Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Update for my readers; May 18, 2011
I have just finished digging up pieces of writing I have done over the last couple of years and then forgotten about. Many are from my newspaper column "Just Cause" where I write on social justice issues of the day. I have decided that if I had a nickel for every person who had said "you should make your living by writing", I wouldn't need to be writing for nickels. But the truth is I don't have to write, I must write. It is something ingrained in me. By grade 4 I wanted to be a journalist, by Grade 5 I was running the school paper much to the chagrin of the Grade 7's who just couldn't put an editorial together. I still have copies of those papers from 40 years ago, produced on the school secretaries mimeograph machine! But back then we only had black and white tv too. Girls had to wear skirts, boys trousers and teachers shirts, ties or dresses. Our desks were lined up, not put in groups, and we called our teachers by their last name, Mr. and Mrs. not the current "Hey Fred" yelled after the math teacher dressed in gym wear by a student chewing gum and wearing a t-shirt with a rude caption on it. Have we come a long way or what? Maybe I will write about the good ol' days soon and talk about "progress" and what we have really progressed to. I will certainly start writing about my personal life as that, I believe will be my bread and butter when I finally put my book together. I think it might be worth 20 million nickels one day.
Windfalls..and other shockers.
Many Campbell Riverites are deciding what to do with a $3400.00 cheque coming their way. The current circumstances in B.C., with the worst rate of full-time job losses, the second worst performing economy and the highest level of child poverty in the country defines the outcome for many people in our community who have found themselves on social assistance and waiting for this money.
In the last six months, the number of people on welfare rose 26% to just over 50,000.
Of that, two parent families on welfare increased by 71%.
Why? Job losses mainly. Our employment insurance program is not working, so many unemployed have turned to social assistance and that meager income places demands on food banks and homeless shelters for those who do not have enough money to eat or pay rent. Since a significant portion of people on social assistance have not been on it very long, and at one time had the money to invest in our local CRTV, they will be among those receiving this windfall.
Unfortunately, they will not be permitted the luxury of buying their kids some long overdue clothing, to get that dental work done, paying off the hydro arrears, to do some real grocery shopping for a few months, or to just simply get ahead.
In 2002, many of the incentives and earnings exemptions that came along with receiving social assistance were eliminated. You could no longer keep a portion of your child support ($200.00) or earn some money on the side ($200.00)without it being deducted dollar for dollar. Monetary gifts or goods in kind, honorariums, or any earned or unearned monies not issued by welfare had to be reported and were now deducted dollar for dollar from their next welfare check. Transportation costs during the first month of a new job – gone. A “transition to work” benefit of $150.00 a month to assist with childcare, work clothing, transportation costs for the first year of employment – gone.
A single person on welfare in our community who is classified as “expected to work” receives up to $610.00 a month. A two parent family with three kids receives up to $1151.06.
So imagine yourself in a position you are not used to, trying to pay for everything just to maintain a basic standard of living. Then imagine you cannot do that anymore on your current welfare income, and suddenly you cannot shop in every aisle of the grocery store anymore, your kids are wearing last year’s shoes, bill collectors call you every day, your whole family is depressed, and you are basically living in struggle and starve mode. Now you are about to find out the light at the end of the tunnel this month has been switched off.
The Ministry of Housing and Social Development has announced that the share dividends from the sale of CRTV are considered unearned income. There are no earnings exemptions for this kind of unearned income for recipients of social assistance and as such the money will be deducted dollar for dollar. The income has to be reported. If it is not reported, and you receive your welfare cheque the next month, and following months, you will be in an overpayment situation. There is no discretion to apply exemptions to this income and dividend income will show on your income tax records so the Ministry will eventually be notified you got it, and sanctions would likely be applied against you for trying to rip them off by trying to live with some dignity for a change.
Most people will only lose their next month’s welfare income so have to budget for that out of the money they receive. However, depending on a family’s circumstances, and what they currently have in “assets”, there could be some recipients who are impacted beyond the following month if the dividend money puts them over their asset level (single person: $1500.00, Couples or one/two parent families: $2500.00, Disabled person: $3000.00, Couples or families with one disabled person: $5000.00). You could not receive a welfare check for quite some time and be expected to live off the money at the rate you get on welfare. In other words, your life continues to suck.
This situation applies to those who are receiving provincial disability benefits as well so any plans you had to improve your daily living with medical, dental, or nutritional extras are probably going to have to be cancelled.
There is just cause to shed a light in this dark tunnel on the fact that in 2002 when the social safety net was taken apart, the Deputy Human Resources Minister was offered a $15,400 bonus for cutting welfare numbers by 2% her first year on the job. She was also asked to come up with policies to reduce the number of people receiving disability assistance. This bonus would have topped her $154,000 salary. While welfare rolls were cut by 26% (and homelessness went up) she was not able to figure out a way to stop people with disabilities from qualifying for supports so she only got part of the bonus.
In 2007, Gordon Campbell voted himself a 54% pay raise which took his annual salary to $186,000.
I guess they have to get the money from somewhere.
In the last six months, the number of people on welfare rose 26% to just over 50,000.
Of that, two parent families on welfare increased by 71%.
Why? Job losses mainly. Our employment insurance program is not working, so many unemployed have turned to social assistance and that meager income places demands on food banks and homeless shelters for those who do not have enough money to eat or pay rent. Since a significant portion of people on social assistance have not been on it very long, and at one time had the money to invest in our local CRTV, they will be among those receiving this windfall.
Unfortunately, they will not be permitted the luxury of buying their kids some long overdue clothing, to get that dental work done, paying off the hydro arrears, to do some real grocery shopping for a few months, or to just simply get ahead.
In 2002, many of the incentives and earnings exemptions that came along with receiving social assistance were eliminated. You could no longer keep a portion of your child support ($200.00) or earn some money on the side ($200.00)without it being deducted dollar for dollar. Monetary gifts or goods in kind, honorariums, or any earned or unearned monies not issued by welfare had to be reported and were now deducted dollar for dollar from their next welfare check. Transportation costs during the first month of a new job – gone. A “transition to work” benefit of $150.00 a month to assist with childcare, work clothing, transportation costs for the first year of employment – gone.
A single person on welfare in our community who is classified as “expected to work” receives up to $610.00 a month. A two parent family with three kids receives up to $1151.06.
So imagine yourself in a position you are not used to, trying to pay for everything just to maintain a basic standard of living. Then imagine you cannot do that anymore on your current welfare income, and suddenly you cannot shop in every aisle of the grocery store anymore, your kids are wearing last year’s shoes, bill collectors call you every day, your whole family is depressed, and you are basically living in struggle and starve mode. Now you are about to find out the light at the end of the tunnel this month has been switched off.
The Ministry of Housing and Social Development has announced that the share dividends from the sale of CRTV are considered unearned income. There are no earnings exemptions for this kind of unearned income for recipients of social assistance and as such the money will be deducted dollar for dollar. The income has to be reported. If it is not reported, and you receive your welfare cheque the next month, and following months, you will be in an overpayment situation. There is no discretion to apply exemptions to this income and dividend income will show on your income tax records so the Ministry will eventually be notified you got it, and sanctions would likely be applied against you for trying to rip them off by trying to live with some dignity for a change.
