The Weight of Uncertainty: Why We Must Stand for Equity, Ethics, and Progress

Lately, I’ve been feeling the weight of the world in ways I never have before.

I’m scared.

Scared for my family, for my children’s future, and for the ripple effect of the systemic shifts we’re witnessing across the economy, education, and corporate structures.

My mortgage is up for renewal this year. Just a few years ago, I was fortunate enough to lock in a 1.4% interest rate. Now, that number will climb dramatically, eating into my ability to provide for my family in an economy where everything already feels out of reach. Despite the Bank of Canada lowering interest rates three times this year, Canadians like me are still feeling the financial strain. Household debt remains one of the highest in the world, and as inflation stabilizes, wages still haven’t caught up (Reuters, 2024).

And then there’s education—my children’s education.

As a mother to two exceptional neurodivergent children, I know firsthand how critical it is that schools remain properly funded and resourced. But with the Halton District School Board facing a $1.8 million deficit, I worry about what cuts are coming next (HDSB, 2024). My children rely on specialized support that isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity for them to access their education on an equal playing field. When funding is cut, it disproportionately impacts the most vulnerable students—kids who already face systemic barriers.

This isn’t just happening in my school district; it’s a symptom of a much larger issue.

Across North America, we are seeing a decline in public education funding, disproportionately affecting children with disabilities and those from marginalized backgrounds. According to a 2023 study, 91% of schools in the U.S. reported that budget constraints impacted their ability to meet students’ needs (National Center for Education Statistics, 2023). In Canada, 60% of parents of children with disabilities reported struggling to get adequate support from their schools (Statistics Canada, 2023).

But my concerns don’t stop at the classroom door.

Economic downturns often bring a reckoning in the corporate world. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives—the very programs designed to level the playing field for systemically suppressed groups—are often among the first to be deprioritized. And yet, these initiatives aren’t just ‘nice to have’; they are essential.

We have spent years fighting for equity in workplaces, proving time and time again that inclusion isn’t just morally right—it’s good for business. Research shows that diverse teams outperform non-diverse teams by up to 35% (McKinsey, 2023). Companies that prioritize inclusion see higher innovation rates, better decision-making, and stronger financial performance. Yet, in times of uncertainty, the progress we’ve made is at risk of being undone.

When organizations deprioritize equity efforts, they send a message—whether intentional or not—that the inclusion of historically excluded voices is conditional on economic convenience.

We are in a moment that requires bold, disruptive thinking. Just as we had to reimagine digital transformation, we now need to embed inclusivity into the very fabric of how we operate. We cannot wait for a ‘better time’ to have these conversations.

The time is now.

In the face of uncertainty, we need leaders who can focus on facts, remain forward-focused, and look beyond what is right in front of them. We need decision-makers who are unafraid to challenge the status quo and recognize that doing what is right is not always what is easy.

We cannot afford to backslide.

Not in our education systems.

Not in our workplaces.

Not in our communities.

I often think about my own journey—about how long it took for me to be seen, understood, and accepted as an autistic woman with ADHD and auditory processing disorder. My late diagnosis wasn’t an accident; it was a direct result of systemic suppression—of medical systems that weren’t designed to recognize neurodivergence in women, of workplaces that often required me to mask my true self, of educational environments that didn’t consider students like me when designing their curriculums.

I refuse to let my children grow up in a world where they have to fight the same battles.

And so, I stand.

I stand for my family.

I stand for my children.

I stand for every person who has been told they don’t belong in the spaces they are meant to thrive in.

The great Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “The time is always right to do what is right.” Now is the time.

This moment in history will be defined by what we choose to do with it. Do we allow fear and uncertainty to dictate our future? Or do we embrace this as a moment of transformation—a time to challenge, disrupt, and rebuild in a way that ensures progress for everyone?

I choose to fight for a world where inclusion is not conditional, where education is accessible to all, and where no person is left behind because of the rising cost of existing.

Will you stand with me?

#BeBold #Disrupt #Equity #Inclusion #TheTimeIsNow #Resliency

Sources & References

1. Reuters (2024). “Canadians still feeling economic pain despite three early rate cuts.”

2. Halton District School Board (2024). “Budget Input & Deficit Projections.”

3. National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) (2023). “Public School Spending Trends.”

4. Statistics Canada | Statistique Canada (2023). “Parents of Children with Disabilities Survey.”

5. 麦肯锡 (2023). “Delivering Through Diversity.”