Friday, January 26, 2024

Accessibility, Transportation, and the House of Commons!

As some of you may know, I have to take Access Calgary Transit to get to where I want to go on a day-to-day basis. With that being said, I’ve had so many frustrating experiences lately that make me question the existence of their services in Calgary. Sometimes it feels like, instead of improving or bridging the gaps for accessibility, they are making accessibility that much harder and removing the space for someone else to provide the same services, at a better level to actual meet needs


I want to specifically outline a few recent incidents that have occurred, with one of the most frustrating ones being on October 25, 2023. My experience waiting for ACCESS pickup at the Core Shopping Centre left me stuck waiting for over 2 hours, and I believe it's crucial to bring this matter to the attention of the government as this is a common, not rare nor secluded experience that many folks using Access face every single day. 


With that being said, I am hoping to take this all the way to the government of Canada, and I’m hoping to speak in the House of Commons to have my voice heard. From my understanding, Access is a program offered by Calgary Transit to improve accessibility, but such programs may not be available across the country in other provinces or territories, or where they do exist, they have procedural issues in operating to their best capacity. This could be minimized with a federally governed and managed, across Canada, accessible transit system. By managing it federally, this would allow for this program to exist in other communities across Canada where accessibility may be an issue that has not been appropriately addressed and allow for better overview, insight and maintenance of policies and procedures to ensure accessible transit is not inadvertently limiting or reducing accessibility. I want to talk to the federal government, about making their own accessible transit nationwide. 


I have reached out to Access to discuss this in the past, with no changes being made and still running into the same problems. I have since escalated this issue to the City of Calgary, the Mayor of Calgary, many Councillors, many Members of Parliament, the Premier of Alberta, the Office of the Advocate for Persons with Disabilities, and the Alberta Human Rights Commission. I have also once again reached out to Access to provide a solution that addresses the policy and procedural issues with Access inadvertently limiting accessibility for persons like myself, but have not yet heard back. 

 

For some context, these are some of the situations that have occurred which are the reason behind my call for change. The first one occurred on October 28, 2023. My scheduled pick-up time was between 3:00 and 3:20, a window that already poses an inconvenience, requiring me to wait for twenty minutes without a confirmed time. I also have been told to arrive at the pickup location ten minutes before or wait ten minutes after as sometimes the driver may arrive early or late without any warning. To add to my frustration, I did not receive a confirmation call that day regarding my pick-up, leaving me uncertain about whether or not ACCESS would arrive as scheduled - this was the second snow day of this Winter. Despite this, I arrived at 2:40 to ensure I was there on time and waiting, and I waited until 3:30 with no sign of the vehicle.

 

During this time, I called ACCESS five times, each time receiving conflicting information. The first call, at 3:15 p.m. was to confirm my ride and ensure someone was on their way, to which I was informed that a call was merely a courtesy, and that the driver was on the way and 5 minutes out. It would be nice to know if you are getting a ride in such a bad snow storm, and raises accessibility issues as well. Following that,  I called back at 3:20 p.m., and I was advised that the driver was already parked outside, which led to a frantic but fruitless search for the ACCESS vehicle, going back and forth from each possible pick up point. When we couldn't locate the driver, at the exact location they advised us he was it, I was promised a callback after an attempt to reach the driver. No callback was received, and subsequent calls led to similar responses. I called back at 3:25 and got the same response, that the driver was outside. I once again frantically searched at every entrance for the ACCESS vehicle, but with no luck. I was then advised that they would try to get ahold of the driver and they placed me on hold. She picked up again and advised that they cannot get ahold of the driver, and will attempt to discuss with a supervisor and call us back. Once again, we received no call. We called back at 3:30 and were advised that the driver had marked us as a no-show, which was not possible as we were there well in advance and kept checking every entrance, and called to confirm multiple times. This call was forwarded to the supervisor and then I was advised that the driver cancelled, and that this is usually likely due to a mechanical issue, but they would look into it and get back to me. I kept receiving conflicting information the entire time, they were even blaming it on me at some points, telling me I was a no show. An urgent pickup request was placed, and I was told to expect the next pick-up between 4:30 and 4:50, which equates to a delay of approximately 1.5 to 2 hours. I ended up being picked up at 5, which was ten minutes later than expected as well, and two hours after my scheduled pick up time. Once again, this was during our first winter storm this year.

 

I was reassured multiple times that this situation would be looked into to figure out what happened and what went wrong, what could be improved on, and so forth. They took our contact information down and it has since been months since this incident, and we have not heard back at all directly from Access regarding what happened and why. We also attempted to send an email to Access directly, but did not receive a response back on our inquiry into contact information for someone who would listen. 

