Last night on Compass they announced the kick-off rally for the NDP on PEI at the Basilica Rec Centre. There were notable party luminaries there like Dr. Herb Dickieson. In his kick-off speech, Dean Constable identified Islanders with disabilities as people the NDP would help. He would work to reform the Disability Support Program.
Sitting in the audience I got a feeling of deja vu as Constable was echoing the complaints of this Blog. The Government cuts back a few hundred thousand $(OK, he was a little off: it’s $1 million) and then gives millions to corporations from away. Dean caught the empathetic message for Islanders with disabilities perfectly.
It was a pleasure to talk about PEI and politics with Dr. Herb, an NDP’er who resonated with many Islanders. When I had Island Computer I supplied computers and accounting software to Dr. Dewar and Dr. Dickieson. They became two of my favourite clients, each different from the other and totally genuine. Even when I was travelling all over the Maritimes and Canada on my quest for Aquilium, I enjoyed those trips to Western PEI to see them.
How I got the energy to go out last night, I don’t know. This was a week of grief and celebration. My partner’s mother died and was buried yesterday.
I’m going to call Dr. Lamont Sweet and tell him the flu lasts more than a week. I’ve had it off and of for almost two weeks now. Very tiresome.
On Monday CBC were here to tape a segment for Graham Burke. I was all dressed up in my mourning suit and left for Souris right after their van turned out the driveway. Graham wasn’t far from my mind as I tried to find a way to relieve his suffering. We have to thank the CBC for two disability stories in one newscast, Graham’s and Carl Palmer. There has to be an award for that.
In my inbox there was a funny email from an old friend and band-mate who encouraged and humoured me saying ‘he admired the technical proficiency and quality of the knifework on the recalcitrant powers that be. Keep up the good work!’ I’m still smiling at his words.
Kevin Walsh called and cheered me on. Kevin is the dean of PEI disability support. Before the DSP, Kevin work past his own pain and fatigue to find money for wheelchairs or other assistive devices. A diabetic, blind and an amputee, Kevin Walsh is a model of serving others before yourself. Kevin said to keep up the fight, to work to change the system for the better for everyone.
That’s why I went out last night. If Gertie could suffer through it, so could I. If people you respect tell you to keep up the good work, you’d better. If there are people suffering under this government’s Scrooge policies, we should fight it.
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