The Unfit (article) (part 1) by Leanne Dyck

The history of the disabled in Canada.

photo by ldyck

The Unfit

    In the beginning, children with disabilities were literally kept hidden. Parents were often torn between a love for children and a shame or desperation that often led them to send sons and daughters away to institutions. Some were even advised by doctors to “pretend this one died and go on with your life.” Some parents found that because of a lack of resources, and pressure from others, they were simply unable to keep their child at home. The parents who refused to send their child away were often left with the soul-destroying task of facing an uninformed public—including their own family and friends—and trying to meet their child’s needs without service or support. With such a gloomy start, it is no wonder society has struggled with how it views people with disabilities and how it responds to the needs of families. [1]

    During the 1800s, young persons with special needs were excluded from the education system and deemed burdens, often confined to institutions where they festered away in isolation. Though some arguments were made about this being for their own good, the most prominent rationale was that exclusion and institutionalization would prevent persons with special needs from tainting the general population. [2]

    The “Orillia Asylum for Idiots” (1861-2009) [Orillia, Ontario], Canada’s oldest and largest facility for the care and protection of children and adults with disabilities, was once praised as a beacon of humanitarian progress… [But f]ar from being for child protection and care...Orillia Asylum was a site for multi-faceted and all-encompassing violence[—]...systemic neglect and cultural discrimination, daily humiliation and dehumanization, and physical, sexual, and emotional abuse…

    [H]ow [could] such violence...occur for so long in a facility maintained by the state, a state invested in protecting children[?]…

    [C]hildren who were admitted to the Orillia Asylum were not considered to be “Canada’s children” at all by virtue of being labelled as “mentally deficient”, “feeble-minded”, “not-quite-human” and “not-quite-children.” [3]

    Feeble-minded was a term used from the late 19^th century through the early 20^th century to loosely describe a variety of mental deficiencies, including what would now be considered [the intellectually disabled]…, and learning [differences] such as dyslexia. [4]

Most people go to work

Very few people turn that work into a passion.

I think you can go to work without making a living.

I think those who turn work into passion are blessed.

And as a dyslexic child, I had to work at reading, work at writing.

Now, as an adult, it has become my passion.

October 25, 2026, 5:23 PM PT

    

As you may have noticed, I like to assign pictures to each list of monthly blog offers. 

September? Leaves, of course. 

October? Pumpikins, duh. 

But November... How I love it, so. It's my birthday month. 

But November. Dear darling November, you threw me for a loop.

 November? I settled for gloves. 

photo ldyck

On this blog in November

Sunday, November 1

The Unfit

(part 2)

the history of disabled Canadians

Sunday, November 8

November (poem)

a poem in praise of November

Sunday, November 15

Book Review: All The Light You Cannot See by Anthony Doerr 

(historical fiction)

Set in the Second World War, is about a short boy with a huge heart who tried to do what he thought was right and a blind girl full of courage who did what she could.

Sunday, November 22

DisAbled Advocacy: Sharing Our Truth (essay)

(part 1)

the history of the disabled advocacy in Canada

New content is published on my blog 

every Sunday at 

4:40 PM (ish) Pacific Time.

Playing with Robin (children's story) by Leanne Dyck

When I was a child, I had a friend with Down syndrome. Robin taught me a lot of things. "Playing with Robin" is a tribute to her memory.

photo by ldyck

Playing With Robin

    I'm playing outside when Robin rides up on the bike; she calls her horse. "My cat had kittens; want to see?"

    Of course, I do.

    "Follow me," she calls. Robin rides away really fast because her legs are so long. She looks like a grown-up, but she's a lot more fun.

    I'm out of breath when we reach Robin's house.

    The kittens are in a cozy box in Robin's bedroom. "Look with your eyes," Robin tells me. "If you promise to be gentle, I'll give you one."

    "I promise," I say.

    She picks up a tiny kitten and hands it to me.

    Its fur is so soft and... "Oh, she's so cute. Can I keep her?"

    "No." Robin takes the kitten. "It belongs with its mom."

    Robin takes a box down from a shelf. Inside are stamps and different colours of ink: pink and green and blue and purple and... Robin uses a cat stamp to put a picture on her paper. She does it again and again and again. Now the paper is full of cats. "You try," she tells me.

I pick a stamp that looks like a paw print. I press it onto the ink and then onto the paper, but it doesn't look like a paw print.

