Cam ''n Eggs — May 25 — Memo to Dave Rutherford: What do you mean by "these people?"

  Perhaps the most practical thing to do is send Dave Rutherford an email. Sometimes, though, practicality goes out the door. This is one of those times.

Rutherford is a talk show host on the Corus Radio network, weekdays from 9 a.m.  to 12 p.m.. On Wednesday, he interviewed Frank Oberle,  associate minister of Services for Persons with Disabilities about the provincial government’s cutbacks to Persons with Developmental Disabilities. Rutherford is to be congratulated for bringing the issue to the air waves. But only to an extent.

Before I go any further I must preface my comments: I have cerebral palsy, use a wheelchair and began in the news business as a reporter with the Edmonton Journal in 1979. In covering issues and great human interest stories about disabilities, I tried to choose my words carefully to promote inclusion. That’s why I found it hard to hear Rutherford calling people with developmental disabilities as “these people.”

More concerning is the story itself: the provincial government is moving towards moving people with developmental disabilities into living in the community. They are going to go shopping, to movies, to work, to church and many other activites They are sons, daughters, husbands, wives, aunts and uncles. Not “these people.” 
They have hopes and dreams. They fail, too. But they a chance to try again.

Just like everyone else.

The media has a fundamental right to treat citizens equally. Rutherford missed the point: instead of welcoming new community members, he built barriers by calling them “these people.” They are, most certainly, Albertans first. And disability second. I could have emailed him. But, given his previous comment, he might consider me as “these people.”

And I refuse to accept that.

Today's timely tune - May 23

(We love music. We love news. We hope, put together.)

Embattled Toronto mayor Rob Ford fired his chief of staff Thursday.

THE NEWS

Now, the tune ...

Or ... your suggestions! Please email camtait@telus.net

Cam 'n Eggs: May 22 — Chair Leaders Friday: I am hoping for snow!

  

 I don’t get it.

In fact, I haven’t got it for 25 years. And as a person with a disability, it offends me. Let me tell you what “it” is: the Canadian Paraplegic Association is having Chair Leaders Friday in Edmonton. Taking a page from the 1970’s — timely, eh? — CPA is asking able-bodied people to spend a day in a wheelchair. The event is to raise awareness about accessibility and people with disabilities.

I think it’s nothing more than a circus.

And I have questions:

*why does CPA hold this event in May, rather than January, when there’s 15 feet of snow, a 87-km wind, a wind chill of minus 38, when wheeling a wheelchair — trust me — is damn hard. If they want to make it a challenge…

*what kind of a message does this send to the people CPA serves — people with spinal cord injuries? Does it signal people with disabilities are not really listened to?

•why can’t CPA promote people with disabilities, doing their own thing, living their daily lives with ease, dignity and creativity — not to mention blood, sweat and tears? Why are they silenced for the day, when their story could be so powerful?

•What tangible legislation for accessibility has been created because of previous years?

•Why not have someone without a disability shadow a CPA client for a day and learn how to help someone in a wheelchair up curbs, down steps, in and out of vehicles, threw crowds? Wouldn’t that be a better method of working together?

•Why is CPA digging into the past for an event rather than having one to reflect 2013?

I could go on and on. I don’t want to rain on the CPA Chair Leaders parade. I just hope it snows in Edmonton Friday.

Facebook comment from Braden Hirsch

Very good comments Cam! It is a big leap to think that awareness and understanding is enhanced by having able bodied persons ride wheelchairs for a period of time during one day. In my opinion it was marginally useful 40 years ago-- so why would it work today? I am also disappointed that CPA is involved with this.

---------- 

Another comment from Renee Laporte ...

  Hear hear! They held this same sort of "event" at MacEwan a few months ago. As an able-bodied person supporting a student who uses a wheelchair there, it made me frustrated to see the participants laughing and having fun wheeling around the campus (though with the best intentions of getting a glimpse of life in a wheelchair) while my student and I struggle to reach the automatic door button placed behind garbage cans and having to walk to the next building to find a washroom we can both enter. Consulting those who are "living it" would be more meaningful and productive.

