Besides, hoping that someone will 'overlook' your less than ideal appearance and take you on merit alone is a pretty tenuous position to be placed in...
2014-01-13
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My post was deleted! Tell me exactly why and I will edit it to your satisfaction but my comments are relevant and true!
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2014-01-13
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If they don't raise PWD to an actual living allowance it won't matter how many of their own government programs they continue or restructure. They have been cutting back even as this paper is being done. If they keep us poor and financially repressed living unhealthy lives begging food banks and soup kitchens for food most of which isn't even nutritional. We are a 3rd world issue in a 1st world country. I am sure they will find something they can give to Christy Clark for another photo op. while she pats herself on the back saying how good they are doing for us. Lip service at it's best. Disabled person will continue to live in poverty and enjoy all the benefits of living with depression, anxiety, stress, hunger, homelessness etc and the list goes on. All we can do as disabled person is tell them the reality of what living life in our shoes is like. They will continue to spend money on things that will only make our lives even more difficult. I know for myself I can't take their ignorance anymore. If life continues the way it has been for the past 15 plus years, I know for me life might as well just be over. The reality is I have tried suicide several times because the fight takes everything out of me and the inadequate services to keep going keep getting cut back on and access to them becomes more difficult and limited. I have been homeless on more than one occasion. I have been refused jobs because nobody wants to hear about my disability or deal with the issues I face because of it. Some of those jobs were postings with our own government. Yes it's going to cost a lot of money to bring us up to a descent living allowance. They won't do it because that is short term thinking. That is how the government works. It is sad that they can't see the long term benefits that this would bring to this province. To be paid 1500 a month for disability and be given a working income allowance is not too much to ask for.
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2014-01-13
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each individual is different and should not be categorized
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2014-01-14
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Employers judge by first impressions! How you are dressed, how you are groomed, and yes that nice smile that appeals to the public. These are all things that are hard enough for a non disabled person to afford while they look for work. Add on all the challenges disabled persons face day to day and you don't see much hope of getting hired. On PWD we can't afford that winning smile, rather pull out your teeth because nobody will fix them, the fancy clothing to impress the interviewer that we can't even think of going out to buy and that healthy look and feeling we have to make believe the best we can to hide the real life struggles of what we face day to day on what little money PWD gives us to live on. We can’t afford to be well dressed and well groomed with that winning white smile and we are certainly not healthy well fed persons with the zest for today and the hope for tomorrow that the employer wants to see. Instead all they see is a person with a whole lot of challenges that go along with our disability. They fail to recognize the social and economic contributions that people with disabilities have and a tend to see only the disability rather than the person and their abilities. Constantly living in poverty can present a further challenges. As a result, persons with disabilities do not always have access to the same opportunities as others, and they are more likely to be socially isolated, have higher rates of unemployment, suffer from depression and live well below the poverty line.
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2014-01-14
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The participation model that EATI uses is the best and most innovative way to meet all of our needs as persons with disabilities. Basically it is based on individuals determining what they need at any given time. That could be support groups, medical supports, appropriate affordable housing, home supports, Equipment and Assistive Technologies, Transportation Supports, nursing supports, therapist supports, training supports, career planning supports, and on and on. The important thing is that the Government quit deciding for each person what they need. Rather to turn it around and let the people themselves speak. With so many ministries up in our business they spend hundreds of millions of dollars administrating the money and few services are available that the person themselves decide on. There are too many organization non profits and govt ministries that have very top heavy personal and use up sometimes 90% of the funds before anything gets to the clients.
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2014-01-15
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I have received devices from the EATI program in the past which have truly allowed me to increase my quality of living&continue part time employment. This program should be extended to include senior's ,as living with a visual impairment, many of the devices that are on the market today to improve the freedom of reading your own mail or listening to a talking book, or using email to communicate with loved ones and keep up to date on current events in our communities truly exceed the cost of being affordable on a fixed income.
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2014-01-15
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Was told today by a Ministry employee today that I was eligible for home support. WHAT home support?