    "You have to press hard. Here, I'll help you." Robin puts her hand on top of mine, and we press the stamp really hard onto the purple ink pad. Now I can see all the paw prints. Robin shows me how to clean the stamp so that I can add other colours. I add blue, green, and pink ink. It looks like a cat walked on a rainbow and then onto my paper. "You can take that picture home." Robin smiles at me.

    Robin takes a small black box off a shelf. "Want to see something really cool?" She finds a jar of coins and holds it so I can take one. "Put the penny on there." When I do, a hand slides out of the box and takes the penny. "Don't be scared," Robin says. "It's not a real hand. It's just for pretend." She gives me another penny, the hand comes out again, and we laugh.

"Where does the money go?" I ask, and Robin says, "In the box. Someday I'm going to get a hammer to break the box, and then I'll be rich."

    The kittens...the toys...she's already rich.

    "Snack time," Robin's mom calls.

    Orange juice and cookies wait for us on the kitchen table.

    I finish my cookie and look out the window. My brother is coming to take me home.

    "My boyfriend," Robin cheers.

    I hope she marries my brother so we can play together forever.

photo by ldyck

On this blog in October

Sunday, October 4

Guest Blogger: Judee Fong for "Murder on the Menu" 

(part 1)

a 2-part countdown to the publication of "Murder on the Menu" 

Sunday, October 11

Guest Blogger: Judee Fong for "Murder on the Menu" 

(part 2)

a 2-part countdown to the publication of "Murder on the Menu" 

Sunday, October 18

Playing with Robin (children's story)

about my childhood friendship with Robin—

a woman with Down syndrome

Sunday, October 25

The Unfit (article)

(part 1)

the history of the disabled in Canada

New content is published on my blog 

every Sunday at 

4:40 PM (ish) Pacific Time.

Guest Blogger: Judee Fong for "Murder on the Menu" (part 2)

In Part 1, Judee Fong introduced you to the organizations behind "Murder on the Menu"—the Crime Writers of Canada and the Second-Act Sleuths. In Part 2, she will introduce you to the authors that contributed to this short story anthology.

One of my past mystery writing classes was taught by Nicola Furlong, writer, artist, and currently podcaster for Radio Sidney’s “Around the Peninsula." Our homework was to begin a story and read it to our classmates the next week. I was panicking the night before while eating my fig newtons and got my “ah-ha” moment. I began a story about a detective I named Newton Figby, who became involved in a number of bizarre murders. My chocoholic homicide detective finally makes his published debut in “Death With Chocolate.” Why would a killer poison his victim, steal his ugly ornament, and leave a piece of decadent dark chocolate beside the body? Soon-to-be-retired Detective Newton Figby is hot on the trail because his last case is personal.

Joanna Vander Vlugt is the well-known author of “Spy Girls," “Dealer’s Child," and “The Unravelling." She also appeared in several anthologies, including “Farm to Foul Play” and “Dangerous Games.” Joanna’s short story, “Mr. Buffed and Buttered,” describes what would happen when the owner of a popular coffee/pastry bar at the top of the Malahat, is faced with an unrealistic conversion to a health spa.

Joanna’s second story, “The Lady in Pink” was inspired by a dream. Joanna remembered, “My mom had passed, and I saw her dressed all in pink. This became a story about three young women in 1988, with Joan Jett in their hearts, who became suspects in the fate of a politician’s son. Years later, an elderly lady in pink could reveal the truth.

Winona Kent is the creator of the Jason Davey series, a jazz musician who is a reluctant sleuth helping close friends and family. A longtime member and past chair of CWC, Winona remains an active member who has mentored and encouraged many new writers. One of Winona’s stories, “Between Stations,” tells of a 17-year-old naïve writer, desperate for actual experiences in London, England. Late one night, aboard a train, Lucy thinks she may have witnessed something terrible. Fifty years later, returning as a famous writer, a cold case unlocks a memory she had unknowingly suppressed. Winona crafted a second original story, “Angostura Bitters,” a tantalizing cocktail for happy hour for “Murder on the Menu.”

Debra Henry thrives on challenging triathlons, when she’s not creating homicidal mayhem with her award-winning short stories. A retired anthropologist, Debra has a keen interest in keeping our environment safe for future generations. Debra began writing children’s stories first but found she enjoyed writing crime stories best. “I like to write about social justice to give me a focal point.” Her short stories are entertaining cozies with a message and served with a smile. Debra’s tale, “Winging It”, illustrates her theme for social justice. Who would have believed a food truck vendor serving chicken wings would encounter foul play?

