Money Matters

I've been reading in the news recently about the current Ontario government's plan to go after social assistance programs, of which my disability pension is one. This frightens me.

In order to educate people on how my disability pension has helped me over the years, and to add my voice to the growing opposition, I thought I would write this blog post.

I started getting a pension through the Ontario Disability Support Program upon turning 18. To a teenager still living with his parents, getting almost a thousand dollars a month was an insanely fun thing. I blew almost 300 dollars on comic books and DVDs the first month I had it! A couple months later; however, I started getting ready for college and learned what all that money was really meant for. Suddenly I had to pay for books, food, a phone, and many other necessities.

Since college, my pension has helped with rent (to my parents, because waitlists for accessible housing are awful), independent transportation around the city, by Para Transpo, cabs, and other means, and expenses related to work and volunteering like getting around, buying clothes and getting them tailored, and just providing a safety net during the times when I have nothing going on.

The money I receive through ODSP also helps me get out and maintain a social life, whether that's going on my own to events around the city, travelling to comic conventions, or attending conferences, where I'm able to meet people similar to me and share stories just like this one.

Would I like to be able to have enough independence and income to come off ODSP some day? Yes. Have I ever regretted anything I've used it for, or felt bad for having it? Not once!

To me, the pension isn't a crutch or welfare, it's a lifeline!  It means independence and dignity. A means to do things on my own and be proud!

One of the ministers putting forth this proposed "change" to social assistance tried to justify it by making a comment about people on assistance getting jobs. Ironically, this was a politician from my area who I had reached out to several months ago looking for help. She never bothered to respond and, reading about this whole situation, I can see now where here priorities really lie.

But, getting back to the "job" comment. I'm lucky I have one now, but if this was even six months ago, it would've been a very different story. I have certain needs and limitations so, in some cases, I can't just "get a job." This line of thinking has to stop if people are truly going to get help. Instead of limiting financial assistance, politicians should be working to create housing, work and other opportunities so people on assistance can have at least some way to help themselves.

On a smaller scale, please stop being rude to people on assistance! Stop the "choices" comments, welfare jokes, and slants about people who get stuff. People have that income for very specific reasons, and I bet the nay-sayers would be a lot quieter if they had to share experiences like mine.

I would hope our province's leaders care enough to listen to stories like this one and realize the potential harm they could do before it's too late.

Cheers