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2014-01-16
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I am a 76 year old caregiver to a 58 year old spouse with MS. Both of us were previously married and entered this relationship after carefully weighing our options, both financial community support. Instead of committing my spouse to a facility when her MS worsened I cashed RIFS to purchase aids and modify our home. I approached our case manager ( Home Support) before proceeding as my income would increase for the year and might trigger increased charges for service, I was told to proceed and they would make allowances. However when our new daily rate form arrived we were told the only thing they could do was a hardship application. One of the most demeaning things I have ever done, I now regret my decision and will have to consider a facility.
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2014-01-16
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I am hearing from other families that there is a support gap between the ages 18 and 19. MCFD stops when an individual turns 18 and other adult support programs does not begin until a person turns 19. Hopefully, this can be looked into.
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2014-01-17
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i look after mygrown year son who has Down Syndrome he functions at the age of a very young child. Community Living should be giving himservices . They are not. The Federal Govt acknowledges the severe disabilty .
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2014-01-17
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YES, I totally agree
couples are unfairly CHEATED
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2014-01-17
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The Cerebral Palsy Association of BC supports the community calls to maintain and enhance the EATI (Equipment and Assistive Technology Initiative)
For people living with CP, like many other people with disabilities, the use of adaptive equipment and technology is the core essential for participating fully in our society. EATI is at the very center of any attempt to reduce barriers and to increase accessibility for citizens of British Columbia. This program has made a critical difference not only in the lives of the people accessing equipment and technology, it opens the eyes of the community at large to see the importance of the contribution of persons with disabilities.
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2014-01-17
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I have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome among other issues and have been bedridden for more than 2 years now. I worked seasonally for as long as I could and now have such severe exhaustion, I can't do anything. I am not able to shop and prepare meals so I end up eating crackers and other things that make me actually more sick as I have many food sensitivities. I called for home support a couple of times and got a rude lady who said " We don't clean your house and if you can dress yourself, you aren't eligible for Home Support". I told her I could technically dress myself, but don't because I am too exhausted and weak,and don't leave my bed, but that I can't shop or prepare meals. She told me I wasn't eligible to be assessed. So from this I take it that it's more important to be dressed than it is to eat? It seems extremely difficult to find out what benefits exist and how to access them. Why can't we have one site that spells it all out for us? Why can't we have a worker that knows us personally and can assist us? Why can't we have help with shopping and meal preparation if we can't get out of bed and stand up for more than a few minutes? I'd like to go back to work, but eating crackers because I have no food in the house, isn't going to help me get there, since I'm definitely allergic to some foods and regurgitate most of what I eat, unless it is a healthful meal that requires someone to go to the store, stand and cut things and cook it. I promise I'm not being dramatic about the crackers. Can someone help me to be able to eat in a way that will improve my health or is that unreasonable? Thanks.
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2014-01-18
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I have been suffering from severe sleep apnia for years. It has worsened to the point where I can not get a good nights sleep and my Dr. told me I could die from it, it is so bad. When I approached a FAW I was told there is no guarantee that I will receive the breathing device I require even though I get a Dr.s note and that I am on PWD. I was very confused and wondered what he was talking about.
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2014-01-18
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One of my comments made on January 17th is not posted and I don't know why and have not been told why.
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2014-01-18
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Professional service that is desperately needed!
In the city where I live we are in desperate need of a psychemotrist. Why? This person is qualified and trained to provide the necessary testing and data to psychiatrists, psychologists, physicians, and other health care workers so that these professionals know exactly what they are dealing with for every patient that has a brain injury. Not all people who have a brain injury are affected in the same way. Some show more deficits in other areas of their lives that others but all have deficits that need to be addressed. It is as simple as a broken arm. If you don’t have an x-ray to identify that is it broken and where it is broken how does the surgeon or physician know what to look at or how to treat that patient to be able to reset a cast that injury. He would simply have to make a guess and hope for the best. This is how brain injury is treated. No data, no tests and no scans and a whole lot of guessing for these medical professionals to try and figure out how to treat this injury.
