Dear Your Honourable Yvonne Fritz
My name is Michelle Laverdiere, I am 37 year old woman with a severe physical disability my entire life. I have little choice but to be on AISH since 1986 at the age of 18. I am writing regarding my devastation regarding the lack of increase of AISH Benefits for those of us who a forced to live institutions due to the fact that our physical disabilities are to the extent that we require nursing care.
This is very costly for housing and must be on what the social workers call “Modified AISH” which is ACCOMMODATION BENEFIT (Room and Board which varies according to the institutions rate) and HANDICAP ALLOWANCE $175 (in my case -$21 recovery fee) I have many expenses in which I must pay out of that $155 including cable, phone a necessity for Telecare, tracheotomy sponges, clothing, over the counter meds, snack items ect.
I have been afflicted with a severe neurological disorder called Infantile Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type II . This is a progressive disease which affects the anterior Horne cells causing a wasting of motor muscles. Most children do not live pass the age of 5 years however I am have been raised to make the most of my life to the best of my ability despite bouts of progression and many hospital stays with pneumonia all my life. I required the use of a tracheotomy and 24 hr/per day ventilator since 2003, I even attended University for 3 years (1988-91) and attempted working as a teaching assistant for 4 years (1991 -95).
You can’t understand what a devastating blow it was to me when my illness progressed to the point that I could not get enough homecare (Self-managed care) to remain in my own home safely and was forced into an Assisted Living Centre that houses people who have respiratory needs January 2000. It was a second blow when I realized what a decrease in living expenses I was to take since housing costs so dearly it is assumed that those of us living in long-term care don’t require anything other than the 4 walls, a roof, a bed and food and we should be eternally grateful for the $175 that goes to everything under the sun and have nothing left for entertainment. Even despite this situation I’ve tried to contribute back to society by joining committees, doing what volunteering I could do in my building and advocating for people with disabilities to the best of my ability, and have tried to continue using my mind and learning new things through the internet and library audio books my only escape.
I was overjoyed to her there was an increase of $100 a month for people on AISH. I was even interviewed and was on the cover of the Edmonton Journal. I thought I would no longer have to ask for money from friends or family for clothes, internet fees and entertainment. For safety reasons I require someone at all times but can’t afford an attendant maybe I could have once in awhile with future increase.
Mrs. Fritz, my body is very disabled my mind and drive for life is there. I still have dreams and want to better what life I have left. I want to attend classes and audit classes. I can’t do anything with this tiny $175 Handicap benefit. So I was crushed to learn from my social worker and your office that I’m not really on AISH because of the High Accommodation therefore not entitled to the increase in fact LOSE $5 (Prescriptions).
Mrs. Fritz I’ve have been crying for two days since I realized this. I find this to be another blow as my needs are so high; does that means my life not worth as much. My social worker here at Good Samaritan say that 5% of people on AISH live in long-term care; are you not implying that it is better they remain in unsafe environments in the community than live in long-term care? OR Are you implying that we have no life and don’t need anything.
Please rethink this sad situation because it is very sad that this population is treated so unfairly. We should remain valued members of society despite living in a Long-term care facility. Please reconsider this decision at let us have the $100 per month added to the Handicap Benefit portion of what is currently $175 per month.
Thank-you, for your consideration this matter quickly.
Respectfully,
Michelle Laverdiere
Monday, May 16, 2005
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
.jpg)
14 comments:
YOU GO GIRL!
Right@Home - The Apple Pie Society
I see you like to delete comments you do not like. I really do think I have a valid point. You indicate on your blog that you want equal rights in society, however I do not see you taking any responsibility. Have you thought of ways to make yourself financially self-sufficient? There are plenty of people with disabilities who do work, including quadriplegics. I can't respect you or empathize with you when it appears that you feel the government should be responsible for paying your way. I can tell that you feel sorry for yourself by the words you use such as
"afflicted". You make others with disabilities look pathetic with your beggingfor money on the front page of the newspaper. That indicates that you are willing to accept the role of the victim. For your own good, quit acting like one.
To be honest I felt shocked when I read your comment as my story was to help advocate for social Education. I have felt from the moment this happened to me that I have a purpose in life. I saw before I was trached the people were living in fear as sometimes waited ½ an hour for a ventilator call as scary thing if you have to rely on a machine for every breath. I had to wait every day 1hr to pee and was busting. Finally I organized a meeting when they cut the over night respiratory Therapist, leave only 3 staff foe 60 total care residents. The wife of a man had commented “If any thing happens to my husband I will sue the asses off this place”. We’ll that man was in the washroom. Somebody finally died while being disconnected from his vent for 20 minutes . Then the government finally listen. I’m on of maybe 3-12 people on ventilators that can get out of bed everyday. But I push myself daily as I do not want to turn into a turnip some days it is hard to hold up my head but I always mange.
