Ralph Leibo: Profile Of Courage

I have known Ralph Leibo for almost 25 years. Many disabled people (sometimes including myself) have the habit of falling into the thinking that "things are the way they are" and that "there is nothing we can do to change anything". Ralph is a person who has never fallen into that type of thinking, working tirelessly as an advocate for Alberta's disabled community since his arrival in Edmonton from Montreal in the mid-1970's, Whether it be volunteering on a government commitee or signing up for a study, he is always doing his best to work for change in the disabled community as a whole. To be Ralph's friend is to be Ralph's friend for life, and he is always offering friendship and support to whoever needs it. Now, after moving tentatively into the digital age, he has chosen to share his story with the world. There is not a disabled person anywhere who has not dealt with these homecare and equipment issues in some fashion, and Ralph handles it all with courage and grace. He is an inspiration to all who know him.

Have a great day!

Your Partner In Life

Wayde Lever: In On The Ground Floor

On May 5, Wayde Lever, Wildrose Alliance candidate for Highlands-Norwood, visited the Cerebral Palsy Association in Alberta Adult Support Group at our monthly meeting. It is a common complaint among the disabled community in Alberta that:

a) The government dosen't know or care about our issues.
b) They never listen to us anyway.
c) Is it even worth getting involved?

Wayde countered with three points of his own:

a) If you've ever complained to a citizen action center, or about a late DATS bus, you are involved.

b) If the government doesn't know or care about our issues, it is because they are unable to see them from our perspective. Wayde stressed that under a Wildrose government, an opportunity exists for us to be heard and understood.

c) The Wildrose policy as it currently stands is fluid and open to change for the better. So if we have a desire to get involved, we have a real opportunity to get in on the ground floor and help make social policy decisions in the coming decades.

It was a very informal and informative meeting, not a "vote for me and send money" pitch of any kind, and somewhat of a "coming home" for Wayde, who for many years served as the fundraising assistant for the CPAA. Thank you Wayde for your time and energy.

Your Partner In Life

AISH: There Is Hope On The Horizon

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".

Your Partner in Life