Insights, Blogs & News
Facing the Mountain of Loss: Losing a Friend
In the last two years I have lost four people I cared for very much. They both were about my age, 45. Losing these friends forced me to face a mountain of loss that I was not familiar with. Standing at the bottom of this mountain, I had no idea what to do next. There are others out there like me who know what its like to lose a great friend and face this mountain. When we lose someone we love, many thoughts and emotions went through our mind. Getting myself to move forward would take some time. This kind […]
Musician Donates Song in Support of Others Living with Invisible Disabilities
Nigel Cutter, who usually goes by Nidge, is a man from the United Kingdom who loves his music. Nidge started playing the guitar in his twenties. Ten years ago, he returned to school for a Higher National Diploma (HND) in music, but became ill and was unable to complete the course; he battles COPD, Asthma and a stress related illness similar to Bi-Polar Disorder. Nidge told IDA, it is “nothing compared to those that have MS or POTS so in a way I don’t suffer at all.” Nidge still writes, plays and records his own music through his independent label, BlackBirdCottage, as […]
Perseverance is a Long Word
“Perseverance is a long word followed by a short attention span.” While I wrote that quote for a recent weekly business column, it applies universally, especially so for patients. If you’ve been in nursing for awhile, maybe you’ve observed what I’ve experienced firsthand – a decrease in the time patients, myself included, are willing to be patients. Attention spans for self-care shorten as our recoveries drag on from illness or surgery. Our society doesn’t do patienthood well anymore. We want popcorn-ready recovery. Click a button, and presto – we’re done. We live in an Instant Everything world. “Three seconds for a […]
We Believe, Even if We Cannot See
Why believe? Why believe someone is ill and in pain when their appearance and circumstances seem otherwise? Or maybe the real point is that their body is crying out in pain and the brain fog comes and goes between moments of brilliance and loss for words. How can we determine the extent of someone’s injuries and illness by just looking at them? The reason IDA was founded as an organization is for this exact purpose – to believe. IDA believes and supports people living with disabilities (no matter type, severity or cause). For many, this loving compassion eludes them when […]
Ontario Woman Strives to Make Town More Accessible
Port Hope, Ontario resident, Selena Forsyth, gives of her time to make her town accessible for people with disabilities. “Ms. Forsyth is Port Hope’s Accessibility Advisory Committee chairwoman and since 2004, the committee, through its ‘Access for All’ activities, has increased awareness of barriers people with visible and invisible disabilities in the community face each day. Its goal is creation of an environment that offers people with disabilities the same opportunities as those offered the able-bodied. Improvements initiated through council’s annual participation in the event exercises have helped make Port Hope one of the most accessible towns in Ontario, she […]
Nominations for 2011 IDA Volunteer Award
NOMINATIONS CLOSED 7/31/11 From July 16 – 31, IDA partnered with 710 KNUS and 94.7 KRKS Radio Stations to find the next IDA Volunteer Award recipient! IDA visitors and radio listeners were invited to nominate a friend, co-worker, neighbor or family member who is giving of themselves as a volunteer by supporting people touched by illness, pain and disability. Thank you everyone for submitting your nominations! LISTEN TO THE RADIO BROADCASTS: Colorado Issues on KRKS and KNUS with Mark Crowley Along the Way on KRKS with Tom Moller VISIT OUR SPONSORS: Visit 710 KNUS 94.7 KRKS