Lauryn Oates, the Burnaby resident we recently featured in the NOW, sent me an email about recent dealings with the Taliban. Lauryn works with Canadian Women for Women in Afghanistan (CW4WAfghan), a nonprofit group working to secure human rights for Afghan women and girls.
Apparently, the U.S. and Afghanistan have been trying to negotiate with the Taliban, and CW4WAfghan has issued a media statement outlining some major concerns about the process.
According to CW4WAfghan, there has been little progress in negotiations with the Taliban, but plans to date lack transparency, inclusiveness and consultation with Afghans.
"The people of Afghanistan deserve peace, and nothing else should be the objective of the international community. However, as many Afghan civil society organizations have expressed, there is not peace without justice. There is no peace in a negotiated settlement that takes place without the will of the people. And there is no peace if the rights of women are denied. Afghanistan will never conquer the extreme poverty that pervades the country if the status of women is not elevated."
To read CW4WAfghan's full statement on the issue, go to my blog at www.burn abynow.com.
PARKINSON'S DISCRIMINATION
I received some rather disturbing information, passed on by local resident Linda Dawson, who organizes the Burnaby Parkinson's support
group. According to the Parkinson Society of B.C., which is citing research from the U.K., 43 per cent of people with Parkinson's experience discrimination because of the disease.
"From being shouted at for using a disabled parking space, through to being refused service in their local supermarket, the new research paints a deeply disturbing picture about public attitudes towards those living with the degenerative condition," the society states.
Parkinson's is a neurodegenerative disease that affects roughly one in 300 Canadians.
There is treatment, but no known cure. Symptoms can include depression; tremours; difficulty walking, talking and swallowing; and trouble with posture.
According to the society, roughly one in five people with Parkinson's are mistaken for being drunk while out in public.
These attitudes can lead to isolation or fear of going out in public for people who suffer from the disease.
"As well as running into prejudice, we also have special friends who are very, very helpful, who understand," Linda told me, explaining how the support group helps. "By comparing notes, and getting professional people into to speak to us, that is really, really a help."
The Burnaby group for people with Parkinson's is meeting Monday, Aug. 12 at Confederation Centre from 1 to 3 p.m. Voice therapist Maureen Olafson will be there to help people with their speech. People who suspect they have Parkinson's are welcome to attend, as are caregivers or anyone who wants help speaking. Confederation Centre is at 4585 Albert St., and there is a minimum donation of $2 to attend. For more information, call Linda at 604-298-2983.
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