My undergrad university experience was definitely a learning experience... and an inner battle.
I entered into the Bachelor of Science program with a focus on Life Sciences Biology. I struggled all of first year, I didn't like it, but I didn't want to "give up" and switch to something else... I wouldn't even know what to switch to. In second year I took more of a variety of courses. I really liked neuroscience. I wasn't AMAZING at it, but I was good at it and I found it interesting. Bogged down with other courses I didn't understand (Chemistry for example- thanks dyscalculia for making it even harder), I took solace in my "Arts electives". Diversity and Social Justice Studies classes where I could explore the discrimination, prejudices, oppression that are structurally built into society. A couple of History courses that allowed me to better understand where we are today and then I made the decision to move over to Psychology. They still had neuroscience, it was still a science degree, I really wasn't changing much I told myself.
After my first semester of third year I realized something that took a lot of inner battling for me to admit.
I didn't want to go into neuroscience.
I liked neuroscience, but I wasn't great at it, and the love I thought I had for it, I was forcing.
I felt like I was failing, by not following through with my original plans. It was hard for me to accept.
There was a love that had always been there... and I mean always. Since I was a child. In college I kept it very separate from my academic life, and I started out university the same way.
I honestly have no idea why. It's my true love, my passion, and the realization that the happiest I could ever be would be spending my life pursuing research in this field is what motivated me to acknowledge that I wasn't "failing" by changing my academic and future career focus... I was actually finally where I belonged.
When I told my mom I was changing from neuropsychology to social psychology, but that I was still going to do research, she asked me what social psychology meant. I said for me it looking at social justice, discrimination, prejudice and things like that... She replied "Sounds like what you've been doing your whole life".
I am not a neuroscientist, and I will never be.
I am a social psychologist.
I care about people. I care about what systems and structures are in place to oppress people. I care about what stereotypes exist and how they elicit discrimination and prejudice. I care about how people interact with others. I care about minority rights, I care about LGBTQA rights, accessibility rights. I care about benevolent sexism, slut shaming and rape culture. I care about the impact of Frosh Week rape chants, Ferguson, lack of reproductive rights, lack of sufficient mental health care, lack of sufficient drug rehabilitation programs.
I care about the Ukrainian people fighting for independence, the 43 teachers' college students who "disappeared" in Mexico, I care about the lack of food security in Canada's north... heck... the lack of food security in MOST countries. I care about the impact of deforestation and fracking on our nations' people.
I care about all the people who have to fight to try and be on equal footing.
I care about equity.
The Healthy Rants of a sometimes healthy mature University student.
Sunday 14 December 2014
Monday 3 November 2014
30 Things About My Invisible Illness You May Not Have Known (reblogged)
I recently came across this blog: 30 Things About My Invisible Illness You May Not Know – Reposted by Cara Potapshyn Meyers which is a reblog of 30 Things About My Invisible Illness You May Not Know from YouDontLookSick.com and it kind of spoke to me as a way to both raise awareness and reconcile my own understanding of myself.
So here we go!
2. I was diagnosed with it in the year: 2006
3. I have had symptoms since: Technically since 2004, they started off "minor" in that I had Trigeminal Neuralgia relapses... If you've ever had Trigeminal Neuralgia you will understand why I put minor in quotations.
4. The biggest adjustment I’ve had to make is: Acknowledging that I have limits and that is okay. I still have a really hard time saying no, and taking care of myself, and I know there's a correlation between me not taking care of myself, being stressed out, and having a relapse... I don't know why it's so hard for me to actually do something about it.
5. Most people assume: I think most people think that I am happy, upbeat and full of energy... at times I also think people think I'm lazy and "don't care". I especially feel like this when I miss class. I think because I'm in a University atmosphere and there's an assumption that "skipping class" means you care... I honestly wish I had the energy, motivation and health to go to every single one of my classes.
6. The hardest part about mornings are: Getting out of bed. When I wake up my body is stiff and my legs hurt. It takes a long time for my body to "warm up". I try not to book 8:30am classes but sometimes I don't have a choice, or my desire for the classes outweighs my sanity. It doesn't seem to matter if I wake up at 6am, I still have a hard time getting to the 8:30 class. I can get up at 9 and make it to a 10am class no problem. Even if I sleep the same amount of hours. Mornings are just brutal.
7. My favorite guilty pleasure is: Starbucks! I try to eat well most of the time, because I feel better when I eat well and work out... but I love soy teavana oprah chai drinks.. and poutine.
So here we go!
1. The illness I live with is: Multiple Sclerosis. Relapse Remittent to be specific. Chronic Fatigue likes to go hand in hand as well.
2. I was diagnosed with it in the year: 2006
3. I have had symptoms since: Technically since 2004, they started off "minor" in that I had Trigeminal Neuralgia relapses... If you've ever had Trigeminal Neuralgia you will understand why I put minor in quotations.
4. The biggest adjustment I’ve had to make is: Acknowledging that I have limits and that is okay. I still have a really hard time saying no, and taking care of myself, and I know there's a correlation between me not taking care of myself, being stressed out, and having a relapse... I don't know why it's so hard for me to actually do something about it.
5. Most people assume: I think most people think that I am happy, upbeat and full of energy... at times I also think people think I'm lazy and "don't care". I especially feel like this when I miss class. I think because I'm in a University atmosphere and there's an assumption that "skipping class" means you care... I honestly wish I had the energy, motivation and health to go to every single one of my classes.
6. The hardest part about mornings are: Getting out of bed. When I wake up my body is stiff and my legs hurt. It takes a long time for my body to "warm up". I try not to book 8:30am classes but sometimes I don't have a choice, or my desire for the classes outweighs my sanity. It doesn't seem to matter if I wake up at 6am, I still have a hard time getting to the 8:30 class. I can get up at 9 and make it to a 10am class no problem. Even if I sleep the same amount of hours. Mornings are just brutal.
7. My favorite guilty pleasure is: Starbucks! I try to eat well most of the time, because I feel better when I eat well and work out... but I love soy teavana oprah chai drinks.. and poutine.
8. A gadget I couldn’t live without is: My laptop. It connects me to other people, to information on medication, to support systems, research, it also allows me to participate more in classes. I often forget the words I'm looking for and google can usually figure out what I mean. I also can type for longer than I can write. My hand strength/sensation is not great, but typing is a lot easier.
9. The hardest part about nights are: When I'm in pain. It is so hard to sleep when something hurts. I get neck and back pain a lot, I also get neuralgia in my legs. There are times where I end up taking gravol because it knocks me out, just so I can get some sleep, but I feel like crap the next day, and get extremely sick if I don't get at least 8hrs of sleep on gravol. It's not fun, I try really hard not to do it, I usually suck it up and deal with the pain.
10. Each day I take: This is a complicated question. I am in the middle of a titration so my number of pills increases each week for the next 4 weeks. When I'm done I will take 9-11 pills per day (4 Tecfidera, 4 Vitamin D, 1 B12, and possibly 2 aspirin 30min before the Tecfidera for the first couple months to help prevent flushing) and then Naproxen as needed, and if I get Trigeminal Neuralgia, then 4 Gabapentin per day.... so anywhere from 9 to 20... :S
11. Regarding alternative treatments I: think it depends. I like evidence based research... scientific evidence. I take B12 because I'm low in B12 as a vegetarian, I take Vitamin D because I do better in Vitamin D rich environments. My first MS neurologist drew this correlation. I never relapsed in the summer, it was always the dead of winter (which is nice and long in Canada). The 2 years I went to Cuba in the middle of the winter I also didn't relapse, and the 2 years I took Vitamin D religiously I also didn't relapse (you'd think I'd be smart and just always take Vitamin D, I'm really bad at remembering to take it though. I need to promise myself I'll be more diligent). If someone is doing something, and they think it helps, and they aren't doing any harm to themselves, or others, or their body, then why not. Even if it's not what they're doing that is helping, there's a lot to be said for the placebo effect.
12. If I had to choose between an invisible illness or visible I would choose: This is tough. With a visible one I wouldn't have to feel like I have to constantly explain to people why I can't do something, or feel like I'm being judged if I say I can't do something. I'm used to having an invisible one though and I know how to deal with it, so I think I'd probably stick with an invisible one.
13. Regarding working and career: I am so absolutely grateful I currently work at the University that I attend, and that the department I work in is extremely accessibility-friendly. If I'm having a bad day and can't make it in, that's okay. I have the support of my superiors and my peers. University is sometimes difficult with the stress, but I love it. The worst part is I have problems with some lighting conditions and there are some class rooms that make me almost black out. It sucks. I have hope for my future. I originally shied away from wanting to work in academia, but I think it would be pretty cool to eventually teach and do research at the university. I find research fascinating and I really hope that eventually I get to do research in some capacity (Only 5 more years left of school for my doctorate! ... ahh.)
14. People would be surprised to know: There are times where I am absolutely terrified about the future that I end up crying.
15. The hardest thing to accept about my new reality has been: Not knowing. Not knowing how I will feel when I wake up, not knowing if it'll be a good day or bad day, not knowing when I'll have my next relapse, not knowing what life will be like in 15, 20, 40 years. I guess that can be said for anyone... but it's different.
16. Something I never thought I could do with my illness that I did was: Yoga! As weird as that may sound, I never thought I'd be able to do any kind of land exercise because of how absolutely shitty my body feels after (and not in a good "I just worked out" way.) I also have passed out since my body is not great at regulating blood pressure. I have stuck to walking and aquafit, but I recently started doing Restorative Yoga which makes my body happy and stretched and relaxed and Hatha Yoga which is really friggen hard but I love it and feel great after.