If you read my story you could maybe understand that I do not intend on being a victim as a matter of fact I think many people can be rehabilitated. I can’t feed myself any longer do to the progression of my disability and I require a machine, which I cannot breath. But you know what my life is a miracle as I was given to live to the age of 5. We never expected that I would live to be the age of 37 or outlive my mother. I want to live my life including going back to school to audit courses. I am also lucky that my family what I have left bout me this touchpad mouse to type. But the reality of t is that I need to be suctioned regularly as would choke on my flem. These doses not bother me at all.
However I need supports to be able to function and live. But sometimes I’ve got disconnected and realize that my life is hanging by a thread. I do not see myself as victim and want full participation and I AM taking responsibility by attending meetings(the only way to get a paid attendant), conference calls ect to lobby (I got a call that the pPremier wants to see me) for supports so I am lobbing to get supports, attendants rehabilitation as there are NO rehabilitation centers for someone on a ventilator. I do contribute but it is against the law for me to travel on public transportation alone. I went to university 88-91 but got pneumonia so worked part time as a teaching assistant but was only aloud to make $150 it started costing me to work and I lost a lot of weight (I weighed 45 pounds) and eventually had to move to an institution 2005 and had to be trachea and ventilated in 2003. But suddenly got this sense of peace and purpose as I knew I could still have a life/
When my hands get cold outside I can’t drive my chair. One time took me an hour to get to sidewalk to move my home Like I said I hate when people are victims as I’m the only one trying to go to school, I want to get into political science, law ect but The only way besides correspondence (need money for both) . But it takes me 3 hrs to write this bit so it a lot of work. So I want to audit first (Same price as credit.) Like I said I have to have an attendant (by-law) that can suction , bag me in case I get disconnection assist feeding me. By the way I discovered that shock less buses cause the vent to hyperventilate.
If I had the choice to be born with a disability or be aborted I choice to be born. I’m scared of the dying process as I’ve been close to death as I value my life and have many things to be grateful for. But why does or society not count the things we do without wages as contribution because I do lots of valuables things I don’t get paid for.
Michelle
mlaver@telus.net
-----Original Message-----
From: Anonymous [mailto:anonymous-comment@blogger.com]
Sent: Thursday, June 23, 2005 12:52 PM
To: mlaver@telus.net
Subject: [Mermel's Little Blog Cabin] 6/23/2005 12:51:35 PM
I see you like to delete comments you do not like. I really do think I have a valid point. You indicate on your blog that you want equal rights in society, however I do not see you taking any responsibility. Have you thought of ways to make yourself financially self-sufficient? There are plenty of people with disabilities who do work, including quadriplegics. I can't respect you or empathize with you when it appears that you feel the government should be responsible for paying your way. I can tell that you feel sorry for yourself by the words you use such as
"afflicted". You make others with disabilities look pathetic with your beggingfor money on the front page of the newspaper. That indicates that you are willing to accept the role of the victim. For your own good, quit acting like one.
--
Posted by Anonymous to Mermel's Little Blog Cabin at 6/23/2005 12:51:35 PM
Note:as a result of that meeting regarding staffing short When that man died change was made. Without the meeting it would have been brushed a side.
Sometimes one has to show vulneralbilities people how to put themselves in yout shoes. that does NOT make one a victim.
...What can I say? I was totally amazed that anybody could be so cruel/cold. Perhaps they are afraid they too might someday find themselves in the same position? I truly don't know. I DO KNOW there are so many things able-bodied people take for granted, that sometimes it seems impossible for someone such as yourself to continue in the fashion you are. I personally find you totally inspiring. I admire your guts, strength and fortitude. I think you're an amazing lady. Please don't let one idiot alter your track. I read all the things in Mermel's Little BLog Cabin for the first time. Amazing, truly amazing. You're an inspiration to many, Michelle. May God's love and blessings always be with you.
Thank-you XXXX, I thought these comments were from some random joker and so I chickened OUT deleted them but regret that..However then they got ugly about it and responded. I am supposed to reveal my life yet the coward has told me nothing about themselves and remains anonymous (Ano-mouse)and accusative
I am posting this for the visitor's of this blogg. I also use a ventilator and I'm confined to a power wheelchair. I have been disabled for 20yrs and needed a ventilator since 2000. I find Michelle an important cog in the machine of society. It take's guts and cunning to publish your life in order to educate,advocate and inform people of situation's like her's. For myself society and it's ignorance of people in need. If the majority of the public had any balls they would harass the government to inform them what the hell they pay income tax for instead of blindly writing checks and continuing on in ignorance. Do people have any idea that income tax was to be temporary to help pay for WAR effort's but no moronic tax payers just accepted it's continuation. Now that all these public "government" program's exsist and have claimed responseablity for people like myself and Michelle with TAX doller's tax payer's bitch that people in need are screwing the system. If the general public had any brain's they would refuse to pay their taxes and get the government's attention then the families of mutant's like me could afford to take care us. But because of tax payer stupidity I am FORCED to rely on tax dollar's which pay over $5000 a month to keep me alive I'm now told if I want $100 more I should get a job even though it take's 3 people to get me up out of bed, public transport to get me to work and home. I also require a clinically trained attendant any time I leave my GOVERNMENT funded home therefore costing tax payers a hell of a lot more then $100 a month. So I say to the anonymous retard that told Michelle to stop being a begging victim and to get a job "DUUUHHH"!!! Everybody on this ravaged planet is responseable for their actions and that include's ignorant tax payers and the governments they fund.