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2014-01-18
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I am an engineer and a volunteer with the Tetra Society of North America. The Tetra Society is a non-profit society (part of the Disability Foundation) and its volunteers create personalized assistive devices for people with disabilities. Though I've only been involved for about three years, I've worked with several clients with reduced mobility and have seen the positive impact that these devices can have in their lives. The reality is that everyone has a unique need and a lot of off-the-shelf products are not tailored to these needs. The services that the Tetra Society provides are quite diverse and the volunteers are very creative, skilled and motivated, and they really know how to listen and learn about what a client actually needs. Then they collaborate with the client and other volunteers to create a customized solution tailored for their individual needs.
I am been amazed with how much these volunteers can accomplish and I think that if the government was able to provide more funding for materials, tools and outreach, this organization could have an even bigger impact.
I think there should also me more incentive to come up with new and innovative methods of making our communities more accessible. The Tetra Society has already partnered with University of British Columbia Engineering students to come up with new ideas and solutions, while constantly receiving feedback from the disabled community. Partnerships like this are very effective and if there were more incentive programs for innovation and new developments, it could also help set the province apart in their efforts to become one of the most accessible places to live.
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2014-01-18
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This may not the kind of “innovation” the govt wants to hear but it is the grass roots problem and this is exactly what they need to hear and listen to. Poverty oppresses and penalizes disabled people financially, emotionally, physically, mentally only diverting even higher expenses to other areas like our medical system.
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2014-01-18
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As a brain injury survivor who has tried every means of support available to me this is the one important service that is desperately needed. I previously commented on the need for a psychometrist and explained what this person does and why they are so desperately needed in order to help these medical professionals know what exactly is affected by our brain injury and the information needed to actually provide us with proper care and treatment. I guess that comment was not approved for posting. Are there any Psychometrists in this province? If there isn't then I have to ask the medical system and the government why? Without them medical professionals are not given the necessary diagnostic information so they can provide us with making accurate and affective treatment decisions.
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2014-01-19
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The really sad thing about all of these comments is that the government knows they are all true. The government, no matter which party is in office, has known these things forever. There was no need for them to spend taxpayer dollars on a white paper. All they ever needed was a conscience.
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2014-01-19
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I am recently diagnosed with a long-term disability and have applied for PWD. I have raised 3 FASD children into adults as a single mother, and am their main support and caregiver now they are adults. 2 of them will function somewhat independently with the right supports but the third will always require caretaker. The 3 have discovered through their lifetime that need does not equal ability to access resources or dollars for effective help and support. My youngest does not speak clearly, cannot read or write, ergo internet and telephone are not 'normal' for him and most people treat if as invisible or less than. Why can't the dollars for me to caretake him and get further training to teach what I can to enhance adult expectations be put here. What housing options, etc are available if I no longer can be involved and who will care?
So Many gaps and not enough space to vent or problem solve
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2014-01-20
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I believe that Pharmacare has a short sighted view of cost when it comes to people with disabilities. I have a prosthetic leg and have been told that I get "basic mobility coverage" only for my prosthesis. While I am thankful that I have this coverage, basic mobility prostheses are not capable of withstanding the impact from a highly active lifestyle. Given the cost associated with prosthetics, it is not something that can be reasonably covered by an individual.
By limiting coverage to "basic mobility only" Pharmacare is increasing the barriers to amputees in staying active. This leads to degenerative conditions like diabetes, heart disease and cancer, all of which cost the system more money in the long term than the provision of more thorough prosthesis coverage.
It is sad that people south of the border seem to have better access to prosthetics than we do here in Canada. We can do better.
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2014-01-20
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BC has arbitrary deadlines for so much. These are not needed. They're there to force the application as ineligible.