17. The commercials about my illness: Usually want money.
18. Something I really miss doing since I was diagnosed is: I'm going to change this to "since I developed symptoms" and go with Going To The Movies. That may seem absolutely ridiculous but I used to love going to the movie theatre with friends. I have such a sensitivity to "weird" lighting now that I get really sick, and sometimes black out if I go to movie theatres. On the plus side our local Drive In does not affect me the same way, so from May to September I can go see movies :)
19. It was really hard to have to give up: Independence. This seems to be a common answer, but it's true. Not being able to do whatever you want, even though you're an adult, really sucks. I am lucky that I still have maintained a lot of my independence, more so than a lot of people, but there are little things in life that I have to change every day and sometimes it is just really hard.
20. A new hobby I have taken up since my diagnosis is: Yoga! and Aquafit! I know I've mentioned them before, but I only started doing them since I haven't been able to do some of the other things I loved (weight lifting, bicycle riding). Aquafit is great because I feel free.
21. If I could have one day of feeling normal again I would: I would go hiking in a European country that had shitty health care for foreigners. Any time I travel I take into account the medical care in the country I am going to. It's funny because going to the US kind of scares me the most. A lot of European countries, and Cuba will treat you as a Canadian, and then figure stuff out later... the US not so much. I always make sure I have travel insurance, but it's still a bit of a fear I have. There are so many gorgeous places in Europe that I'd love to go to, mountains I'd love to climb and see from the top (even though I'm afraid of heights) but I know I'll never be well enough to get fit enough, to make that happen.
22. My illness has taught me: The importance of good friends and support. I definitely lost some friends when I first got sick, but I also had some great support systems to help me deal with things along the way. The importance of things like social media (Facebook or even just e-mail) because sometimes it is easier to talk to someone about how you feel when you can hide behind a screen.
23. Want to know a secret? One thing people say that gets under my skin is: There are two things "You look so good though!" and "Maybe it would help if you lost weight?". You can't always tell what people are feeling like based on how they look... the weight thing pisses me off. I know I'm overweight, that's not a shocker. If I could easily lose weight I would. I try my best with what I can do, and acknowledge that it's going to be a process. Considering I had 2 years that I was practically bed ridden, I am ecstatic that I'm able to go to work, go to school, and do the exercises that I can.
24. But I love it when people: Are just there. Are there if I want to take my mind off of reality and do something fun, are there if I need to talk about how shitty I feel life currently is, are just there.
25. My favorite motto, scripture, quote that gets me through tough times is: I have two. One is "I have it, it does not have me" which is a quote I read early on in my diagnosis on an MS Facebook group, and it's stayed with me since. The other is a quote by Michael J Fox and it's "Acceptance doesn't mean resignation. It means understanding that something is what it is and there's got to be a way through it." I often feel like going on long term medication was acceptance and therefore resignation, but this quote kind of gives me... hope
26. When someone is diagnosed I’d like to tell them: Listen to their bodies and get educated. Education has helped me a lot. I know what doctors are saying and it makes me feel better. I understand what medications I go on are going to do, what the potential side effects are, and it helps a lot. Do your own research too, and if you aren't comfortable going on something your doctor recommends, tell them why and see what their other suggestions are. I like to think that the world never hands you something you aren't strong enough to handle. Even if it may seem hard and horrible at times. You got this. I remember when I first got my diagnosis I thought "Thank god I don't have cancer", I was talking to a girl online and she once said to me "I'm thankful I have cancer and not MS or something like that". Everyone can handle different things. You are strong... but it's okay to not always feel strong.
27. Something that has surprised me about living with an illness is: How much it has changed my life. Not always in a bad way. I feel like I have more of an appreciation for things than I did before. I find more joy in things, I put more emphasis on experiences and happiness than I did before.
28. The nicest thing someone did for me when I wasn’t feeling well was: I mentioned before that I was practically bed ridden for almost 2 years. I had a friend of mine who used to go grocery shopping for me and this was such a huge help. Also hugs. Hugs are always great, I think it's one of the most simple, nice things that can have such a huge impact.
29. I want to be involved with Invisible Illness Week NEXT year because: I missed this year, so I'm going to participate next year. I think it's important for people to understand that you can't tell how people are feeling, or what people are going through, based on how they're looking.
30. The fact that you read this list makes me feel: Hopeful and Thankful.
Saturday 9 August 2014
Day Two- Abortion Conference Reflection
There's so much I want to say about the conference as a whole, but I think I will leave that for another post, and concentrate on the second, and final day of the Abortion: The Unfinished Revolution conference.
It started as a bright and sunny day, and I stopped to take pictures of horses on my walk to UPEI.
I started my day listening to a panel called "Abortion Stigma"
On the panel there was a Professor from Open University in England, A Professor from the University Ulster in Ireland who is also a researcher at Institute for Research in Social Sciences and a Counsellor from Vancouver B.C.
So much was talked about in this panel. The stigma around teenage pregnancy and teenage abortion in the UK. It seems as though teenagers are doomed either way, if they get pregnant they are stigmatized, if they have an abortion they are stigmatized, if they keep the baby they are stigmatized. Some don't feel like they have any other option other than motherhood and some feel like they have no other option than abortion. Neither of these scenarios represent a Pro-Choice or Reproductive Rights position. The way abortion is stigmatized in Northern Ireland which has two heavily religious options as political parties. Many people thought abortion was illegal in Northern Ireland until a private clinic opened up. The political opposition to the private clinic was astounding. It reminded me of the "That doesn't happen here" mentality that PEI has. It's kind of politicians grudgingly accepting and ignoring the fact it exists all at the same time. Until they actually have to deal with it. Although PEI covers the procedure cost in Halifax, and the NHS does not cover the procedure for people from Northern Ireland, despite them being UK citizens. I feel like part of that is fear of federal backlash if PEI cut the funding altogether... and the federal government has made it clear they don't want to have to deal with anything abortion related.
The Counsellor from Vancouver offered a really interesting, hands on perspective. There were a lot of race and class differences brought into her presentation, as Vancouver is a very diverse city. One of the things I loved was her story about how the clinic used to be in a more suburban area, which got protested (while usually respecting B.C.'s buffer zone laws), and had someone buy the house next door and put up horrible signs and a tombstone in the front. Eventually they moved to East Vancouver, an extremely busy, extremely diverse area. It was hard for the protestors to protest without impeding the flow of traffic and they got yelled at a lot by people passing through. It was clear their anti-choice attempts were not welcome in the community. The counsellor made a really interesting observation, saying that for newcomers it was fairly clear that if they had grown up in countries where abortion was not stigmatized, they had no negative psychological reflections about having their abortion. There were women who chose abortion because they had gotten married outside of wedlock and had a legitimate fear of being killed by their family for it. I found it fascinating the different people who chose abortions that visit the clinic, and the different reasons they had for choosing abortion. I think the only reason that's not acceptable is women who feel like they have no other option than to choose abortion. That says more about our social services and community than anything else though.
For the discussion group I went back and forth multiple times and made my decision about 2 minutes before the group started, but I chose to attend Building Community: Bridging the Academic/Activist Divide. Here I got to listen to fascinating people talk about why they were attending the conference. Students, young activists, community activists, a Norwegian bureaucrat, an Irish professor, an Irish news producer, a gynaecologist, I can't even remember what background everyone had, it was a good size group of over 20 people.
After lunch I attended Challenging Discourses and Changing Conversations. On this panel there was a UPEI Professor, a UPEI graduate, an Artist, a Professor from Lakehead University in Ontario and a grad student... I think from the University of Ottawa, but I'm not completely sure.
This was one of my favourite panels. All of the panels were interesting, and I enjoyed them all, but I am head over heels in love with this panel. I think it was the diversity of it that spoke to me.
We talked about post abortion discourses and the idea of Post Abortion Syndrome, and how when a woman actually chooses abortion of her own free will, she almost never experiences regret. Regret comes from situations and experiences, but rarely the actual abortion itself. If we change the language from "it's not welcome here" "that doesn't happen here" "good girls don't do that" to "it is a medical decision" and "it can be part of positive self growth" it will take away the stigma. Some women feel bad because they think they're supposed to feel bad. This resinated with me because friend once told me she felt guilty about having an abortion, I asked her why and she said because she was supposed to. When I asked her if she regretted having an abortion she said "Of course not.". The two things didn't make sense to me... how can you feel guilty about something that you don't regret doing. It didn't make sense to me at the time, and this presentation helped clarify it.
The Artist presented the latest project she is working on, a beautiful work of art that she describes as "Access is an experimental documentary that is presented as a video installation on 4 wall mounted screens in a grid – each monitor has a head set that allows the audience to listen to the audio individually. Presented are the faces of women listening to their peers, neighbours, and community members expressing their opinions and thoughts on the topic “Access to female reproductive and sexual health facilities on Prince Edward Island.” This work attempts to shift the focus of activism from voicing to listening." I think a problem that arises in any work is the need to talk and sometimes shout to get our point across, and sometimes we forget to listen. You can learn a lot from listening, the conference is an excellent example of that. The Lakehead University professor spoke about abortion among the Blackfoot and how their medical knowledge has been suppressed by colonialism. The grad student's presentation was a mix of funny and seriousness. The Ryan Gosling slide won it for me (I go through "Hey Girl" studying slides around exam time all the time). She spoke about masculinity, and how there's this push to emphasize a loss to men whose partners have had abortions. It works to frame men as having fatherhood as the most important thing they can do, but also structures it as they are a failure if they do not have children. Beyond the anti-choice rhetoric this attempts to promote, you are also telling men who are infertile that they are not men, or men that choose not to have children, that they are not men. There was this HORRIBLE, racist, classist propaganda against abortion that a youth group made. I can't find the picture on google. The writing was "Abortion is the ultimate exploitation of women" (or something along those lines). They had large, dark black, dirty hands covering the mouth of a much paler woman. URG.
