I am writing you to give heartfelt thanks for your participation on the rally against government funding cuts on AISH payments on May 6th.
As a feminist who has a good relationship with men, I have to be honest and say my reason for my gratitude is based in personal and not only political foundations. Firstly, as a motivational speaker, one hears the phrase “You’re such an inspiration!” all the time. However, this does not always mean that people take action towards what you say. Simply, I am grateful that many of you who felt inspired by a church sermon, and / or a newspaper article took that motivation and utilized it towards injustice. To distill this further, thank you for taking me seriously!
Secondly, while I must admit that after the protest adrenaline has ceased, I am still coming to terms with the fears and the implications of the government’s decision. That being said, because of your support on that day, it is easy to remind myself that I, and many other disabled people, have a support network around us that will catch us in this time of need. To use the famous poem Invictus, despite the “Bludgeoning's of chance, my head is bloodied but unbowed." Meaning, your support gives me and hopefully many others the strength to fight another day.
Another major point is, as I said in the Cochrane Eagle, there is a misconception that able-bodied people are extremely apathetic towards disability and the challenges we face. I have always argued that kindness and education will prove this belief to be based on fear rather than reality. Thank you for being that proof! I can only speak for myself, but for me to see you out there was a healing balm to my soul. Thank you for caring about what we go through. Thank you for hearing our calls for help. Thank you for running towards us when the government has turned away. And if you’ll excuse the Christian context that I hope to be a minister some day. Thank you for showing God’s love to the most vulnerable.
Despite the circumstances in which we were brought together on May 6th, I truly believe that God’s kingdom was demonstrated. No matter what you believe, when you come to your maker they will say, I was stolen from and you stood up for me fighting to get it back, Welcome Home!
May the Universal Love that surrounds us all bless you for it. Amen
Thank you.
Elisa Neven-Pugh