Rene Laporte


A Facebook comment from Mel Tauber 

  here"s my thought: if they really have to put "able bodied people in wheelchairs, why make it so easy for them??? tie one of their hands on their back and make them sit on one of their lower legs (of course opposite one of the tied hand) AND THEN let them wheel down an ice covered ramp ... give them at least ONE of the challenges "disabled" people have to go through every day ... let them set up a DATS pickup, let them ride the ETS all by themselves, let them roam through the streets without a companion who will nicely open every door for them ... to just put someone in a wheelchair for a day in a building with people who will assist them because they know about the event ain't gonna bring change ... try to walk blind for a day or be deaf, or try to come around only with one leg orm arm functioning ... for heavens be creative and give us "able bodied" a challenge and don't cater to us so that we maybe maybe one day would understand, because the majority never will, because most people in our days lack one major thing: COMPASSION AND IMAGINATION!



What do you think about this? Please let me know! camtait@telus.net

Great Scott! Sterling is the winner

Sterling Scott

Persisitence pays off in everything. Even comedy.

Sterling Scott’s smile was unquestionably the biggest Tuesday just after 9:30 p.m. when he was the finalist in The Funniest Person With a Day job at the Comic Strip.

Scott was crowned the winner. He had a giant cardboard cheque for $1,000 and will be the opening act for a Comic Strip concert series in the fall.

Scott has a great laugh when he is on stage and uses it well. His material, timing and delivery contributed to his conquer.

And he has tried winning the competition before. Four times.

But this year’s contest, which began back on April 9 with 41 enteries, was his.

And he needed nerves of steel.

Terry Evans

The six contestants in the final Tuesday night didn’t know what order they were appearing. MC Terry Evans drew names out of a glass vase.

Scott was the sixth and final act of the night, following David Dempsey, Matt Labucki, Brandon Franson, Brett McCrindle and Dan Taylor.

Demspey placed second, while Labucki was named third-place winner.

It was a great night of comedy, making it especially hard for the judges: Global’s Gord Steinke and Carol Anne Devaney, CTV’s Joel Gotlib, Comic Strip owner Rick Bronson and yours truly. Thanks for including me.

Scott probably enjoyed the evening. But he’s back to work: Scott and his infectious laugh will be appearing at the Comic Strip the week of June 12.

Coming this afternoon: why this guy is smiling

It was a big night for STERLING SCOTT last night.
We'll tell you why soon

Cam 'n Eggs: Mike Duffy and Rob Ford ***UPDATE WITH TORONTO STAR STORY AT 1 P.M.

(Ford and CTV reporter story)
 Mike Duffy and Rob Ford deserve each other — and, for all we know, they could be hiding out together somewhere in an undisclosed location.

MIKE DUFFY

They should be ashamed of themselves, not only for their recent actions, but also for wanting to cover them up.

Duffy is in hot water for the $90,000 cheque he received from, maybe, the prime minister’s office. Such a spicy situation for a senator.

Ford, the embattled mayor of Toronto, is under allegations he was with a few chums having a puff or two on the crack pipe.

Their situations deserve questioning on many levels. But perhaps the most compelling is they are both public servants. Their paycheques come from bank accounts that get deposits from taxpayers: in Duffy’s case federal taxpayers are paying the freight; in Ford’s case, it’s the taxpayers of Toronto.

Funny how both men chased reporters when they were seeking election.

Rob Ford

They won. But now they are being accused of wrongdoing and are avoiding reporters at all costs. Interestingly, Duffy has been on the other side of the camera many times chasing subjects who don’t want to talk.

That, clearly, isn’t fair. And the longer they remain in silent, the more questions will be raised.

We’ve seen it before. We’ll se it again.

But, somewhere, somehow, we should all learn from the disgrace others.

This time Mike Duffy and Rob Ford took the fall. The sooner they stand up and move forward, they can move on with their lives. And, sadly, ours too. 

CHRISTIE BLATCHFORD'S NATIONAL POST COLUMN (May 22) 

A sign of a great day!

Friends,

Enjoy the day!

Please check back soon for neat stuff, including what makes Sterling Scott so funny.

Tait@noon - a parting gift for Mayor Mandel - UPDATED WITH PICTURES

In many ways, the time seems right.

 Stephen Mandel announced just seconds after 11 a.m. Tuesday he will not run for a fourth term. Now, the downtown arena project is set in stone, thanks to last week’s city council ratifying the agreement, Mandel feels it’s time to retire.