The final session I attended was Material and Discursive: Spaces and Places
I was lucky enough to chair this panel, thanks to a friend deciding she would would prefer to strictly observe.
The presenter I had been waiting the whole conference to see spoke. She is an Architect from New York State. I think I was the most excited for her, because her work made me rethink a lot of things. Her project is looking at building welcoming fences and barriers in states without buffer zone laws (specifically for the last abortion clinic in Mississippi). Coming from a province who, while not having an official buffer zone law outside of Toronto, kind of follows Toronto's lead when it comes to picketers harassing people accessing abortion, and a province that has private clinics, but also relies heavily on hospitals for abortions, then moving to a province that doesn't have abortion at all, what people have to go through to get into the actual clinic was never really on my radar. I thought about how people had to get TO the clinic- transportation, accommodations, that kind of access, but walking up to the clinic kind of fell off my radar until I looked into her work. I became pissed off... especially for US citizens. They live in a country that makes them jump through hoops to access abortion, and then doesn't protect them once they've exercised their right. I wondered how many people, in places where abortion was legal, opted for illegal or self abortion because they emotionally or psychologically could not handle being verbally assaulted by protestors who were allowed to approach them, to infringe upon their space.
The next person to speak is a Harvard graduate who is an Assistant Professor of Law and MacBain Chair in Health Law and Policy at Dalhousie University. She spoke about the spaces in which abortion takes place, with a bit of an emphasis on medical abortion. How the idea of back alleys has taken over and the "back alley" of providing access can be the internet, or a number written on a bathroom stall, the mail carrier that delivers the pills to your house.
The next presenter is a Wilfred Laurier University Graduate student. She spoke about how complex the issue of abortion is, and how despite society trying to confine it to a specific box, there are a lot of different factors that influence the decision to have an abortion. She examined youth (under the age of 25) who lived in PEI and who had an abortion. As soon as she started speaking it clicked in my brain "This is the research that I've seen flyers for on the back of bathroom stall doors at UPEI for the past year... almost two years". The only flyers I have ever seen on the back of bathroom stall doors at UPEI are the ones looking for research subjects for this research, who to call if you are experience domestic violence, and a flyer for Yoga...
The last presenter is a Harvard Law School Professor of International Law, and Human Rights Law.
She spoke about International Law relating to abortion. How there's nothing mandating that countries have access but how international courts have reprimanded and fined countries for not providing safe access. There are soft laws and precedent supporting safe access to abortion, and the UN Committee against Torture and Human Rights Committees both consider safe access to abortion an essential human right.
Our final speaker was Marlene Gerber Fried. She gave an empowering speech talking about hope for the future, the important work, how far we've come, but she also addressed racial issues, how many people view abortion as a "white" issue, and how reproductive rights often gets attributed to Planned Parenthood in the USA, when in fact there were movements, predominately by Black women, long before white people ever started fighting. She spoke about how if we're helping a movement because we feel guilty especially because of the race we are, we need to get the fuck out of the way and let someone who is fighting because it directly affects them take the lead. She spoke of her own guilt in the pass, wanting to help with something because she felt it was important, but also felt guilty about it because she was white, and how people told her she pretty much needed to suck it up because there were more important things going on and they didn't have time to deal with her guilt. Which I found fantastic. We need to stop focusing on race, and focus on equality and bringing all women the same quality and high standards that all women deserve.
I am going to write a refection (much shorter... probably) about the conference as a whole in the next day or two. I am so thankful to have been given the opportunity to attend.
It started as a bright and sunny day, and I stopped to take pictures of horses on my walk to UPEI.
I started my day listening to a panel called "Abortion Stigma"
On the panel there was a Professor from Open University in England, A Professor from the University Ulster in Ireland who is also a researcher at Institute for Research in Social Sciences and a Counsellor from Vancouver B.C.
So much was talked about in this panel. The stigma around teenage pregnancy and teenage abortion in the UK. It seems as though teenagers are doomed either way, if they get pregnant they are stigmatized, if they have an abortion they are stigmatized, if they keep the baby they are stigmatized. Some don't feel like they have any other option other than motherhood and some feel like they have no other option than abortion. Neither of these scenarios represent a Pro-Choice or Reproductive Rights position. The way abortion is stigmatized in Northern Ireland which has two heavily religious options as political parties. Many people thought abortion was illegal in Northern Ireland until a private clinic opened up. The political opposition to the private clinic was astounding. It reminded me of the "That doesn't happen here" mentality that PEI has. It's kind of politicians grudgingly accepting and ignoring the fact it exists all at the same time. Until they actually have to deal with it. Although PEI covers the procedure cost in Halifax, and the NHS does not cover the procedure for people from Northern Ireland, despite them being UK citizens. I feel like part of that is fear of federal backlash if PEI cut the funding altogether... and the federal government has made it clear they don't want to have to deal with anything abortion related.
The Counsellor from Vancouver offered a really interesting, hands on perspective. There were a lot of race and class differences brought into her presentation, as Vancouver is a very diverse city. One of the things I loved was her story about how the clinic used to be in a more suburban area, which got protested (while usually respecting B.C.'s buffer zone laws), and had someone buy the house next door and put up horrible signs and a tombstone in the front. Eventually they moved to East Vancouver, an extremely busy, extremely diverse area. It was hard for the protestors to protest without impeding the flow of traffic and they got yelled at a lot by people passing through. It was clear their anti-choice attempts were not welcome in the community. The counsellor made a really interesting observation, saying that for newcomers it was fairly clear that if they had grown up in countries where abortion was not stigmatized, they had no negative psychological reflections about having their abortion. There were women who chose abortion because they had gotten married outside of wedlock and had a legitimate fear of being killed by their family for it. I found it fascinating the different people who chose abortions that visit the clinic, and the different reasons they had for choosing abortion. I think the only reason that's not acceptable is women who feel like they have no other option than to choose abortion. That says more about our social services and community than anything else though.
For the discussion group I went back and forth multiple times and made my decision about 2 minutes before the group started, but I chose to attend Building Community: Bridging the Academic/Activist Divide. Here I got to listen to fascinating people talk about why they were attending the conference. Students, young activists, community activists, a Norwegian bureaucrat, an Irish professor, an Irish news producer, a gynaecologist, I can't even remember what background everyone had, it was a good size group of over 20 people.
After lunch I attended Challenging Discourses and Changing Conversations. On this panel there was a UPEI Professor, a UPEI graduate, an Artist, a Professor from Lakehead University in Ontario and a grad student... I think from the University of Ottawa, but I'm not completely sure.
This was one of my favourite panels. All of the panels were interesting, and I enjoyed them all, but I am head over heels in love with this panel. I think it was the diversity of it that spoke to me.
We talked about post abortion discourses and the idea of Post Abortion Syndrome, and how when a woman actually chooses abortion of her own free will, she almost never experiences regret. Regret comes from situations and experiences, but rarely the actual abortion itself. If we change the language from "it's not welcome here" "that doesn't happen here" "good girls don't do that" to "it is a medical decision" and "it can be part of positive self growth" it will take away the stigma. Some women feel bad because they think they're supposed to feel bad. This resinated with me because friend once told me she felt guilty about having an abortion, I asked her why and she said because she was supposed to. When I asked her if she regretted having an abortion she said "Of course not.". The two things didn't make sense to me... how can you feel guilty about something that you don't regret doing. It didn't make sense to me at the time, and this presentation helped clarify it.
The Artist presented the latest project she is working on, a beautiful work of art that she describes as "Access is an experimental documentary that is presented as a video installation on 4 wall mounted screens in a grid – each monitor has a head set that allows the audience to listen to the audio individually. Presented are the faces of women listening to their peers, neighbours, and community members expressing their opinions and thoughts on the topic “Access to female reproductive and sexual health facilities on Prince Edward Island.” This work attempts to shift the focus of activism from voicing to listening." I think a problem that arises in any work is the need to talk and sometimes shout to get our point across, and sometimes we forget to listen. You can learn a lot from listening, the conference is an excellent example of that. The Lakehead University professor spoke about abortion among the Blackfoot and how their medical knowledge has been suppressed by colonialism. The grad student's presentation was a mix of funny and seriousness. The Ryan Gosling slide won it for me (I go through "Hey Girl" studying slides around exam time all the time). She spoke about masculinity, and how there's this push to emphasize a loss to men whose partners have had abortions. It works to frame men as having fatherhood as the most important thing they can do, but also structures it as they are a failure if they do not have children. Beyond the anti-choice rhetoric this attempts to promote, you are also telling men who are infertile that they are not men, or men that choose not to have children, that they are not men. There was this HORRIBLE, racist, classist propaganda against abortion that a youth group made. I can't find the picture on google. The writing was "Abortion is the ultimate exploitation of women" (or something along those lines). They had large, dark black, dirty hands covering the mouth of a much paler woman. URG.
