Leona M - My Advocacy A B C's

Such a lovely and touching film. To not be included because of what it's thought you're all about and deciding to make your own community. Then, out of that comes the possibility of real friendship when you've almost given up.

1 week ago | [YT] | 0

Leona M - My Advocacy A B C's

Goooooooo Willy!

2 weeks ago | [YT] | 0

Leona M - My Advocacy A B C's

www.quantotechltd.com/grow-systems

 What do you think of this idea for use in tiny home communities and/or as an add on for Foodbanks to maintain a supply of fresh produce? I believe the costs to run could be improved over time and that they would be a positive impact on food insecurity for protected groups (seniors, disabled, etc.)
#foodbank #disability #homelessness #seniors #shippingcontainerfarming

2 weeks ago (edited) | [YT] | 0

Leona M - My Advocacy A B C's

A post about Sandhill Cranes by an accessibility advocate? Absolutely.

In recent social media posts, these glorious birds are under threat of a new, limited hunt here in Ontario. I’ve been reading the information and the comments, and I felt that same sick feeling I get when people talk about accessibility as if it’s an inconvenience. Over and over again, “ribeye in the sky” appears. Yes, the breast meat of a Sandhill Crane is considered the only “worthwhile” part by foodies—closer to red meat than poultry, requiring careful carving and cooking. The legs are considered dry and not worth using. To me, that sounds like a gourmet novelty item, not a food source. And the phrase itself says so much about how little the life of the bird is valued.

Sandhill Cranes were protected in Ontario because their numbers had declined so drastically… and now they’re not. They are slow to mature — often four to seven years before they even begin breeding. Males and females look alike. They pair for life, with rare exceptions, and if one is killed, the surviving partner may take years to find another mate. They raise one or two colts a year, and most chicks don’t survive. They’re social, intelligent, and — if you’ve ever watched them — full of personality.

Two of the photos I’m sharing are of a pair we saw with their colt. When we stopped the car, the parents immediately ushered the chick into the bush, then came back out and paced in front of us, pretending nothing was happening. I swear that colt had been told to stay hidden until the all‑clear. When we didn’t leave right away, the parents had a little conference, then lifted off one by one over the trees toward the lake. I’m pretty sure they were cursing us the entire time.
That’s the thing: these birds aren’t just silhouettes in a field. They’re families. They’re relationships. They’re lives with rhythms and bonds and vulnerabilities.

So when the government frames this as a simple “crop protection measure,” I can’t help asking harder questions:
- How do you know which sex you’re shooting?
- Is that bird part of a bonded pair?
- What happens to the surviving mate?
- How does a hunt affect a species that reproduces slowly and raises so few young?
- What does this do to the gene pool?
- And why these specific northern regions — the same ones under pressure from Ring of Fire development?

As a disabled person, I know what it feels like to be treated as an inconvenience — something to be managed rather than understood. Maybe that’s why this hits me the way it does. When a species finally recovers, the first instinct shouldn’t be to turn it into a target.
I’m not denying that farmers face real challenges. I’m saying that “management” is never neutral. It reveals what — and who — we’re willing to inconvenience, remove, or silence.
These cranes have survived so much.
They deserve more than a novelty label and a bullet.
They deserve a future.


#SandhillCrane #ConservationMatters #RingofFire #NorthernOntario

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3 weeks ago | [YT] | 2

Leona M - My Advocacy A B C's

Friend of ours came over to pick up some mail that had been left here in error. We've known him and his wife since we moved here. He was good friends with my Dad. After Dad died, he helped us with things here, mowing the lawn, putting oil in the van - you know, guy stuff. Well, he just told us that he has pancreatic cancer and may e a couple of months left. He and his wife are busy making all the arrangements with wills and POAs and such that need to be done. He's stopped treatment because it just made him too sick. But, his spirit is still there.

I think in all of the unjust and unfair things we're experiencing right now - all of the uncertainty and worry about who's going to do what to who - cancer taking another truly good person is the worst offender. I just want to cry.

4 weeks ago | [YT] | 2

Leona M - My Advocacy A B C's

There is a video for today but it will be late. With the snow and wind over the last 3 days, there hasn't been reliable internet to upload it. I've just tried it again and it failed, so, I'm waiting a while before I try again. I apologize for the delay.

