No clinic yesterday, as it was Remembrance Day. I couldn't tell you if the protesters were out or not, because I was sleeping in. Which was amazing.
I called a meeting for the escorts, because we've never had one since I've been here and I think it's a good idea sometimes to go over some issues that might have slipped through the cracks. Escorting itself is not that challenging (although having Glare-y Mary stare at you for an hour and a half can take its toll), but there are certain situations that sometimes arise. Like when the police turn up, or the media.
It was a great meeting - I had a much better turn-out than I expected, and everyone had lots of good questions and comments. Plus people wanted to take the tour! I love giving the tour. One of our escorts, CP, even brought a friend, who we didn't scare away! So she is starting next week, which is awesome.
We just have such a great group of escorts. The patients really appreciate having them out there and I feel like they (the escorts) need to be reminded that what they do is really important.
In other news, I'll be speaking on a panel for STU Sexuality Awareness Week (Nov. 24th-28th) on "Why Feminism is Not a Four-Letter Word". I think it's on the Tuesday but I'll have to get back to you. Sue Johansson will be giving a talk on the Wednesday night, so absolutely do not miss that, because she's amazing. AMAZING.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Trying Not to Just Focus on Silver Fox Joe Biden....
OOOOOOOOOOOBAMA!
I can't stop smiling. :)
It's bittersweet, of course, because while a lot of the anti-choice amendments were shot down (hurrah!), a lot of anti-gay rights ones passed. Feministing has the round up.
I know I can't be all taking up my blog with American election stuff, so even though it's ALL I CAN THINK ABOUT, I'll stop now. And leave you with this quote: "Rosa Parks sat so that Martin Luther King could walk. Martin Luther King walked so that Obama could run. Obama is running so that we all can fly." - Jay-Z.
So yeah, life goes on here in conservative ol' Canada. :) Clinic yesterday was pretty normal; thank goodness the weather hasn't become too winter-y yet. We said goodbye to one of our wonderful escorts, MR - we will miss you! Good luck in the next great adventure. We are getting two more newbies next week, so the cycle continues.
A lot of our escorts (and a lot of the people in my life in general) have been deeply impacted by the murder of John McKendy. I never met John but from what I've heard, it's a great loss to the STU community and for everyone who knew him. The manner of his death is especially poignant considering how much of his life he spent working towards finding alternatives to violence. I know this seems out of place on this blog but believe me, it's all interconnected. And I just wanted to extend my condolences to his family and his many friends, students and admirers.
As you can probably tell, all my thoughts are a bit convoluted right now. I didn't really have a lot to say about the clinic per say, but I did think it would be good to check in since I forgot to post last week. There was a woman last week who changed her mind, which is always quite dramatic. Well, she wasn't sure what to do so we sent her home to think about it, and rebook if she wanted to. It is tough to see women struggling with such a difficult decision. I just don't know what I would do.
Ah, I'm all befuddled. I will leave it at that. Well, also one more thing that I never thought I would get the chance to say: THANK YOU AMERICA!...for making the right decision. :)
I can't stop smiling. :)
It's bittersweet, of course, because while a lot of the anti-choice amendments were shot down (hurrah!), a lot of anti-gay rights ones passed. Feministing has the round up.
I know I can't be all taking up my blog with American election stuff, so even though it's ALL I CAN THINK ABOUT, I'll stop now. And leave you with this quote: "Rosa Parks sat so that Martin Luther King could walk. Martin Luther King walked so that Obama could run. Obama is running so that we all can fly." - Jay-Z.
So yeah, life goes on here in conservative ol' Canada. :) Clinic yesterday was pretty normal; thank goodness the weather hasn't become too winter-y yet. We said goodbye to one of our wonderful escorts, MR - we will miss you! Good luck in the next great adventure. We are getting two more newbies next week, so the cycle continues.
A lot of our escorts (and a lot of the people in my life in general) have been deeply impacted by the murder of John McKendy. I never met John but from what I've heard, it's a great loss to the STU community and for everyone who knew him. The manner of his death is especially poignant considering how much of his life he spent working towards finding alternatives to violence. I know this seems out of place on this blog but believe me, it's all interconnected. And I just wanted to extend my condolences to his family and his many friends, students and admirers.
As you can probably tell, all my thoughts are a bit convoluted right now. I didn't really have a lot to say about the clinic per say, but I did think it would be good to check in since I forgot to post last week. There was a woman last week who changed her mind, which is always quite dramatic. Well, she wasn't sure what to do so we sent her home to think about it, and rebook if she wanted to. It is tough to see women struggling with such a difficult decision. I just don't know what I would do.
Ah, I'm all befuddled. I will leave it at that. Well, also one more thing that I never thought I would get the chance to say: THANK YOU AMERICA!...for making the right decision. :)
Friday, October 24, 2008
Prayers and Chills
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but friends, I believe winter is almost upon us.
That said, the protesters are amazing. The cold weather seems to energize them; they were out like fiends again this week. Peter Ryan was among them. Oh and wonderful Crazy Legs, looking smashing as always.