The final session I attended was Material and Discursive: Spaces and Places
I was lucky enough to chair this panel, thanks to a friend deciding she would would prefer to strictly observe.
The presenter I had been waiting the whole conference to see spoke. She is an Architect from New York State. I think I was the most excited for her, because her work made me rethink a lot of things. Her project is looking at building welcoming fences and barriers in states without buffer zone laws (specifically for the last abortion clinic in Mississippi). Coming from a province who, while not having an official buffer zone law outside of Toronto, kind of follows Toronto's lead when it comes to picketers harassing people accessing abortion, and a province that has private clinics, but also relies heavily on hospitals for abortions, then moving to a province that doesn't have abortion at all, what people have to go through to get into the actual clinic was never really on my radar. I thought about how people had to get TO the clinic- transportation, accommodations, that kind of access, but walking up to the clinic kind of fell off my radar until I looked into her work. I became pissed off... especially for US citizens. They live in a country that makes them jump through hoops to access abortion, and then doesn't protect them once they've exercised their right. I wondered how many people, in places where abortion was legal, opted for illegal or self abortion because they emotionally or psychologically could not handle being verbally assaulted by protestors who were allowed to approach them, to infringe upon their space.
The next person to speak is a Harvard graduate who is an Assistant Professor of Law and MacBain Chair in Health Law and Policy at Dalhousie University. She spoke about the spaces in which abortion takes place, with a bit of an emphasis on medical abortion. How the idea of back alleys has taken over and the "back alley" of providing access can be the internet, or a number written on a bathroom stall, the mail carrier that delivers the pills to your house.
The next presenter is a Wilfred Laurier University Graduate student. She spoke about how complex the issue of abortion is, and how despite society trying to confine it to a specific box, there are a lot of different factors that influence the decision to have an abortion. She examined youth (under the age of 25) who lived in PEI and who had an abortion. As soon as she started speaking it clicked in my brain "This is the research that I've seen flyers for on the back of bathroom stall doors at UPEI for the past year... almost two years". The only flyers I have ever seen on the back of bathroom stall doors at UPEI are the ones looking for research subjects for this research, who to call if you are experience domestic violence, and a flyer for Yoga...
The last presenter is a Harvard Law School Professor of International Law, and Human Rights Law.
She spoke about International Law relating to abortion. How there's nothing mandating that countries have access but how international courts have reprimanded and fined countries for not providing safe access. There are soft laws and precedent supporting safe access to abortion, and the UN Committee against Torture and Human Rights Committees both consider safe access to abortion an essential human right.
Our final speaker was Marlene Gerber Fried. She gave an empowering speech talking about hope for the future, the important work, how far we've come, but she also addressed racial issues, how many people view abortion as a "white" issue, and how reproductive rights often gets attributed to Planned Parenthood in the USA, when in fact there were movements, predominately by Black women, long before white people ever started fighting. She spoke about how if we're helping a movement because we feel guilty especially because of the race we are, we need to get the fuck out of the way and let someone who is fighting because it directly affects them take the lead. She spoke of her own guilt in the pass, wanting to help with something because she felt it was important, but also felt guilty about it because she was white, and how people told her she pretty much needed to suck it up because there were more important things going on and they didn't have time to deal with her guilt. Which I found fantastic. We need to stop focusing on race, and focus on equality and bringing all women the same quality and high standards that all women deserve.
I am going to write a refection (much shorter... probably) about the conference as a whole in the next day or two. I am so thankful to have been given the opportunity to attend.
Thursday 7 August 2014
Day One Reflection (Abortion: The Unfinished Revolution conference)
Today I attended an International academic conference, where researchers presented their papers.
Here I was, a 3rd year undergrad student, in the presence of University professors, PhD students, Masters students, representatives of NGOs, researchers for various agencies, policy writers, professionals, who had travelled from all over the world to talk about their research.
As someone who wants to go into research, I value the opportunity. I am blessed to attend a University that understands the importance of research, and encourages it, even amid some controversy.
The easiest way to think of is to go through each of the panels I attended, and perhaps talk about my experience attending them. I have notes haphazardly jotted down all over my program. Ideas I wanted to think more about, books and movies I want to look into. I'm going to try to make sense of them. I'm going to remove names, although they can easily be found on the program.
The first panel I chose to attend was titled "Understanding for Change: How PEI's abortion policies impact on women's lives"
There are a number of reasons I chose this panel in the end as opposed to the other concurrent sessions. Originally I wasn't sure, because I thought I knew a fair amount about PEI's abortion policy, having lived here for the past several years. UPEI students were presenting their research though, and I felt it was important to support my fellow students. I learned there was in fact a lot I didn't know about the impact that PEI's abortion policies have on women's lives. The panel was a comprehensive blend of statistical data, quantitative and qualitative analysis, the personal experiences of women who had attempted to access abortion, had accessed abortion and who had induced their own abortion as a result of lack of access. It discussed the misconceptions that citizens, and in some cases medical professionals have about access in PEI and the discourses and narratives surrounding abortion in PEI. The panel consisted of the Chair of the Psychology department, and 3 Honours students, one who was doing their honours post-graduation.
I then attended a discussion group where the personal story of a woman who had had a medical abortion in PEI was told. I like to think of myself as a fairly well educated person when it comes to types of abortion and procedure. Perceptions I had were shattered in this discussion. The experience the woman had was traumatizing. In my mind a medical abortion was fairly easy- you get a shot, you insert something (pills/seaweed) into your vagina, you have a heavy period, boom you're done. Which is the case for many women. However women I know who have gone this route have been from provinces where it's easily accessible, where aftercare was provided, and who had a medical professional they could contact if something concerned them. That is not the case in PEI. The doctor was shroud in secrecy. It was hard to find him, as there's only one doctor known to provide medical abortions, the aftercare was subpar, she went over a month not knowing if it had worked properly. The medical system failed when the doctor eventually tried to get her in for an ultrasound, because it was never booked. She went over a month not knowing if she was still pregnant (she wasn't) not knowing what had happened. It was never explained to her what actually happens, that it's not automatic, and that over a month later she would have the most extremely painful, heavy period as her body shed the lining. While the pain she was unprepared for was traumatic, it seemed like the emotional turmoil of not knowing, of not having someone explain to her what happens, of not having someone validate her concerns after, affected her the most.
In the afternoon I attended a panel called "Telling Abortion Stories" where a PhD Candidate from the University of Calgary, and a Professor from James Madison University in Virginia presented. The woman from the University of Calgary spoke about her research with abortion providers. She sought to find out who they were, what were their personal stories. What kind of people were providing abortions? She soon realized there was no category to define them, there was no type, they were men and women from different backgrounds, different cultures, had various sexual orientations, family situations, they could not be categorized as a "type". I found her focus on not the question "why" but the question of "who are you?" fascinating. So often we focus on the why, as if people need to justify their decision, when I think it's much more interesting to find out about who people are, what their stories are. The JMU professor's presentation had me madly writing down names of books I want to read, as she went over different narratives in books. She focused on "our mothers" and the discussion of abortion in memoirs.
Things I want to read as a result of this panel are:
Reality Check by Jessica Shaw
Wild by Cheryl Strayed
and here is where my haphazard notes fail me... I wrote down "No Choice book" and "The Choice Monologues" but Amazon.ca does not seem to be helpful and requires more information. I'll have to look into those.
The last panel of the day I attended was Abortion in Literature and Popular Culture.
This panel consisted of an Assistant Professor & Author from Queens University, a woman who I think was a student at the University of Witwatersrand, a Graduate student from the University of Cambridge and the Interdisciplinary Studies Coordinator from New York Institute of Technology. There was so much packed into this session. Ideas of white privilege, the narrative surrounding men in portrayals of abortion in popular culture (they are often not flattering and men are made to appear as domineering or dead beats.). The "othering" that happens in literature and popular culture surrounding abortion, how it's often portrayed as lower socioeconomic class (which is not the average person who gets an abortion in Canada) and often they are not white. Abortion is portrayed as not something that "good, middle class, white women get" when statistical data in Canada actually shows that the average person who gets an abortion in Canada is educated, white, middle aged and middle class (I'm pointing that out... none of them were Canadian). However throughout history it's never been upper class white women who have been unable to obtain access to abortion. Even if it was illegal, if you had enough money, you had an easier time finding access. I kind of went off on a tangent there.
Briefly mentioned in the discussion, I spoke to a woman who wrote foreign aid policy for the USA, to have her tell me the name of the movie, and I have added Ntozake Shange's 1975 stage play "For colored girls who have considered suicide / when the rainbow is enuf" and Tyler Perry's 2010 movie adaptation to the list of things I need to read/see.
My final session of the day was a discussion group called "The politics of studying abortion"
It was fascinating to listen to people from all over the world talk about their experiences with studying abortion. People who had put themselves at risk because it was considered controversial, people whose colleagues thought they were crazy because abortion had been legal and accepted for so long in their country that studying abortion was considered "a thing of the past". We heard from people from all over- Ireland, The USA (various states), Norway, Sweden, the UK, Canada (different provinces), South Africa, West Africa, Australia... It was so interesting just to hear of people's experiences and how varied they were.
There is so much I valued from this conference. The chance to listen to, and talk to, academics from around the world, the ability to listen to different research, learning about different research methods, because the methodology was vastly different across the papers.
I am looking forward to tomorrow.
Here I was, a 3rd year undergrad student, in the presence of University professors, PhD students, Masters students, representatives of NGOs, researchers for various agencies, policy writers, professionals, who had travelled from all over the world to talk about their research.
