The Beginner's Guide to Walking — Jennifer V.

In my early 20s, I decided to drop everything and travel across Europe with my close friend Phil. Our trip was memorable for many reasons, including the fact that it was in Italy when I first felt unwell. It was a hot summer, and 14 years ago, most of Europe…

Europe is under an extreme weather alert. It’s so hot that certain trains between countries are not operational — the tracks are buckling under the extreme heat. This makes me think of climate in general and in particular how green space, plants, and gardening have positively affected my…

The phrase “fake it till you make it” is meant to encourage self-confidence. During many tough moments in my life, like learning to walk again, I’ve relied on this phrase. There are moments when I don’t feel good, but I’ll fake it and say I feel fine. Sometimes saying how…

Words can hurt, especially labels. We can deny a label all we want, but terms like “disabled” will close many doors. What does it mean to be disabled, though? I find the term offensive because it implies I’m not capable, which is far from the truth. Do I live with…

I love beach vacations. I put my phone and laptop away, grab a good book, and head out into the sun. But the sun is not to be messed with, especially for an immune-suppressed patient. Many medications can cause sun sensitivity, among other challenges. According to the U.S. Department…

For nearly two and a half years, I avoided catching the COVID-19 virus. When I finally ventured away from my home, I was infected. Weeks later, I’m still feeling the effects. My daughter, Sophie, was recently given an opportunity to represent Canada at a global dance competition in Portugal.

Trying something new will always intimidate me. While my head might feel prepared, my body doesn’t always cooperate. This year my husband and I agreed to take in a homestay teenager who is studying dance at the same studio as our young daughter, Sophie. Sydney, our 15-year-old homestay daughter, is…

During my transverse myelitis attack in 2009, I lost feeling and control in the lower half of my body. My medical team determined that I needed a spinal tap to reduce the fluid buildup. The procedure was done right in my hospital room, and the only condition was that…

I know it’s not a popular choice, but I enjoy sweet and tart zinfandel. I like the delightful pink color, and rosé is a snobby word that’s fun to say. Zinfandels should be enjoyed in the warm summer months, and are accompanied best by seafood. Maybe it’s just the…

“Let’s talk about sex, baby/ Let’s talk about you and me/ Let’s talk about all the good things/ And the bad things that may be/ Let’s talk about sex.” — Salt-N-Pepa My friends and I used to giggle every time this song came on the radio in the early 1990s.

I’ve been so exhausted before that I’ve said, “No one will know if I leave the kitchen looking like this.” Dirty dishes will be piled up in the sink, while clean dishes are still in the dishwasher. A sticky substance might appear on the counter, but thankfully the black marble…

At one point in my life, I thought I wanted to be a flight attendant. As a first-generation Canadian, my parents, who immigrated here in 1968, told me stories of foreign countries and the people, the unique food, and the different languages. For most of my childhood, I grew up…