For the past 13 years I have worked as a Social Worker, Early Childhood Educator, Parent Support Worker, Developmental Service Worker or a combination of all for four different agencies in my community. I have been a board member, a manager, on the front line and a volunteer. I have worked with and supported a diverse group of people and their families. I have partnered with community groups, agencies and the medical community on a number of different projects. I am educated. I have always taken pride in putting people before paper work.
This morning I learned the system is flawed beyond belief. Maybe I always knew but I hoped I could help change it. Maybe through this experience I still can advocate for change. Right now I am just frustrated.
In 2011 I worked exactly 18 shifts. Nine prior to treatment and nine post. I want to work. I enjoy working. I believe I still have a a lot to offer. My reality is I can not. I am not well. It's not safe. Period.
My other reality is I still have a family, a mortgage and financial obligations. All the same things I had while I was working. Fifteen weeks of sick leave through Employment Insurance is long gone. I have no Long Term Disability through work. I do not qualify for Ontario Works (municipal) and Ontario Disability Support Program (provincial) because they look at a families income not that of the individual.
Don't get me wrong I value my family above and beyond everything else. But what happened to Stephanie as the individual? Why did I contribute to MY to income tax and employment insurance if I can't utilize it when I need it? I have applied to Canada Pension Plan - Disability and I can expect an answer by APRIL. So in a nut shell I can't access programs I have contributed to because I belong to a family. My doctors and I have done our part but it will still take up to 24 weeks for the government to approve my claim. I don't want to even think about the very real possibility that my claim will be denied.
This morning I found out that I do not qualify for my mortgage disability insurance (which I have paid since I was 20 years old) because I haven't had a stroke, yet. Huh. So just to clarify IF I had cancer, a heart attack or already had a stroke, no problem. But because I can't work due to treatment I have received to prevent a stroke I don't qualify. Oh, on a brighter side if the doctor tells them I have less than 12 months to live I do qualify! What?! So now I have added Michelle from TD Financial Insurance Department to the short list of people John needs to call to get help IF I have a stroke. Fantastic.
The system is flawed.
Now let me tell you what I am grateful for and what I am going to focus on....
- We are happy and healthy (if you don't count my earlier rant and all those acronyms :)
- We have a freezer full of food and I have the skills required to make healthy meals for my family.
- We are warm.
- We have a beautiful home and lots of land with many resources.
- Our bills are paid up to date.
- John is working. (Feel free to refer him :)
- "Someone" just had furnace oil delivered to our house free of charge because they knew we would need it before the end of the winter. Thank you...
Steph
<3
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