As someone who wants to go into research, I value the opportunity. I am blessed to attend a University that understands the importance of research, and encourages it, even amid some controversy.
The easiest way to think of is to go through each of the panels I attended, and perhaps talk about my experience attending them. I have notes haphazardly jotted down all over my program. Ideas I wanted to think more about, books and movies I want to look into. I'm going to try to make sense of them. I'm going to remove names, although they can easily be found on the program.
The first panel I chose to attend was titled "Understanding for Change: How PEI's abortion policies impact on women's lives"
There are a number of reasons I chose this panel in the end as opposed to the other concurrent sessions. Originally I wasn't sure, because I thought I knew a fair amount about PEI's abortion policy, having lived here for the past several years. UPEI students were presenting their research though, and I felt it was important to support my fellow students. I learned there was in fact a lot I didn't know about the impact that PEI's abortion policies have on women's lives. The panel was a comprehensive blend of statistical data, quantitative and qualitative analysis, the personal experiences of women who had attempted to access abortion, had accessed abortion and who had induced their own abortion as a result of lack of access. It discussed the misconceptions that citizens, and in some cases medical professionals have about access in PEI and the discourses and narratives surrounding abortion in PEI. The panel consisted of the Chair of the Psychology department, and 3 Honours students, one who was doing their honours post-graduation.
I then attended a discussion group where the personal story of a woman who had had a medical abortion in PEI was told. I like to think of myself as a fairly well educated person when it comes to types of abortion and procedure. Perceptions I had were shattered in this discussion. The experience the woman had was traumatizing. In my mind a medical abortion was fairly easy- you get a shot, you insert something (pills/seaweed) into your vagina, you have a heavy period, boom you're done. Which is the case for many women. However women I know who have gone this route have been from provinces where it's easily accessible, where aftercare was provided, and who had a medical professional they could contact if something concerned them. That is not the case in PEI. The doctor was shroud in secrecy. It was hard to find him, as there's only one doctor known to provide medical abortions, the aftercare was subpar, she went over a month not knowing if it had worked properly. The medical system failed when the doctor eventually tried to get her in for an ultrasound, because it was never booked. She went over a month not knowing if she was still pregnant (she wasn't) not knowing what had happened. It was never explained to her what actually happens, that it's not automatic, and that over a month later she would have the most extremely painful, heavy period as her body shed the lining. While the pain she was unprepared for was traumatic, it seemed like the emotional turmoil of not knowing, of not having someone explain to her what happens, of not having someone validate her concerns after, affected her the most.
In the afternoon I attended a panel called "Telling Abortion Stories" where a PhD Candidate from the University of Calgary, and a Professor from James Madison University in Virginia presented. The woman from the University of Calgary spoke about her research with abortion providers. She sought to find out who they were, what were their personal stories. What kind of people were providing abortions? She soon realized there was no category to define them, there was no type, they were men and women from different backgrounds, different cultures, had various sexual orientations, family situations, they could not be categorized as a "type". I found her focus on not the question "why" but the question of "who are you?" fascinating. So often we focus on the why, as if people need to justify their decision, when I think it's much more interesting to find out about who people are, what their stories are. The JMU professor's presentation had me madly writing down names of books I want to read, as she went over different narratives in books. She focused on "our mothers" and the discussion of abortion in memoirs.
Things I want to read as a result of this panel are:
Reality Check by Jessica Shaw
Wild by Cheryl Strayed
and here is where my haphazard notes fail me... I wrote down "No Choice book" and "The Choice Monologues" but Amazon.ca does not seem to be helpful and requires more information. I'll have to look into those.
The last panel of the day I attended was Abortion in Literature and Popular Culture.
This panel consisted of an Assistant Professor & Author from Queens University, a woman who I think was a student at the University of Witwatersrand, a Graduate student from the University of Cambridge and the Interdisciplinary Studies Coordinator from New York Institute of Technology. There was so much packed into this session. Ideas of white privilege, the narrative surrounding men in portrayals of abortion in popular culture (they are often not flattering and men are made to appear as domineering or dead beats.). The "othering" that happens in literature and popular culture surrounding abortion, how it's often portrayed as lower socioeconomic class (which is not the average person who gets an abortion in Canada) and often they are not white. Abortion is portrayed as not something that "good, middle class, white women get" when statistical data in Canada actually shows that the average person who gets an abortion in Canada is educated, white, middle aged and middle class (I'm pointing that out... none of them were Canadian). However throughout history it's never been upper class white women who have been unable to obtain access to abortion. Even if it was illegal, if you had enough money, you had an easier time finding access. I kind of went off on a tangent there.
Briefly mentioned in the discussion, I spoke to a woman who wrote foreign aid policy for the USA, to have her tell me the name of the movie, and I have added Ntozake Shange's 1975 stage play "For colored girls who have considered suicide / when the rainbow is enuf" and Tyler Perry's 2010 movie adaptation to the list of things I need to read/see.
My final session of the day was a discussion group called "The politics of studying abortion"
It was fascinating to listen to people from all over the world talk about their experiences with studying abortion. People who had put themselves at risk because it was considered controversial, people whose colleagues thought they were crazy because abortion had been legal and accepted for so long in their country that studying abortion was considered "a thing of the past". We heard from people from all over- Ireland, The USA (various states), Norway, Sweden, the UK, Canada (different provinces), South Africa, West Africa, Australia... It was so interesting just to hear of people's experiences and how varied they were.
There is so much I valued from this conference. The chance to listen to, and talk to, academics from around the world, the ability to listen to different research, learning about different research methods, because the methodology was vastly different across the papers.
I am looking forward to tomorrow.
Thursday 31 July 2014
Why opposing publicly funded abortions is a dangerous beginning.
I'm not going to debate about the ethics of abortion. I am going to talk about why opposing the funding of abortions is a dangerous practice.
Abortions are legal in Canada. They are recognized as something that should be medically covered for all Canadians, as we have public health care in Canada.
Public Health Care means that all Canadians have access to comprehensive and universal coverage of hospital and physician services.
All Canadians have access to all services.
I've heard some opposition to taxpayers dollars funding abortions because some people have moral objections to abortion. The problem is, when we live in a society that has public health care, we can't start picking and choosing who gets access to what health services, and what health services should and should not be covered. Comprehensive and universal coverage means that all services should be accessible and covered.
If people are allowed to start picking and choosing where their tax dollars go, we start a slippery slide into people not receiving the medical care they need. Maybe you don't believe in abortion, maybe someone else doesn't believe that their tax dollars should go to helping you after your heart attack because you like having a donut with your coffee every morning. Maybe people don't want to cover dialysis for anyone who has ever had a drink of alcohol, or a diabetes treatment, or cancer treatment for people who have been exposed to chemicals in their workplace, or who have ever smoked. Maybe people don't want to cover other people's fertility treatment. We can't allow judgement and personal ideas of morals to influence the health and wellbeing of other people, because if we allow that to happen, we'll end up in a society devoid of health care all together.
Public health care means everyone has the right to access health care, whether or not you think they should.
Abortions are legal in Canada. They are recognized as something that should be medically covered for all Canadians, as we have public health care in Canada.
Public Health Care means that all Canadians have access to comprehensive and universal coverage of hospital and physician services.
All Canadians have access to all services.
I've heard some opposition to taxpayers dollars funding abortions because some people have moral objections to abortion. The problem is, when we live in a society that has public health care, we can't start picking and choosing who gets access to what health services, and what health services should and should not be covered. Comprehensive and universal coverage means that all services should be accessible and covered.
If people are allowed to start picking and choosing where their tax dollars go, we start a slippery slide into people not receiving the medical care they need. Maybe you don't believe in abortion, maybe someone else doesn't believe that their tax dollars should go to helping you after your heart attack because you like having a donut with your coffee every morning. Maybe people don't want to cover dialysis for anyone who has ever had a drink of alcohol, or a diabetes treatment, or cancer treatment for people who have been exposed to chemicals in their workplace, or who have ever smoked. Maybe people don't want to cover other people's fertility treatment. We can't allow judgement and personal ideas of morals to influence the health and wellbeing of other people, because if we allow that to happen, we'll end up in a society devoid of health care all together.
Public health care means everyone has the right to access health care, whether or not you think they should.
Tuesday 24 June 2014
What you should know about taking distance education courses while at UPEI
Hi there!
I've decided to compile all the information I've received over the past year into one area. This information is correct as of today, and subject to change, because sometimes Universities like to change things. Regardless, it's a good place to start.
Attending a smaller university can be wonderful- you have all the wonderful perks of a more hands on, caring environment where you have Professors who know you by name and are (usually) willing to help you. You also don't get lost in the crowd.
There can be challenges though. Courses don't necessarily run as frequently in some departments, or perhaps a course that you're interested in isn't offered, or heck, maybe you just want to spend your summers fast tracking through courses to get your degree over with, or just need one more class to graduate.
Whatever your reason, taking a couple of courses via Distance Education might be right for you.
The best place to start is: Canadian Virtual University This website does its best to compile all the courses available via Distance Education at Canadian Universities. I've linked you directly to the courses by subject page, which is my favourite, but feel free to browse around.
A few things to keep in mind when going through this.
They may ask you for additional information.
Step Two: Once you've received their approval, you will need their signature on the Letter of Permission form. Fill out all the information before dropping it off to the Administrative Assistant for the department affiliated with the course you're taking. They may ask you if you'd like them to forward it to the Registrar once they're done or if you'd like to pick it up. It's up to you which is better.
