Medically-assisted suicide is being used to discard expensive and inconvenient disabled people that our society doesn't value.
The Trudeau government is opening the door to the abuse and murder of disabled patients
Category: politics & public policy
Let’s talk about the fact that a doctor recommended murdering a patient
Trigger warning: this story contains discussion of eugenics and violence against disabled people. Last year, a doctor at Labrador-Grenfell Health in St. Anthony, N.L. told Sheila Elson that her 25-year-old daughter Candice Lewis was dying, and offered to kill Lewis using Canada's assisted dying laws. Elson immediately said no and is now complaining about the … Continue reading Let’s talk about the fact that a doctor recommended murdering a patient
Larger class sizes hit kids with learning disabilities where it hurts
Until now, kindergarten to grade 3 classrooms in Manitoba, where I live, have been limited to 20 students each. Yesterday the provincial government announced they would remove the cap, and allow individual school boards to decide for themselves what is an acceptable classroom size. This isn't the first time this has become an issue in Canada. … Continue reading Larger class sizes hit kids with learning disabilities where it hurts
Reflections on public pain and collective rage at the end of 2016
I've cried in public more times than I can count. I've cried openly on the bus after saying goodbye to a loved one, I've cried at parties, and I've cried at work. Yesterday I sat in a coffee shop and told a trusted friend about a bunch of shit that I've been going through lately, … Continue reading Reflections on public pain and collective rage at the end of 2016
Sophie Grégoire Trudeau needs to stop talking about mental health
Sophie Grégoire Trudeau's approach to mental health is completely individualist, over-simplistic and useless for most of us who struggle with anxiety, depression, and trauma. It's also not new.
If a cyclist yells at a driver, it’s because they’re afraid they’re going to die.
On Friday morning, I biked to work. This summer I have cycled about two or three times a week. It's about 15 minutes to bike from my house, most of it down a six-lane major street that is busy by Winnipeg standards but would seem relatively calm to anyone from Vancouver, Ottawa or Toronto. Friday … Continue reading If a cyclist yells at a driver, it’s because they’re afraid they’re going to die.
Calling Trump “crazy” is lazy, ableist and counterproductive
This is going to sound repetitive for anyone who read my last blog post, but throwing around language about mental illness like this, without evidence, is not okay. Not ever. And when it's about someone like Donald Trump, it carries even more power.
Your pro gun control rhetoric is dangerous for people like me
Mental illness has become a scapegoat for systemic violence, and I'm scared for my friends.
No, hating “big pharma” is not ableist
"Big pharma", the corporations that control the world's prescription drugs, consistently take advantage of sick people for profit. Contrary to the headlines I've seen lately, hating that is not ableist. What is ableist is judging people for doing the best they can with the options that are presented to them. The problem with big pharma is … Continue reading No, hating “big pharma” is not ableist
Why I don’t believe in “self care” (and how to make it obsolete)
Someone asked me recently what my favourite self care strategies are. It seemed like a reasonable question until I realized that I had no idea what the answer is. I drew a complete blank. Which is weird, because I'm a mental health activist and I spend a lot of time thinking about how to take care … Continue reading Why I don’t believe in “self care” (and how to make it obsolete)
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