Wednesday 5 June 2013

Ms. Redford: should I plan my funeral? — Brenda Moore

With looming home care cuts. Alberta premier Alison Redford asked users to "trust" the government Tuesday afternoon.
Home care user Brenda Moore provides the following response ...



Trust You!!!###. . . .  On What grounds?  Would this be the same government that told me fifteen years ago that I should never have to worry about such a decision occurring again?       With the awarding of the contract to Creekside residents to provide client centered support back then, came a certain amount of enlightenment …… that this was a ground breaking model of service delivery in the world that fully encompassed a socially just approach.

For myself and about fourteen neighbors with severe disabilities, thanks to the Creekside Support Services, we have been able to become home owners; to fully participate in all aspects of community life; continue to be active members of the labour force and provide community service through paid or voluntary work.  Within this context we were responsible for own care.  We fear that with the proposed changes we will lose autonomy with care givers rendering us at their mercy and convenience; that these people will not be properly orientated to our individual differences placing our physical well-being at high risk; and concerned that insufficient services will be available on-site. 

Perhaps what I should be doing is planning my funeral.  What will happen to our fine, experienced Care Assistants who have become such  excellent facilitators of independence.  Oh!  And who is this government talking to.  Not us  . . . Such blatant disregard flies in the of social justice and human rights and places persons with disabilities into a position of  submissive otherness.  I guess we are then not equitable Alberta stakeholders.  TRUST YOU?  WHAT DO YOU THINK?


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