Comments for T. Toronto. Period. http://T.oronto.ca Toronto. Period. Fri, 28 Sep 2012 18:21:23 -0400 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.2 Comment on Toronto Accessible Public Transportation: Lovely interactions with the TTC and their Wheel Trans – By Kathy Hammond by Thea Ramsay http://T.oronto.ca/toronto-accessible-public-transportation-lovely-interactions-with-the-ttc-and-their-wheel-trans-by-kathy-hammond/#comment-157 Thea Ramsay Fri, 28 Sep 2012 18:21:23 +0000 http://T.oronto.ca/?p=302#comment-157 Hi, Kathy. I've had the same trouble. Blind from birth, I once travelled the labyrinthine TTC--busses, subways, etc. Now I have 4 pain conditions which make one physical disability that limits my "functional physical mobility". I went on WheelTrans for 16 lovely, independent weeks. Then came my appeal. My mobility instructor, who could see that I was in too much pain to conduct regular mobility lessons, hoped for the best and met me at the place of appeal, to which I'd come on WheelTrans. If only I'd known it would be my last independent trip. After my appeal, during which I answered questions, handed them all my medical information, told them I was in alot of pain even with my medications, and climbed 3 painful steps, I went home. A few days later, I booked a ride as usual, to go to the pharmacy and pick up my meds. The first driver didn't identify himself to me, by knocking on the outside door, as I waited downstairs at my apartment building, where every other customer waits. Then, I called Customer Service, was told I was a no-show, protested that the driver didn't identify himself to me, a totally blind person, and was sent another driver, who refused to take me anywhere because I lacked an escort. Escort? There was no mention of an escort, either during the booking of my trip, nor did I receive a call. Even the letter they sent me, saying my appeal was granted, hinted nothing at any required escort. But I found out again, the hard way, that an escort was required. Why, I wanted to know? My best friend rides WheelTrans free as a bird, and she has falls and experiences balance issues. If anyone needs an escort, it is she, not I. In fact, my friend, who is blind and has cerebral palsy, is not an asset to me, as I know where the pharmacy is, or the driver can take me. Why is she treated like an adult, allowed to go independently where she likes, while I am treated like a child? My partner tried to advocate for me, as she is a disabled, though sighted, WT client. They wouldn't talk to her. I was told that the escort was the only way I qualified at all for WT service, since I didn't use a mobility device, such as a walker, like my partner uses, or a wheelchair. I told the Customer Service Supervisor, Dean Milton, that a blind person cannot safely use both a white cane and a walker or wheelchair. "Well, you're not on WT because of your blindness." "Yes, Mr. Milton," I said patiently, "but I happen to be blind, and blind persons cannot use wheelchairs or walkers and white canes safely. I can't even use a white cane safely for long because of my pain conditions." I was told, basically, tough, those were the rules, and I should be grateful I have any WheelTrans service at all. I spent alot of time talking to this man, patiently, repeating myself over and over because he just wasn't getting it. The most I got from him was a lip-service of empathy and praise for my "way with words." Do you know how hard it is to get escorts? People are busy. People have kids, like you do. People don't necessarily agree with my lifestyle choices--which is fine with me, till the moment when someone criticizes them just because they are doing me the favor of escorting me, or having power over me by virtue of being able to say "No, I'm not going there, and I'm not taking you." Why does my friend get to ride free as a bird, while I am treated like a young teen who has to ask Mommy for permission to go across the street? That's right. WT won't even take me across the street without an escort. And although my escorts mean well, they often make ignorant or patronizing remarks. They tell me when I should be going to bed or getting up, what I should be eating, and criticize my choice of a partner, though they've never met her. Some people are really anti-gay. I just hate the loss of my freedom, and strangers and friends alike, breathing down my neck. I just want my freedom back. I want to be able to meet my partner somewhere for dinner or a drink, she coming from her place independently on WT, and me coming from mine. I'm quite capable of it, you know. WT has sixteen weeks worth of logs, recording how I went all over town, independently, by myself, like the 47-year-old woman with brains that I am. I'm not a child or mentally challenged. I merely need accessible, door to door transit, such as WT offers, and such as I had, for sixteen weeks, pre-appeal, and I need it independently. They are talking about taking dialysis patients off the service in the new year. What are these people supposed to do--die? Die, because they can't get to their doc appointments, and they're alone, and WT officials couldn't care less? If that's how "the man" feels about dialysis patients, what hope do multi-disabled blind people have? What do I think of an all-accessible TTC? One ride fits all, disabled and non-disabled alike? I think it stinks. For one thing, it's a waste of money and time, and for another, dangerous. Not everyone has the cognitive or physical ability (I'm one of those), to get around, no matter how accessible the regular transit becomes--unless it's coming to my door, and taking me to the door of the place I need to get to. Why is the Canadian government spending all this money on all-accessible TTC, instead of creating and maintaining two systems: one for those who can use it, and one for those who can't. Most non-disabled people don't have the patience for large numbers of disabled people with guide dogs, canes, walkers, etc., and many disabled people cannot use the TTC because of "a functional physical mobility" problem. Hi, Kathy. I’ve had the same trouble. Blind from birth, I once travelled the labyrinthine TTC–busses, subways, etc. Now I have 4 pain conditions which make one physical disability that limits my “functional physical mobility”.
