Free Advice to Steven Fletcher

It seems fairly obvious that Steven Fletcher has no team advising him on how to manage his politics.  A few months ago, he launched the Manitoba Party.  Well, he managed to find a loop hole to take over the old Manitoba Party which had gotten no traction but was on the books, so it was cheaper to take that over than to create a new Party. He promised to announce a star team of candidates in the next few weeks.  I must have missed that.  He tried to align himself with whatever party Maxime Bernier is trying to create.  Bernier didn't want anything to do with it, which must have hurt.  Fletcher supported Bernier in the Conservative leadership before Fletcher ripped up his membership in the party.  The platform of his party was "to axe the tax".  Since Pallister also denounced this tax, he is struggling to find another platform. I have some advice for Fletcher, because I believe he needs it.  Give me some latitude.  I will get there. 

Yesterday was "Let's Talk" day.  Bell's campaign to get people to talk about mental health.  Throughout the day, I saw updates on how many people were texting and sharing on social media.  I think it reached a million.  Apparently, Bell will donate $.05 for each social media activity.  This day is not without its controversy.  Some people say that it is self-serving on Bell's part and others want an account of where the money is going, etc.  Some people say we should be talking every day about mental health and it would be nice is the stigma was part of our history.  The fact of the matter is that nothing is perfect in this world.  There are some negatives about this campaign, but it is something.  It definitely gets a lot of time in the media and that is a good thing.  It is sad that stigma still exists, but it does.  We must continue to bring awareness.  Every year that this is done, there is a take home message for me.  This year, it is that anxiety now has eclipsed depression as the most diagnosed mental illness. 

So, while most Canadians were talking about mental health, Fletcher took the time to talk about the proposed Bruce Oake Recovery Centre at the closed Vimy Arena site.  Here is my first piece of advice.  Give it a rest, already.  He calls it a shady land deal.  He continues to point out that the land is valued much more than the $1 that it was sold to the province.  Get over it.  The Vimy Arena is a white elephant.  No one was going to pay what it was worth.  What something is valued and what someone is willing to pay are too dramatically different things.  Ask people who have tried to flip "grow ops".  They may be remodeled, they may be appraised at a large amount, and many of them remain unsold.  That is just life.  The city did the right thing and got rid of the white elephant.  I understand Fletcher continues to call the deal shady.  The deal was about things that he doesn't know much about.  The deal was about compassion, doing the right thing, and a desire to help.  That's it.  It wasn't shady.  It was about helping people who want to be helped.  He also has shared that he thinks certain people are "getting something" out of it.  Again, it is true.  Some are getting something out of it, but it is things that he doesn't seem to understand.  They are getting an opportunity to create a positive legacy.  Fletcher seems to think that the only thing of value is money.  Most of us know that there are many things more valuable than money such as hope, kindness, justice, fairness, and compassion.  Relieving someone of their suffering is one of the most valuable things in life. 

It is tone deaf for Fletcher to use "Let's Talk" day to bring negativity to something that is positive.  I understand he is trying to continue to be in the news to make himself relevant.  It is sad that that media still cover him.

Fletcher doesn't seem to get along with people.  The one thing that perplexes me is that  he is denounced by many in the physical disability community.  Fletcher was involved in a horrible accident which has left him a quadriplegic.  He has accomplished much and should be a source of pride for the community.  According to some in the community, he has only been interested in advancing his personal interests and hasn't taken up the cause of others in the community. 

I don''t know how anyone, at such a young age, could go through such a traumatic experience and engage is such a long recovery and not have issues with depression or anxiety.  I understand he has written some books.  I have had no interest in any of them, so, it is possible he has discussed this in his books.  However, I don't really see him talking about this. 

Here is my advice.  Steven, let's talk.  Be vulnerable.  Open up.  Talk about mental health.  If you truly never had depression, tell us about that and what is your secret.  I suffer from both depression and anxiety and I find that being open about such has helped build relationships not tear them down. 

Prince Harry and Prince William enjoy tremendous popularity.  They used this platform to start the "Heads Up" campaign in Britain where they talk openly about their depression.  No one thinks they are weak.  They are impressed with their strength. 

I sincerely am coming from a place of compassionate kindness and am trying to help you connect with other people.  Regardless of your politics, connections with people are valuable to everyone. 

Here is my last piece of advice.  The Bruce Oake Recovery Centre is going to be built where the old Vimy Arena is rotting.  Get over it, already.