Disability Rights and Equal Opportunity.

So, I’ve been a Epileptic since I was 14. And had chronic migraines long before that. When I was 20, I expected to go into the workforce. Maybe get a office job or even a waitressing position. However, the issue soon became clear.

Managers’ were biased against disabled people. Why you ask? The reason is pretty clear as well. Since the 12th century, disabilities were seen as ‘demonic’ or curses brought upon by witches. And if you were Epileptic in the 1600’s. Then there was a good chance you’d be burned at the stake for being a ‘Witch’ yourself.

Yet strangely? Disabilities have been around since the mesapotamian era. A mishealed bone could lead a person to have a permanent limp. And if Epilepsy, migraines or Asthma were genetic? They probably were back then as well. The hilarity of it all is so silly, and yet extremely painful emotionally as well.

You see there are two types of disabilities. Visible. Such as people with wheelchairs, Service Animals, Canes etc. And Invisible. Epilepsy often falls in the Invisible spectrum unless the person has a Service animal. Then it can be classed as either. COPD is more visible, because often people need a wheelchair , oxygen and asthma meds. So you see - they are very complicated.

Yet, disabilities have not always been ‘disclosed’ in the workplace. Many people used to keep it to themselves just to be able to work a normal job. Now you have the option of saying yes, no, or ‘prefer not to say’. But back in the 90’s they were frowned upon. Although being from a Catholic family probably didn’t help.

So what is with the ‘Equal Rights?’ You ask? Well.. for years, a movement has been going on demanding equal pay, equal opportunity, and equal human rights. For example, a house for someone with a disability on a single income check in BC, Canada is about $600-700 in subsidy. Coupled with medications many take , some well over $300 and not always payed for by their medical insurance, then any other medical appointments.. groceries etc.. that’s their whole pay check in 1-2 weeks. Also most do not have a second job, or income. So they rely on family, friends etc. And if they have pets? $100-300 for them, every few months. So no wonder most are unable to pay fo anything.

It’s also why a lot of people end up going to the food bank. And the government questions why this happens? Well here’s the numbers. In 2019 alone, 1 million people, including children used the food banks in Canada. In the US, as of 2021? 42 million people used a food bank, and 13 million children. Poverty is on the rise. And people with disabilities? Smack in the middle.

And then there is the housing issue again! They sector disabilities into housing units. Basically it means you have specific places you can live. One is family and friends, which is great for if your a toddler or child. The second? Section 8 Housing. Low income housing specifically for disabled people of families. And it even says- geared so they can get their feet off the ground. Ha! Yeah right. With a disabled persons income? Not happening.

The third, in a Assisted living household. I mean.. ok. Perfect for the people that it’s geared towards,ie. those in need of assistance. But not awesome for saying specifically for disabled people. I mean- technically if someone was in a huge accident, the family could decide they were aware enough to just need assistance for certain tasks. Other then that? The list only indicates senior living as good for disabled people.

I mean really? It’s like the Asylums all over again. Making sector’s and keeping us in specific area’s, or paying disabled people a certain ‘allowance’ ( which is exactly what it is- and I will get to that) can’t be legal. But wait! According to them- law states ‘ as long as you have shelter, you are legally safe’. Safe? Yes.. but here’s a question: What about the people with Mental Health and Drug addiction issues? Or the people on the streets with disabilities? I see nothing safe about that! And as for the ‘law’? Just the fact that being disabled falls under ‘Sectors’ in the housing area, is discrimination based on income and ability.

Now- Government ‘funding’.. if you can call it that. The Disability Assistance cheque, is handed out once a month, every month, at the END of the month.

What is frustrating about that? The current cheque for singles? Is in $1000 to $2000 give or take. Now, imagine you were paid $1500 and then had to pay almost half of it , ( 700) to rent. Now, you have a phone bill and your pet. And finally groceries. Now. How much did you spend exactly? And if you had a kid instead of a pet? Get the child benefit , it changes your math slightly but it’s cool to see the difference.

Now, if you switch to a couple disability assistance, with child benefit. Wow. That just does’t seem fair. The government popes money into ‘low income’ every year. But it just goes to low income families. Not Singles. You see, by adding the two disability assistance together we get: $3000 and adding on the $55, it comes to $3055.

Ridiculous. It’s twice what a single person would make. By taking that- you can see what a ‘low income’ family could afford with $3000. Even on a subsidy. If you did subsidize it then they would pay 30% of that to rent. Meaning: $900 of their pay check would go to rent. While the rest went to groceries, clothes, fun & games etc.

It’s ridiculous. Single’s with disabilities must advocate for themselves ; in order to find a well paying job, just to pay the bills. Meanwhile the government pours money into families and mismanaged the whole system. And what’s worse? Certain jobs can’t be done by people with disabilities. Being a police officer for example. Or a Fighter pilot, or even a Fire Fighter. Not possible for disabled people. Why? The ability to drive is mandatory. And yet- in some countries- there are police officers that patrol the streets only, and don’t drive! Same with firefighters! Many Wildland firefighters spend most of their time on foot. Paramedics? Sometimes their outdoors.

The fighter Pilot is understandable. You don’t want someone with a heart condition piloting a CF-18 in a dog fight. However, some of the army and navy jobs? They don’t really require much. No I would not want to drive a tank, and probably not the best idea for someone with my disability to either. However others? Ok.

I mean really. Just make more inclusiveness in military jobs! It’s not that difficult. I personally would have happily been a dog handler in the military, had I gotten the chance. Sadly, that was not possible.

Instead, 2020 has been a major eye awakener. Celebs are finally coming forward with disabilities, people are becoming more aware and countries are finally beginning to understand. However, too little; too late.

I spent half my early 20’s in college, instead of doing what I really wanted. Travelling and the military. Now instead of being stuck financially- which I always know I will be even after I get a job..

I feel more stuck intellectually and emotionally. It’s hard to decide if I want to finish my Bachelor’s in politics, or not.

Do I want to travel, and uproot my life? Or do I want to settle down, have a kid and then travel? So many options.. and so little time.

So my message to the person reading this:

Learn from History. But Don’t repeat it.