Guest blogger Vivian Ross: What will happen to me?

Vivian Ross:

I have ALS and require total physical assistance. These supports enable me to remain in the community as a full participant, something that would not be possible in extended care. Our Creekside staff are wonderful caregivers who respect us and don't view us as patients.

The news about this redistribution of contractors is absolutely terrifying. I have been left out in the dark of the decision-making process and am very fearful. What will happen to me? These imposed changes to our care will not merely result in the replacement of one PCA for another, but will also lead to a restrictive, dehumanizing, lifestyle change.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN AN ON-LINE PETITION

An open letter to the provincial government from Bill Cummings - 3 p.m. - June 10

Good afternoon;

The above named housing co-operatives stand united in opposition to the proposed change in funding and structure to their current living assistance program. 

As the son of one of the residents I know first hand how much interaction is needed, and how well the current AHS block funding non-profit system works. Currently the system that is in place runs smoothly and efficiently to provide these people with help at home, their homes, and their lives, the Alberta Government has decided that these people no longer have the right to choose whom it is that enters their homes, handles themselves physically, and is bent on "consolidating" such services to an agency for profit. I would like to make a couple of points here:

a. Why is the Alberta Government meddling in these people's personal lives and taking what little control they have away from them? The current system is effective, comfortable, and runs very smoothly.

b. If any one of you, were in these people's shoes, wouldn't you want to have some control of who enters your home, of who is helping you on a physical level, and who you are to trust?

c. The current system in place runs within budget, and there is no real benefit to this change other than some political corporate dealings.

I realize that the government enjoys controlling any and every aspect of our lives, but again I ask you, if you where in these residents shoes, which system would you rather have, do they not deserve some control, some dignity. This government has a track record of mis-spending, and running down Alberta's surplus. Making a decision that affects people who have suffered different degrees of disabilities is not going to correct, or replace mislaid funds. This action is set to take place August 1st, 2013. This is not going to go unnoticed, and as the date draws nearer, more and more opposing actions will be taken including making this whole situation as public as possible, so I ask you to do what you can to stop, and reverse this action that applies to 25 disabled Albertans.

I would like a response to this letter, including where you stand on this situation, and what you can offer to help correct it.

I remain,

Bill Cummings

PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR THE ON-LINE PETITION, AIMING FOR 1,000 NAMES BY TUESDAY AT 4:30 P.M. 

Coffee, Ms. Redford?

Dear Ms. Redford:

Let’s have coffee this week. We have a lot to talk about, you know. People with disabilities have yelled, and screamed and slammed many doors last week in frustration hearing the Alberta government is making changes to home care. We are scared. We are nervous. And we are wondering why this is happening to us when we weren’t even consulted.

But we are willing to put that behind us. We want to talk about the future and we want to ensure the best future for ourselves and our families … just like every other Albertan. We want to work with the government, have open discussion and tell you, face to face, why there isn’t any need to change it. We want to show you how we can, in fact, save the government money with non-profit groups.

We are not alone in our view. We began an on-linepetition Saturday, and as of 1 p.m. Monday, we had 375 people sign it. And it’s growing.

All we want to do is talk, and share ideas. Please consider this. And, given the home care cuts, suggesting the government doesn’t have much money, how about this: we’ll even buy coffee.

Concerned persons with disabilities.

CLICK HERE TO BOOK COFFEE.

Home care worker speaks out against cuts - Monday 12 noon

Kokila Ram:

I have worked as a Health Care Aide with Creekside Support Services for the last six years. Providing personal care to people on a daily basis is, of necessity, a very intimate relationship. Our clients/members allow us into their homes every day; we become part of one another’s lives. In this way, the clients and staff of Creekside have bonded together as a family. I have never seen our members as stressed as they are now, after hearing from AHS that their freedom is being taken away. I ask this question to those in government who made this decision: If, God forbid, something happens to one of our members because of all the stress that they are now under, WHO WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR LIFE?

There have been no consultation or any kind of discussions. Instead, this change is just being forced on people who need assistance with personal care. People who are in authority and have good and healthy lives cannot even imagine what it’s like to sit in a wheelchair all day and not be able to move without help. People with disabilities need and deserve to have people they trust to assist them with personal care. The proposed changes will bring fear and threat to the lives of our Members, who are being pushed into this against their will.

When I came to Canada, I thought it was a free country. Now, I’m not so sure.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN A PETITION AGAINST HOME CARE CUTS

Clients will be at risk: home care worker

Carlene Bellerose has every reason to be worried about her job. But that’s the least of her concerns. For the past 12 years she has been a personal care attendant at Creekside Support Services providing personal care for people with disabilities. CSS was told 10 days ago the provincial government would not be renewing their contract and a new care provider would take charge in July.

“I’m worried some of the clients I work with might end up in the hospital because of the change. And I’m worried they might not survive,” Carlene said in an interview last week. “I think the government is doing the wrong thing. I know the people here, and I know what they need. But I’m afraid if another home care company comes in, they won’t get everything done in the allotted time and there could be trouble.”

Carlene says she is empowered by people with disabilities with the self-directed care concept. “It’s not like being in a nursing home and the nursing staff telling you what to do. I like coming to work every day because I get to work with individuals.”

Carlene says working at Creekside is like a family environment. And it is a safety net for her. “If something ever happened to me and I ended up in a wheelchair I would want to live at Creekside because I know I would get cared for.”

CLICK HERE TO SIGN AN ON-LINE PETITION TO STOP THE HOME CARE CUTS