An exercise in fearlessness

Sharanjit Kaur Sandhra MA, PhD Candidate

Reprinted from the "Systemic Racism" issue of Visions Journal, 2021, 16 (3), pp. 20-21

Norm Leech

Reprinted from the "Systemic Racism" issue of Visions Journal, 2021, 16 (3), pp. 17-19

Health disparities and racial inequalities are no surprise to the BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour) community. But simply acknowledging those facts isn’t enough. We can’t have justice without wellness, and the pandemic demonstrates once again that people with power and privilege get to be well while those who are excluded do not.

Trixie experienced a racist, misogynistic attack in May and learned that many other Asian Canadians have also experienced racist aggression as a result of the pandemic. Breaking the silence and challenging the “model minority” myth meant speaking out against injustice and white supremacy. Trixie explains how embracing her Taiwanese heritage and simply being is an act of resistance and healing.

Several years ago, Lillian was in a serious car accident that left her with a spinal cord injury and brain injury. When the pandemic started and she was sent to work from home, she was faced with the frustrating task of relearning home office technology—which can be challenging to use as a result of her injuries—without help from coworkers. Rather than fall into hopelessness, she found that the survivor mindset that helped her through rehab could also help her navigate the pandemic.

Before the pandemic started, Kurt was accepted into a House First program in Williams Lake, which helped him find a home, apply for income assistance, and start working at a great company. The pandemic has come with difficulties, but weathering new challenges in a safe home makes all the difference. With a home, Kurt has worked on his relationships with his daughters, on his health and mental health, and learned how to take control.

Birdie learned about a residential treatment program for eating disorders and was hopeful when they were admitted after time on a wait list. A week into the program, COVID-19 hit and everyone was sent home. Zoom sessions weren’t the same, and living at home, away from care providers, only allowed their symptoms to thrive. But why were bars and nail salons allowed to open while people with eating disorders couldn’t access medical care? Find out what happened when Birdie realized that they needed to advocate for their care.

COVID-19 can bring up a lot of anxiety. While you can’t make the pandemic go away, you can find realistic, healthy perspectives to help manage worries and uncertainty. In this article with infographics, find five global tips and six practical strategies you can try yourself or support someone else to try to manage pandemic anxiety.

A grandmother's perspective on relationships, mental well-being and an uncertain future

Rebecca

Reprinted from the COVID-19 issue of Visions Journal, 15 (2), pp. 31-33

The turbulent experience of caring for a parent during the COVID-19 pandemic

Patty Leinemann

Reprinted from the COVID-19 issue of Visions Journal, 16 (2), pp. 28-30