Maybe, he doesn’t have the strength — physically and mentally — for another monumental project, namely the downtown arena project.

But he’s 67. It’s time, perhaps, for him to share some time with his family. Maybe travel. Or walk in Edmonton’s river valley, look all around him, and feel the pride of the city help build.

Mandel goes out on top, with many wanting him to run for another term — one he’d probably win.

The big question now is who will guide Edmonton come fall when the next civic election rolls around.

But let’s not worry about that today.

Let’s celebrate and honor a man who has shared his vision with us; a man who has shown compassion, toughness and boldness.

Mandel deserves a parting gift, something that will mirror his work as mayor.

Maybe, a new road around the downtown arena. Call it Mandel Way.

Because that’s how he made Edmonton grow. 

Cam 'N Eggs - May 21 - Celebrating Canadian hockey in the spring ... or not?

Maybe, it’s time Hockey Canada re-considered  Canadians participating in the World Hockey Championships.

The maple leaf hasn’t blown in the medal round since 2009 when Lindy Ruff was head coach. The magic didn’t reappear this spring: Ruff, axed from the Buffalo Sabres earlier this season, guided the Canadians to a fifth-place finish in Stockholm.

Fifth place, eh? Same result as last year.

But, we’re Canadians. Hockey is our game. We can do better.

Can we though, really?

The Canadian roster is players from teams who don’t make the National Hockey League playoffs.

Excuses for a sub-par performance don’t cut it. But perhaps the condensed NHL season took its toll on the Canadian players.

Not a very strong argument: eight NHL teams are still fighting tooth and nail in the post-season.

Maybe the World Championships could to re-scheduled to end of June so the Stanley Cup Champions could ... Fat chance, right?

We need a new approach. Finding that right approach is certainly easier said then done.

Canadians should not accept failing to make  the medal round for three years and counting.

Canadians deserve to celebrate a major hockey championship when it counts the most — in the spring.

The lone Canadian team left in the Stanley Cup won a thriller Sunday, beating the Pittsburgh Penguins 2-1 in double overtime

The Ottawa Senators won it at home in the nation’s capital.

And, so, hockey in Canada is still alive.

Today's Timely Tune - May 17

(We love news. We love music. We try to put them together to make a point)



Councillor Kerry Diotte announced Thursday he is planning to run for the mayor's job in the fall.
Mayor Stephen Mandell was talking about Diotte's tweetng and, .. well, here you have a look.


THE NEWS

THE TUNE

Cam 'n Eggs: May 17 -The Scheetz Shuffle for a great cause

  

Radio personalities, like television anchors and newspaper columnists, have gifts. The obvious gift is their voices

And if they can tell a story, they are even more gifted.

Throughout Edmonton many members of the media have shared their talents with many charities to raise funds and awareness.

Everyone of them deserves our admiration.

They are simply driven by the genuine desire to help others and continue to make a difference.

People like CISN-FM’s Chris Scheetz. In 2002, Scheetz lived in a tractor for five days and raised more than $150,000 for drought stricken Alberta farmers.

Two years ago when town of Slave Lake was ravaged by forest fires, Scheetz asked listeners to contribute household items for people that need them. During a 48-hour period three semi-trailers were plumb full of items and rolled into Slave Lake.

Scheetz is at it again this week.

He set out to walk 250 kilometers to raise funds and awareness for Mothers Against Drunk Driving.

He’s going asking people to go online and sign up for the Drive For Life Contract: a pledge saying you will not drink and drive and will not text and drive.

For every pledge for the Drive For Life Contact, $1.00 will be contributed to MADD. The event is sponsored by Mayfield Toyota and LA Z Boy Furniture Galleries.

Scheetz started the journey Monday and headed west to Evansburg. Heturned south and went to Drayton Valley before looping back. Scheetz has walked 50 km a day.

Sometime around 4 p.m. today Blackjack’s Roadhouse in Nisku.

When he gets there news reporters might very well ask him why he embarked on such a journey.

But really, there’s no need to ask: Scheetz just followed his heart

.

Time to bang the drum for Alberta's disabled

Perhaps the easy thing to do as we gather around the water cooler is to talk about the new downtown arena deal. It is the biggest story of the day, by an icing call and more.