I had a arbitrary deadline on a application for dietary supplement. After spending more time with my Dr. getting the apps filled in, instead of addressing cancer or my other health problems, I turned in the app. I was told there was a deadline. It wasn't stated on the app. Why would they have a deadline on this. It was 2 weeks.
I walk around with one breast. Try getting a job with that. After surgery, I had 6 months to apply for a prosthetic and bra. I missed the deadline as, after surgery, I broke my leg. So I am screwed for life! People with these prosthetics need NEW bras every couple of years. No one has bras that last for life. These cost about $150.00. Prosthetics don't last forever. I've had 2 where the outer surface breaks down, and the silocone comes out.
I had 2 such bras stolen from the laundry in my impoverished BC Housing building. Disability rewarded me with $15.00 crisis grant. That was for 2 loads of laundry, and 2 mastectomy bras. This government hurts me so much.
It's a crime to get cancer in BC. They kick you to the curb so fast, you don't know what hit you.
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2014-01-20
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I said to my Dr, I keep falling between the cracks. My Dr said, no, everyone is falling in the cracks. This government is all cracks. The more you create, the more money they save. On the backs and lives of citizens. BC is no place to be poor or sick.
The Campbell government closed the BC Human Rights Commission. Now, we have to ask the BC government if we can take our issues to a Tribunal. IF they say yes, we have to get our own legal advice. Usually, we fail due to basic technicalities that lawyers wouldn't miss. The only ones getting their BC Human Rights are Corporations. They have legal departments.
Please reopen the BC Human Rights Commission so we can fight for our own human rights.
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2014-01-20
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Transportation Safety issues related to passengers with disabilities.
B C Coastal Transportation Society has presented the following concerns at the Canadian Marine Advisory Council in Ottawa on November 6th 2013 and the Regional CMAC meeting September 11th 2013 in North Vancouver. This presentation is regarding what the BCCTS considers to be deficiencies in the manner special needs passengers are dealt with on domestic passenger vessels in Canada.
We have concerns about vessels that may not have proper equipment to evacuate special needs passengers off a ship in an emergency, crew not having the proper training in all cases to assist these passengers, the requirement to self declare, the need for assistance by the passengers and the minimal level of care and understanding on the part of the Shipping Companies involved.
With the accidents involving Ferries and Cruise ships that have occurred in the last 20 years internationally more is being discussed on this topic, for example cruise ships visiting Vancouver are required to demonstrate to Transport Canada Inspectors that they meet the requirements to properly evacuate disabled persons from the vessel. This resulted from the investigations done after the Costa Concordia incident.
In the Marine Industry "Special Needs Passengers" include all persons with disabilities, infants, children too small to use evacuation equipment on their own, persons too large to safely use evacuation equipment, elderly persons who require assistance or could get fatal injuries using evacuation equipment and passengers returning from hospital after having surgery which affects their ability to be evacuated safely from the vessel.
Evacuation Equipment
Examples of evacuation equipment that may not be suitable for special needs passengers include evacuation chutes the company won't allow ships crew to use during training drills due to the likelihood of injury and then expecting all passengers to use this equipment in an emergency. Other vessels evacuation equipment requiring all passengers to evacuate using steel ladders or scramble nets.
Elevators
On all ships in an emergency it is normal to turn off the power to elevators as there is the possibility of it becoming stuck between floors if the vessel develops a list or loses power to operate it. Our concern then is a large number of people not being able to use stairs without assistance being in their cars and having to go up 2, 3 or 4 decks to get to the evacuation stations.
Crew Training
We feel that crew training should include disability awareness training of appropriate responses to different disabilities, being able to communicate appropriately, boarding and de-boarding, assistance that safeguards their safety and dignity, escorting techniques of visually and hearing impaired persons, being able to transfer a person in and out of a wheelchair and awareness of feelings of vulnerability because of dependence for assistance.
Self-identification
We are concerned that the current regulations for carriage of special needs passengers rely solely upon self-identification. Many ship owners may over-rely on their websites for self-identification, a concept that relies on all passengers being aware of the policy and having access to the internet.
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