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1 month ago | [YT] | 0

Leona M - My Advocacy A B C's

At the same meeting as my previous post, transportation to our Foodbank was also on the agenda:

One question I have is why is Huron Lodge possibly able to offer a delivery service but not a shuttle service? If they are able to pick up bags of food items and deliver them to different users' homes then I'm not sure what the difference is.

Another question is how are these people getting to the Foodbank now? It's winter, it's been snowing up a storm, they don't have transportation. Are they coping?

Last question (for now): How many more studies, research, votes and beginning implementation/trial runs need to happen before this issue has a solution?
#foodbank #disability #homelessness #accessibility #inclusion #elliotlake

Accessibility Advisory Committee

From: Deputy Clerk & Accessibility Coordinator
Date: January 13, 2026
Subject: Transportation Options to Food Bank

As part of our ongoing efforts to improve accessibility in the community, we are still exploring transportation options for individuals who need to access the local food bank but do not have a means to get there. While the City’s specialized transit system is available to registered users, the Committee has expressed interest in ensuring equal access for all community members, including those who are not registered with specialized transit. Huron Lodge has indicated that they are unable to provide a shuttle service at this time; however, they may be able to offer a delivery service. Another potential solution is a taxi voucher system, which could be implemented through the City’s existing Affordable Access program. The Committee is asked to consider additional ideas that could be presented to the Committee of the Whole. Members will then decide whether staff should pursue any of the suggested options further. Thank you for your feedback and ongoing commitment to accessibility in our community. Respectfully submitted,

1 month ago | [YT] | 1

Leona M - My Advocacy A B C's

Great segment and his story loses nothing - so let's have more of this on mainstream tv!

youtube.com/shorts/20NQIWQbpN...

1 month ago | [YT] | 0

Leona M - My Advocacy A B C's

Still exploring options, details not finalized
Perry: “We are still in the design phase and need to explore all of the options available in order to satisfy the requirements of the Accessibility Committee and other Building Code items.”
“I hope to have a final proposed design by the end of the month addressing all requirements. Therefore, I cannot provide precise answers to your questions [] at this time. However, I can provide a response as per my comments …”
Perry advised that in this early design, the approximate bleacher seating capacity for an all-standard seating layout is +/- 660 persons.
He added, “I recommend accessible seating options be provided the entire length of the rink but an analysis is required to confirm impact on total seating capacity.”


Our new/old arena was discussed at this week's AAC meeting. There were followup inquiries from local journalists the next day. One, in particular, caught my attention. It was information about how accessible seating was going to be in corporate in the design. One of the committee members expressed that integrated seating was the way to go - so families or friends could sit together and watch the hockey game. The design, as presented, was for scattered groupings of accessible seats.

After reading the entire article, the highlighted portion here appears to present the viewpoint that the total number of seats is more important than the number of seats or location for disabled people. The information below is from the Ontario Building Code:

Table 3.8.2.19: 
Required Number of Viewing Positions (Arenas & Ice Rinks) 

Up to 500 seats: 3 viewing positions.
501 to 1,000 seats: 6 viewing positions.
1,001 and over: 6, plus 2 for each additional 1,000 seats (or part thereof). 

Key Requirements for Accessible Seating

Location and Dispersion: Accessible spaces must be dispersed at a variety of distances from the event to provide different viewing options and price ranges.

Companion Seating: Companion seating must be provided next to each group of designated accessible spaces.

Size: Each viewing position (wheelchair space) must be a minimum of 915 mm in width and 2,450 mm in depth.

Sight Lines: The spaces must provide lines of sight to the performance area/playing field comparable to those of the surrounding spectators.

Adaptable Seating: In addition to wheelchair spaces, some fixed seats should be "adaptable," meaning they have a movable or removable armrest for people who can transfer from a wheelchair.

Storage: A storage space for mobility devices must be provided near the accessible seating. 

Note: For smaller assembly areas or general assembly requirements, Table 3.7.1.1 (or 3.8.2.1 in some versions) may apply, which requires 3% of seating to be accessible for over 500 seats. 

What do you think?

1 month ago | [YT] | 1

Leona M - My Advocacy A B C's

I have a question. It has nothing to do with accessibility. I'm watching YouTube stories with Ma. Willa and Daniel are having dinner in front of a cheerful fire in the stone fireplace. So, if you can have a cheerful fire, can you have a sad one? How would that be? I get that it's an ambiance sort of thing but can that change?

1 month ago (edited) | [YT] | 2