Page Two Letter to the editor

Earlier this month, the Ontario government touted a win when it announced that recipients of the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) could now earn more money from working without their ODSP support being affected. But for Ontarians with the most severe disabilities, including amputees, it’s status quo amidst the skyrocketing cost of living. What the government misses completely is that amputees receiving ODSP simply cannot work – let alone work more – without the artificial arms or legs needed for basic tasks such as walking, dressing or holding objects. Thanks to outdated funding models from the Ontario government, these crucial artificial limbs are often impossible to afford for ODSP recipients, leaving amputees literally without a leg to stand on.

While Ontario’s Assistive Devices Program (ADP) states “75 percent coverage” for artificial limbs, this coverage is based on outdated prosthetic costs. In reality, ADP covers only about 20 percent of the cost of an artificial limb for the average Ontarian.

As a first step to alleviate this double whammy against amputees, ODSP must be increased to be on par with other provinces. At a maximum of $1,228 per month,

Ontario lags behind Quebec ($1,463), BC ($1,358) and Alberta ($1,685). Better still, the government must recognize that this amount is well below the poverty line and provide a living wage to all persons with disabilities and increased coverage for artificial limbs – it’s the least we owe to Ontario’s most vulnerable and in need.

Annelise Petlock Director of Advocacy for The

- 1951

Am I the only one? opinion: crisis of confidence

When Jimmy Carter addressed the US in 1979, he talked about a growing doubt about the meaning of our lives and the loss of a unity of purpose for the nation. He said the erosion of confidence is what threatens to destroy countries.

The fabric of society used to be woven by strong families, close knit communities, our faith in God and pride in hard work and a job well done. These shared values have been replaced with owning and consuming things. There’s not enough stuff in the world to fill that longing for meaning in our lives. Consumption isn’t making us any happier. Society is getting sicker and sicker, and the solution isn’t more meds.

We are confronted with a moral and spiritual crisis and a growing disrespect for government, churches, schools, news media and other institutions. Classic liberals, small ‘c’ conservatives and reasonable middle folks seem to have evaporated

Carrie Wynne

as we wrestle with culture wars, forever wars, war on drugs, political and corporate corruption, inflation, climate change, etc. I certainly feel the decline in optimism. No one is carrying a vision of the future that we can fully trust. Am I the only one? There’s never been a time when everything is perfect. We have conquered terrible things in the past and have overcome massive obstacles and there’s no reason to assume we can’t do the same thing again. Jimmy Carter’s speech reminds us that we are heirs of generations who survived threats much more powerful and awesome than those that challenge us now. Our fathers and mothers were strong men and women who shaped a new society during the great depression. They carved out a new chapter of peace for the world.

To rebirth the Canadian spirit, we need to regain the strength of every household. We can’t rely on the divisive and visionless leaders we have today. We need communities to unite with a shared vision. We don’t need a protector. We need each other.

The opinions stated in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Hometown News’ management, staff or writers.