tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77772736891557469852023-11-15T07:45:20.289-08:00Lorna SmithA Walk in Other's Shoes: Poverty Challenge 2018Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7777273689155746985.post-20947170109976928452018-02-15T06:41:00.000-08:002018-02-15T06:41:46.232-08:00Challenge Day 5 - Feb 14th (Final Day)<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Day 5<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Finally, a warm
day! Up for the challenge<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Task today:<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><b><i>“Your stove
broke down and the landlord hasn't come around to fix it. We hope that you will
find a way to make your meals today.”</i></b><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Well, there
goes the scrambled eggs. I could eat another piece of bread (toasted) with more
peanut butter. Or I could have a tuna sandwich for breakfast. Hmm! Extra toast
it is. Thankfully, I still have lunch left in fridge. Soup can be eaten hot or
cold. Today, I don't need it to be hot to warm me up like the last few days.
You sure need to be creative to solve problems. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">So yesterday, I
did not get the battery. I made a decision to not use up resources for 1 task.
I needed to accept that we all get too busy and at the end of the day, we can't
always do it. So today, I still have to walk to the closest store to purchase
batteries but it is a much warmer day to go outside. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">It's
Valentine's Day today. I realized that I cannot make a big batch of cookies to
gift to my family and friends. Although it is a minor celebration, I am sad to
think about the pressure of holidays to put a strain on a budget for gifts.
Time to reflect on the giver and not on a gift. They will forget soon forget
the gift but not you. My husband is wanting to cheer me up and has offered to
take me out for dinner. I had to turn down a restaurant dinner but am looking
forward to spending the evening with him.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">A person at
work today mentioned that they had been not taking their medications because
their spouse was ill and needed their medication more. Why are pharmacists not
inquiring why patients are not getting prescriptions filled? I offered them a
Trillium form which is income based. The biggest challenge for applicants is
that the form requires information about last year's income tax filing. Because
people are lower income, they sometimes do not file a tax return. This person,
who is not my client, is not being helped by their healthcare providers. We
could do a better job.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Home from work.
Stove may not be fixed. Tuna sandwich and mushroom soup with vegetables (thawed
out today) for supper. Enjoying individual pieces of fruit like frozen candy.
Tomorrow, I will walk back into my life. I still will eat a similar breakfast,
have soup still left for one more lunch then I can choose supper menu.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">What I really
miss eating are the nuts. I usually grab a handful daily. I did not purchase
any in my budget because I was cautious to spend all my money on food. But if
at the end of a food allowance I had a bit of money left, I think I would
consider that treat. Also, my food was quite bland. Rather than buying spices,
I chose flavoured tomatoes, salted broth base and vegetables with unique
flavours to try to add to flavor. I ate food to keep me fueled well but not for
the pleasure of taste or colour appeal. I did try lentils and am going to use
more. I will check with the educators at Kenora Chiefs Advisory about the
lentil cookbook they are using in communities. Apparently there is a recipe for
cookies too. </span><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI Symbol", sans-serif;">😊</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7777273689155746985.post-24055227038332746492018-02-14T07:27:00.000-08:002018-02-14T07:27:23.775-08:00Challenge Day 4 - Feb 13th<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Enjoying my
breakfast of toast, peanut butter and eggs. Lentil soup still at work for
lunch. Supper TBA<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><u><b>Task today:</b></u><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><b><i>“The batteries
for your smoke detector need to be replaced”</i></b><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Of course, the
discount stores would offer a great price but they are too far away to walk.
For convenience, I will walk to the closest spot to pick up a new battery and pay
a much greater price for for that time saver. Glad I have money in my pocket
for that.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Forgot to get
the battery. Maybe I can call the landlord to get battery replaced. Anyways
this task is not getting done today. Failed because I was too busy helping
others then wanting to get home hours after I leave work. I would never spend
money to go back to town for this one item. I can probably get away with one
night without this battery. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Finally 9 pm
and supper. Spaghetti, sauce, frozen vegetables and fruit. Everyone has been
taken care of and finally time for my care. I like my quick exercise routine
requires a space approximately 3 x 10 ( i can do it in a hotel room) Jumping,
stretching and strength core activities. No equipment, no cost and relaxation at
end.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">One more day to
come<o:p></o:p></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7777273689155746985.post-59095423130049701952018-02-14T07:25:00.001-08:002018-02-14T07:25:38.129-08:00Challenge Day 3 - Feb 12th<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Off to work
after eating a very regular breakfast of 2 eggs, toast and peanut butter.
