to do with anyone with a developmental disability, more so the perception from other people and groups.

 This fear of mine really started to show in college. During one stint, I took on way more than I could handle. Long story short, I let my own hang-ups get the better of me, tried to do too much on my own, and screwed up big time. Eventually, I got it through my head that it would be smarter to ask for help and fixed my mistakes when I went back for another program.

 Unfortunately, the fear resurfaced when I needed to make use of accessible transportation to get to and from college, and later, work. The main pick-up/drop-off area for Para Transpo (that’s the name of Ottawa’s accessible bus service) at the college I attended was outside a life skills program, and I tended to get humiliated at times when drivers would mistake me for a student in the program. The same situation occurred when I started with the treatment centre I volunteer at. The centre is next to a day program, and I would always feel bad when a driver would stop there instead of the centre. I quickly realised how foolish, and even rude, this was of me and I’ve stopped thinking like that.

 A) The drivers were only going to an assigned location, and B) So what? So what if some people think I have a developmental disability? It doesn’t take away from any of my past or present accomplishments.

For the record, I do have a slight developmental disability. When I was diagnosed with Joubert syndrome, I learnt that it’s a fairly common trait. (I'll get to this in a later post)

 

I’m still learning how to keep my old fears away. The advocacy is a big help. It’s always encouraging to talk to people who are going through roughly the same situation, or might go through it later on.

 So, if you’re ever feeling uncomfortable about some aspect of your disability or how someone might perceive it, don’t be afraid to talk (or in this case, write) about it. People will understand you a little better and you’ll be able to get help a lot quicker.

 

Cheers

M Is For Motivation and Mammoths

Was planning on writing a lengthy post about something, but just can't find the motivation today. Maybe later. Just one of those days.

I'm in an almost annoyingly positive mood, considering I can't seem to get anything accomplished today.

So, in an effort to make this post a little bigger, here is a photo of me standing with statues of a family of woolly mammoths.

Because, why not?

Cheers.

2015 Resolutions

A lot already coming down the pipes for the new year, but there are definitely a few things I want to accomplish for 2015.

1) Travel more

I've been averaging about one small travel opportunity per year for the last couple of years, and now I think I want to do a bit more. I've got plans for going to Chicago this summer, and maybe a family trip down South next Christmas, apart from that, who knows? Maybe something comic-related.

2) Write some fiction

Before I started getting further into the blogging and articles, I was writing fiction. I took Scriptwriting a few years ago, where I wrote a one-act play, the gist of a movie, and a pitch for an original TV series. After graduation, I e-mailed the play around and got some good advice, but no takers. The TV series, which was about cryptozoology and monsters, I adapted into an idea for my own comic book, which I've always wanted to do. I pitched it to a local publisher, and they liked the idea but the story itself needed work. I've been working at it/sitting on it since.

Anyway, writing articles and blog posts has given me enough of a break from fiction that my creative juices are flowing again, and I've come up with a couple of new ideas. I'm really partial to one in particular, and am going to follow through with it. I'll post updates on here as things come along.

3) Home care

This year, I plan to finally suck it up and see if I can get someone to come in and help me with a few small things on a regular basis. I've tried a couple times before, with no real luck. Now, with some help and new information, I'll try again.

And, those are the major goals I want to try and reach for this year. We'll see how things go...

Cheers.