MD, GDP, and being Environmentally Friendly

There’s been a lot of talk about the environment in the last few years: CO₂ emissions and global warming, the giant pool of plastic debris floating in the Pacific ocean, the hazardous substances that leach out from technological waste, and our planet’s future inability to meet the demand of an increasingly consumerist society.

Like most people, I’m trying to do my little part in helping the environment.  I recycle.  I’ve outfitted most of my lamps with compact fluorescent light bulbs.  I drive my small fuel-efficient car to work a mere 7 km away.  I let my washed clothes air-dry.  Unless it’s unbearably hot, I keep the air conditioner off.  I rarely eat meat and I’m buying less stuff.

I hadn’t given much thought to the act of buying less until I had a conversation with my colleague S..  The question of how to support the economy and maintain low unemployment rates while minimizing our ecological footprint was raised.  One answer—a partial solution—is to spend more on services and less on goods.  And that’s what I’ve been doing all this time!!

In fact, many people with physical challenges have become dependent on certain services.  Although it’s never bothered me in the past, now that I see my spending as a way to boost GDP without harming our planet earth, I’m delighted to contribute a chunk of my income to the following services:

Condo Convenience:  Whenever my neighbour from across the hall would see me, he always tried to drag me into a repetitive diatribe against the high maintenance fees we paid.  I explained to him that I was happy to pay for the convenience of condo living (with elevators and winter-worry-free underground parking.)  If he hadn’t moved, I would have added how great it is that part of our fees are paying for the environmentally friendly services of an efficient condo manager and a very helpful superintendent.

Health:  I’ve spent a small fortune contributing to the livelihood of various alternative medicine practitioners and I learned a great deal from many of them.  The one I continue to visit regularly is my osteopath.  I first considered seeing him when I heard how much he had helped my colleague S..  Then when I brought up the subject of osteopathy with a physiotherapist, and both he and an eavesdropping client uttered the name ‘Igor’ in unison, the same Igor my colleague S. was seeing, how could I ignore the signs?!  It’s been wonderful being treated by him.  He’s a peaceful calming soul who in addition to osteopathy also does acupuncture and craniosacral therapy on me.

Grocery Delivery:  When my roommate moved out, I knew it would be impractical to rely on friends to go shopping with me, so I decided to register with Green Earth Organics.  They select a variety of organic fruits and vegetables (locally grown when possible) and deliver them right to my door.  Not only do I feel good about eating organic food, but I’ve also enjoyed chatting with the friendly delivery people.

Housekeeping:  I can still do a lot of the cleaning in my apartment and I’m sure I could find techniques and tools that would enable me to clean more difficult-to-reach areas like the tub.  But it takes forever!  And when I’m working, housecleaning chores fall to the bottom of my priority list.  (They weren’t exactly at the top even when I was fully mobile.)  So I was pretty excited when I saw two phone numbers for cleaning ladies on the notice board of my building last fall.  The first woman I contacted asked me to call back in the evening.  When I called the second phone number, a timid voice answered.  After a brief chat, we agreed to meet that very afternoon for an estimate.  I was a little surprised when I opened the door to a white-haired frail-looking dainty little lady, and for a fleeting moment, a pang of guilt tugged at my heart at the thought of this elderly woman cleaning my home.  She took a look around the apartment, expressing a girlish delight at the sight of my plants and the sunlit living area.  She then told me her price…I balked at the sum.  I didn’t expect it to be so expensive!   So I told her I still had another person to call and that I would think about it.  I can’t remember what she said next, only that there was a slight tinge of panic in her voice, the fear of losing me as a potential client.  After all, she lived in the building beside mine and most of her clients were a one-hour bus ride away.  Something about her moved me and I never did make the second phone call.  I couldn’t be happier with my decision!  Not only does Helen clean more thoroughly than I ever have, but she is a lovely person with a big heart.  One Saturday, when I returned home from an appointment, she asked me about my health.  I told her I felt I was on the right track and that healing might occur one day.  She asked me if I believed in God and if I prayed.  I told her I did (although I think our concepts of God might be quite different.)  I explained to her that I believed everything happened for a reason, that my condition was a good learning experience, and that I felt lucky to have so much support and to still be able to work.  “But I think I’ve learned my lessons and I’m ready to be healed!  I’ve been helped enough and now I want to do some helping.”  I added, all chipper.   And without warning, she burst into tears, sobbing uncontrollably: “I don’t understand, I don’t understand,” she cried, “why can’t he make you better? And you want to help!  Why doesn’t he make you better! Hasn’t it been long enough? ”  I found myself trying to comfort her while gently patting her back and handing her the box of tissues.  “It’s ok, don’t cry.  I’m ok, and I’m really happy, really, it’s ok.”  I was completely taken aback and touched by her compassionate outburst.  What a gem Helen is!  The funny thing is that a few months after Helen started cleaning my place, I found a phone number amidst some papers I was sorting out, a phone number I had jotted down two years ago for a seamstress.  It was Helen’s number!  Did I mention I’m a sucker for coincidences?

 I really do feel very fortunate that I can afford all these services, and with a smile.

(Note:  I came across this interesting BBC Green article—after my conversation with S.—about buying less to help the environment: Save Money and the Planet?)