NATALIA

Natalia | Copy Editor | Content Writer | Student | Books | Art | Food | Chronic illness | LGBTQIA2S | and petting other people’s pets | Toronto, Canada

Instagram: @crankynatalia

Website: www.nataliaiwanekediting.com

1) THE BEST THING THAT HAPPENED TO YOU IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS? This year has been a series of ups and downs, but it has also been wonderful in so many ways. My health has begun stabilizing, my business has grown, I was elected for an advocacy position, I progressed with my education, and I have been given the opportunity to interview/collaborate with orgs/activists doing amazing work in the community.

2) THE WORST THING THAT HAPPENED TO YOU IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS? The constant ableist rhetoric amidst COVID-19 has been weighing heavily on me, along with my health scares, Photo by Marta Iwanek and never ending medical appointments. I am uneasy thinking of an uncertain future in a world that devalues the lives of chronically ill and disabled individuals.

3) YOUR BIGGEST WISH FOR THE NEAR FUTURE? I hope that some of the community building we have seen continues, and that the increased accessibility, that has suddenly become possible, remains. 4) YOUR BIGGEST WORRY FOR THE NEAR FUTURE? In all honesty, I worry about increasing deaths and violence, increasing intolerance, racism, homophobia, transphobia, and medical triage protocols/medication shortages.

5) A CONTEMPORARY WOMAN YOU CURRENTLY ADMIRE? Alicia Elliot, author of A Mind Spread Out on the Ground, for her beautiful words. 6) A ONE-SENTENCE MESSAGE TO OTHER WOMEN? Keep going.

A few more questions about the current situation (Covid-19, lockdown, black lives matter protests, politics, finances, mental health, health, and so much more). THE WORLD HAS BEEN CHANGING DRAMATICALLY IN RECENT MONTHS, HOW ARE YOU COPING? I am trying to remain hopeful and keep moving forward in a world that has repeatedly shown that people like myself have no value. I do this by taking time to rest, setting boundaries, and listening to my body. I am also focusing on ways that I can contribute to my community, and collaborating with/listening to/learning from others. WHAT ARE YOU CONCERNED ABOUT THE MOST? I am concerned about the lives of underserved and marginalized communities, which often overlap - BIPOC, LGBTQIA2S, immigrant, disabled, as well as increasing and rampant racism, homophobia, transphobia, and xenophobia. I also worry about our focus on reopening and returning to “normal,” when this type of existence never been kind or equitable to most people.