Showing Tag: "disability" (Show all posts)

We're all in this together

Posted by jennifer gibson on Sunday, September 23, 2018, In : september 2018

I recently came across this phrase by Gabrielle Bernstein "We're all in this together" and thought it was the right fit for today. It certainly feels true. In one of her chapters, she was discussing the need for us to let go of the anger and resentment from our past, especially from our childhood. I agree and this is exactly what I'm working on these days, learning to let go of situations that I have no control over. They are life lessons from when I was a child that focus too much on inequal...

Learning Curve

Posted by jennifer gibson on Wednesday, June 27, 2018, In : June 2018

Moving from a small, rural community to a large city was a big change for me in many ways. Ironically, it’s the same city that I grew up in, except that it has morphed into a metropolis over the last decade. It was virtually unrecognizable when I first drove in, I was surrounded by brand new tall condos, lots of superstores and restaurants. The streets looked different too, the landscape had changed over time.

For me, it was a new beginning, a fresh start and exciting stage in my life. I ...

New beginnings

Posted by jennifer gibson on Friday, May 25, 2018, In : May 2018

It's amazing how a new home can make a world of a difference in my life. I recently moved to a place that I'm familiar with and ironically the same city that my mother and I grew up in. For some reason, it felt right to go back home. It's a fresh start for me, a safe place where I already feel comfortable living. I really do feel blessed being here and grateful for everything. Within days of moving, I obtained a freelance job which was a wonderful surprise. Perfect timing too, I can use the f...
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Making a difference

Posted by jennifer gibson on Thursday, February 22, 2018, In : Feb 2018

As I finalize the details of my upcoming trip, I’m going over every aspect of it to ensure that I receive the necessary assistance for a (mostly) smooth trip. Invariably, there will always be a hiccup along the way, such as delays or that someone forgot I had a disability. Yes, I do have a disability, I don’t sugarcoat it by saying things like “I’m more able than disabled”. Even though my profound hearing loss is invisible, it’s very real and a huge obstacle for me to overcome on...

Stronger

Posted by jennifer gibson on Thursday, November 16, 2017, In : december 2017

After seeing the latest Jake Gyllenhaal movie, Stronger, I walked away with a profound sense of recognition. I immediately connected with him, particularly at the point when he realizes the impact that he is having on others, simply by being determined to stay strong. Like many of us in the theatre, I left with tears in my eyes and struggled to maintain my composure in such a public place.

Mind you, there were numerous moments throughout the movie where I disagreed with the...

Passengers

Posted by jennifer gibson on Thursday, October 5, 2017, In : October 2017

The last few months have proven to be an incredible challenge for me on many levels, particularly after the death of my mother. I've been doing a lot of soul searching, trying to figure out where I fit in and how to utilize my skills. I'm continuing to evolve and change as I go through this new journey.

While my hearing loss has defined me and given me opportunities to adapt and grow as a person. It has also forced me to come out of my comfort zone, especially since I'm quite shy, and to come...
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Perspectives

Posted by jennifer gibson on Thursday, August 31, 2017, In : September 2017

I recently stumbled across one of my mother's articles that she had written in 1993 where she talks about living with a disability - I thought that this was worthwhile sharing. She was a strong and independent woman, working full time as a psychologist and raising two teenagers. It's an insightful perspective into her life at that time and still applies to this day.

While I was in high school, she had back surgery that left her with a permanent disability. No one really knows why her surgery...
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Verbatim

Posted by jennifer gibson on Monday, August 15, 2016, In : August 2016

My mother recently read an article and suggested that I take a look at it. She normally doesn't do this unless it was something that had a really strong opinion or featured a topic that would be interesting to me. Truthfully, I wasn't entirely sure what to expect but I suspected that it had something to do with hearing loss. Growing up with a severe to profound hearing impairment has, in many ways, blunted my compassion and viewpoint about other people's experiences. Why? Because they usually...
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Showing Tag: "disability" (Show all posts)

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