 

Another situation occurred on Saturday November 4, I was heading home on an Access ride after winning my hockey game. My driver for the drop off was driving on my residential street, almost to my drop off location, which was my house, when suddenly he pulled over. I thought he was looking for my house and so I let him know that it’s right over ahead of us. He told me he had received a message on his computer and he needed to go pick someone up. I told him my house is right there but he said no that he missed the pickup and he needs to go there right now. So instead of dropping me off even though I was basically almost home, he made me tag along for the pickup. Why didn’t he drop me off and pick her up and be on his Merry way? Why make it a whole runaround situation for everyone involved including myself, the other passenger, himself, and the ACCESS vehicle and its gas tank? 


Another situation occurred today on January 3, 2024, where I was scheduled to be dropped off to the Westside Recreation Centre for my weekly swim routine. My requested drop off time was 11 a.m., which Access confirmed means that the earliest time I could be dropped off is 10:40 a.m.by their policies and standards. However, I was picked up at 9:48 a.m. and dropped off at my destination at 10:04 a.m., an hour earlier than requested. I was meeting up with someone, and due to the changes in drop off times, I had to wait almost an hour. That speaks to the barriers and accessibility issues of Access in assisting with daily transportation needs for social commitments. 

 

I want to highlight these situation, not because they are all a one off experience that I experienced, but because this is something that has happened and continues to happen to almost everyone who uses Access, and almost all the time. I have been using Access for years, and have consistently had issues. I was on the Access Eligibility Appeal board in the past and have heard many similar stories and experiences, and have also tried to raise my concerns in the past. It seems like there is no one you can talk to, or nothing you can do to face this systemic discrimination against people with disabilities. Which is why I am taking it to the House of Commons, in hopes to spark a bigger conversation on how we can work to fix this, and improve the lives of Canadians with disabilities who require support for transportation to enjoy their lives and livelihood. 


At this point, it should be reevaluated how accessible the service really is, and whether it is inadvertently causing further barriers and inaccessibility for many people using the service who may not have another option for transportation. 

I’ve been reaching out to many levels of government, but now I am hoping to present my idea to the House of Commons to provide them with my unique experiences and worldview, as well as this new idea to help improve accessibility on a Canada wide scale. 

Stay tuned and start watching the House of Commons for maybe a special appearance from your girl. 

Wednesday, October 25, 2023

Access suck big time!!

So today I’m really annoyed with Access. I was at core shopping centre and was supposed to be picked up from 3 - 3:20, which is already annoying considering that can’t give me an exact time so I have to stand in one spot for twenty minutes. First of all, I didn’t even receive a confirmation call to begin with, letting me know if or if not I’m being picked up for the day. So I came down at 2:40 anyways and waited until 3:30, with no luck. I called access 5 times during this time, and each time I was given the run around. I first called to confirm my ride, and make sure someone was even on their way. They let me know that someone was, and that the call is just a Curtesy call anyways. So I continued waiting. when no one arrived, I called again and was told that the driver was actually parked outside waiting for me. So we started frantically searching for the Access vehicle, and could not locate it no matter where we checked. The Access support staff told us that they would try to get in touch with the driver and call us back. We never got a call back, so we called them again. Another person told me the same thing, the Access vehicle is waiting outside. Again, stressed out and frantic, we started looking for the vehicle again. Still couldn’t find it and were told that they would try to contact the driver again. Then we were told that the driver cannot be reached and that they need to figure out what to do with their supervisor. I called back again and was then told that the driver had marked me as a no show. I called back again, and was this time told that the driver actually canceled himself, probably because of a mechanical issue. They told me that an urgent request had been put in and I will be next to be picked up. At this point I had already been waiting over an hour, had called back 5 times, and was now being told that the neared driver will take anywhere from 4:30-4:50. Isn’t this ridiculous? That means I am now being picked up about 1.5-2 hours late. It’s the second snow day, and they’ve left people waiting for hours. Hopefully they actually arrive this time, or you’ll hear from me again soon, and this time, I’m gonna be pretty mad about it.

Sunday, September 10, 2023

Access

  

It seems like I’m blogging a lot these days. It feels like my blog is my sounding board. And that’s good for me because I can get into shit with my words. I am writing this funny and a little condescending. I don’t really care if I get into trouble so here is my thoughts about access, my favourite topic of my life. I moved to Calgary when I was 18 years old. 



Now I am in my 40’s so that means I’ve taken access for about 23 years. Access is a service in Calgary for people who have disabilities. It is a service that picks people up who can’t drive or walk or take regular transit. In my opinion… it sucks. They have good drivers who I’m friends with and other drivers who I don’t understand why they are working in this field. They are not reliable… There was one time they forgot to pick me up and several times they were really late! 