Most people will only lose their next month’s welfare income so have to budget for that out of the money they receive. However, depending on a family’s circumstances, and what they currently have in “assets”, there could be some recipients who are impacted beyond the following month if the dividend money puts them over their asset level (single person: $1500.00, Couples or one/two parent families: $2500.00, Disabled person: $3000.00, Couples or families with one disabled person: $5000.00). You could not receive a welfare check for quite some time and be expected to live off the money at the rate you get on welfare. In other words, your life continues to suck.
This situation applies to those who are receiving provincial disability benefits as well so any plans you had to improve your daily living with medical, dental, or nutritional extras are probably going to have to be cancelled.
There is just cause to shed a light in this dark tunnel on the fact that in 2002 when the social safety net was taken apart, the Deputy Human Resources Minister was offered a $15,400 bonus for cutting welfare numbers by 2% her first year on the job. She was also asked to come up with policies to reduce the number of people receiving disability assistance. This bonus would have topped her $154,000 salary. While welfare rolls were cut by 26% (and homelessness went up) she was not able to figure out a way to stop people with disabilities from qualifying for supports so she only got part of the bonus.
In 2007, Gordon Campbell voted himself a 54% pay raise which took his annual salary to $186,000.
I guess they have to get the money from somewhere.
Of all the gifts to the human race, what is sweeter than a child?
There is just cause to worry about the children in our country and the fact they have very little protection of their rights and wellbeing.
For children in care who die under suspicious circumstances, or after children in bad homes are seriously injured or killed, most of the intervention happens afterwards because the authorities have to wait for something to happen first. The child welfare system is in crisis with 49 critical injuries and 30 deaths of children in provincial care in a four month period! Gross underfunding means not enough staff on the front lines to protect our children.
In our criminal justice system, it is ok to leave little ones to bake in hot cars while you enjoy a cold one at the bar, and it is ok to molest young girls if you marry them first and call it religious freedom. Winston Blackmore, 52, and James Oler, 44, were charged with sexual exploitation, statutory rape and the trafficking of young girls across international borders for sexual purposes. But, the charges were dropped as were the best interests and safety of their child wives.
Child poverty, vowed by provincial and federal governments to be eradicated by 2000, has thrived, and BC leads the country for the sixth year in a row with one in five children suffering in poverty stricken circumstances due to chronic under-funding and cuts to social programs since the Liberals came into power in 2001. Over half of children in poverty live with working parents.
Things are about to get worse. It is very difficult to provide a comprehensive review of all the cuts children are about to receive. Policy analysts, service providers, and media are frustrated and the government is being smug and refusing to provide a list. What has been pieced together is as follows.
There will be no additional funds for childcare for the latch key kids whose parent(s) cannot afford or get space in local daycare facilities. There will be no additional funding for BC Housing, so children can continue to live in unsafe and unhealthy conditions, often alone before and after school because there is no childcare for them.
Children will go to schools that are falling apart because maintenance for schools has been cut, and there will be a pathetic display of broken and outdated books in school libraries and public libraries because, along with literacy programs, funding is gone. If a child is interested in sports, he or she will probably not be traveling for competitions, wearing a team uniform, or even having a team to join, because BC School sports funding is no more. The Minister defends it by saying these kids can “dance and play in the park”. If a student is hungry, they can join the food bank line-ups along with the other 60% of families with children. BC school lunch programs took a hit too. While the students are playing in the park, they should know that playground grants have been cut along with half the money to Parent Advisory Councils. Maybe they can find some dirty needles to play with since so many of our homeless and addicted cannot get into housing or treatment.
High school students who looked forward to applying for the Premier's Excellence Awards should be made aware of the finalists this year, who, in good faith, went through the complicated application process only to find out, without prior notification, that the whole program which started in 1986, had been cancelled. They did get a hard lesson in crisis budgeting though.
Special needs children have also received devastating cuts to services. Notably, early intervention programs for children with autism have been cut resulting in over 40 layoffs of specialized staff at Queen Alexandria Hospital. Books for Babies is gone. It sounds like an obscure, cute little program, providing parents of newborns with a bag with a book, a CD, and information about library services, but it goes along with the elimination of 16 regional literacy coordinators and reading centres across the province. More than four in ten adults struggle with basic literacy skills and the next generation will probably be worse off now.
Healthy Choices in Pregnancy, aimed at reducing the number of infants born with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, was cancelled a year before it was slated to finish and leaving Vancouver Women’s Hospital with the bill!
For children exposed to violence in their homes, domestic violence programs and Transition House budgets are on the chopping block. Since children have the best chance to be screened for exposure to domestic violence if they go through a Transition House, more of them will continue living in terror and pain.
In the 2005 Speech from the Throne, the Government of British Columbia stated that “B.C. will become the healthiest jurisdiction to ever host the Olympics.” Healthiest jurisdiction for whom?
In 2006, B.C.’s Liberal government dealt its top political staff a 25-per-cent pay hike, 2 years later, more raises ranging from 22 per cent at the low end to 43 per cent for Premier Gordon Campbell’s deputy minister.About 20 other deputy ministers were dealt a raise of 35 per cent, with salaries rising from $221,760 to a maximum of $299,215. About 80 assistant deputy ministers go from $160,000 to a maximum of $195,000.
Gordon Campbell voted to give himself a 54% pay increase - an extra $89,000 a year.
There is just cause to conclude this is the healthiest jurisdiction for the children of our senior bureaucrats and politicians.
For children in care who die under suspicious circumstances, or after children in bad homes are seriously injured or killed, most of the intervention happens afterwards because the authorities have to wait for something to happen first. The child welfare system is in crisis with 49 critical injuries and 30 deaths of children in provincial care in a four month period! Gross underfunding means not enough staff on the front lines to protect our children.
In our criminal justice system, it is ok to leave little ones to bake in hot cars while you enjoy a cold one at the bar, and it is ok to molest young girls if you marry them first and call it religious freedom. Winston Blackmore, 52, and James Oler, 44, were charged with sexual exploitation, statutory rape and the trafficking of young girls across international borders for sexual purposes. But, the charges were dropped as were the best interests and safety of their child wives.
Child poverty, vowed by provincial and federal governments to be eradicated by 2000, has thrived, and BC leads the country for the sixth year in a row with one in five children suffering in poverty stricken circumstances due to chronic under-funding and cuts to social programs since the Liberals came into power in 2001. Over half of children in poverty live with working parents.
Things are about to get worse. It is very difficult to provide a comprehensive review of all the cuts children are about to receive. Policy analysts, service providers, and media are frustrated and the government is being smug and refusing to provide a list. What has been pieced together is as follows.
There will be no additional funds for childcare for the latch key kids whose parent(s) cannot afford or get space in local daycare facilities. There will be no additional funding for BC Housing, so children can continue to live in unsafe and unhealthy conditions, often alone before and after school because there is no childcare for them.
