We announced the publication of our first composite story, Lily, with a news post on July 29.
Wren and Cyrus’s story is the second to be published. It is the story of two characters: Wren, a Black, non-binary person with diabetes, whose symptoms require them to use a walker; and Cyrus, their partner, who has dietary restrictions from celiac disease and lactose intolerance. This couple faces the struggle of needing to find safe but affordable food for Cyrus and needing to be financially sensible, as Wren has a hard time finding stable work due to their inability to stand for long periods. Because of Wren’s disability, they have had to be more mindful of ODSP (Ontario Disability Support Program) and the amount or kind of support they can and cannot receive. This composite story differs from the others in that it takes a “slice of life” approach where we get to see into the everyday lives of Wren and Cyrus. While Lily and Evelyn work to overcome major accessibility barriers in their stories, Wren and Cyrus share some of the lesser-known challenges of living with a disability on a daily basis. From dietary restrictions to assistive device maintenance, this story explores what an average day with a disability can feel like.
Wren and Cyrus’s story is one of three in the composite story series. Our first story was Lily’s Story, which can be viewed on our website. Watch for our upcoming updates on the third story, Evelyn!
Do you have stories of your own about your livelihoods successes and challenges in making a living and a life while trying not only to survive but also to thrive? Have you, now or in the past, worked through livelihoods pathway stages of setting goals, perceptions of possibilities, choices and strategies, and outcomes? Share them with us on our Engage page, and let us know if we can post them on the Stories about Livelihoods page on our website.