I went on WheelTrans for 16 lovely, independent weeks. Then came my appeal. My mobility instructor, who could see that I was in too much pain to conduct regular mobility lessons, hoped for the best and met me at the place of appeal, to which I’d come on WheelTrans. If only I’d known it would be my last independent trip.
After my appeal, during which I answered questions, handed them all my medical information, told them I was in alot of pain even with my medications, and climbed 3 painful steps, I went home. A few days later, I booked a ride as usual, to go to the pharmacy and pick up my meds. The first driver didn’t identify himself to me, by knocking on the outside door, as I waited downstairs at my apartment building, where every other customer waits. Then, I called Customer Service, was told I was a no-show, protested that the driver didn’t identify himself to me, a totally blind person, and was sent another driver, who refused to take me anywhere because I lacked an escort.
Escort? There was no mention of an escort, either during the booking of my trip, nor did I receive a call. Even the letter they sent me, saying my appeal was granted, hinted nothing at any required escort.
But I found out again, the hard way, that an escort was required.
Why, I wanted to know? My best friend rides WheelTrans free as a bird, and she has falls and experiences balance issues. If anyone needs an escort, it is she, not I. In fact, my friend, who is blind and has cerebral palsy, is not an asset to me, as I know where the pharmacy is, or the driver can take me. Why is she treated like an adult, allowed to go independently where she likes, while I am treated like a child?
My partner tried to advocate for me, as she is a disabled, though sighted, WT client. They wouldn’t talk to her.
I was told that the escort was the only way I qualified at all for WT service, since I didn’t use a mobility device, such as a walker, like my partner uses, or a wheelchair.
I told the Customer Service Supervisor, Dean Milton, that a blind person cannot safely use both a white cane and a walker or wheelchair.
“Well, you’re not on WT because of your blindness.”
“Yes, Mr. Milton,” I said patiently, “but I happen to be blind, and blind persons cannot use wheelchairs or walkers and white canes safely. I can’t even use a white cane safely for long because of my pain conditions.”
I was told, basically, tough, those were the rules, and I should be grateful I have any WheelTrans service at all.
I spent alot of time talking to this man, patiently, repeating myself over and over because he just wasn’t getting it. The most I got from him was a lip-service of empathy and praise for my “way with words.”
Do you know how hard it is to get escorts? People are busy. People have kids, like you do. People don’t necessarily agree with my lifestyle choices–which is fine with me, till the moment when someone criticizes them just because they are doing me the favor of escorting me, or having power over me by virtue of being able to say “No, I’m not going there, and I’m not taking you.”
Why does my friend get to ride free as a bird, while I am treated like a young teen who has to ask Mommy for permission to go across the street?
That’s right. WT won’t even take me across the street without an escort.
And although my escorts mean well, they often make ignorant or patronizing remarks.
They tell me when I should be going to bed or getting up, what I should be eating, and criticize my choice of a partner, though they’ve never met her. Some people are really anti-gay. I just hate the loss of my freedom, and strangers and friends alike, breathing down my neck. I just want my freedom back. I want to be able to meet my partner somewhere for dinner or a drink, she coming from her place independently on WT, and me coming from mine.
I’m quite capable of it, you know. WT has sixteen weeks worth of logs, recording how I went all over town, independently, by myself, like the 47-year-old woman with brains that I am.
I’m not a child or mentally challenged. I merely need accessible, door to door transit, such as WT offers, and such as I had, for sixteen weeks, pre-appeal, and I need it independently.
They are talking about taking dialysis patients off the service in the new year. What are these people supposed to do–die? Die, because they can’t get to their doc appointments, and they’re alone, and WT officials couldn’t care less? If that’s how “the man” feels about dialysis patients, what hope do multi-disabled blind people have?
What do I think of an all-accessible TTC? One ride fits all, disabled and non-disabled alike? I think it stinks. For one thing, it’s a waste of money and time, and for another, dangerous. Not everyone has the cognitive or physical ability (I’m one of those), to get around, no matter how accessible the regular transit becomes–unless it’s coming to my door, and taking me to the door of the place I need to get to.
Why is the Canadian government spending all this money on all-accessible TTC, instead of creating and maintaining two systems: one for those who can use it, and one for those who can’t.
Most non-disabled people don’t have the patience for large numbers of disabled people with guide dogs, canes, walkers, etc., and many disabled people cannot use the TTC because of “a functional physical mobility” problem.