Once it's made it's way to the Registrar it may take a couple of days for approval. Make sure your e-mail address is on the form because they will e-mail you a copy of the approved permission form once they've completed it.
Now you're ready to register for your course through the University you've chosen!
Every University is a bit different for what they require. Feel free to e-mail or call the university if you need assistance registering for a course.
Want funding for the course?
You may qualify for funding. This varies depending on which province you're from. I can only offer you information as an Ontario resident. For me, once the Registrar approved the course, I was able to include the cost of the course in my application for funding before registering in the course. You need to talk to the Registrar's office, give them information on the Distance Education course (Who it's through, how much it costs). For OSAP (Ontario Loans) they included this information on my application, and OSAP covered the cost of it.
I think this should be the same for every province (since you're getting the credit through UPEI) but it may not be the same. Talk to the registrar's office about your specific situation, they'll be able to find out!
Last Step!
Once you've received a passing grade in your course, you'll have to arrange for your grades to be sent to UPEI. Sometimes you can do this through the University you've taken the course from (by asking them to send it to UPEI), sometimes UPEI has to make the request. Find out from the University.
Despite this seeming like a very long post, it's actually pretty easy to do.
There are a few degree requirements( Regulation 1) that apply to online course:
I've decided to compile all the information I've received over the past year into one area. This information is correct as of today, and subject to change, because sometimes Universities like to change things. Regardless, it's a good place to start.
Attending a smaller university can be wonderful- you have all the wonderful perks of a more hands on, caring environment where you have Professors who know you by name and are (usually) willing to help you. You also don't get lost in the crowd.
There can be challenges though. Courses don't necessarily run as frequently in some departments, or perhaps a course that you're interested in isn't offered, or heck, maybe you just want to spend your summers fast tracking through courses to get your degree over with, or just need one more class to graduate.
Whatever your reason, taking a couple of courses via Distance Education might be right for you.
The best place to start is: Canadian Virtual University This website does its best to compile all the courses available via Distance Education at Canadian Universities. I've linked you directly to the courses by subject page, which is my favourite, but feel free to browse around.
A few things to keep in mind when going through this.
- Distance education courses are usually more expensive.
- If you are not a resident of the province the university is in, you may pay an extra fee (example: If you're an Alberta resident who is attending UPEI, Athabasca will charge you less than a PEI or Ontario resident who wants to take a course through Athabasca)
- UPEI degree requirements still are in effect (I'll go over these later)
- Some courses are only offered occasionally, some you can start any time, and some have specific times they start/finish.
- Some universities are really easy to register for courses, and some are really hard!
You've found a course you like. Now what?
Go onto the website of the University (usually by clicking the course of interest) that's offering it and see what you need to take the course- Are there prerequisites? What do you need to do to register?
Some schools- like Athabasca, Thompson Rivers and Laurentian make it really easy to take a course. You fill out some information, your school sends them something (sometimes) and you're ready to go! Others, like MUN make it very difficult, and require you to be accepted as a student before registering for online courses. This is a much longer process.
Also look at how long you have to complete the course, but if they give you 6 months, don't leave it until the last minute. Set your own guidelines for when you'll have things finished, and stick to them!
See how the course is graded. Are there exams? Do you have to be present for the exams (this is fairly rare but a few Universities require it or make you find a proctor at an additional fee)? Are they online? Some courses will require you to have an approved proctor that you find, at no additional fee, even for online exams. Student Affairs can help you with this! (They are located above the bookstore). Some Universities don't require exams (they base mark on projects and online quizzes) or allow you to take the exam from the comfort of your own home... or library... or wherever.
Alright, so you've found a course, you know how to register for it... so how do you get credit for it?
BEFORE REGISTERING for the course, you need to get UPEI's approval that they'll give you credit for this course.
This is fairly easy.
Step One: E-mail the chair of the department associated with the course. Tell them you are interested in taking a Distance Education course and would like to know if you can receive credit for the course. Send them the course description (you can usually copy and paste this off of the website, or link it to them). Let them know what University is offering the course. Tell them your major/minor. It may take a few days for them to get back to you.
Here's an example:
Dear Dr. *insert last name*,
My name is Elyse *last name*, I'm a 3rd year student doing a BSc with a double major in Psychology and Diversity and Social Justice Studies and a minor in Biology. I am interested in taking a Distance Education course through Thompson Rivers University and was wondering if I would be able to receive credit for it. The course is BIOL 3431: Plants and People. The course description and outline can be found: http://www.tru.ca/distance/courses/biol3431.html
Thank you for your time,
Sincerely,
Elyse *last name*
They may ask you for additional information.
Step Two: Once you've received their approval, you will need their signature on the Letter of Permission form. Fill out all the information before dropping it off to the Administrative Assistant for the department affiliated with the course you're taking. They may ask you if you'd like them to forward it to the Registrar once they're done or if you'd like to pick it up. It's up to you which is better.
Once it's made it's way to the Registrar it may take a couple of days for approval. Make sure your e-mail address is on the form because they will e-mail you a copy of the approved permission form once they've completed it.
Now you're ready to register for your course through the University you've chosen!
Every University is a bit different for what they require. Feel free to e-mail or call the university if you need assistance registering for a course.
Want funding for the course?
You may qualify for funding. This varies depending on which province you're from. I can only offer you information as an Ontario resident. For me, once the Registrar approved the course, I was able to include the cost of the course in my application for funding before registering in the course. You need to talk to the Registrar's office, give them information on the Distance Education course (Who it's through, how much it costs). For OSAP (Ontario Loans) they included this information on my application, and OSAP covered the cost of it.
I think this should be the same for every province (since you're getting the credit through UPEI) but it may not be the same. Talk to the registrar's office about your specific situation, they'll be able to find out!
Last Step!
Once you've received a passing grade in your course, you'll have to arrange for your grades to be sent to UPEI. Sometimes you can do this through the University you've taken the course from (by asking them to send it to UPEI), sometimes UPEI has to make the request. Find out from the University.
Despite this seeming like a very long post, it's actually pretty easy to do.
There are a few degree requirements( Regulation 1) that apply to online course:
- 30 of your 42 semester hours for your Major still need to have a grade of 60 or higher. (So do well on the Distance Education courses!)
- No more than forty-eight (48) semester hours of credit may be taken at the introductory level in any degree or diploma program, except in a Bachelor of Music program. (Watch out for the 100 level courses)
- A candidate for a degree must complete at least one-half of the required course work at UPEI; normally, these will be the final 60 semester-hours of the degree.
- In the last 60 semester-hours of work toward a UPEI degree, students will receive credit for no more than 12 semester-hours of study completed at another university. (This is a big one! If you're in your last year, you can only do a maximum of 3 courses worth 3 credits each unless you have permission from the Dean. Which is rare)
Feel free to comment if you have any questions, I'm happy to try and answer them :)
Good luck and happy studying!
Elyse
Sunday 25 May 2014
I'm Pro-Life
I'm Pro-Life.
I am pro-life for the 45,000 orphaned children in CANADA.
I am pro-life for the thousands of children living in the streets in Canada, who have left abusive family situations.
I am pro-life for the over 200 million orphans world wide.
I am pro-life for the millions of children sold into slavery and trafficked for prostitution because they have no one to protect them.
I'm pro-life for the 11 million children that die annually due to poverty.
I'm pro-life for the almost 1 billion people in the world who do not have enough food to eat.
I'm pro-life for the 1.7 billion people who lack access to clean drinking water.
I am pro-life for the women who accidentally got pregnant and do not want their lives destroyed by a child that they cannot or do not want to have, and who not want to add to the millions of unwanted children in the world.
I am not pro-life for something that I do not consider, based on my science background, to be a living human being yet (for something that has more characteristics of a parasite).
I am respectful of those who believe that life begins at conception, but that respect does not mean that I have to have the same views, in the same way that I wouldn't force them to have mine.
I believe that our society, as advanced as we like to think we are, is obsessed with babies. There are people who will fight tooth and nail to have a baby brought into existence, against the health, wants or needs of anyone else... and then leave them to fend for themselves.
People argue that abortion shouldn't exist because there are families who really want to have children and they could adopt.
That's a lie.
Most people do not want children. They want babies. If people actually cared about the children in this world, we wouldn't have 45,000 orphans in Canada, 123,000 children available for adoption in the US (and almost half a million in foster care) and millions of orphans world wide.
We need to stop focusing on trying to bring more unwanted children into the world, trying to FORCE people to bring more children into the world, when we obviously can't take care of the ones that are already here.
I am pro-life for the women, the men, people, the children that are already here.
edit: I know how difficult adoption procedures currently are. I think we as a society need to start focusing more on getting children into loving homes that can provide for them. There's currently too much red tape. If someone can prove they can provide a loving home, and can provide for a child financially, it should be a much shorter process to adopt a child.
Thank you to the following for statistics:
Orphan Coalition
Orphan Hope International
SOS Children's Villages
UNICEF
The Hunger Project
I am pro-life for the 45,000 orphaned children in CANADA.
I am pro-life for the thousands of children living in the streets in Canada, who have left abusive family situations.
I am pro-life for the over 200 million orphans world wide.
I am pro-life for the millions of children sold into slavery and trafficked for prostitution because they have no one to protect them.
I'm pro-life for the 11 million children that die annually due to poverty.
I'm pro-life for the almost 1 billion people in the world who do not have enough food to eat.
