{"id":297,"date":"2021-12-20T21:06:55","date_gmt":"2021-12-20T21:06:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/distory.ca\/blog\/?p=297"},"modified":"2021-12-20T23:39:29","modified_gmt":"2021-12-20T23:39:29","slug":"a-pandemic-of-grief-loss-and-frustration","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/distory.ca\/blog\/covid-19\/a-pandemic-of-grief-loss-and-frustration\/","title":{"rendered":"A Pandemic of Grief, Loss and Frustration"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
Written by Robin Arnott, Aaron Kellet and Cindy Scott<\/p>\n\n\n\n
December 16, 2021<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Welcome to the Covid-19, it\u2019s terrible, nasty. <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
When Covid-19 started to spread during the first wave, all of us had to come to terms with a multitude of changes. Now that we\u2019re well into the fourth wave and the situation is constantly shifting, feelings of grief, loss and frustration have stayed with us. \u201cWelcome to the Covid-19, it\u2019s terrible, nasty.\u201d<\/strong> said Cindy, in a recent phone call between group members. The DiStory project is composed of researchers, survivors labelled as having intellectual disabilities who were institutionalized at Huronia Regional Centre as well as self-advocates from the younger generation. We examine what it is like living in the wake of the institution’s harmful legacy. Throughout the four stages of the pandemic, we have had open discussions about our experiences. Our vibrant meetings and workshops have been replaced with individual phone calls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
\nFigure 1: Photo by Artem Beliaikin from Pexels<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
Many of us are still grappling with the way the pandemic has been handled by different levels of government, including limits on where we go, what we can do and the need to show Proof of Vaccination to enter certain spaces. We have had to make difficult decisions, such as assessing risks before we go anywhere, and whether or not to get vaccinated. We are facing all of these challenges all the while being isolated from one another.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
During the first wave, several group members had trouble trusting the government\u2019s decisions. For instance, Antoinette said \u201cThe government is not right half the time.\u201d Marie added, \u201cWell you know it\u2019s hard to trust anybody because of the way they treated us in the past.\u201d Others have questioned political motives, such as Doreen who said \u201cI think the government is trying to get money out of this, the government is a business. If they did find a cure they wouldn\u2019t get the funding.\u201d In the fourth wave, Cindy spoke about what she has observed from politicians over the course of the pandemic: \u201cThe government should be ashamed of themselves. They are saying \u2018stay at home be safe, don\u2019t go out.\u2019 They are showing themselves on TV shopping and working, they are the ones who should be staying home. People need to recognize this and make the right decisions themselves.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Well you know it\u2019s hard to trust anybody because of the way they treated us in the past.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\nFigure 2: Photo by Alex Green from Pexels<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Community surveillance and restrictions based on vaccination status can trigger anger and frustration in those who are still uncertain about vaccinations. As we progressed into the third wave, Pat said \u201cIt\u2019s good that we should all get vaccinated but I still think it should be a choice. I\u2019m not impressed. It\u2019s an infringement on our freedom.\u201d Cindy also expressed frustrations, saying \u201cI\u2019m tired of needles and social distancing. It\u2019s wrong to tell people to stay home. We need food and medication, things like that. We can\u2019t see any people or go into a grocery store. I\u2019m tired of wearing a mask, you can\u2019t even breathe.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
\nPhoto by Frank Merino from Pexels<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
Aaron did not have much of a choice of when he could get vaccinated, which was frustrating, however he was grateful that everything was OK. He said \u201cI had no choice but to get the vaccine on a work day. My worker at community living had to contact my work to let them know I\u2019d be late. I would have preferred it not to interfere with my workday but they were alright with it in the end. It wasn\u2019t my fault for being late.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
To say that this has been a difficult time would be an understatement. \u201cIt\u2019s a terrible thing to experience, I think that it\u2019s terrible. First children can\u2019t go to school because the government said you shouldn\u2019t, then they say you should. They say take needles, wash hands, wear a mask, when is this going to be over?\u201d Fortunately, some are able to keep the end in sight, such as Aaron, who shared: \u201cNow, I\u2019m starting to think things are beginning to change. Toronto doesn\u2019t feel like as much of a ghost town anymore. I am just hoping for a miracle. Things can and will be changed. And I always tell myself \u2018It\u2019s not a forever thing.\u2019 I have always been optimistic about things. I like to think about the positive side of things, not so much the negative.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Things can and will be changed. And I always tell myself \u2018It\u2019s not a forever thing.\u2019\u00a0<\/p><\/blockquote>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
![\"Closed](\"https:\/\/distory.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/pexels-artem-beliaikin-1079002-1024x683.jpg\")
![\"Man](\"https:\/\/distory.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/pexels-alex-green-5699756-1024x683.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/distory.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/pexels-frank-merin\u0303o-8488619-1024x683.jpg\")