Recently, I embarked on the journey to help my daughter, Angela, transition to adulthood. Most would wonder, "Why" but since she is someone who has a disability, the transitioning period for her is a huge task. Many of the supports she has in place now will end the day she turns 18. The journey (as I call it), is to now find the supports for her that cater to her age and needs when she becomes a young adult. I figured I was in for a smooth ride, since she already has supports and funding in place.
What an eye opener I was in for! When I submitted the application for government funding, I needed to also send in her educational/intellectual assessment that was done in school for her. This agency has set an IQ limit of 70, which I knew she would be over, but there were also other criteria. As well, this assessment indicated that it was not possible for an IQ to be determined for Angela, as she had a lot of other things going on as well, such as OCD and ADHD. The person who helped me with the application process was confident that given that analysis, she would likely be able to get some sort of funding.
I met with the agency on Monday, March 18, only for them to tell me that Angela had been turned down for funding, based on the fact that she is "too smart". She met 2 out of the 3 criteria, but IQ was the deciding factor. I asked then what the next step was. I got told there is an appeal process and handed a list of other places to call. And that was it. They acknowledged that she is going to need support in other areas, and that there were several other like her that "fall through the cracks". So, it made me wonder, what about those ones then? How is the government going to deal with them?
On the drive home, I pondered these very questions. Are they the ones we are going to see on the streets, with no place to go and nothing to do? Is this how the government deals with the situation - waiting until they've hit rock bottom and then wonder why it's costing so much money to keep them off the streets and out of jail?
My anger only swelled when the following day, I read that the government (and this is provincial, not federal) has decided to spend $187 million replacing gambling machines (VLTs) - money they supposedly don't have, so that they can set "limits" on how much people can spend at the machines! In the meantime, the current budget details no money for programs such as what Angela and others like her need to become contributing members of society! It is obvious that the province has difficulties figuring out where the priorities lay. Teachers, health care (which should include the aforementioned programs) and the environment are where the focus should be, not on gambling machines! It seems that whenever a budget comes down, the most vulnerable in society are the ones that suffer.
That being said, I most certainly plan on appealing. And I will mention this serious flaw in the distribution of funds and also the fact that despite Angela's intellectual abilities, she still needs help in other areas - social skills (which is in important in finding a job), transportation, further education, accommodations/independent living, etc. - all things we take for granted.
My hope is that through my appeal, I can at least make my voice heard for all those that do fall through the cracks and hopefully, seal those cracks by forward-thinking instead of backwards thinking. Maybe its time the government starts listening. But then, that would be a feat in and of itself.