I'm pro-life for the 1.7 billion people who lack access to clean drinking water.
I am pro-life for the women who accidentally got pregnant and do not want their lives destroyed by a child that they cannot or do not want to have, and who not want to add to the millions of unwanted children in the world.
I am not pro-life for something that I do not consider, based on my science background, to be a living human being yet (for something that has more characteristics of a parasite).
I am respectful of those who believe that life begins at conception, but that respect does not mean that I have to have the same views, in the same way that I wouldn't force them to have mine.
I believe that our society, as advanced as we like to think we are, is obsessed with babies. There are people who will fight tooth and nail to have a baby brought into existence, against the health, wants or needs of anyone else... and then leave them to fend for themselves.
People argue that abortion shouldn't exist because there are families who really want to have children and they could adopt.
That's a lie.
Most people do not want children. They want babies. If people actually cared about the children in this world, we wouldn't have 45,000 orphans in Canada, 123,000 children available for adoption in the US (and almost half a million in foster care) and millions of orphans world wide.
We need to stop focusing on trying to bring more unwanted children into the world, trying to FORCE people to bring more children into the world, when we obviously can't take care of the ones that are already here.
I am pro-life for the women, the men, people, the children that are already here.
edit: I know how difficult adoption procedures currently are. I think we as a society need to start focusing more on getting children into loving homes that can provide for them. There's currently too much red tape. If someone can prove they can provide a loving home, and can provide for a child financially, it should be a much shorter process to adopt a child.
Thank you to the following for statistics:
Orphan Coalition
Orphan Hope International
SOS Children's Villages
UNICEF
The Hunger Project
Wednesday 14 May 2014
Thankful
I'm thankful that I have MS.
It's not cancer.
It's not a seizure disorder.
I don't think I could handle either of those. There are people that are so strong, that can stay positive throughout cancer. There are people that are strong and learn to adapt to having a seizure disorder. I honestly don't think I'm strong in the same way. I'm strong enough to live with MS. When I got diagnosed it was a relief because I was absolutely terrified I had cancer.
I know people who have cancer. They are some of the strongest people I have ever met. Their positivity radiates, and I know, even when they're absolutely terrified, they're still strong.
Two people I know have been diagnosed with cancer in the past year. Both in their 20s, both with rare cancers. One was diagnosed late, and unfortunately isn't going to make it, but he fought hard and was positive throughout, he didn't let fear destroy him. The other one has a hard battle ahead of them, but it's early stage, with a decently good prognosis, and I know they can fight it. They're one of the strongest, take no bullshit people I've ever met, and I know they won't take any shit from cancer.
We all have moments of insecurity and fear, which is why support systems are important. Those people remind you how strong you are, how fucking badass you are.
We all have our own battles to fight... some people just have to fight harder at times.
It's not cancer.
It's not a seizure disorder.
I don't think I could handle either of those. There are people that are so strong, that can stay positive throughout cancer. There are people that are strong and learn to adapt to having a seizure disorder. I honestly don't think I'm strong in the same way. I'm strong enough to live with MS. When I got diagnosed it was a relief because I was absolutely terrified I had cancer.
I know people who have cancer. They are some of the strongest people I have ever met. Their positivity radiates, and I know, even when they're absolutely terrified, they're still strong.
Two people I know have been diagnosed with cancer in the past year. Both in their 20s, both with rare cancers. One was diagnosed late, and unfortunately isn't going to make it, but he fought hard and was positive throughout, he didn't let fear destroy him. The other one has a hard battle ahead of them, but it's early stage, with a decently good prognosis, and I know they can fight it. They're one of the strongest, take no bullshit people I've ever met, and I know they won't take any shit from cancer.
We all have moments of insecurity and fear, which is why support systems are important. Those people remind you how strong you are, how fucking badass you are.
We all have our own battles to fight... some people just have to fight harder at times.
Sunday 4 May 2014
The Day I Forgot to Remember
I often have trouble remembering dates. One that I once considered very important went by a month ago, and it didn't even register to me until today when I read a meme with a quote by Michael J Fox.
“ACCEPTANCE DOESN'T MEAN RESIGNATION; IT MEANS UNDERSTANDING THAT SOMETHING IS WHAT IT IS AND THAT THERE'S GOT TO BE A WAY THROUGH IT.” MICHAEL J. FOX
“ACCEPTANCE DOESN'T MEAN RESIGNATION; IT MEANS UNDERSTANDING THAT SOMETHING IS WHAT IT IS AND THAT THERE'S GOT TO BE A WAY THROUGH IT.” MICHAEL J. FOX
This quote spoke to me. One of my best days was finding out, after two years, what was wrong with me. I didn't experience the denial stage, or at least not right away and not as a full stage. I had convinced myself I had cancer, a brain tumor, something incurable and that I was going to die right away, without really experiencing life. When I got the diagnosis of MS, it was a relief. I knew MS came with its own bought of problems and troubles, but it was what it was, and it wasn't cancer. I still had a change at a long life. I accepted that, and knew that I would be able to deal with it, be able to get through the tough parts, be able to live a happy life because I had it, it did not have me.
Sure, I've had moments of panic, of fear, of worry about the future. I've had days where I feel defeated. I'm always able to pick myself back up though because I know there has to be a way through those tough times.
I remember celebrating my 6 month anniversary, because I had had so many relapses the year before (7 in 12 months), then my 1 year anniversary. Between year 1 and 2 I had periods of anxiety, two years was such a long time, I was due wasn't I? At year 3 I felt triumphant. I had made it to 3 years without a major relapse. My 4th anniversary, I thankfully forgot. I forgot to remember I was healthy. I forgot that being healthy was abnormal. I forgot to remember how sick I have been. I forgot to put an emphasis on the disease that I have... but I remembered to live life.
Friday 25 April 2014
Happy Body Happy Self
I'm actually impressed with my body, with the understanding that I know if it was the dead of winter, I wouldn't be feeling this well.
I've been doing a lot of manual labour (7.5hr shifts) the past 2 days, and while I'm sore and tired, I feel okay. Usually over exertion causes my body to wage an all out war on me (It's better in the summer because everything with my body is better in the summer). It's not summer, it's not even warm, heck it has been snowing the past two days (It's April... right? Did I miss something? Make the snow stop already!)
I haven't even gotten dizzy! (Which is my brain's go-to way of telling me it's done with whatever I'm doing)
I know I couldn't do this all summer, but I also know that I wouldn't have been able to do one day, let alone 3 days of this 5 years ago, and that makes me really happy, that I'm able to do it now :)
Slowly getting healthier...
I've been doing a lot of manual labour (7.5hr shifts) the past 2 days, and while I'm sore and tired, I feel okay. Usually over exertion causes my body to wage an all out war on me (It's better in the summer because everything with my body is better in the summer). It's not summer, it's not even warm, heck it has been snowing the past two days (It's April... right? Did I miss something? Make the snow stop already!)
I haven't even gotten dizzy! (Which is my brain's go-to way of telling me it's done with whatever I'm doing)
I know I couldn't do this all summer, but I also know that I wouldn't have been able to do one day, let alone 3 days of this 5 years ago, and that makes me really happy, that I'm able to do it now :)
Slowly getting healthier...
Wednesday 23 April 2014
Why It Matters
Women aren't special.
I'm sorry but they aren't.
Women are human, we are all human. They have different struggles, but everyone has struggles. It is important to recognize them, acknowledge them, and the try to alleviate them, but it's important to do that for everyone... not just women.
Recently my University changed the "Women's Studies" program to "Diversity and Social Justice Studies", a change I was enthusiastically in favour of.
Some people thought this was a ridiculous move, that it didn't matter. Some thought that it didn't make sense because it was still "women's studies" but by a fancier name.
The reason it changed it's name is because it's not all about studying women. It's about looking at... well, Diversity and Social Justice.
Women have struggled historically, but so have people with disabilities, various ethnicities and races, homosexual, asexual, bisexual people, transgendered people, men who do not fit into the societal norm of "masculine", men for various other reasons, people who don't conform to gender, sexuality or sex normatives.... they have all struggled, they have all faced discrimination and hatred directed towards them, they are all human and they all have the right to be acknowledged as such and offered the same human rights as other humans.
They are all important.
My "Sex and Culture" course, my "Theories of the Body" course, "Aboriginal People & The State in Canada" course, my "Masculinity Studies" course, my "People and Animals" course... none of them have anything specifically to do with women.
They have to do with people, and the way people treat others.
So it matters that Women's Studies changed it's name, because it's important that we acknowledge everyone and treat everyone fairly.
Equality shouldn't have boundaries.
(side note, you should all watch this: Laci Green- Why I'm a Feminist )
I'm sorry but they aren't.
Women are human, we are all human. They have different struggles, but everyone has struggles. It is important to recognize them, acknowledge them, and the try to alleviate them, but it's important to do that for everyone... not just women.
Recently my University changed the "Women's Studies" program to "Diversity and Social Justice Studies", a change I was enthusiastically in favour of.
Some people thought this was a ridiculous move, that it didn't matter. Some thought that it didn't make sense because it was still "women's studies" but by a fancier name.
The reason it changed it's name is because it's not all about studying women. It's about looking at... well, Diversity and Social Justice.
Women have struggled historically, but so have people with disabilities, various ethnicities and races, homosexual, asexual, bisexual people, transgendered people, men who do not fit into the societal norm of "masculine", men for various other reasons, people who don't conform to gender, sexuality or sex normatives.... they have all struggled, they have all faced discrimination and hatred directed towards them, they are all human and they all have the right to be acknowledged as such and offered the same human rights as other humans.
