- by Christine Calvert

They say pain is inevitable, suffering is optional. Untrue. If you are wealthy in our society, partly true.

This photo is me and my daughter  last year. We are losing her. The beautiful woman in this photo is gone. And yes, she gave me consent more than once to share our story. She understands what she is living. She knows she is seen with disdain as she looks and acts differently.

Suffering is universal. Pain is pain.

I need strength to keep going advocating and being vocal. She deserves life, dignity, self determination and love. And adequate and safe housing. Like every other human being with monumental disabilities.

Where are we in this? I know I pray for all to never have a catastrophic brain injury with other mental and physical health issues. That was the turning event facing a system incapable of helping anymore. The black hole is where we are now.

This is who you walk past on the street. This is who is screaming for justice. We are those people.
A mother's grief caught in a moment here. Can’t articulate anymore.

Don’t become differently abled in our province. Only advice I have.