VAD’s Student Corner

Hello once more! If you missed the last issue, my name is Nikki, and I’m currently a Social work student working with the Voices of Albertans of Disabilities for my first-year field placement. Part of this work is understanding the communities I wish to help, which writing this little article helps me do. Even if it seems one-sided, trying to figure out what I wish to write about in my next tidbit keeps me aware of my surroundings a lot more. I’m much more aware of the areas around me and the struggles people face in their day-to-day lives.

As we’re all aware, there was recently quite the snowfall after weeks of nice weather. It was nearly long enough to trick us into thinking it was springtime! Leave it to Alberta to quickly remind us, however. The biting winds and knee-high snowdrifts are probably enough to put most people in a soured mood, yet I’ve noticed quite the opposite. In my neighbourhood, there’s an elderly man who lives right on the corner. He’s friendly and waves at passersby if he catches them, but he usually has trouble with his hips and uses a walker. The snowfall would be detrimental to his day-to-day routine, yet the community came together to shovel his walkways and the sidewalks in front of our houses to ensure he isn’t stuck in the snow. It seems small, but he always ensures we know he appreciates the thought and effort. Alongside that, even in Edmonton, I’ve noticed people doing small things here and there. Strangers helping people using wheel-chairs cross crosswalks that haven’t been plowed or offering their arms to help steady others who can’t quite balance on the slippery floors of the bus or LRT. It’s not a grand gesture, but it is enough to make that person’s day just a little bit easier.

The hardest part about this, in my opinion, is the unpredictability of the weather around us between the time after Christmas and before Easter. It can’t quite seem to make up it’s mind and flips between warm and cold, and we’re just expected to hold on for the ride. But it’s in that time that I see the Canadians coming together the most. Just today a lady had slipped trying to get on the train and at least three people came to her aid to make sure she wasn’t injured and the train didn’t close it’s doors or pull away. We all know this time of year is hard. The holiday season is technically over, and the weather is still harsh, yet we still band together as a community to help. I find this makes this entire season of howling winds and snow higher than the boots we wear a little more tolerable, which means we can all take a step back and appreciate the little things in life just a tad bit more.