They are all important.
My "Sex and Culture" course, my "Theories of the Body" course, "Aboriginal People & The State in Canada" course, my "Masculinity Studies" course, my "People and Animals" course... none of them have anything specifically to do with women.
They have to do with people, and the way people treat others.
So it matters that Women's Studies changed it's name, because it's important that we acknowledge everyone and treat everyone fairly.
Equality shouldn't have boundaries.
(side note, you should all watch this: Laci Green- Why I'm a Feminist )
Thursday 10 April 2014
What's that word again?
Sometimes I don't get out of bed until 9 or 10am.
It's not because I'm lazy.
I sometimes wish it was.
It's not because I don't want to.
It's because I can't.
Sometimes when I wake up,
My body decides that it has more control over me,
Than I do over it.
Sometimes I speak really fast.
It's not because I'm trying to get something over with,
or that I'm trying to be confusing.
It's because when I slow down,
When I let my brain think
I lose words
I lose thoughts.
They're not actually lost...
They just don't want to come out.
Sometimes I take the elevator.
Not to get some place quicker.
Not to avoid the stairs.
But because the pain in my legs is too much.
Two flights of stairs seems like 200.
Sometimes my mind is foggy
Words don't come out right
Numbers don't make sense
I can't think straight
I feel like all the knowledge
I've gained in the worlds
Has disappeared under a cloud of grey
Sometimes I type words incorrectly
Not because I'm not paying attention,
But because my fingers and brain,
Don't seem to be communicating.
Sometimes I remember who I used to be,
A person in the distant path,
That doesn't seem like me at all.
Sometimes I am absolutely terrified of the future.
Sometimes I'm not though.
I'm thankful for everything I have
I am grateful that I'm alive.
I am hopeful about the opportunities in life,
that I have been given.
Sometimes the hard things overwhelm me...
but most of the time I am happy with the life I have,
even though it means constantly changing and adapting.
I am stronger, I am more focused on happiness.
I live in the moment, because even if you're healthy,
you never know what life will bring.
Stay Healthy,
Elyse
It's not because I'm lazy.
I sometimes wish it was.
It's not because I don't want to.
It's because I can't.
Sometimes when I wake up,
My body decides that it has more control over me,
Than I do over it.
Sometimes I speak really fast.
It's not because I'm trying to get something over with,
or that I'm trying to be confusing.
It's because when I slow down,
When I let my brain think
I lose words
I lose thoughts.
They're not actually lost...
They just don't want to come out.
Sometimes I take the elevator.
Not to get some place quicker.
Not to avoid the stairs.
But because the pain in my legs is too much.
Two flights of stairs seems like 200.
Sometimes my mind is foggy
Words don't come out right
Numbers don't make sense
I can't think straight
I feel like all the knowledge
I've gained in the worlds
Has disappeared under a cloud of grey
Sometimes I type words incorrectly
Not because I'm not paying attention,
But because my fingers and brain,
Don't seem to be communicating.
Sometimes I remember who I used to be,
A person in the distant path,
That doesn't seem like me at all.
Sometimes I am absolutely terrified of the future.
Sometimes I'm not though.
I'm thankful for everything I have
I am grateful that I'm alive.
I am hopeful about the opportunities in life,
that I have been given.
Sometimes the hard things overwhelm me...
but most of the time I am happy with the life I have,
even though it means constantly changing and adapting.
I am stronger, I am more focused on happiness.
I live in the moment, because even if you're healthy,
you never know what life will bring.
Stay Healthy,
Elyse
Totally Different
As you can tell, I suck at updating blogs. I think it's because there's so much on my mind, especially with school, that I often don't allocate enough time to it.
I've been thinking about starting another blog, a general one... then I realized, I should just modify this one.
So this blog is now devoted to... everything I want to talk or rant about.
Ranting is healthy, it gets things off your chest, so the title is still appropriate :)
Stay Healthy!
Elyse
I've been thinking about starting another blog, a general one... then I realized, I should just modify this one.
So this blog is now devoted to... everything I want to talk or rant about.
Ranting is healthy, it gets things off your chest, so the title is still appropriate :)
Stay Healthy!
Elyse
Sunday 26 January 2014
Crock Pot Chili
First up is Crock Pot Chili.
This recipe is a staple of mine, because it is super quick, and has practically no prep time.
You can substitute the canned for dried that has been soaked and rinsed. As a usually broke students, I tend to stock up on canned beans when they go on sale for 99cents or less.
If getting canned try to get no salt added.
Ingredients:
1 Can Chickpeas, drained and rinsed
1 Can Black Beans, drained and rinsed
1 Can whole corn kernels, drained and rinsed
1 large(769ml) can diced tomatoes
1 large onion, chopped
2 cloves of garlic, minced/chopped finely
1-2 bell peppers, washed and cut (any colour, I like red and orange)
1 cup mushrooms washed and cut.
chili seasoning
Sometimes I omit the peppers if peppers are really expensive, and it still tastes good.
Empty cans into crock pot, add onion, garlic, peppers and mushrooms. Stir.
Add chili seasoning... I vary on how much I put in and don't really keep track, but I find it also depends on the brand. I would start with 2-3 tablespoons, you can always add more later. Stir again.
Turn crock pot on low, and cover. Let cook overnight (6-8 hours, I've let it go up to 10 before).
It should yield 6 servings. The general nutritional breakdown is:
Calories, Carbs, Fat, Protein:
This recipe is a staple of mine, because it is super quick, and has practically no prep time.
You can substitute the canned for dried that has been soaked and rinsed. As a usually broke students, I tend to stock up on canned beans when they go on sale for 99cents or less.
If getting canned try to get no salt added.
Ingredients:
1 Can Chickpeas, drained and rinsed
1 Can Black Beans, drained and rinsed
1 Can whole corn kernels, drained and rinsed
1 large(769ml) can diced tomatoes
1 large onion, chopped
2 cloves of garlic, minced/chopped finely
1-2 bell peppers, washed and cut (any colour, I like red and orange)
1 cup mushrooms washed and cut.
chili seasoning
Sometimes I omit the peppers if peppers are really expensive, and it still tastes good.
Empty cans into crock pot, add onion, garlic, peppers and mushrooms. Stir.
Add chili seasoning... I vary on how much I put in and don't really keep track, but I find it also depends on the brand. I would start with 2-3 tablespoons, you can always add more later. Stir again.
Turn crock pot on low, and cover. Let cook overnight (6-8 hours, I've let it go up to 10 before).
It should yield 6 servings. The general nutritional breakdown is:
Calories, Carbs, Fat, Protein:
Only 1 Gram of fat per serving, and 8 grams of protein!
You can also serve it over rice, quinoa or baked potatoes.
Stay Healthy,
Elyse
Saturday 25 January 2014
Swanky Swank
Long time no talk.
I kind of got busy and lost my motivation for blogging. This past year has been... interesting.
I'm inspired again, and taking a slightly different approach to blogging (I'm sure there will be plenty of rants in the future)
I recently discovered the SWANK diet. I was developed for patients with Multiple Sclerosis.
There is no medical evidence to show that this diet has any benefits, but there are a lot of people around who say that it has helped them feel better... and sometimes feeling better is better than medical evidence (as long as all nutritional requirements are being met).
The basis of the diet (taken from Wikipedia) is:
I kind of got busy and lost my motivation for blogging. This past year has been... interesting.
I'm inspired again, and taking a slightly different approach to blogging (I'm sure there will be plenty of rants in the future)
I recently discovered the SWANK diet. I was developed for patients with Multiple Sclerosis.
There is no medical evidence to show that this diet has any benefits, but there are a lot of people around who say that it has helped them feel better... and sometimes feeling better is better than medical evidence (as long as all nutritional requirements are being met).
The basis of the diet (taken from Wikipedia) is:
- Saturated fat should not exceed 15 grams per day
- Unsaturated fat (oils) should be kept to 20-50 grams per day
- No red meat for the first year; after that, a maximum of 3 oz. (85 grams) of red meat per week
- Dairy products must contain 1% or less butterfat
- No processed foods containing saturated fat
- A good source of omega-3 (oily fish, cod liver oil, cod liver oil tablets, etc.) along with a multi-vitamin and mineral supplement are recommended daily
- Wheat, gluten or dairy product quantities are not restricted. But foods which cause allergies or reactions to an MS sufferer should be avoided[3]
My comments
1. Very good rule, Saturated fats should be minimized in general.
2. This is below the recommended intake of fat, however #6 will bump that up, so it should be okay.
3, I don't eat meat anyway, so that is easy.
4. But... cheese... :( 0% fat yogourt I can do, 0% fat cheese should be interesting.
5. I rarely eat processed foods anyway so this should be okay.
6. Eating flax seeds and chia seeds are going to have to satisfy this. Oil supplements and I do not get along.
7. I need to greatly restrict my wheat and gluten intake. I feel better when I don't eat them, and I get migraines when I eat it often. I've been gluten free before, it requires more effort and full time student + working full time makes life a little hectic.
I'm going to post recipes (I know, every blog posts recipes these days). Of Vegetarian, Swank, Gluten Free, Processed Sugar Free recipes. (Chocolate free too, I'm allergic)
Stay tuned!
If you want to learn more about the Swank Diet, this is the link: Swank MS Diet
Stay Healthy!
Elyse
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