Or sometimes they come and I’m not ready so they leave. Right now I can book all my trips online and I like that but if I go to the gym and I book it for an 11am drop off they will get me there at 10:20.. it is kind of bullshit. I wish they could have me there like 15 minutes before my drop off time… not 40 minutes! 


I was on the Transit Accessibility board for four years. It was good but seeing it now, what it has become… they need a new system. They phone me when they’re on their way but because it’s an automated system it isn’t that accurate on timing. 


I would like to ask someone from council to ride the access transit for one day… and see how it feels. Maybe I should try my hand at winning the lottery! If I won I could buy a van and a driver to take me around. I could say a lot of bad stuff about access but it’s not worth it for me to get mad about. It’s a system I need to have in my life to get around everyday. 

Friday, September 1, 2023

It’s time to be brutally honest

 I am sick and tired of going about my day and seeing the looks of pity from other people. I am completely over the bullshit that comes along with being in my shoes. Everyone, and I mean everyone, has some internalized biases towards people with disabilities, and I’m fucking over it. I wrote down some questions for you that I want you to answer for yourself with complete honesty. Don’t sugar coat your answers to make yourself look nice, be completely and brutally honest. 


Have you ever seen that show "What Would You Do"?



    - Do you know someone who has a disability?


   - Do you have any friends who have disabilities? If so, what’s the first thing you.   

      see when you look at them?


   -  Do you have a disability? 


    - What is holding you back from dating someone with a disability?


   -  Would you say "hi" to a stranger on the street who has a disability or would you 

       look the other way?


  • Would you be embarrassed to be seen with somebody who has a disability? Why?


  • Do you speak to people with disabilities in a different way than you do other people? Why?


  • Have you ever purposely avoided eye contact with a person who has a visible disability in order to make yourself more “comfortable”? Why?


  • Have you ever seen a person with a visible disability in public and given them a look, and wondered “what are you doing out here?” Why?


  • Do you interact with people who have disabilities differently than you do other people? Why?


  • Do you think it is weird or uncomfortable to see people with disabilities in relationships? Why?


If I had the guts I would go up to someone and ask them "What do you think when you look at me"? Would they be honest with themselves and I? Or would they try to spare my feelings? 


If you want to answer:

Friday, August 25, 2023

What if!!

 I was wondering if I could do something over, would my life be different? On Monday night I watched American Ninja Warriors and there was a guy in his mid twenties who had Cerebral Palsy. He wore braces on his legs when he was a kid and now he is competing on American Ninja Warrior.  He doesn’t have to wear braces anymore. If you don’t know, America Ninja Warrior features an obstacle course and you have to use your upper body strength to complete it. I am doing something like that with Cros.fit every Tuesday and every other Thursday. 


I remember when I was a kid I had to wear braces on my legs too. But I don’t know why I needed to wear them because I couldn’t walk on my own, only with help from others. I used to crawl around the house with the braces on my legs. the braces were pinching my bum, so I didn’t like them. One day I stopped wearing them and I started doing whatever I wanted to. Babies can walk at an early age as my two sisters did, but I was 13 years old when I finally got up to try to walk on my own. I remember one time when I was on the couch watching television and I needed to go to the bathroom; I thought I could try to take couple of steps and see how far I can go without falling. My mom would cautiously watch me from the kitchen but I didn’t care in the moment, I wanted to try to take a few steps on my own without falling. I began taking a step and another one and then two more steps and so on until I reached the bathroom. I felt like a baby taking her first wobbly steps. I know that sounds crazy at 13 years old, but if you were me in that moment you would’ve understood just how big of a deal it was. I will never forget that day. 


Today I can’t take steps anymore because of the mini stroke I had 7 years ago. As a result of the stroke, I have fallen a lot over the years and have split my head open. I still have scars on my head from this. Watching American Ninja Warriors, it got me thinking… if I keep working at it and doing cross fit, would I become as strong as him? Watching him, you would never know that he used to wear braces on his legs. I wonder if I continue to push myself and my body, will I be able to walk on my own again? Will I ever be able to do the same things I did before I had the mini stroke? I am inspired by the stories I hear of others, like this man on American Ninja Warriors, because it brings me hope and optimism. I have hope and optimism that I will be able to help my body heal in order to do things that I used to do, such as taking steps. I have hope and optimism that I will be able to grow and strengthen my body so that I can do even more than I could before. 


If this man could spend his childhood wearing braces on his legs, to now be competing on American Ninja Warrior, what does this mean to me? I was able to take steps on my own before, and now this is an obstacle that I am overcoming. Thinking back to that moment when I was 13 is something that is bittersweet. I wish I could relive it over and over again, but I also use it as motivation to continue to push myself. I know that one day I will be able to do even more than I could before I had the stroke. Everything takes time, patience, and effort. I am going to keep working out and building my strength and endurance. I aim to inspire myself and others. 