Children will go to schools that are falling apart because maintenance for schools has been cut, and there will be a pathetic display of broken and outdated books in school libraries and public libraries because, along with literacy programs, funding is gone. If a child is interested in sports, he or she will probably not be traveling for competitions, wearing a team uniform, or even having a team to join, because BC School sports funding is no more. The Minister defends it by saying these kids can “dance and play in the park”. If a student is hungry, they can join the food bank line-ups along with the other 60% of families with children. BC school lunch programs took a hit too. While the students are playing in the park, they should know that playground grants have been cut along with half the money to Parent Advisory Councils. Maybe they can find some dirty needles to play with since so many of our homeless and addicted cannot get into housing or treatment.
High school students who looked forward to applying for the Premier's Excellence Awards should be made aware of the finalists this year, who, in good faith, went through the complicated application process only to find out, without prior notification, that the whole program which started in 1986, had been cancelled. They did get a hard lesson in crisis budgeting though.
Special needs children have also received devastating cuts to services. Notably, early intervention programs for children with autism have been cut resulting in over 40 layoffs of specialized staff at Queen Alexandria Hospital. Books for Babies is gone. It sounds like an obscure, cute little program, providing parents of newborns with a bag with a book, a CD, and information about library services, but it goes along with the elimination of 16 regional literacy coordinators and reading centres across the province. More than four in ten adults struggle with basic literacy skills and the next generation will probably be worse off now.
Healthy Choices in Pregnancy, aimed at reducing the number of infants born with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, was cancelled a year before it was slated to finish and leaving Vancouver Women’s Hospital with the bill!
For children exposed to violence in their homes, domestic violence programs and Transition House budgets are on the chopping block. Since children have the best chance to be screened for exposure to domestic violence if they go through a Transition House, more of them will continue living in terror and pain.
In the 2005 Speech from the Throne, the Government of British Columbia stated that “B.C. will become the healthiest jurisdiction to ever host the Olympics.” Healthiest jurisdiction for whom?
In 2006, B.C.’s Liberal government dealt its top political staff a 25-per-cent pay hike, 2 years later, more raises ranging from 22 per cent at the low end to 43 per cent for Premier Gordon Campbell’s deputy minister.About 20 other deputy ministers were dealt a raise of 35 per cent, with salaries rising from $221,760 to a maximum of $299,215. About 80 assistant deputy ministers go from $160,000 to a maximum of $195,000.
Gordon Campbell voted to give himself a 54% pay increase - an extra $89,000 a year.
There is just cause to conclude this is the healthiest jurisdiction for the children of our senior bureaucrats and politicians.
Do you Believe?
I had mixed feelings about the Olympics being here. It escalated the homelessness crisis which has nearly tripled since the Olympic bid in 2003. We suspected the costs would ultimately cost us in the long run and they have. We did not have the opportunity to vote on the Olympics, it was a choice made for us and there are a great many people who resent the sacrifices we are being asked to make in order to help pay for them. Most people who live in British Columbia could not afford to attend the Olympics. We were just put on the back burner while the athletes and their families, sponsors, coaches, and wealthy visitors graced our city with their presence, wide eyes, and pocketbooks for two weeks, while we hosted the largest domestic military and security operation in Canadian military history.
I am first to admit that athletes deserve to have the Olympics. It showcases the efforts they have put into their sports year after year, rewards the sacrifices they have made and their families have made to get them where they are. It is nice to see young people be the best they can be. But what is the expense to the young people and families who are now paying for the Games they could not be a part of?
A colleague said Maybe this will persuade some people to take those stupid Canadian flags off and realize what it's cost us to host a hockey game and hand out hunks of metal to a bunch of silly people for sliding around like kids.
I don’t feel that way towards the athletes and I think the patriotism we witnessed was a rare and wonderful thing, because without pride in our country, who will care what is happening in it? And if you care, you can do something about it. There is just cause to ask for community solidarity and resistance to the cuts and increases tabled in the 2010 provincial
budget that worsen already unacceptable standards of social welfare and working poverty in British Columbia
While it is nice to host people in your “home” there is a responsibility to protect all people who live in your home, and not shove ones you neglect and abuse in the closet so you are not embarrassed, or so your guests don’t think less of you.
This is what the government did. And they have a lot of skeletons in their closet.
The $6 billion Olympic party is over, but poverty in British Columbia is not. The March 2, 2010 budget, which ironically came out on the same day that Canada ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Person’s with Disabilities, brings the skeletons out of the closet and picks off their bones some more.
British Columbia has had the highest child poverty rates in the country for 6 years running, and this budget saw more cuts to services for young children and their families. From reducing dental care and birth control access for people with disabilities to ending funding for legal and tenancy advocacy programs, we are paying for the Olympics.
Not only is the government failing to fund services and benefits it has taken away those that have kept people going for years. People are losing their jobs on masse. The rights, safety and dignity of our community members are worth less than monetary savings.
We have just lost 92% of provincial funding for the Arts, Vancouver community centres & libraries are on the chopping block as well as attractions that have been available to the public for 30+ years.
But it was a lovely opening ceremony wasn’t it?
Justice is a core component of democracy and without it do we have a democracy?
Five regional legal aid offices shut their doors on March 26th. Accessing legal aid has just become a lot harder if not impossible. Kamloops, Kelowna, Prince George, Surrey, Victoria and two legal aid phone lines for people to access are no longer available for people to access justice. Legal Services Society has just been cut from the Nanaimo Justice Access Society. Staff lawyers since April 2009 have been reduced from 32 to 5. Who is going to help people who need to access justice. A brochure?
Justice is a core component of democracy and without it, in my
> view we do not have a democracy--this is ironic considering how Canada
> fights for justice in other countries
In recent weeks, the province cut the only drug and alcohol withdrawal program in the Fraser Valley – one which had a months-long waiting list. In the same region, many hospital-based social workers were displaced
The government eliminated all spiritual care services in the Fraser Health Authority. They have closed an entire, much-needed psychiatric ward in Victoria. They’ve cut 10,000 MRI scans in the Vancouver area alone, delaying thousands of surgeries.
They have cut intensive therapy programs for children with autism. They have cut infant development program, aboriginal infant development, supported child development and Aboriginal child development programs.
But the hockey game was exciting wasn’t it?
There are many cuts and eliminations of health and medical benefits coming to people receiving provincial disability benefits and income assistance.
Imagine for a minute that you are injured and cannot work anymore. Imagine that maybe your marriage has broken up and the wage earner has left you with the kids. Imagine you develop a terminal disease or a chronic health problem, or you lose your job and just cannot find work. Imagine your child gets sick and you have to stay home to care for him because no one else can and you need financial help to live. Imagine you lose your job and go bankrupt and find yourself homeless and without funds for basic living. Imagine you have no family to help you.This is what you would face should you be the position of many community members through no fault of their own.
Do you believe?