]]> Comment on My Friend, Omar Khan – By Andre Rehal by Victoria http://T.oronto.ca/my-friend-omar-khan-by-andre-rehal/#comment-75 Victoria Fri, 23 Sep 2011 19:30:22 +0000 http://t.oronto.ca/?p=166#comment-75 wow... i'm in utter shock right now. I haven't heard from Omar in over two years and was wondering when he will resurface again. Such was our relationship... he promised he will always come back.. and he didn't. and I searched for him and this is what i found. i can't breathe. it's been two years and i didn't know. how did i now know... rip, Omar. gone but never forgotten wow… i’m in utter shock right now. I haven’t heard from Omar in over two years and was wondering when he will resurface again. Such was our relationship… he promised he will always come back.. and he didn’t. and I searched for him and this is what i found. i can’t breathe. it’s been two years and i didn’t know. how did i now know… rip, Omar. gone but never forgotten

]]> Comment on Persephone – The Kensington Market Garden Car by Pix http://T.oronto.ca/persephone-the-kensington-market-garden-car/#comment-73 Pix Thu, 19 May 2011 19:18:57 +0000 http://T.oronto.ca/?p=466#comment-73 I helped paint this car, I brought my big Border Collie/ Newfoundlander cross with me and he would sit on the grassy nole on the hood of the car with a bowl of water. Lots of people came by and took pictures. Sadly, my beloved Calvin passed away peacefully at home on friday, April 22 2011, just 3 months shy of his 15th birthday. I am looking for anyone who may have or have seen any photos anywhere of my dog perched on the hood? I would LOVE a copy. P.S. I MISS THAT CAR! I helped paint this car, I brought my big Border Collie/ Newfoundlander cross with me and he would sit on the grassy nole on the hood of the car with a bowl of water. Lots of people came by and took pictures. Sadly, my beloved Calvin passed away peacefully at home on friday, April 22 2011, just 3 months shy of his 15th birthday. I am looking for anyone who may have or have seen any photos anywhere of my dog perched on the hood? I would LOVE a copy. P.S. I MISS THAT CAR!

]]> Comment on Meet Fiona Crean, City of Toronto's Ombudsman, Public Forum at Scadding Court Community Centre by Kelly http://T.oronto.ca/meet-fiona-crean-city-of-torontos-ombudsman-public-forum-at-scadding-court-community-centre/#comment-23 Kelly Thu, 28 Jan 2010 20:16:56 +0000 http://T.oronto.ca/?p=647#comment-23 OMBUDSMAN, FIONA CREAN JOINS DALE GOLDHAWK IN STUDIO TO TAKE YOUR CALLS, QUESTIONS AND OF COURSE COMPLAINTS. TONIGHT. 7PM. 416-446-7090. OMBUDSMAN, FIONA CREAN JOINS DALE GOLDHAWK IN STUDIO TO TAKE YOUR CALLS, QUESTIONS AND OF COURSE COMPLAINTS. TONIGHT. 7PM. 416-446-7090.

]]> Comment on Meet Fiona Crean, City of Toronto's Ombudsman, Public Forum at Scadding Court Community Centre by deanne http://T.oronto.ca/meet-fiona-crean-city-of-torontos-ombudsman-public-forum-at-scadding-court-community-centre/#comment-22 deanne Tue, 12 Jan 2010 20:42:48 +0000 http://T.oronto.ca/?p=647#comment-22 Hello Fiona Crean- Are you the Ombudsman for social housing? Do you deal with any area of concern in this sector? I have a complaint and wish to be heard and helped.. I have contacted the Mayors office in Mississauga - where the problem has taken place, only to be told that her office does not deal with Social Housing issues.. Can you please help me find someone who does.. i wish to tell them about my situation and get a result.. Thank you deanne Hello Fiona Crean-

Are you the Ombudsman for social housing? Do you deal with any area of concern in this sector?
I have a complaint and wish to be heard and helped.. I have contacted the Mayors office in Mississauga – where the problem has taken place, only to be told that her office does not deal with Social Housing issues..