I was in Halifax this past weekend and had the pleasure of seeing the protesters they have there, at the hospital. They seemed to be involved in the 40 Days for Life thing, because they were there at all hours of the day, just constantly. Their protesters provide an even more pathetic spectical than ours, believe it or not - they have to stay outside the fence around the hospital parking lot, and I would imagine most women going in for an abortion wouldn't even notice them. Their signs are fairly tame, too - they just say "Pray to end abortion".
I was at a rather clinical seminar in Halifax, learning more than I care to know about unusual ultrasounds and how much blood loss is too much (any, really). I did enjoy getting to spend some QT with the rest of the staff, most of whom I only see on Tuesdays. I also got to visit my surprisingly bouyant grandmother, who is 94 years old. Fun times.
I am a little sad because I think I might have missed a "prayer siege" here at home - the Bound4Life group in NB has split into two - a Saint John group and a Fredericton group. I was keen to see the first event as a Fredericton group. Oh well, there will be others, I'm sure.
Meanwhile, I am (still) loving this blog. She has had the abortion, and is now exploring the issue in more depth. I love her style and her sense of humour. You should all check it out.
That said, the protesters are amazing. The cold weather seems to energize them; they were out like fiends again this week. Peter Ryan was among them. Oh and wonderful Crazy Legs, looking smashing as always.
I was in Halifax this past weekend and had the pleasure of seeing the protesters they have there, at the hospital. They seemed to be involved in the 40 Days for Life thing, because they were there at all hours of the day, just constantly. Their protesters provide an even more pathetic spectical than ours, believe it or not - they have to stay outside the fence around the hospital parking lot, and I would imagine most women going in for an abortion wouldn't even notice them. Their signs are fairly tame, too - they just say "Pray to end abortion".
I was at a rather clinical seminar in Halifax, learning more than I care to know about unusual ultrasounds and how much blood loss is too much (any, really). I did enjoy getting to spend some QT with the rest of the staff, most of whom I only see on Tuesdays. I also got to visit my surprisingly bouyant grandmother, who is 94 years old. Fun times.
I am a little sad because I think I might have missed a "prayer siege" here at home - the Bound4Life group in NB has split into two - a Saint John group and a Fredericton group. I was keen to see the first event as a Fredericton group. Oh well, there will be others, I'm sure.
Meanwhile, I am (still) loving this blog. She has had the abortion, and is now exploring the issue in more depth. I love her style and her sense of humour. You should all check it out.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Election Hangover
Boo useless elections! That is all.
I was at the Toujours Rebelles conference in Montreal this weekend and arrived back home at 2am on Tuesday, just in time to get four hours of sleep, so I was not 100% at clinic yesterday morning. Regardless, everything was fine - we even got yet another new volunteer trained.
Peter Ryan was out with the protesters, even holding a sign of his own. I was told that he was in Quebec City over the weekend, protesting at Henry Morgentaler's induction (is that the right word?) into the Order of Canada. Lovely to know that even if I go to another province, Peter Ryan goes with me.
The conference was very interesting, by the way. It was pretty fantastic to see so many young feminists from across the country, and to catch up with old friends again. I had a couple issues with the actual content - I wanted it to be more radical and more challenging - but overall I think the organizers did a fantastic job. Outside of the conference I had some conversations that definitely challenged me.
Jessica Yee was there. I love her, she is my hero of life. If you've never read anything she has written, you are missing out, and I urge you to Google her immediately. If you are white, prepare to have your privilege examined. Motherfucka. (Sorry, that just seemed to fit).
I was in the abortion workshop at the conference, and the action we chose to do was to take all the stats about access in Canada and write them all over the place in chalk. So if you're walking around in Montreal this week (particularly by the Berri-UQAM metro station) and you find out that 15.9% of Canadian hospitals provide abortions, you have me to thank. Ha ha.
I am off somewhere else this weekend, so it's kind of stressful times, but those of you who read this blog often are probably sensing a pattern with that. It's good stress, though. Rock on.
I was at the Toujours Rebelles conference in Montreal this weekend and arrived back home at 2am on Tuesday, just in time to get four hours of sleep, so I was not 100% at clinic yesterday morning. Regardless, everything was fine - we even got yet another new volunteer trained.
Peter Ryan was out with the protesters, even holding a sign of his own. I was told that he was in Quebec City over the weekend, protesting at Henry Morgentaler's induction (is that the right word?) into the Order of Canada. Lovely to know that even if I go to another province, Peter Ryan goes with me.
The conference was very interesting, by the way. It was pretty fantastic to see so many young feminists from across the country, and to catch up with old friends again. I had a couple issues with the actual content - I wanted it to be more radical and more challenging - but overall I think the organizers did a fantastic job. Outside of the conference I had some conversations that definitely challenged me.
Jessica Yee was there. I love her, she is my hero of life. If you've never read anything she has written, you are missing out, and I urge you to Google her immediately. If you are white, prepare to have your privilege examined. Motherfucka. (Sorry, that just seemed to fit).
I was in the abortion workshop at the conference, and the action we chose to do was to take all the stats about access in Canada and write them all over the place in chalk. So if you're walking around in Montreal this week (particularly by the Berri-UQAM metro station) and you find out that 15.9% of Canadian hospitals provide abortions, you have me to thank. Ha ha.
I am off somewhere else this weekend, so it's kind of stressful times, but those of you who read this blog often are probably sensing a pattern with that. It's good stress, though. Rock on.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)