A broad range of medical equipment and supplies will no longer be funded by the Ministry. Those that will be funded must be the cheapest appropriate to the person’s needs and are listed in the regulations. The Ministry will no longer fund diagnostic testing devices such as glucose meters, contraceptive devices (for example, IUDs), or pre-made orthotics. Restrictions are now in place for how often the Ministry will repair or replace equipment or how much money the Ministry will spend on each item of equipment. For instance, motorized scooters valued at more than $3,500 will not be funded. To be eligible for a motorized scooter, a physician must say the applicant won’t need a wheelchair for 5 years. Many people are terminally ill and require nutrition that welfare rates and disability rates do not provide. There has been opportunities for people to get extra money via a monthly nutritional supplement of about $200.00 a month. The eligibility requirements have now been tightened. This is gatekeeeping. The loss of bone density will no longer count as a symptom. Significant weight loss not significant weight change will be used to determine eligibility, even though we all know starch and fat are the cheapest foods and many poor people are overweight but still malnourished. Applicants will be required to demonstrate they have at least two symptoms, rather than one which is currently the case. It will be reduced by $20 because the Ministry will no longer fund bottled water. This sucks for people who live with contaminated well water, and whose immune systems are in peril. People currently receiving the bottled water supplement will receive it until May 31st 2010 only.- People with disabilities who leave assistance when they turn 65 and go on to the seniors’ pension, or people who leave provincial disability for Canada Pension Plan Disability will only keep their medical and dental coverage for one year, rather than permanently as is currently the case. People with disabilities who leave assistance for employment will only keep their medical coverage if they are receiving Premium Assistance from the Medical Services Plan. Cleaning, examinations and fluoride treatments will be reduced to once a year (currently twice a year).X-ray coverage every 2 years (currently every year). The $75 monthly Shelter Allowance for people who don’t pay rent is eliminated as of June 1st 2010. This usually assists homeless people to find shelter in poor weather or when they are too sick to be outdoors for the night. We are saving about 6.9 millions dollars off the backs of sick people in poverty.
Do you still “believe”?
For those who have mental health and addictions issues, or your family members, the government has cut funding for Atlas Youth Supported Recovery in Terrace, the only residential recovery centre for youth in BC’s Northwest . They cut funding for the award-winning West Coast Alternatives Society, where drug and alcohol programs for adults, youths and children help 600 residents a year. They cut social work budget in Fraser Health region hospitals, resulting in loss of 14 positions and are closing adolescent psychiatric unit at Abbotsford Hospital. They cut funding for 11 residential care beds at Bear Creek Lodge and 11 residential care beds at Newton Regency in Surrey and are eliminating the only recreation therapist in an eating disorders clinic. They cut funding for Burnaby Family Life, a program for adult survivors of sexual abuse, they cut mental health and addictions services at Capital Mental Health Association in the Victoria area and cut half the staff hours at Gaumont Resident in Kamloops, specializing in treating mental health and addictions They closed Waddell’s Haven Guest Home in Mission, a residential mental health facility also providing addictions services and closed the only withdrawal management program in the Fraser Valley, at Chilliwack General Hospital. They eliminated psychology services for adult rehabilitation at Royal Inland Hospital and we see the elimination of music therapy, other staff cuts including dietitian, social worker, counselor, recreation therapist at Burnaby Centre for Mental Health and Addictions. They closed outpatient psychiatry programs at UBC Hospital: anxiety disorder clinic and integrated personality program. For those on the island they are closing the psychiatric ward – Eric Martin Pavilion – in Victoria.
The province has 130,000 citizens with substance abuse disorders or mental illness and of those, 26,500 are inadequately housed and supported. It is estimated that substance abuse disorders and mental illness affects 60 – 100% of the homeless population. That is a pretty big closet to fill.
For our seniors population, the government has cut funding for North Shore Keep Well Society, which helps keep 500 seniors healthy, and Seniors’ One Stop, which gets 5000 calls yearly. They closed a 36-bed geriatric assessment and rehabilitation unit at Victoria General Hospital, closed geriatric day hospital in Vancouver, closed 25-bed convalescent care unit and an 8-bed hospice at Queen’s Park Care Centre in New Westminster ,closed 42 residential care beds at Peace Arch Hospital, closed Pouce Coupe Care Home and are closing Oak Bay Lodge and Mount Tolmie Hospital in the Victoria area.
Older adults not only contribute to the emotional, physical and financial well-being of family and friends, they also form the backbone of Canada's volunteer organizations including VANOC.
For those who have children and infants with special needs, they have cut funding to help young children access Early Intensive Behaviour Intervention autism program at Queen Alexandra Centre for Children eliminated key staff for Infant Development Program, Aboriginal Development Program and Supported Child Development Program, leaving parents with special needs kids with less support and we see the closure of Melissa Park Lodge in Port Coquitlam, a mental health residential facility and child development centre specializing in mental health and addictions services for children and youth, plus they cut autism intervention services in the Okanagan
But we witnessed the paralympians as remarkable ambassadors of the human spirit.
For those needing surgeries, diagnostic tests and treatment, hang on in the closet because they have cancelled 328 knee and hip operations for people living in the Interior, cut 760 elective surgeries and 3000 MRIs on Vancouver Island , cut almost 10,000 MRIs -- and possibly cutting 6000 surgeries and closing 25% of operating rooms -- in the Vancouver health region. They have cancelled 35% of elective surgeries in the Fraser Health Authority during the Olympic games, adding up to an estimated 2000 surgeries; cancelled 450 surgeries in the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority during the same period, as well as implementing extended closures until March 2010, cancelling another 5800 cases They have eliminated speech language pathology services in Golden and at Kelowna General Hospital, closed six rehab beds for joint surgeries; closed five hospice beds; closed five reactivation beds. There are concerns about inadequate sterilization of surgery equipment and this has caused cancellation of surgeries at Royal Inland Hospital. They cut services for multiple sclerosis patients at UBC, many of those patients come from the island.
VANOC included a medical services budget within their Sport and Games Operations budget of $247 million. A 10,000 square foot polyclinic with up-to-date health services is at each Olympic athlete village at Vancouver and Whistler. Also, other venues that are part of the Olympics also had medical stations for both the athletes and the spectators. Complete medical service was provided for Olympic athletes. Emergency health care, first aid, and, if necessary, ambulance transfer to a suitable hospital were all provided without charge for the Olympic spectator by VANOC.
As far as social servIces are concerned, they cut $2 million from contracts with community agencies and non-profit societies delivering health services in the Victoria area, we all know they have cut crisis line services in the North Island despite a well organized campaign not to do so, they closed the Chimo Achievement Centre, a therapeutic day program for adults with disabilities in Coquitlam and the TriCities area, promoting independence, preventing deterioration, and enhancing quality of life. We see cuts to support services for people living with HIV/AIDS in both Vancouver and the Okanagan, with more severe cuts announced for the spring. The closure of a specialized food bank for people living with HIV/AIDS, stocked with nutritionally optimized items to support the dietary needs of immune compromised clients is gone. Just when you really need to reach out for some inspiration and hang onto your faith, the spiritual care has been eliminated across Fraser Health Authority. The government reduced funding and introduced new charges for Meals on Wheels in Nanaimo , they cut employment and vocational support services for people with mental disabilities and other barriers to employment they cut 50% of public health dietitians , cut speech language pathology services at Deaf Children’s Society of BC.
It looks like the skeletons will be coming out of the closet. The problem is, who will see them now that everyone has gone home?
I am first to admit that athletes deserve to have the Olympics. It showcases the efforts they have put into their sports year after year, rewards the sacrifices they have made and their families have made to get them where they are. It is nice to see young people be the best they can be. But what is the expense to the young people and families who are now paying for the Games they could not be a part of?