Can you please help me find someone who does.. i wish to tell them about my situation and get a result..

Thank you

deanne

]]> Comment on Trading Places: George Smitherman wants to Mayor, Glen Murray wants to be MPP by Catalyna http://T.oronto.ca/trading-places-george-smitherman-wants-to-mayor-glen-murray-wants-to-be-mpp/#comment-30 Catalyna Fri, 08 Jan 2010 06:07:26 +0000 http://T.oronto.ca/?p=781#comment-30 thx T. (Don't sweat it. The party's so over for Joey Pants). The GTA's moronic inception gave sanction to carpetbagging and saw to it that the Office of Toronto's Mayor diminished. Amaglamation created a nitemare for everyday Torontonians, once accustomed to living with relative ease in a well-run city, its infrastructure secured & respected,today,endure much lowered standards of living and inferior public service. i'll contend that there hasn't been a force a nature in the Toronto's mayorial office since the GTA's advent. Hey! Smitherman's got game & never dyes his hair to look younger... . Peace thx T.

(Don’t sweat it. The party’s so over for Joey Pants).
The GTA’s moronic inception gave sanction to carpetbagging and saw to it that the Office of Toronto’s Mayor diminished. Amaglamation created a nitemare for everyday Torontonians, once accustomed to living with relative ease in a well-run city, its infrastructure secured & respected,today,endure much lowered standards of living and inferior public service. i’ll contend that there hasn’t been a force a nature in the Toronto’s mayorial office since the GTA’s advent. Hey! Smitherman’s got game & never dyes his hair to look younger… .
Peace

]]> Comment on TorchTO – Olympic Torch Relay in Albert Campbell Square at Scarborough Civic Centre this afternoon by Atlas http://T.oronto.ca/torchto-olympic-torch-relay-in-albert-campbell-square-at-scarborough-civic-centre-this-afternoon/#comment-35 Atlas Thu, 17 Dec 2009 18:43:38 +0000 http://T.oronto.ca/?p=922#comment-35 In between Scarborough and downtown, the torch relay will also encounter a protest over the diversion of public resources to the games, and the impacts on homeless people and First Nations: http://torontotorch.blogspot.com/ A bit of context: http://olympicresistance.net/ In between Scarborough and downtown, the torch relay will also encounter a protest over the diversion of public resources to the games, and the impacts on homeless people and First Nations:

http://torontotorch.blogspot.com/

A bit of context:

http://olympicresistance.net/

]]> Comment on TO Council finally passes Billboard Tax (Toronto Sign By-Law) 29-12 by george sawision http://T.oronto.ca/to-council-finally-passes-billboard-tax-29-12/#comment-34 george sawision Tue, 08 Dec 2009 03:03:34 +0000 http://T.oronto.ca/?p=832#comment-34 Hey, where was Joe Pantalone?He didn't vote? Hey, where was Joe Pantalone?He didn’t vote?

]]> Comment on This is just plain WRONG. Why did someone cut off the hand of the Black Guy at Ossington Station? by James http://T.oronto.ca/this-is-just-plain-wrong-why-did-someone-cut-off-the-hand-of-the-black-guy-at-ossington-station/#comment-33 James Sat, 05 Dec 2009 20:06:38 +0000 http://T.oronto.ca/?p=798#comment-33 Maybe the person wants to see more publicity for the Paralympic games? I actually find it a bit comical even though his hand/arm is an obvious target for vandalism. Who cares if he's black? Maybe the person wants to see more publicity for the Paralympic games? I actually find it a bit comical even though his hand/arm is an obvious target for vandalism. Who cares if he’s black?

]]> Comment on This is just plain WRONG. Why did someone cut off the hand of the Black Guy at Ossington Station? by Raina http://T.oronto.ca/this-is-just-plain-wrong-why-did-someone-cut-off-the-hand-of-the-black-guy-at-ossington-station/#comment-32 Raina Sat, 05 Dec 2009 19:35:59 +0000 http://T.oronto.ca/?p=798#comment-32 Seriously? This is racism? Come on now, people deface advertisements all the time- maybe the person just wanted the mitten. I doubt they cared about the colour of the hand inside. Seriously? This is racism? Come on now, people deface advertisements all the time- maybe the person just wanted the mitten. I doubt they cared about the colour of the hand inside.

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