Lynn Manwar

Lynn’s Comments: Being at home on medical leave from work due to cancer treatment has certainly been quite the experience.   I have been mainly been spending my time at home either reading, watching television (which is a habit I never had before), surfing on the internet and roaming on social media networks.   I was rather delighted when I received a message and invitation from Ashima Suri of Building Bridges Association of Canada to speak at their Networking Event for Women with Disabilities on May 2nd, 2012.  The day that I was invited to speak by Ashima, was also the day I also received my 5th Chemo treatment at Princess Margaret Hospital on April 20th, 2012.   I had a bit of Chemo brain that day, but I did commit to speak for the event!

I felt rather fine for a few days after my 5th Chemo treatment, however, about 6 days later, I started to get a dry cough from April 26th onwards.  The cough continued throughout the weekend and the following week as well.  I was a little concerned as the week progressed, wondering, if I would be able to still speak at the event?  I made sure that I rested and upon arrival to the venue on the day of the event, Silvi, a facebook friend gave me some ginger candies and I had some tea.   I settled in to the Speaker’s Table and met the other guest speakers.   There was positive energy all around.

Luckily, my cough went away and I was able to speak after lunch to the attendees and other guests.  I was able to share my personal experience of challenges and temporary times of disability with the audience and the knowledge I learned along the way in my journey.   I felt very fortunate to have had the opportunity to speak that day as my experience will enable others to build bridges in their lives!

For more information about Building Bridges Association of Canada go to:  http://www.buildingbridgescanada.com/