A colleague said Maybe this will persuade some people to take those stupid Canadian flags off and realize what it's cost us to host a hockey game and hand out hunks of metal to a bunch of silly people for sliding around like kids.
I don’t feel that way towards the athletes and I think the patriotism we witnessed was a rare and wonderful thing, because without pride in our country, who will care what is happening in it? And if you care, you can do something about it. There is just cause to ask for community solidarity and resistance to the cuts and increases tabled in the 2010 provincial
budget that worsen already unacceptable standards of social welfare and working poverty in British Columbia
While it is nice to host people in your “home” there is a responsibility to protect all people who live in your home, and not shove ones you neglect and abuse in the closet so you are not embarrassed, or so your guests don’t think less of you.
This is what the government did. And they have a lot of skeletons in their closet.
The $6 billion Olympic party is over, but poverty in British Columbia is not. The March 2, 2010 budget, which ironically came out on the same day that Canada ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Person’s with Disabilities, brings the skeletons out of the closet and picks off their bones some more.
British Columbia has had the highest child poverty rates in the country for 6 years running, and this budget saw more cuts to services for young children and their families. From reducing dental care and birth control access for people with disabilities to ending funding for legal and tenancy advocacy programs, we are paying for the Olympics.
Not only is the government failing to fund services and benefits it has taken away those that have kept people going for years. People are losing their jobs on masse. The rights, safety and dignity of our community members are worth less than monetary savings.
We have just lost 92% of provincial funding for the Arts, Vancouver community centres & libraries are on the chopping block as well as attractions that have been available to the public for 30+ years.
But it was a lovely opening ceremony wasn’t it?
Justice is a core component of democracy and without it do we have a democracy?
Five regional legal aid offices shut their doors on March 26th. Accessing legal aid has just become a lot harder if not impossible. Kamloops, Kelowna, Prince George, Surrey, Victoria and two legal aid phone lines for people to access are no longer available for people to access justice. Legal Services Society has just been cut from the Nanaimo Justice Access Society. Staff lawyers since April 2009 have been reduced from 32 to 5. Who is going to help people who need to access justice. A brochure?
Justice is a core component of democracy and without it, in my
> view we do not have a democracy--this is ironic considering how Canada
> fights for justice in other countries
In recent weeks, the province cut the only drug and alcohol withdrawal program in the Fraser Valley – one which had a months-long waiting list. In the same region, many hospital-based social workers were displaced
The government eliminated all spiritual care services in the Fraser Health Authority. They have closed an entire, much-needed psychiatric ward in Victoria. They’ve cut 10,000 MRI scans in the Vancouver area alone, delaying thousands of surgeries.
They have cut intensive therapy programs for children with autism. They have cut infant development program, aboriginal infant development, supported child development and Aboriginal child development programs.
But the hockey game was exciting wasn’t it?
There are many cuts and eliminations of health and medical benefits coming to people receiving provincial disability benefits and income assistance.
Imagine for a minute that you are injured and cannot work anymore. Imagine that maybe your marriage has broken up and the wage earner has left you with the kids. Imagine you develop a terminal disease or a chronic health problem, or you lose your job and just cannot find work. Imagine your child gets sick and you have to stay home to care for him because no one else can and you need financial help to live. Imagine you lose your job and go bankrupt and find yourself homeless and without funds for basic living. Imagine you have no family to help you.This is what you would face should you be the position of many community members through no fault of their own.
Do you believe?
A broad range of medical equipment and supplies will no longer be funded by the Ministry. Those that will be funded must be the cheapest appropriate to the person’s needs and are listed in the regulations. The Ministry will no longer fund diagnostic testing devices such as glucose meters, contraceptive devices (for example, IUDs), or pre-made orthotics. Restrictions are now in place for how often the Ministry will repair or replace equipment or how much money the Ministry will spend on each item of equipment. For instance, motorized scooters valued at more than $3,500 will not be funded. To be eligible for a motorized scooter, a physician must say the applicant won’t need a wheelchair for 5 years. Many people are terminally ill and require nutrition that welfare rates and disability rates do not provide. There has been opportunities for people to get extra money via a monthly nutritional supplement of about $200.00 a month. The eligibility requirements have now been tightened. This is gatekeeeping. The loss of bone density will no longer count as a symptom. Significant weight loss not significant weight change will be used to determine eligibility, even though we all know starch and fat are the cheapest foods and many poor people are overweight but still malnourished. Applicants will be required to demonstrate they have at least two symptoms, rather than one which is currently the case. It will be reduced by $20 because the Ministry will no longer fund bottled water. This sucks for people who live with contaminated well water, and whose immune systems are in peril. People currently receiving the bottled water supplement will receive it until May 31st 2010 only.- People with disabilities who leave assistance when they turn 65 and go on to the seniors’ pension, or people who leave provincial disability for Canada Pension Plan Disability will only keep their medical and dental coverage for one year, rather than permanently as is currently the case. People with disabilities who leave assistance for employment will only keep their medical coverage if they are receiving Premium Assistance from the Medical Services Plan. Cleaning, examinations and fluoride treatments will be reduced to once a year (currently twice a year).X-ray coverage every 2 years (currently every year). The $75 monthly Shelter Allowance for people who don’t pay rent is eliminated as of June 1st 2010. This usually assists homeless people to find shelter in poor weather or when they are too sick to be outdoors for the night. We are saving about 6.9 millions dollars off the backs of sick people in poverty.
Do you still “believe”?
For those who have mental health and addictions issues, or your family members, the government has cut funding for Atlas Youth Supported Recovery in Terrace, the only residential recovery centre for youth in BC’s Northwest . They cut funding for the award-winning West Coast Alternatives Society, where drug and alcohol programs for adults, youths and children help 600 residents a year. They cut social work budget in Fraser Health region hospitals, resulting in loss of 14 positions and are closing adolescent psychiatric unit at Abbotsford Hospital. They cut funding for 11 residential care beds at Bear Creek Lodge and 11 residential care beds at Newton Regency in Surrey and are eliminating the only recreation therapist in an eating disorders clinic. They cut funding for Burnaby Family Life, a program for adult survivors of sexual abuse, they cut mental health and addictions services at Capital Mental Health Association in the Victoria area and cut half the staff hours at Gaumont Resident in Kamloops, specializing in treating mental health and addictions They closed Waddell’s Haven Guest Home in Mission, a residential mental health facility also providing addictions services and closed the only withdrawal management program in the Fraser Valley, at Chilliwack General Hospital. They eliminated psychology services for adult rehabilitation at Royal Inland Hospital and we see the elimination of music therapy, other staff cuts including dietitian, social worker, counselor, recreation therapist at Burnaby Centre for Mental Health and Addictions. They closed outpatient psychiatry programs at UBC Hospital: anxiety disorder clinic and integrated personality program. For those on the island they are closing the psychiatric ward – Eric Martin Pavilion – in Victoria.
The province has 130,000 citizens with substance abuse disorders or mental illness and of those, 26,500 are inadequately housed and supported. It is estimated that substance abuse disorders and mental illness affects 60 – 100% of the homeless population. That is a pretty big closet to fill.
