![]() ![]() “I had no money, so they were trying to set me up with food from the food bank,” explains Rachael. ![]() This bountiful harvest from a community garden that Rachael manages was donated to organizations that feed food insecure people in Kitchener. Unfortunately, those on the margins, especially during desperate times like the pandemic, are limited in their choices. She believes that everybody has the right to nutritious, natural foods that contribute to good health. Food security is a big deal for Rachael, as she was already an advocate for community food security, helping to organize a community garden as well as a food forest in Kitchener. This, combined with her mobility challenges from her car accident injury, exposed one of the most precarious parts of living on the margins: food security. Submitted by RachaelĪt one point, one of Rachael’s personal support workers contracted COVID-19 which meant Rachael had to self-isolate for two weeks. Rachael with robust cabbage from the community garden. It kind of gets you, it's very easy to get into a rut mentally and emotionally.” “You need the connection with people, but then it's also not helpful because it's the wrong way…. “I find that very, very, very difficult,” says Rachael. This was, of course, a serious handicap when the pandemic shut down all in person visits and all socializing and meeting had to be done virtually. The last 18 months have been uniquely difficult for Rachael, who had already suffered a brain injury in the past and, as a result, found “screen time” painful. The insurance claim process has also dragged on, causing more stress. ![]() I now have forearm crutches, and I'm hoping to go back to work in September, but I'm finding out tomorrow or next week, whether I am or not. I'm still in a lot of pain and there's issues with my leg, which have not yet been determined. “And that in itself has been a whole huge headache. Then, in March of 2020, the day before the pandemic was officially declared, Rachael was in a serious car accident. “I was getting extra hours and I was actually considering looking into getting my EA, which is an educational assistant.” Circle of Friends supports people transitioning into stable housing with regular social visits. “Prior to the pandemic, I was actually working at two part-time jobs.” says Rachael * a Circle of Friends participant. As we look back on a most unusual year and look forward to a more hopeful future, the stories and experiences we hear from our program participants and partners challenge us not to forget those who continue to be in need. But for those who were already marginalized, the impact was greater, and the recovery slower. The past year has been difficult for many of us. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |