This past Monday night I attended a Wildrose Alliance Town Hall meeting at Edmonton's Norwood Legion, which was organized by Wayde Lever, Wildrose Alliance candidate for Highlands-Norwood.
The highlight of the evening was an appearance by Wildrose leader Danielle Smith, who was greeted by 350 devoted and enthusiastic supporters.
Smith expounded on her plans to bring accountability to government and end the party-line voting currently employed by the Progressive Conservatives. Under an Alliance government, the very draconian Bill 50 land use act, which allows Stelmach's PC's to potentially seize and control any land in the province as they see fit, would be instantly repealed.
But most importantly for Alberta's disabled community, the AISH benefit would be increased under an Alliance government. And significantly, Smith pledged to increase the amount of money that disabled Albertans can earn without losing their benefits, thereby increasing the incentive to work and feel valuable to society.
So hope is on the horizon, if we as the disabled community get out and vote for change. Change can be scary. But if we need inspiration, we need only follow the example of Wayde Lever, who was born 41 years ago with cerebral palsy. I speak from experience when I say that as a disabled person, it is easy to fall into a rut and get down on yourself and your abilities.
Wayde has never done that, and it is that determination which has carried him this far and will continue to do so in his mission to represent the constituents of Highlands-Norwood. As he recently told me, "For me, the letters c. and p. stand for courage and perseverance, not cerebral palsy. If the current MLA for Highlands Norwood wants to keep his seat, he is going to have to beat me, because I am focused. And when I am focused, I succeed".
Wayde has never done that, and it is that determination which has carried him this far and will continue to do so in his mission to represent the constituents of Highlands-Norwood. As he recently told me, "For me, the letters c. and p. stand for courage and perseverance, not cerebral palsy. If the current MLA for Highlands Norwood wants to keep his seat, he is going to have to beat me, because I am focused. And when I am focused, I succeed".
Your Partner in Life