For our seniors population, the government has cut funding for North Shore Keep Well Society, which helps keep 500 seniors healthy, and Seniors’ One Stop, which gets 5000 calls yearly. They closed a 36-bed geriatric assessment and rehabilitation unit at Victoria General Hospital, closed geriatric day hospital in Vancouver, closed 25-bed convalescent care unit and an 8-bed hospice at Queen’s Park Care Centre in New Westminster ,closed 42 residential care beds at Peace Arch Hospital, closed Pouce Coupe Care Home and are closing Oak Bay Lodge and Mount Tolmie Hospital in the Victoria area.
Older adults not only contribute to the emotional, physical and financial well-being of family and friends, they also form the backbone of Canada's volunteer organizations including VANOC.
For those who have children and infants with special needs, they have cut funding to help young children access Early Intensive Behaviour Intervention autism program at Queen Alexandra Centre for Children eliminated key staff for Infant Development Program, Aboriginal Development Program and Supported Child Development Program, leaving parents with special needs kids with less support and we see the closure of Melissa Park Lodge in Port Coquitlam, a mental health residential facility and child development centre specializing in mental health and addictions services for children and youth, plus they cut autism intervention services in the Okanagan
But we witnessed the paralympians as remarkable ambassadors of the human spirit.
For those needing surgeries, diagnostic tests and treatment, hang on in the closet because they have cancelled 328 knee and hip operations for people living in the Interior, cut 760 elective surgeries and 3000 MRIs on Vancouver Island , cut almost 10,000 MRIs -- and possibly cutting 6000 surgeries and closing 25% of operating rooms -- in the Vancouver health region. They have cancelled 35% of elective surgeries in the Fraser Health Authority during the Olympic games, adding up to an estimated 2000 surgeries; cancelled 450 surgeries in the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority during the same period, as well as implementing extended closures until March 2010, cancelling another 5800 cases They have eliminated speech language pathology services in Golden and at Kelowna General Hospital, closed six rehab beds for joint surgeries; closed five hospice beds; closed five reactivation beds. There are concerns about inadequate sterilization of surgery equipment and this has caused cancellation of surgeries at Royal Inland Hospital. They cut services for multiple sclerosis patients at UBC, many of those patients come from the island.
VANOC included a medical services budget within their Sport and Games Operations budget of $247 million. A 10,000 square foot polyclinic with up-to-date health services is at each Olympic athlete village at Vancouver and Whistler. Also, other venues that are part of the Olympics also had medical stations for both the athletes and the spectators. Complete medical service was provided for Olympic athletes. Emergency health care, first aid, and, if necessary, ambulance transfer to a suitable hospital were all provided without charge for the Olympic spectator by VANOC.
As far as social servIces are concerned, they cut $2 million from contracts with community agencies and non-profit societies delivering health services in the Victoria area, we all know they have cut crisis line services in the North Island despite a well organized campaign not to do so, they closed the Chimo Achievement Centre, a therapeutic day program for adults with disabilities in Coquitlam and the TriCities area, promoting independence, preventing deterioration, and enhancing quality of life. We see cuts to support services for people living with HIV/AIDS in both Vancouver and the Okanagan, with more severe cuts announced for the spring. The closure of a specialized food bank for people living with HIV/AIDS, stocked with nutritionally optimized items to support the dietary needs of immune compromised clients is gone. Just when you really need to reach out for some inspiration and hang onto your faith, the spiritual care has been eliminated across Fraser Health Authority. The government reduced funding and introduced new charges for Meals on Wheels in Nanaimo , they cut employment and vocational support services for people with mental disabilities and other barriers to employment they cut 50% of public health dietitians , cut speech language pathology services at Deaf Children’s Society of BC.
It looks like the skeletons will be coming out of the closet. The problem is, who will see them now that everyone has gone home?
YES! In my back yard.
NIMBY is an acronym for “not in my back yard”. It usually applies to people in a community opposing a new development like power plant, wind turbine, landfills, incinerators, or even prisons.
In Campbell River it applies to people helping people.
The Hope Outreach Society is doing its best to serve the basic needs of the working poor, you know, the people who work at local stores and fast food restaurants who make minimum wage that covers their rent and nothing else so they remain hungry and scared and need some emotional support along with a sandwich they cannot afford to buy. Shoulder to shoulder with them are the homeless, disabled, and people on welfare, you know, the “undeserving poor”, those “other people” who are where they are exclusively because of some personal character flaw: laziness, alcoholism, moral degeneracy, bad choices and deserve to be where they are, hungry, cold, afraid, with no boot straps to pull themselves up with.
The Hope Outreach Society is being run all over town not just by the NIMBIES, but by the NOTES (Not over there either) and the BANANAS (Be absolutely nowhere, anywhere, near anyone). Sophisticated NIMBYs cloak themselves in blatant compassion, claiming that the only reason they oppose the project is because , while what they are doing is wonderful, can they just be wonderful somewhere else.
There is just cause to say shame on Campbell River and all those who feign good will to all, who claim they are socially and ethically responsible, who put a loony in a collection bin for a poverty cause, who donate at Christmas to poor families who are probably on welfare or working poor, who give to cancer but forget that poor people have cancer too and they die alone, hungry and often prematurely in living conditions you have no idea about. There is not a full appreciation of the diversity of the poverty and homeless population and the varied reasons behind why some of us end up there and some of us don’t. Just remember we are all a step away so don’t be so quick to judge, close the curtain on it, turn your head to it, or drive people away who are doing something about it.
Poverty and social degradation aren't a reflection of one's personal weaknesses, but are caused by social problems such as the lack of jobs, affordable housing, sufficient wages, sufficient supports, incentives to get off welfare, or effective education. There but for the grace of God go you buddy!
At a time when the social safety net has been weakened, a safety net we all may rely on one day, it is essential that private groups attempting to fill the gaps are able to offer some food, warmth, encouragement, acceptance, and advocacy. But through prejudice, bigotry, and misguided understandings, our community is proving that the Vision 2025 Project is nothing but a bunch of nice words on paper. Did you know that Campbell River values the inclusive nature of the community at the same time supporting our diversity, fairness and equality? This is on our City’s website! Did you know that we value and respect each other and all peoples? Did you know that we need to be inclusive of all peoples, all types, all ages in Campbell River to make it a dynamic community reaching its potential? Did you know we must expand our opportunities for inclusivity and work with all social elements to improve the lives of all Campbell Riverites, no matter their economic station, ethnic background or when they came to the community? And did you know e must at the same time support and nurture our diversity? All I have seen in this situation is people nurturing their self interests at the expense of human dignity and compassion.
Did you know that Campbell River recognizes that economic prosperity, environmental sustainability and social responsibility require an educated and trained citizenry? Did you know that inclusivity and diversity are one of eight values that anchor this vision “by land and sea”?
I think our Vision is listing badly and taking on water, the foundation is cracked and we have a long way to go to even verify such a thing is possible in this community when a bunch of caring Christian ladies are being given the heave ho from anywhere they park simply to outreach to those we are supposed to value, respect, and include in our society.
I suggest we contact the City and tell them to scrap the vision for one that is more realistic. The problem is we have to open our eyes before we can rely on our vision for anything.
In Campbell River it applies to people helping people.
The Hope Outreach Society is doing its best to serve the basic needs of the working poor, you know, the people who work at local stores and fast food restaurants who make minimum wage that covers their rent and nothing else so they remain hungry and scared and need some emotional support along with a sandwich they cannot afford to buy. Shoulder to shoulder with them are the homeless, disabled, and people on welfare, you know, the “undeserving poor”, those “other people” who are where they are exclusively because of some personal character flaw: laziness, alcoholism, moral degeneracy, bad choices and deserve to be where they are, hungry, cold, afraid, with no boot straps to pull themselves up with.
The Hope Outreach Society is being run all over town not just by the NIMBIES, but by the NOTES (Not over there either) and the BANANAS (Be absolutely nowhere, anywhere, near anyone). Sophisticated NIMBYs cloak themselves in blatant compassion, claiming that the only reason they oppose the project is because , while what they are doing is wonderful, can they just be wonderful somewhere else.
There is just cause to say shame on Campbell River and all those who feign good will to all, who claim they are socially and ethically responsible, who put a loony in a collection bin for a poverty cause, who donate at Christmas to poor families who are probably on welfare or working poor, who give to cancer but forget that poor people have cancer too and they die alone, hungry and often prematurely in living conditions you have no idea about. There is not a full appreciation of the diversity of the poverty and homeless population and the varied reasons behind why some of us end up there and some of us don’t. Just remember we are all a step away so don’t be so quick to judge, close the curtain on it, turn your head to it, or drive people away who are doing something about it.
Poverty and social degradation aren't a reflection of one's personal weaknesses, but are caused by social problems such as the lack of jobs, affordable housing, sufficient wages, sufficient supports, incentives to get off welfare, or effective education. There but for the grace of God go you buddy!
At a time when the social safety net has been weakened, a safety net we all may rely on one day, it is essential that private groups attempting to fill the gaps are able to offer some food, warmth, encouragement, acceptance, and advocacy. But through prejudice, bigotry, and misguided understandings, our community is proving that the Vision 2025 Project is nothing but a bunch of nice words on paper. Did you know that Campbell River values the inclusive nature of the community at the same time supporting our diversity, fairness and equality? This is on our City’s website! Did you know that we value and respect each other and all peoples? Did you know that we need to be inclusive of all peoples, all types, all ages in Campbell River to make it a dynamic community reaching its potential? Did you know we must expand our opportunities for inclusivity and work with all social elements to improve the lives of all Campbell Riverites, no matter their economic station, ethnic background or when they came to the community? And did you know e must at the same time support and nurture our diversity? All I have seen in this situation is people nurturing their self interests at the expense of human dignity and compassion.
Did you know that Campbell River recognizes that economic prosperity, environmental sustainability and social responsibility require an educated and trained citizenry? Did you know that inclusivity and diversity are one of eight values that anchor this vision “by land and sea”?
I think our Vision is listing badly and taking on water, the foundation is cracked and we have a long way to go to even verify such a thing is possible in this community when a bunch of caring Christian ladies are being given the heave ho from anywhere they park simply to outreach to those we are supposed to value, respect, and include in our society.
I suggest we contact the City and tell them to scrap the vision for one that is more realistic. The problem is we have to open our eyes before we can rely on our vision for anything.
The Power of Touch.
Most social programs exist to ensure people have adequate food, clothing, shelter and medical care so they remain healthy. But the World Health Organization defines health as “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.”
Not too many social programs embrace, foster and promote the less tangible of dignity, empowerment and hope. If you're hungry, your stomach wants food. If you are cold, you need proper clothing and shelter. If you are sick you need medicine. If you lack dignity and hope, your soul longs for wholeness. Marginalized people need to be fed in their mind and spirit, not just their stomachs.
Mother Teresa said “We think sometimes that poverty is only being hungry, naked and homeless. The poverty of being unwanted, unloved and uncared for is the greatest poverty.”
There is just cause to suggest that social justice will only be delivered by empowering people to fulfill their potential. This begins with providing care and nurturing to those who are marginalized or disadvantaged in any way, to improve the quality of life for those least cared for in the community; those lacking family support, or suffering from the effects of poverty, abuse, addiction, trauma, loneliness, and mental or physical illness. Some of these people haven’t been touched in years, have not had their hand held, been given a hug, been listened to for their ideas or opinions, asked what their dreams are, given something to giggle about, been recognized for their talents, or even been looked in the eye. They are profoundly depressed and feel worthless.
Imagine if a poor person had access to life skills coaching, massage, acupuncture, meditation, yoga, recreation, music, esthetics, therapy, mentoring, pets and animals, reflexology, reiki, dental care, and courses like pottery, cooking or crafts. This sounds a lot better than a night at a shelter, a welfare check that doesn’t pay for rent and food, or a detox that just sends you back to the same thing over and over again.
According to a study by Tiffany Field, chair of the Touch Research Institute, infants of depressed mothers show brain-wave patterns different from those of other infants. These altered patterns seem to relate to the closing down of essential brain circuits that, if they do not function in childhood, are probably inoperative later on. Treat the depression in the mother, and the infant's brain waves are likely to normalize. When a depressed mother is not treated, her immune system is depressed, she is sick a lot of the time, her children tend to end up in the welfare and prison systems: the sons of mothers with untreated depression are eight times more likely to become young offenders as are other children. According to a recent paper by Bruce Ellis and Judy Garber in the journal Child Development, daughters of depressed mothers will have earlier puberty than other girls, and early puberty is usually associated with promiscuity, early pregnancy and mood disorders. The cycle repeats itself and this is how we end up with intergenerational dependency on welfare, people who cannot hold down jobs, more addictions, more crime, and ongoing high school drop-out rates among the poor.
Poverty costs us billions of dollars. Would it not be best to re direct some of those funds to care and nurturing so we can eventually decrease dependence on welfare, shelters, food banks, foster care, detox, rehab and jail?
Some pilot studies are under way on the holistic treatment of depression among the poor, and the results have been startling. Consistently, the participants felt better about their lives, and their lives got better. Even when faced with huge barriers, they progressed, often very quickly and never looked back. People reported that after so many things had gone wrong for them, they wish they had been empowered by this help much sooner as it changed their entire lives. It’s a win-win for everyone as it makes a healthy life available to all in mind, body and spirit.
Not too many social programs embrace, foster and promote the less tangible of dignity, empowerment and hope. If you're hungry, your stomach wants food. If you are cold, you need proper clothing and shelter. If you are sick you need medicine. If you lack dignity and hope, your soul longs for wholeness. Marginalized people need to be fed in their mind and spirit, not just their stomachs.
Mother Teresa said “We think sometimes that poverty is only being hungry, naked and homeless. The poverty of being unwanted, unloved and uncared for is the greatest poverty.”
There is just cause to suggest that social justice will only be delivered by empowering people to fulfill their potential. This begins with providing care and nurturing to those who are marginalized or disadvantaged in any way, to improve the quality of life for those least cared for in the community; those lacking family support, or suffering from the effects of poverty, abuse, addiction, trauma, loneliness, and mental or physical illness. Some of these people haven’t been touched in years, have not had their hand held, been given a hug, been listened to for their ideas or opinions, asked what their dreams are, given something to giggle about, been recognized for their talents, or even been looked in the eye. They are profoundly depressed and feel worthless.
