Concussions

I'm recovering from a concussion, and using this as a test to see if I can focus on screens for long enough to write a short post. I'm using "f.lux" to adjust my screen to help, and was last hit in the head March 9th.

Mostly I'm writing this as a place to yell into the void about how frustrating this is. I constantly feel like I'm in a little bit of a fog, with a little bit of a headache, and no ability to concentrate. As soon as I start to concentrate on something, or go for more than a brief walk, I begin to feel increasingly disoriented, headachey, and my double vision is consistently terrible.

I'm making the choices one would want someone to make: was taken to the hospital right away (thanks BJ!), resting near constantly, saw my Dr. Physio. acupuncture/massage.

And it's just depressing to face what this means in terms of limiting my risk of concussions moving forward, I spent four years not playing sports because all the health professionals in my life were worried about my knees. Now I'll have to stop because I can't risk a blow to the head. Which really sucks. And, although I know people are trying to help, I am SO FRIGGING TIRED of people suggesting I swim, ride a bike, yoga, etc: I get those are good choices, but I don't understand how people don't hear that my frustration isn't about activity, it's about sports. They are different things and one has been a huge part of my life.

Anyway, got this written and up inside ten minutes, and my head is definitely sore. Back to the pillow fort! Take care everyone.

A brief history of my concussions (or things that I'm pretty sure were concussions):

1) Kicked in the face by a horse at my parents wedding when I was 5. Pretty sure that it was a concussion, although my only remember looking at my hands and seeing blood. But who knows, maybe it wasn't.

2) Car accident in 1998 (or maybe 1997). I was in a really bad car accident, and had my first MRI. Knocked unconscious. Full recovery

3) Working maintenance in Lister Hall in...2001? I was cranking a pipe cutter:

around a pipe in a bathroom, and it snapped off, torqued around the pipe and hit me in the head. This concussion led to my second MRI.

4) Threw myself down the stairs (twice) in some poor decision making related to helping a friend make a video. There was a slow motion video of my head smashing into the wall and the concrete dust flying off, and a scary moment with some lattice work. Looking back, I may have had some concussion symptoms, I don't really remember.

(note: 5-7 happened between Feb 2016 and March 2017. Scary).
5) Fell on the sidewalk walking into work. Walked into the UC and threw up. This was the first time I threw up after hitting my head.

6) Was rear ended driving up Wellington St. Had concussion symptoms for a few weeks.

7) Soccer ball to the face. Dry heaved in the bathroom, concussion symptoms and off work for three weeks so far.

Help! What should I volunteer for next?

I had planned on writing a few more posts about the incoming Trump administration over the break, but have instead channeled my time and energy into finding an organization to volunteer with.

This is more challenging than I thought it would be, and I am open to suggestions. Here is my thought process:

• Coming out of the US election, I decided I wasn't really in a position to a) claim I knew anything or b) complain/feel dejected as I hadn't put any time or work into shaping the result.
• After reflecting some more, I've decided that the break I've taken from the type of volunteering or work I was doing in politics is over. 
• In finding a new organization to volunteer for, I'm looking for the following things (in order of priority):

1. Are they effective? Do they have clear, easily digestable objectives. Do they have strategy and tactics that they stick to.
• For example, I've ruled 123Guelph out as, after emailing back and forth, I can't really tell what they are trying to achieve and how they are trying to achieve it. 
2.  Are they working towards something I believe in?
• For example: I wouldn't volunteer for the group(s) protesting Nestle in Guelph, as I think there are more pressing water issues in Canada, and the impact of those issues are on marginalized and oppressed populations that don't have a very powerful voice.
3. Do I feel a good fit with the organization?
• I don't want to repeat my Green Party experience, where it turned out that most members and leaders of the party were committed to ideals that weren't winning elections, and my involvement usually ended up in damaging conflict as I was committed to winning. 
4. Does the project make an impact on a large scale? (and use the skills I've built in this area)
• I already have a role with the Guelph Community Boating Club that fits a fun/local niche. I don't want a project that would essentially duplicate this (e.g. Hiking Trails, Big Brothers/Sisters, Guelph Hospital, etc.)

I'm not entirely sure what this means, and am open to suggestions. Here are some of the ideas I have: 

• I'm meeting with Fair Vote Canada, as I'm a fan of eliminating FPTP voting as soon as possible...but my perception is that they seem more interested in discussions and rallies, which don't seem to have had much of an impact on elected officials. 
• I could find a potential candidate for the Municipal election in 2018 and help them run. But in Guelph that may be tough. If the seat isn't open, and they aren't aligned with Mayor Guthrie's vision, it's a very high degree of difficulty to win.
• I could find a vulnerable currently elected official who I like, and help them win re-election, but I'm not sure there's anyone who meets that definition.
• In order to prevent Kelli Leitch's Trump-style politics from being in the national conversation after the Conservative leadership race, I could follow the lead of a few of my friends and volunteer for Michael Chong, who I have a lot of respect for.
• With a lack of meaningful local reporting on politics, I could approach someone like Adam Donaldson and guelphpolitico to ask if I can help in coverage of local politics. This wouldn't really use the skills I've built around point 4 above, but could be interesting and fills a void.

Feel free to comment with any suggestions you may have for me! Has to fit around my job at the University :).