Being on social assistance is often the result of mid-life disability over which people have no control
By Stephen Pate – A recent Guardian Commentary resurrected some of the negative stereotypes of the past, quoting,
“Social Services, on the other hand, deals with the failures and fall-outs from all other social systems, beginning with dysfunctional families and going on to where health, education, attorney general (corrections), and community services have failed.”
In one sentence, the writer characterized those on social services as “failures”. “fall-outs”, “dysfunctional”, and rejects from prison. What is he thinking?
This is so far from the truth it is an affront to people who need social assistance to survive. For PEI’s disability community, social assistance is often the only way they survive from month to month. The problem exists across Canada and only varies in severity by Province.
Take for instance MM (identity concealed for privacy). MM has two university degree’s, her last one a Masters. She has taught at universities here and away. She raised two children now in their 20’s both studying for professional careers. MM is the model of a middle class intellectual / professional. She should be dining on the bounty of all that is good in Canadian Society.
However, MM developed Chron’s disease which is a disabling condition. Unable to work, she has joined the under-class of PEI society – Islanders with disabilities living in poverty.
As she puts in “I can join you for coffee but I can’t afford to buy one.” MM eats at the Upper Room whenever she can, which is difficult considering the sensitivity of her gastro-intestinal system.
A talented, intelligent and witty person, MM is forced by the social services system to scratching for her supper on all too often a basis. Despite this MM works at her art, volunteers to help others, and is an encouragement to many.
Next let’s consider TT, a once successful fashion designer stricken with Muscular Dystrophy. TT had a career with a job and her own business in the Toronto fashion world. At 30 she was struck with the neuro-muscular disease MD. She was forced to leave her busy company and work. Her marriage failed.
Her strength failing, TT can work on the computer for short periods with one hand. Money is extremely tight.
She says “Food money in the 4th week of the month is a worry. We don’t have enough money.” Despite this she is an active volunteer for several groups and is one of the cheeriest people you can meet.
Disability is no respecter of persons, degrees, family background or personal morals. Disability just happens to one in seven Islanders despite all the best precautions. If you are one of PEI’s 22,000 Islanders with a disability, you are not any of those negative labels mis-applied.
Most people are living one or two paychecks away from financial disaster. Imagine the consequences of losing your job and income forever due to a disability. You are making $50,000 one and poof you are making $12,000 with Canada Pension the next. Poverty is not a pleasant experience.
If you are working, make sure you have Long Term Disability Insurance. The chances you will need it are one in seven, much better than winning the lottery.
First published June 20, 2007
Steve
Excellent post here…Many people just don’t realize the need for individual disability insurance until it is too late. I work in the disability insurance industry, and every day I field phone calls from people who just received a diagnosis that will likely disable them at some point in the future, and they want to buy disability insurance now when it is too late. The more people who understand the need for it, and take action to go out and purchase an individual disability insurance policy while they are still healthy and can get it, the better. I hope more people read your article, and take your advice while they still can.
-Steve Crawford
disabilityinsurance@gmail.com
The Advocate
Unfortunately, many people with disabilities — even with disabilities that do not prevent them from working — CANNOT get disability insurance. They are virtually uninsurable. I think there needs to be a literal restructuring of our government’s social policies to enable all to benefit from a better social safety net in the event they become disabled.
The Advocate
It is easy to tell people to get disability insurance, but more and more people cannot get insured, esp. people with mental health issues. These people do not want it for mh issues, but in case they develop another problem, but they can’t even get it with that priviso unless they are willing to pay hundreds of dollars a month (which many can’t afford).