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Survive

Posted on August 26, 2024 by Jamie Irvine

Author: Kayla Russell

About myself: My name is Kayla Russell. I attend the University of Waterloo as an undergraduate student. I was diagnosed when I was 11 years old, and 2024 marks ten years cancer-free. I’ve always enjoyed writing and reading stories; I just can’t get enough of them. I didn’t always love poetry, though. I didn’t start writing until a few years ago, and one of the things I wrote about was letting go of some pent-up feelings. Yet, the reason I will always continue to love poetry is because of the way we can relate to each other through our words. This is also the reason I wrote this piece, which was to show myself how I happened to think at the time. Nevertheless, I hope it is one that can be of some comfort to you.

“Survive, they said
But I’d rather stay in bed…”

Writing Process: I usually write my poems in a journal and then type them up on my computer just as a second copy or like an electronic diary, if you will. Sometimes I start writing something and then it ends up being completely different. A peaceful, cozy spot where I can curl up or sit comfortably is where I usually find myself writing. Writing is like my release. When I’m feeling sad or irritable, I write. I write to escape, or I write to find some answers. I started writing these poems to help create a safe space for myself to know that it’s okay to feel however I feel. Also to remind myself that there’s no right or incorrect way to feel about what happened to me; it’s a journey.

Survive, they said
Survive, they said
But I’d rather stay in bed
All day long
Where my pillow
Sings sweet songs
Of rest here
But something inside me
Has a little more energy
Than I did yesterday
So, I make my way
Out of bed
And stand in front of the mirror
Surprisingly,
I don’t look as tired
But I’m worn out on the inside
Something inside of me
Says hide
But I wipe my tears
And walk away from the mirror
It will be okay

Tomorrow’s another day
Survive, they said
For every poison that wishes to
Kill me from the inside out
That is not the thing that will kill me
The cages of my mind with thoughts
That are locked behind
Bars, yelling the same thing
You’re not good enough
You will never survive this
They were right, you probably won’t make it
I am weak from the thoughts that drain the life
Out of me
Who is she?
Who is the one who’s done with life
Who is the one who doesn’t let strife
Come in between her and her dreams
Who will let me dream?
So, I have to take the prisoners
All of the emotions I’ve locked away
And say
It’s okay to feel
But I can’t complain
The comfortability from laying in a bed of fearTells me
Nothing can hurt me if I pretend it’s not real
I can just spiral in doubt
Until I fall asleep with the pain that
Lulls me away to the land of dreams
When I wake up, I know what they will say
Survive, they said
It’s only up
From here

Giants
You have beautifully risen
Despite all the bad
That has happened
Your triumph is a beanstalk
Reaching new heights
Tackling new giants
And still growing

Am I Still Dreaming?
A very scary
Dream of mine
Is for all
My nightmares to come true
Is it bad that I wish to
See how strong I can be
To fight off all
That haunts me?

Volunteering: Apply for the Experience, Stay for the Benefits

Posted on January 1, 2024 by Jamie Irvine

There are so many benefits to volunteering!

Whether it’s delivering meals to seniors or walking shelter dogs, being a peer mentor or being part of a team organizing an event, when you volunteer, you connect with others and you often see that you’re making a positive difference in their lives or in the community. So, it’s no surprise that volunteering can have both physical and mental health benefits. Research has shown that adults with disabilities or chronic health conditions who volunteer often see an improvement in their pain levels. Volunteering can also reduce stress, anxiety and depression.

*The author volunteers at seniors’ residences with her dog Bentley. Such a good boy, yes, he is!*

Volunteer for One Day or More – The Choice is Yours!
Volunteering also provides a great opportunity to test different educational or career paths. Whether you have a job in mind, or are unsure what field interests you, volunteering allows you to look for opportunities that require various levels of commitment. It might be a one-day event, a two-week long project, twice a month for a year, or other…you have the flexibility to decide what to pursue based on your capabilities and time availability.

Add Volunteer Experience to Your Resumé
If you’re also looking for paid employment, there are ways that you can use your volunteer experience to help get a job. As a volunteer, you might be on the organization’s email list where job postings are sent out. You can also develop internal workplace connections to ask about open or upcoming positions, and a recommendation. References are often required when applying for jobs, so having someone that can speak directly to skills you have demonstrated is incredibly valuable. Adding volunteer experience and the skills you have developed from it to your resumé will help with your application to other jobs!

Seek Accommodations as Needed
If you have a disability and/or need accommodations, you can still volunteer! Read the volunteer posting carefully to see what you are expected to do in the role. If you need support with any of the job requirements, you can start a conversation about this when going through the application process.

It can be intimidating to bring up a need for accommodations, but if you feel passionate about a position, do not let that be a barrier. Remember that you are entitled to ask for accommodations and many community agencies that hire volunteers are eager to provide these if possible. You are the expert in this situation, so be prepared to explain what accommodations would be most beneficial to you. Remember, you do not have to disclose a diagnosis or any medical information if you don’t want to.

As you can see, while you’re helping others, there’s a lot you can get in return. So, consider getting out there to volunteer!

Need help with applying to a volunteer position? Contact your POGO School and Work Transitions Counsellor so they can help you prepare for the volunteer experience.