I have a question for you Michelle. You indicate that you wish to go back to school, however what would you plan on doing after this, do you plan on working? You and have already said school was too physically hard for you before, so what would be different this time? I hope you are not expecting the " stupid' taxpayers, as your friend put it to pay for this. Maybe your friend should think it was not the taxpayers would be paying his way?
Well anonymous you must be well rooted in your opinions are they based on any facts? Are you disabled? If you were how would you make income? If you have any ideas post them if any are realistic I would be interested in trying some. If you were an employer, myself being the best candidate for a job opening would you hire me? If I was hired would their be the proper facilities appropriate for my use? What about medical insurance? Would I be covered? What about life insureance? Medical coverage for my family? These are all employer responseablities. What about sick time I have very many health frailties? If you were in my condition would you use government suppliments? I was able bodied a while so I can relate to them. Is tax money better used on single mothers that feel the need to have more babies for more tax money instead of getting a job and properly raising her children. What about alcoholics and druggies popping out babies with severe medical problems. I bet none of this entered your mind no doubt you are just a bored welfare abuser bitter about not getting enough money to keep a cigarette supply so you play on your gov't paid for computer trying get reaction's out people that are online to post useful information.
Brad the cripple
Actually Brad,
I do have a disability.I use a wheelchair and have extremely limited use of my arms. For the most part, I am unable to type and use voice-recognition technology at work. I have extreme back and leg pain. As well, I get frequent skin breakdown on the back of my legs. Despite this, I have no desire to have society support me. Yes, it is very hard, but I do it. It is all about taking responsibility. In terms of medical costs, I have worked very hard to get a high-paying position where he also have a very good benefit plan. This includes wheelchairs
My voice-recognition technology cut off my last message and saved it to early. Employers are willing to hire people with disabilities, people who say they are not are just making excuses.
well anonymous it's Brad again I see both of us are agresive. You posed a question to me which I needed tax payers to pay tax so I can have gov't money. If tax payers refuse to pay taxes the gov't would have to let the public have more influence. Currently the healthcare system ensure's my comfort and survial. I wanted more because I felt it my only option. I certainly don't expect them to give gainful income I don't expect anything. Certain occurances in my my past employment goals had to take the back seat. I hope you are pleased with your ability to produce appropriate income. I had a close friend to me died in February, but he worked for thirty year's with a severe disablility. I do believe what you say of your job is true so I say this anonymous. I propose a cease fire that we stop our judgements I have always wanted to join the work force. I have been unable to find a door if you're willing I would want to setup a regular communication with each other since you could be a gold mine of information. If are willing to corrispond click on the link in Michelle's blog titled machines and spiders that is my blog and post your answer. You could have the potential within you to encourage someone as myself to validate their life and the live's of others.
Hi Brad
I would love to help you. I will forward you my e-mail address on your blog. With all of your gumption I have no doubt you can be successful.
I think Michelle's letter to the minister has an extremely important message. The government of this country express's that we have a very open minded land. Canada claim's I is open to any country that has people planning to emmigrate all are treated with equality and respect. This ideaI is somewhat hypocritical when it come's down to people who are supported by government programs. A glaring example is the topic Michelle is writing about the great lack of equality in a provincial program. The specific program is A.I.S.H. ( Assured Income for The Severely Handicaped ). The name alone screams inequality "Severely Handicaped" doesn't even explain the people using the program.It makes disabled people sound weak and useless and being a deficit to society. Recenting the AISH program gave a $100 dollar to its clients except those in continuing care centers. Talk about gross inequality and discrimination, not very Canadian now is it. Canadian citizens in continuing care centers I guess don't qualify for equality. Apparently the citizens in continuing care centers are not equal to the other AISH clients. I think people in continuing care centers are Canadian citizens so they should be treated so. $100 would be just as useful to AISH clients in continuing care as those not living in these centers. So Alberta Health use better judgement and treat all Albertans equally. Don't discriminate against the people using your continue care centers'
Post a Comment