It was cold this morning, and it still is. I took Charlie for a walk but didn't go far as my face was too cold. I did take a few photos in the back yard though. For some reason my raspberries produced fruit twice this summer, once late in the fall which I didn't even notice until is was too late to pick them.
I tried Boud's oatmeal bars and can confirm that they are easy to make and delicious. Next time I may put a tablespoon of cocoa powder in instead of the cinnamon, or maybe both.
I meant to work on Jack's quilt today but I also had some navy beans soaking, so I made baked beans and the oatmeal bars. That seemed to take up some time. And then I was also reading blogs and doing laundry. Now it's after lunch and it's early dismissal today for Jack, so I'll pick him up at school and we'll take Heidi to the dog park for a walk.
As I sit at my desk typing, I can see a squirrel foraging in the back yard. I just took off with a fallen pear in it's mouth (the pears are quite small, ornamental).
Otherwise, nothing is going on in my life. I miss Jack's skills group and I miss my pottery group. I am in the middle of trying to figure out how to apply for trusteeship for Miss Katie because an informal trustee is not good enough for someone and her Canada Disability Benefit has been denied. I also found out that as of July next year, she will be put on ADAP which "...will empower Albertans with disabilities to pursue fullfilling job opportunities...". If anybody is medically unable to work, they will be moved back to AISH. As per usual, the government of Alberta does everything ass backwards. I'd love to see Katie working for Danielle Smith. Katie is great at shaking hands and pulling hair. If the job was too stressful, she could bang her face on the wall or floor like she does at home when stressed.
I wrote a letter to the Minister of whatever fucking department takes care of AISH and a manager called me a couple of hours later, saying she had been instructed to call me. She was very nice but could not answer my questions about trusteeship, not could the Office of the Public Guardian. Everyone says call a lawyer. My daughter lives below the poverty level, but she should pay for a lawyer that this fucking government department should be able to answer?
This seems exceedingly complicated and expensive for disabled people to sort out, but of course nobody asked me. Maybe that's why I'm a little grumpy today. I am waiting for a call back from the Edmonton Community Legal Centre which provides free legal advice for low income people, so far, 48 hours and nothing.
I've never applied to be Emil's legal trustee, and he got that $200/mo federal supplement. What's up with that?!
ReplyDeleteI've been Katie's informal trustee these past fifteen years without any problems. The Alberta government has a different rule than some provinces, which is what I was told, and they require a formal trusteeship. The provincial goverment is also deducting the $200/month from the AISH payment, because they suck.
DeleteYou could try phoning the Office of the Public Trustee and asking them. (It's a separate office from the Office of the Public Guardian). With any luck, they might be able to give you the info you need?
ReplyDeleteI can't find an office of the Public Trustee, separate from the Office of the Public Guardian on line. They appear to be together in the John E. Brownlee Building and have the same phone number. I'll call the Edmonton Community Legal Centre again tomorrow as I never did hear back from them.
DeleteIf not, I'll have to break down and pay to talk to a lawyer:)
I hope you can get it sorted out! That sucks.
ReplyDeleteIt does suck but it will get sorted out. Just takes time and a lot of forms.
DeleteI am so sorry you and your daughter have been put in this situation.
ReplyDeleteWell, we can thank our Provincial government for taking something good and turning it into shit.
DeleteDebra's a retired lawyer, I'd definitely try what she suggests. These procedures are set up to be impenetrable by the people they're aimed at. I hope you get through them. How ridiculous suggesting that a very disabled person be able to hold a job. If she could I expect she would.
ReplyDeleteI did talk to Debra a couple of nights ago. She was very kind but couldn't answer the question either.
DeleteGood grief. When my brother had Alzheimer's his wife had to apply for conservatorship (I don't know how to spell that) and people had to approve her expenditures for large items. The bank made her do it, apparently Power of Attorney wasn't good enough. It just seemed like monkey motion, just like this does.
ReplyDeleteIt's always hard with governments. I get why they do it, to protect vulnerable people, but it's forms and I'm not a stupid woman, but forms get the best of me all the time.
DeleteForgot to say I'm glad the bars worked out well for you. I have one for breakfast each day now.
ReplyDeleteMy husband loves them!
DeleteOh good grief, you have every reason to feel grumpy but I hope the oatmeal bars helped to lighten the day - oat always works for me.
ReplyDeleteToday I made banana bread with chocolate chips, coconut, and pecans. That helps too.
DeleteI sent off some strongly worded emails to the government that doesn't listen and called the free legal help line again because I never heard back. If I don't hear back, I'll have to call a lawyer and just pay a lawyer, but I think the government of Alberta should be paying for the lawyer because they're the ones that are causing this fucking mess.
So maybe the lawyer can get the government to pay for the legal help you need to seek. It has happened.
DeleteIs there a regional Association for the Autistc (I think you said Katie is autistic?) or some such that might have info or support for this?
ReplyDeleteIt is absolutely intentional — Their hope is that they won’t have to pay the folks who can’t manage to get it done.
I'll check that out. Thank you.
DeleteI think i have steam coming out of my ears for you!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteIt's nothing new sadly. Dealing with the government and their fucking forms has been happening her whole life.
DeleteI'd say it's reassuring that the US isn't the only country that makes it near impossible for people to get the help they need and deserve but it's not. It just goes to show how inhumane governments can be. "Government of the people, by the people, for the people..."
ReplyDeleteWhat bullshit.
Bullshit is right. Honestly, I think a lot of people think disabled people are just a drain on our society.
DeleteI am so sorry to read about your issues with the government and Katie's disability. It sounds like the USA. I would be grumpy too.
ReplyDeleteI'll live and I will fight until I die for Miss Katie, my other children, and my grandchildren.
DeleteWe're celebrating Thanksgiving today and I don't know if you celebrate it there or not or something like it? So sorry about the Issues for disability help, much the same here, it's such a convoluted ordeal and often you have to be Flavor of the Month.
ReplyDeleteFlavour of the Month indeed. We already celebrated Thanksgiving in the beginning of October, further north, earlier harvest.
DeleteHope you have a good day Dawn.
Another UCP dumpster fire...sorry you have to navigate this nonsense.
ReplyDeleteYou would think that at some point Alberta would run out of dumpsters:)
DeleteLike here, they want to ignore the problem and dump it elsewhere. Disposable people when their issues are inconvenient or expensive, no help from the government (that is there to take care of its people!) and a whole lot of bureaucratic ignorance. I hope you can get help or information from someone! Argghhh!! Hugs sent your way. xoxo
ReplyDeleteI'm always astonished at the things that governments require people to do with very little help or guidance. When I'm struggling to solve a problem, I often wonder, "How do uneducated people or those with special needs sort this stuff out?!" I can't imagine many people even filing their own taxes, let alone applying for benefits or medical care or whatever. Anyway, bravo for staying on it and I hope you get this problem solved.
ReplyDelete