It would also be the easy thing to do.

But, maybe starting today, some Albertans with disabilities cannot do the easy thing anymore. I am talking about people with disabilities that need to start speaking up against provincial government cutbacks.

I am one of them. And I know I have to do better.

Now over the half century mark, and with cerebral palsy, I really haven’t been a very strong advocate for my fellow brothers and sisters with disabilities.

I have gone on with my life, have been integrated in the workforce, and live in my own home in the community with services.

I am responsible for my own care and have the chance to control it.

I need to do more for others, and realize many people with disabilities are not as fortunate as I am.

There was protest Wednesday afternoon in front of the legislature from family members and people with developmental disabilities over $42 million in cuts.

They had signs and made statements because, sadly, nobody else does.

I am dating myself when I speak of the Alberta Committee of Disabled Groups of Disabled People, formed in the 1970’s. They were grass roots and were very vocal when news stories of provincial cuts to people with disabilities hit the headlines.

They are still around, known as Alberta Committee of Citizens with Disabilities.

GARY MCPHERSON

Why haven’t we heard them bang the drum on this?

The Premier’s Council on the Status of Persons with Disabilities was struck in 1987, a direct tangible result from the Rick Hansen Man In Motion World Tour coming to Alberta.

What is their position on the PDD cuts? Are they planning a statement?

When Gary McPherson passed away three years ago the disabled community lost a powerful voice.

To my mind, we need a leader; we need someone, some group, to speak up to government and create meaningful discussions so all Albertans with disabilities can live with independence and dignity.

We need an unified voice.

Let’s start building that today before the provincial government does more damage.

Ideas? camtait@telus.net is my email.

Today's Timely Tune - (UPDATED STORY: 8:45 P.M. May 15

(We love news. We love music. We try to put them together to make a point.)

Photograph: SHAUGHN BUTTS, Edmonton Journal

There's a demonstration this afternoon about the government's $42 million cuts to programs supporting Albertans with disabilities.
Here is the Edmonton Journal's website story.


And here's the Timely Tune

If you have another suggestion for a song please email camtait@telus.net

Cam 'n Eggs - Order No. 3: Dreams of laughter

 The shadows of dreams crawl in so many unsuspecting places, only to come to life, creating new journeys and opportunities.

Like Tuesday night, just after 7 p.m.

Along the west wall, silver-like in color, eight people paced up and down.

In their minds they went over every word, every sentence, every pause as

 many times as they could.

 And above the crowd noise, they played the joyous sound of people laughing. It would be music to the

 ears, and sound waves to their ultimate goal.

 When their name was called it was, absolutely, show time.

 For the past several weeks young amateur comics have been flocking to Rick Bronson’s Comic Strip in West Edmonton Mall.

 The Funniest Person With a Day Job has been running for the past several weeks. The second semi-final was held Tuesday night.

Contestants were …

•car jockey DANNY MARTINELLO

•J.P. FOURNIER Alberta Blue Cross Customer Service

•pastor DAN TAYLOR

•Former book store manager LIAM CRESWICH

•Blackberry Rep KEN HICKS

•waiter DAVID DEMPSEY

•waitress CLAIRE BELFORD

•warehouse laborer BRETT McCRINDLE

The winner takes home $1,000 cash, and the coveted spot to be the opening act for a concert series in

 the fall at the Comic Strip.

 Contestants are given tickets to family members and friends to laugh, cheer and lend support.

 The more noise the better. Because contestants are judged on several categories, but the biggest is crowd reaction. CTV News co-anchor Daryl McIntyre has been behind the judges table since the contest began April 9.

 He was joined Tuesday evening by Chris Durham from the Radio and Television Arts program at NAIT,

Carol Anne Devaney

 Carole Anne Devaney from Global Television wasp also a judge and the owner himself,

 owner himself, Rick Bronson.

RICK BRONSON

 The competition is sponsored in partly K-97 and Terry Evans of the Terry, Bill and Steve show was a very entertaining MC.

 In the end, three — Taylor, Dempsey and McGrindle — moved next week’s finals against Sterling Scott, Brandon Franson and Matt Lebucki  ... where dream of one will come true.