Stories

A life with disability should not mean a life in poverty.  Unfortunately, that’s the reality for too many persons with disabilities in Canada.  I should know.  I’ve lived with challenging mental health conditions for several decades, and while I’ve had periods of work, I’ve also had long periods of hospitalization, and I’ve relied on government benefits to eat, for shelter, to survive.  I eked out funds from casual contract work when I was well enough and depended on gifts from friends in hard times.

Imagine a group of 100 Canadians: young, old, from coast to coast to coast, representing the rich diversity of this country. I see them talking, laughing, sharing photos of their family. Maybe someone has a ball and a game breaks out.

Although there is no such thing as overcoming a disability, claiming it can be liberating.

The Government of Canada has announced the creation of a Canadian Disability Inclusion Plan to address long-standing challenges facing Canadians with disabilities, and a national COVID-19 Disability Advisory Group.

We have more power than we realize so let’s claim it.