Many thanks to Cheryl and Carolyn who
noticed my picture among the many that were featured in this special Maclean’s
issue. The aerial photographs are quite
amazing and the special Maclean’s issue is certainly a keepsake of this
tumultuous time in the province’s history.
Now, I hadn’t seen the special edition
until today, and although the picture itself is very clear, I was curious about
the caption, which appeared below it. It read:
Military escort: Troops assist special needs people after they were flown out from the William Watson Lodge to an evacuation site in Kananaskis.
I have never really thought of myself as a
person with special needs. Sometimes I describe myself as visually impaired,
sometimes as legally blind and sometimes as partially sighted. Sometimes I
might just say that I don’t see very well, although this is a bit of an
understatement. Still, when all is said and done, I suppose that I do have some
special needs.
I use a white cane or the services of a
sighted guide in order to get around safely.
I use an audible screen reading program on my computer. I enjoy hearing descriptions of things in the
visual world – things that I can’t see for myself. So, I suppose that I do have
some “special needs”, but it was a surprise to come across those words in
print. Personally, I like to think of myself as being fairly independent. I
know that Lyle dislikes being referred to as my “attendant” or “care giver”. In
fact, I have heard him correct the speaker, saying that he is my husband.
Then again, perhaps we are just being
overly sensitive. I try to remind myself that most people just want to be
helpful. I try not to let mere words define who I am.
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