Imagine if a poor person had access to life skills coaching, massage, acupuncture, meditation, yoga, recreation, music, esthetics, therapy, mentoring, pets and animals, reflexology, reiki, dental care, and courses like pottery, cooking or crafts. This sounds a lot better than a night at a shelter, a welfare check that doesn’t pay for rent and food, or a detox that just sends you back to the same thing over and over again.
According to a study by Tiffany Field, chair of the Touch Research Institute, infants of depressed mothers show brain-wave patterns different from those of other infants. These altered patterns seem to relate to the closing down of essential brain circuits that, if they do not function in childhood, are probably inoperative later on. Treat the depression in the mother, and the infant's brain waves are likely to normalize. When a depressed mother is not treated, her immune system is depressed, she is sick a lot of the time, her children tend to end up in the welfare and prison systems: the sons of mothers with untreated depression are eight times more likely to become young offenders as are other children. According to a recent paper by Bruce Ellis and Judy Garber in the journal Child Development, daughters of depressed mothers will have earlier puberty than other girls, and early puberty is usually associated with promiscuity, early pregnancy and mood disorders. The cycle repeats itself and this is how we end up with intergenerational dependency on welfare, people who cannot hold down jobs, more addictions, more crime, and ongoing high school drop-out rates among the poor.
Poverty costs us billions of dollars. Would it not be best to re direct some of those funds to care and nurturing so we can eventually decrease dependence on welfare, shelters, food banks, foster care, detox, rehab and jail?
Some pilot studies are under way on the holistic treatment of depression among the poor, and the results have been startling. Consistently, the participants felt better about their lives, and their lives got better. Even when faced with huge barriers, they progressed, often very quickly and never looked back. People reported that after so many things had gone wrong for them, they wish they had been empowered by this help much sooner as it changed their entire lives. It’s a win-win for everyone as it makes a healthy life available to all in mind, body and spirit.
Walking the Walk,
It has come to pass that quite often after my column appears in this paper, I receive phone calls and in-person praise for the social justice issues I write about. I hear things like “at least someone had the guts to say something” or “we think what you do is wonderful, thank you for speaking out”, and occasionally “you’re nothing but a commie pinko!”
It always amazes me that people think it takes courage and back bone to say what a lot of people are thinking. To speak out. To walk the walk. I realize that activism comes more naturally to some people than others, but I think we all have the potential to believe in change, in possibility, in the capacity to overcome even the most enduring and difficult problems we face as a society.
There is just cause to believe that everyone has the power to make a difference in our world, to take action against injustice, poverty and prejudice and work for the common good. Nelson Mandela, Elie Wiesel, the Dalai Lama, Robert Kennedy, Martin Luther King along with lesser known but equally relevant people made huge contributions to the lives we live today. We owe them to walk their walk.
There are many issues that I am certain you think about in your private time, maybe speak about at the dinner table, but then keep mum about because you don’t want to get up from the table and walk that walk. But we live in a world full of non-altruistic people who think first about themselves and are quick to impose their ways of life on us, control us, dictate to us, and we can’t walk away because we are too busy being sitting ducks.
There are many issues to speak up about. The war in Iraq, affordable housing, global warming, poverty (had to slip that one in) unemployment, education, affordable health care, safety on the internet, and taxation are just some of these issues that need more exposure. But every time we turn our heads away when we see injustice, or tolerate something that we know is wrong, or feel we are too busy to get involved or not educated enough to speak about an issue that bothers us, fear we will be chastised, or simply feel it is easier to ride the current of the status quo and mind your own business, you, as Robert Kennedy would say, strike a blow against freedom, decency, and justice.
There is a young man in Campbell River who believes in the power of small changes to make large impacts. Jordan Hollingsworth will be walking the walk on Sunday July 11th, in Campbell River, to honour the journey taken by so many people in our community who are poor for whatever reason and in whatever circumstance. There will be other young people standing up and walking against poverty, uphill battles, dangerous corners, slippery slopes, steep inclines and the occasional speed bump, just like people in poverty face daily in their travels. He is hoping for gridlock. He is hoping there will be so many people walking the walk that maybe something just might happen in our community to address what everyone talks about but no one does anything about. Bring yourself, bring your family, bring your signs, bring your ideas, bring your backbone, or just show up with a single step. Buy a t-shirt to cover the costs, enjoy some refreshments and let’s believe that if we follow what we are genuinely passionate about our destination will not be a place but rather a new way of looking at things.
For more information on Walking the Walk, contact Tucker Dinnes at Island J.A.D.E. Society, 250-830-1171. And remember what Martin Luther King Jr. said, “History will have to record that the greatest tragedy of this period of social transition was not the strident clamour of the bad people, but the appalling silence of the good people
It always amazes me that people think it takes courage and back bone to say what a lot of people are thinking. To speak out. To walk the walk. I realize that activism comes more naturally to some people than others, but I think we all have the potential to believe in change, in possibility, in the capacity to overcome even the most enduring and difficult problems we face as a society.
There is just cause to believe that everyone has the power to make a difference in our world, to take action against injustice, poverty and prejudice and work for the common good. Nelson Mandela, Elie Wiesel, the Dalai Lama, Robert Kennedy, Martin Luther King along with lesser known but equally relevant people made huge contributions to the lives we live today. We owe them to walk their walk.
There are many issues that I am certain you think about in your private time, maybe speak about at the dinner table, but then keep mum about because you don’t want to get up from the table and walk that walk. But we live in a world full of non-altruistic people who think first about themselves and are quick to impose their ways of life on us, control us, dictate to us, and we can’t walk away because we are too busy being sitting ducks.
There are many issues to speak up about. The war in Iraq, affordable housing, global warming, poverty (had to slip that one in) unemployment, education, affordable health care, safety on the internet, and taxation are just some of these issues that need more exposure. But every time we turn our heads away when we see injustice, or tolerate something that we know is wrong, or feel we are too busy to get involved or not educated enough to speak about an issue that bothers us, fear we will be chastised, or simply feel it is easier to ride the current of the status quo and mind your own business, you, as Robert Kennedy would say, strike a blow against freedom, decency, and justice.
There is a young man in Campbell River who believes in the power of small changes to make large impacts. Jordan Hollingsworth will be walking the walk on Sunday July 11th, in Campbell River, to honour the journey taken by so many people in our community who are poor for whatever reason and in whatever circumstance. There will be other young people standing up and walking against poverty, uphill battles, dangerous corners, slippery slopes, steep inclines and the occasional speed bump, just like people in poverty face daily in their travels. He is hoping for gridlock. He is hoping there will be so many people walking the walk that maybe something just might happen in our community to address what everyone talks about but no one does anything about. Bring yourself, bring your family, bring your signs, bring your ideas, bring your backbone, or just show up with a single step. Buy a t-shirt to cover the costs, enjoy some refreshments and let’s believe that if we follow what we are genuinely passionate about our destination will not be a place but rather a new way of looking at things.
For more information on Walking the Walk, contact Tucker Dinnes at Island J.A.D.E. Society, 250-830-1171. And remember what Martin Luther King Jr. said, “History will have to record that the greatest tragedy of this period of social transition was not the strident clamour of the bad people, but the appalling silence of the good people
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