Friday, August 18, 2023

Here is my thoughts and feelings about having a disability!!

There are some good things and bad things about having Cerebral Palsy. For example, because I have Cerebral Palsy, I know a lot about myself and have learned a lot, but also, I talk like I’m fucking drunk and people don’t understand what I’m talking about. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t want people to feel sorry for me. My cerebral palsy will not define me or hold me back from achieving anything that I want to do in my life. I am more than simply my disability. I am a sister, an auntie, and a friend. I am someone who can do anything she sets her mind to. 


I love my life and I have accomplished a lot of really amazing things in my life. I won’t ever be sorry for anything that I have done. I’m a blogger and a writer. I blog about things that are important to me and also things that I have done. I write short stories about things that I know very well, and that is people who have a disabilities. I’m not an existential writer but I am not going to stop writing. I started blogging in 2010 as just something new to do. I was creating a space for myself to be open and honest about my feelings and experiences. Blogging is something that brings me happiness, and lets me focus on my mental health by airing all my shit out. I enjoy the sense of community that it brings, and also that there is a chance that someone reading could relate to what I am going through, and see that they aren’t alone. 


But there is something inside me that I am feeling very strongly and I need to write about it. It is how people see people who have a disabilities like me. if they only took the time to get to know me, they would see that there is more to me. but they only want to see what they want to see. I feel like people don’t give me a chance by actually getting to know who I am as a person. If they did, they would see that there is a lot more to me than just my disability. Everyone has things that they cannot change about themselves, that they have to learn to adapt to and live with. For me, this is my disability. It is not something that I chose, but instead something that I must live with everyday. I am not defined by my disability, but it is a part of who I am. 


My experience with cerebral palsy is something that has good parts but also bad parts. I know that sometimes it can be a little hard to understand when I am speaking as a result of it, but I wish that people would try harder to meet me where I’m at. It drives me crazy when people ignore me and talk to whoever I am with because I am perfectly capable. I don’t like when I’m out in public and people stare at me. I understand to a point that not everyone has experience meeting people with disabilities, but I am still a human being. 


Now that I have finished my race, and don’t have anything planned in the near future, I am hoping to dedicate more of my time to writing and blogging. I want to continue to educate people about what life is like as someone with a disability, and also share my thoughts and feelings. I want to create my short stories as a more relatable and meaningful way to share my experiences, and the experiences of other people with disabilities and what they face on a daily basis. To me, writing and blogging are important pieces of my life, and I enjoy educating others about what it is like to be in my shoes. 


 

Sunday, August 13, 2023

My Next Adventure!!

 I’m wondering to myself what is the next chapter in my life that I want to take on.  Not sure what I want to do but I want to challenge myself. My roommate said you could swim Vernon to Kelowna. My trainer asked what is my next challenge. She suggested to go to another swimming competition. It is another one in Kelowna that is in August every year. You have to swim 7km. To be honest I love being in the water because I can be free from knowing that I have a disability and think about whatever I want. I can be by myself with my thoughts.


Sometimes I am really wondering how my family and friends think about me and what I want to do with my life. I know sometimes I can give my mom a heartache but when  I put my mind on something I don’t give up. I believe that this is my life not anybody else’s, so I should be able to live it the way I want it to.


Five years ago I was on holiday with my family and the last night we were camping and then their was two guys who had disabilities. They were from Australia and they travelled in a van and were going all over the world and they do it for a living. Thinking back 7 years ago, when I had my mini stroke, I was in so much pain that I couldn’t believe that I had seen them and now I think about them right now that I’m writing another blog post. 


I would love to hop in a car and get out of here all by myself and don’t think about anybody or anything. I would like to travel around with my family and my friend. However, I think it would be more fun to go travelling around the world on my own. Going to places that I want to go to and see if I can get around on my own and meet people and see if I can get some help from them. Would they help or they would look at me and say WHAT THE FUCK. 


Sometimes I think about doing something like that and seeing how people react to me. I think people here have a good sense of taking time to talk to someone like me. I know people don’t understand me and I sound like someone who is drunk. Most of the time my family and friends don’t know what I’m talking about.


Anyway, I am working on a story about five people with disabilities and their lives after high school. I am trying to give to the world a glimpse of what living with a disability looks like. The story is called “How do you know right for wrong?”, as the characters go through traumatic experiences that changed their lives. Life is the balance between good and bad and it is similar for all humans. However, it can be harder on people with disabilities, especially if they don’t have the right support.