Written by POGO Counsellor Helen Antoniades*

*This article was adapted from the S2S Network presentation “Volunteerism: Empowering Yourself and Others” by childhood cancer survivor Payton Tenebaum. Information about this year’s S2S Network presentations is coming soon!

Q & A with our Newest POGO Counsellor

Posted on January 1, 2024 by Jamie Irvine

*Questions asked by POGO counsellor*, *Sharon D’Souza*

WHY DO YOU WANT TO BE A POGO TRANSITIONS COUNSELLOR?

I have always been drawn to roles that involve supporting individuals within our community and I have experience with helping people navigate various transitions in life. Joining the POGO team represents a new and exciting opportunity for me. I have not previously worked with cancer survivors, so this is a unique learning experience. We all encounter transitions at some point, and being able to contribute to someone’s journey by providing the help they need is incredibly rewarding to me.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE PART ABOUT YOUR ROLE?

My favourite aspect of the job so far has been getting to connect with people. I enjoy engaging in conversations and getting to know individuals on a personal level. It’s also really great seeing how committed the whole healthcare team is to assisting individuals who have cancer.

WHAT IS THE HARDEST ONCOLOGY WORD/TERMINOLOGY YOU HAVE HAD TO LEARN?

There’re a few and I’m definitely still learning, but if I had to pick one right now it would be myxopapillary ependymomas, which I have learned is a type of brain tumour.

WHAT HAS BEEN THE BIGGEST SURPRISE WORKING WITH SURVIVORS?

The biggest surprise for me has been the lasting impact that cancer treatments can have on an individual’s body later in life. Before stepping into this role, I hadn’t fully grasped the extent of these long-term effects. Nevertheless, it’s remarkable witnessing the support system that surrounds cancer survivors from the dedicated teams at the POGO AfterCare Clinics.

DOGS OR CATS?

Without a doubt, dogs. Maybe it’s because I’m allergic to cats, or maybe it’s just that dogs have mastered the art of unconditional love and I will take that any day, especially since it comes without the sneezing!

WINTER OR SUMMER?

Most definitely summer! I dream of living somewhere where the weather is warm all year round. I find there is so much more to do in the warm weather!

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE PUMP-UP SONG RIGHT NOW?

Maybe not considered a “pump-up” song, but one song that has been on constant repeat for me that I love to belt out to is “White Horse” by Chris Stapleton.

WHAT IS THE BEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED?

The advice I received that has stuck with me is to romanticize your life. Essentially, make even the smallest things in your day-to-day life seem amazing and exciting. Every Sunday, I write down the best thing that happened to me on the weekend. Sometimes there are bigger moments we can think of easily, but sometimes it’s nice to think of the small moments, too, like having the time to drink a hot cup of coffee before heading off to work!

Creative Corner with Ramjot

Posted on January 1, 2024 by Jamie Irvine

Growth

When I first started creating this sculpture, it was an absolute mess. The structure and stability of the tree were a challenge to figure out but slowly it all started coming together. It was like putting the pieces together in a puzzle. I didn’t fully understand why I created a tree until I started sculpting every little curve or indent, gluing on the leaves and adding the finishing touches. The tree symbolized my growth. Just like me, the tree encountered many obstacles when it was being sculpted. It took hours, days, weeks to finish and at some point, I felt like giving up on it. The tree expressed me. It started wonky but the more time and effort I dedicated to it, the stronger it got. Similarly, when I was recovering from my cancer treatment, it was hard to fit in with my peers at school and integrate into my new reality. But as the years went on and I got out of my comfort zone, I grew to be the best version of myself. My piece, Growth, shows the journey of my life and how I’ve grown into the person I am today.

Check out other Creative Corner works done by Dorian and Xander

Successful Employment Through Targeted Hiring: A Survivor Experience

Posted on October 13, 2023 by Jamie Irvine

What is Targeted Hiring?
Targeted hiring is a type of initiative used by public and private organizations to address employment barriers and help with the under-representation of designated groups to achieve equal employment opportunities. This is accomplished by narrowing the pool of candidates to specific categories of candidates, such as individuals with disabilities.

Q & A With a POGO School and Work Transitions Client
Q: What can you tell me about your recent interview where you were successful in being hired?

Client: I interviewed over the phone, which was nice as travelling can be difficult for me due to my disability. The questions were pretty much what I prepared for because my counsellor and I went through common interview questions and practiced them together over Zoom. We also discussed scenarios and did some mock interview style discussion. Because of this, I was able to answer the real interview questions with confidence.

Plus, the interviewers were very informative about what to expect on an average day. 

Q: How is your employer being accommodating to you as a person with a disability in the workplace?

Client: The general attitude of my workplace is genuinely team-oriented! I was asked if I needed a chair, and from day one, I have been greatly encouraged to ask for help. There’s even mental health support, which is quite a relief.

Q: Was your POGO Counsellor a resource in this process? If so, how did they help?

Client: My counsellor was very helpful during the whole process. Finding this job and ensuring my resume was in good shape, practicing for the interview, and ensuring I got placed at a store location I preferred is honestly going above and beyond.

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