C.J. Papoutsis is well-known for her short stories and flash fiction, depicting quirky humans and their evil side. In a 2014 Times-Colonist interview, C.J. commented, “I love “cozy” mysteries, family sagas, and stories with humour. Like Oscar Wilde, I believe that life is too important to be taken seriously.”

“Murder at the Acropolis" introduces Nick the Bookie, who owns the sleazy Acropolis Cafe. Nick is accused of murdering a dead-beat client, found in the alley behind his café. C.J. explains her second contribution. “My mother kept a gun in her underwear drawer. I never thought much about it until I learned that none of my friends’ moms had guns in their underwear drawers.” This inspired C.J. to write “Mother Always Kept a Gun.” 

In this anthology, Joanna gathered a group of criminally minded women, who enthusiastically embraced “Murder on the Menu” with their clever usage of dives, food trucks, and devilish kills.

“Murder on the Menu” dishes up a selection of short stories that will entertain, make you laugh, and make you hungry. The Second-Act Sleuths know how to beckon you across the threshold of the café or to the order window of the chicken wing food truck. Just be careful not to stumble over any bodies.

“Murder on the Menu” was released on Amazon on October 6, 2026. It is available as an e-book, a hard copy and later will be available as an audiobook.  

Buy Murder on Menu

Amazon Canada

Amazon US 

 

Kobo

photo by ldyck

On this blog in October

Sunday, October 4

Guest Blogger: Judee Fong for "Murder on the Menu" 

(part 1)

a 2-part countdown to the publication of "Murder on the Menu" 

Sunday, October 11

Guest Blogger: Judee Fong for "Murder on the Menu" 

(part 2)

a 2-part countdown to the publication of "Murder on the Menu" 

Sunday, October 18

Playing with Robin (children's story)

about my childhood friendship with Robin—

a woman with Down syndrome

Sunday, October 25

The Unfit (article)

(part 1)

the history of the disabled in Canada

New content is published on my blog 

every Sunday at 

4:40 PM (ish) Pacific Time.

Guest Blogger: Judee Fong for "Murder on the Menu" (part 1)

 

Thank you so much, Leanne Dyck, for having me as your Guest Blogger. Leanne’s blog is a joy to read, and I feel so privileged to be her guest again. I was fortunate to appear in her space in 2014 when I wrote for Senior Living. (Leanne Dyck's blog: Guest Post: Interviews by Judee Fong)

Writers take a convoluted road when first beginning the journey. My dad's sage advice was, “Get a real job first.” I wrote sporadically and collected shoe boxes of rejection. Taking early retirement from 35 years as a medical technologist, I applied at a newly launched local magazine, Senior Living, for a chance to hone my writing skills. It became a fascinating decade of meeting local artists, writers, musicians, historians, and other intriguing seniors.  

“Murder on the Menu" is an anthology of cozy short stories involving bakeries, bistros, and bodies. It is the brainchild of editor/illustrator and crime writer Joanna Vander Vlugt. Joanna invited a few like-minded writers, collectively named the Second-Act Sleuths, to join her with tales of foodie places and murder. Debra Henry, Winona Kent, C.J.Papoutsis, Joanna and me, Judee Fong, have their own ideas on how an entrée should be presented—garnished with a corpse or two, of course. These cozy crime writers serve up a delicious buffet of homicidal humans who have malice and chicken wings in their hearts.

The Second-Act Sleuths are active West Coast members of Crime Writers of Canada. CWC is a national organization that encourages, endorses, and embraces crime writing in all its many genres. We are also members of Sisters in Crime—Canada West. Our stories are inspired by moments that leave an imprint on your mind.

photo by ldyck

On this blog in October

Sunday, October 4

Guest Blogger: Judee Fong for "Murder on the Menu" 

(part 1)

a 2-part countdown to the publication of "Murder on the Menu" 

Sunday, October 11

Guest Blogger: Judee Fong for "Murder on the Menu" 

(part 2)

a 2-part countdown to the publication of "Murder on the Menu" 

Sunday, October 18

Playing with Robin (children's story)

about my childhood friendship with Robin—

a woman with Down syndrome

Sunday, October 25

The Unfit (article)

(part 1)

the history of the disabled in Canada

New content is published on my blog 

every Sunday at 

4:40 PM (ish) Pacific Time.