There was a Pride march in Toronto yesterday. Apparently one theme was “transphobe extermination.”
not sure what kind of bizarre meet up was taking place downtown Toronto last night, but subway started filling with 20-somethings in “transphobe extermination” shirts (note the noose), many with gigantic masks & (apparently unnecessary) canes, like they were 90 yrs old. So weird pic.twitter.com/xSpr6DNoVr
…many with gigantic masks & (apparently unnecessary) canes, like they were 90 yrs old.
While they might suggest frailness and decrepitude, canes can be used as weapons. What better way to openly carry such ready-made bludgeons than to feign disability?*
*In Day of the Jackal, the hired assassin tasked with killing Charles De Gaulle is able to smuggle his weapon past security by posing as a one-legged French war veteran, his slender, custom-made rifle built into the crutch that is part of his disguise.
While they might suggest frailty and decrepitude, canes can be used as weapons.
I can attest to that. At the start of the year, I was diagnosed with Proximal Myopathy, a degenerative disease that weakens the muscles. I adapted my walking style to utilise my Nordic Walking poles as a walking aid, placing them ahead of each step, rather than pushing off from behind. People clear a path when they see me coming and they make a very satisfying THUD on any car that fails to yield when I cross a road. :-)
Following on from #3, in February I had what was supposed to be minor routine heart operation. It wasn’t, and instead of spending one night in hospital I spent 8 days, of which 5 were in intensive care. The heart part was successful, and my heart rhythm is now regular. Spending 8 days in bed left me unable to stand or walk without help. More than 4 months later I am still not fully recovered, and I’m more and more thinking that the 8 days in bed was not the only cause but just the trigger for a problem that was going to happen anyway. We have been hoping to spend three weeks in Chile in October, but I suspect that I won’t be able to cope with it. On the more positive side, we went to vote this morning, in a bureau that is not next door but within easy walking distance in normal conditions. When the people supervising the queue saw me with my walker they moved me to the front of the queue.
While they might suggest frailness and decrepitude, canes can be used as weapons. What better way to openly carry such ready-made bludgeons than to feign disability?*
*In Day of the Jackal, the hired assassin tasked with killing Charles De Gaulle is able to smuggle his weapon past security by posing as a one-legged French war veteran, his slender, custom-made rifle built into the crutch that is part of his disguise.
Canes are very much disability chic as well and considering the overlap between spoonies and queer groups it’s a very versatile accessory.
I can attest to that. At the start of the year, I was diagnosed with Proximal Myopathy, a degenerative disease that weakens the muscles. I adapted my walking style to utilise my Nordic Walking poles as a walking aid, placing them ahead of each step, rather than pushing off from behind. People clear a path when they see me coming and they make a very satisfying THUD on any car that fails to yield when I cross a road. :-)
Following on from #3, in February I had what was supposed to be minor routine heart operation. It wasn’t, and instead of spending one night in hospital I spent 8 days, of which 5 were in intensive care. The heart part was successful, and my heart rhythm is now regular. Spending 8 days in bed left me unable to stand or walk without help. More than 4 months later I am still not fully recovered, and I’m more and more thinking that the 8 days in bed was not the only cause but just the trigger for a problem that was going to happen anyway. We have been hoping to spend three weeks in Chile in October, but I suspect that I won’t be able to cope with it. On the more positive side, we went to vote this morning, in a bureau that is not next door but within easy walking distance in normal conditions. When the people supervising the queue saw me with my walker they moved me to the front of the queue.
Ugh, sorry to hear that.