Taking lentil soup for lunch and will eat it if I find time. I need to stop at
a store for a few more items today.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><u><b>Today's task</b></u>:<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><b><i>“Your dietitian
said your iron is low. Figure out how to increase it”</i></b><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Low iron. What
foods could I afford? Or do I need to buy a supplement. We, as healthcare
providers, often ask our clients to make a change that could put a financial
strain on their budget. The request is very vague and I will need to check for
foods that are high in iron that I can afford to eat, taste good and provide
sufficient iron. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">So it looks
like some of the food I have purchased has iron.. eggs, lentils. Although meat
has a good source of iron, I may be limited in purchasing it due to cost; but I
like sardines, salmon and tuna which could be in my basket and supply more
iron. For the vegetarian, spinach and nuts (which I eat almost daily and have
not purchased this week) could be alternatives. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Sometimes,
clients don't want/like/desire to eat the food high in iron. So perhaps, I
could get a bottle of iron from the pharmacy. The cost is approximately $6-10
for 100 tablets. It comes in various dosage forms with different amounts of
elemental iron. We often want clients to take with orange juice (or other
acidic food) which I do not plan to purchase as one of my food choices. Also,
if iron deficiency requires me to take a supplement, a physician or NP could
provide a prescription it at no cost to me. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">I thought I
would pick up some more food today after work. I ended up a one store for work
related task and decided I was not going to get to the grocery store for fresh
produce. Although I was able to get more carbohydrate (pasta) and protein (
canned tuna), I was not able to find affordable vegetables or fruit (canned or
frozen). It is too cold outside to walk to another store and the groceries I
already am carrying, arequite heavy. I will just have to eat the same fruit and
vegetables for another day. One nice thing about frozen fruit is you can eat it
more slowly from frozen and enjoy it as a nice snack before bed.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">It is so cold
outside tonight. How can anyone live overnight outside in this weather? Thanks
for the shelters in Kenora but that is not the ideal. Lots of places are open
during the day but not at night. I need to go home and pull out blankets, coats
and other winter items that are not being used. I saw a post on Facebook that
one organization needed towels so I will bring a few of those too.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Sleeping
tonight in a warm bed and thankful for heat. Not hungry but starting to dislike
the lack of choices to eat.<o:p></o:p></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7777273689155746985.post-6954001064808856072018-02-14T07:23:00.001-08:002018-02-14T07:23:48.271-08:00Challenge Day 2 - Feb 11th<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><b><i>"Television/video/gaming
systems/phone/ ipad and all other electronic forms of entertainment disappeared
from your world for the day."</i></b><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">This is a great
day!. I like to unplug on Sunday. I planned to go outside and enjoy snowshoeing
for an hour or two depending on how cold the temperature reaches. For me, using
electronics is a necessity of my work, a way to communicate with other people
who only want to communicate through technology and a tool to carry for a
safety measure when I travel off-road.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">I think about
how isolating I would be if I had no way to communicate with my parents who
live far away. With the use of online communication, I can speak with them
weekly. The cost of a cellphone could be out of reach for many people, but I
see many at the computers at the library, using emails to chat with people too
far away to call. Where else can people use a computer for free to stay
connected?<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">I will enjoy
working on a puzzle that has been on the go for a few weeks. I am starting a
new book. I read that many successful people read up to 60 books per year. I am
going to try that. The books and puzzles, I get from the library, exchange with
friends and occasionally buy on sale.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Today, l will
prepare lunches and suppers for next 3 days. I was surprised I have only spent
$20.00. I bought lentils, whole wheat bread, peanut butter, frozen fruits and
vegetables, broth, canned tomatoes and eggs. I bought frozen produce because it
is just as nutritious as fresh but is less likely to spoil. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">So a whole day
without electronics is a great way to reconnect with people who sit right in
front of you. A conversation without the distraction.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Enjoyed a walk
outside in warm layers but wonder how a person could live every day outside at
this temperature. Where to go for shelter? A trip to the library, when it is
open, could give me time to warm up, find some reading material, go on a
computer and stay safe. Other programs are also only open weekdays but not
weekends. Gathering places are important for social connection.<o:p></o:p></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7777273689155746985.post-50961548964057819812018-02-14T07:22:00.001-08:002018-02-14T07:22:16.115-08:00First Day of the Challenge - Feb 10th<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Today is the
first day of the challenge. I did start last night by purchasing groceries
before I left Kenora.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">I recognize
that people living on Ontario Works would more likely need to live within walking
or public transportation distance of all their required needs.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Because I live
so far from town, I plan to do my shopping and other errands on days I am
already going (workday). I have seen some of my clients use carpool to get into
town.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><b>Today's challenge:</b><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">"You
strained your back. You cannot afford any painkillers or a hot water pack. How
will you alleviate pain?"<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">How did you
know I would wake up this morning with this exact problem!. Medication and heat
are the last things I would use. My treatment plan requires no money. My usual
treatment is to do gentle back stretches, walk, yoga, and find a tennis ball to
apply pressure to the spot. Although many would assume heat, I know cold is
better for initial back strain. Good thing there is lots of snow outside and I
can fill a bag and wrap in towel and reduce inflammation.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Because I heat
home with wood, I will only to be able to carry 1-2 logs as opposed to 5-6 at a
time to stoke fire. If this had happened grocery shopping, I would have had to
consider 2 trips or lighter groceries.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Made it through
Saturday at home. Doing my regular house chores, I reflected on the tools that
make my life easier. When I was first married, we had a small unfurnished
apartment, we had to walk to the laundry mart, and we had to try to clean a
carpet with a broom. Finding change to put into the washer and dryer, waiting
at the laundry mart for the wash to be completed and carrying the basket home
was a 1/2 day gone. Now I can multitask , getting fire wood, taking composting
to garden, vacuuming and washing floors while clothes are getting clean.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">As for my
challenge, my back was strained all day. I moved carefully hauling wood for the
week, vacuuming and any other bending/lifting activities. When I was finished,
I did gentle yoga, body scan meditation and enjoyed reading. My back is still
sore and will take a few days to improve but I require no medication to
tolerate a bit of pain.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Sunday morning
and enjoyed being able to sleep in late in a warm bed.<o:p></o:p></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0