Governments Seem to Believe Starving People with Disabilities Will Cure Them??

There’s an article in the Toronto Star newspaper today about pending cuts to the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) for people with disabilities. According to the article, the poverty line for income in Ontario for a single adult is $22,000 per year and the maximum basic needs and shelter benefit under ODSP is currently about $14,000 per year.

The Ontario government is proposing that people with medical conditions that aren’t permanent shouldn’t be eligible for ODSP and should instead be put on the Ontario Works Program which pays a single person a maximum of $733 ($8,796 per year) per month for food and lodging.

Their rationale of these cuts seems to be that people with temporary or intermittent disabilities like Cancer, Multiple Sclerosis, Mental Health issues, etc., should be able to work some of the time so don’t need the same support a person with more debilitating conditions need.

The whole idea that if you pay people with disabilities income support at less than the poverty line you’ll keep those who might abuse the system from ripping off the public purse seems to be a universal belief among all governments. It’s like saying “we’ll just see who’s faking and who is really sick”. Those faking will leave, or not even apply for, the disability program in question because of the low support level. Too bad about the really sick people who can’t afford to buy groceries.

The problem with this belief is that people who already live a difficult life are sentenced to live their lives in a permanent state of near, if not complete, insolvency. So, governments’ solution to the potential for abuse of the system is to punish everyone instead of ensuring the people who need the support are properly screened taken care of.

The rationale that people with temporary or intermittent disabilities can work part time may be true but is not usually feasible. No employer is going to hire a person who cannot promise reliable attendance at work to any responsible long term position and most wouldn’t hire them at all knowing their condition. People with serious medical conditions need a lot of time to manage their condition and perform normal everyday activities which is rarely compatible with working a regular job, even if it’s part time.

If you’d like to read the article in the Toronto Star you can see it here: https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2019/12/09/people-struggling-on-disability-raise-fears-over-proposed-changes-to-odsp.html

Caster Loading Article

EZee Life CH1096 Aluminum Wheelchair

Caster load is the amount of weight that is supported by the wheelchair casters. Too much weight and the chair will be difficult to push, too little weight and the chair may tip over backwards.

I’ve just added a new article about caster loading, the causes and steps that can be taken to minimise the effects.

For those who are interested in reading this article it can be found at https://mobilitybasics.ca/articles/caster-load-information

New article on Wheelchair & Scooter Batteries

Wheelchair and scooter batteries are designed to last for years with proper care and maintenance. They are the most common cause of service calls and can cause all kinds of weird symptoms if not working properly.

I’ve recently been helping a lady work out a battery issue with her scooter and felt that the information I’ve been giving her might be of benefit to the readers of MobilityBasics.ca

If you are interested in reading this article you can find it at: https://mobilitybasics.ca/articles/wheelchair-battery-info

Aluminum Shower Commodes

155 Tilt Rehab Shower Commodde
155 Tilt Rehab Shower Commodde

I’ve just added two new pages to the site with information on the EZee Life Aluminum Rehab and the EZee Life Tilt Rehab Commodes. These commodes are available with a variety of options and se

veral seat widths to accommodate most  users.

The aluminum frames will not rust and will support weights up to 400 pounds depending on the model & size chosen.

These commodes have features found only on much more expensive commodes and are worth checking out for both residential and institutional use.

Anyone who may be interested in these commodes can find them at https://mobilitybasics.ca/bath-safety/180-aluminum-rehab-commode or https://mobilitybasics.ca/bath-safety/180-aluminum-rehab-commode

Accessible Halloween in Toronto

frolicshaunt.com

I got notice of this this morning in my email.

It’s a great idea for people with accessibility issues who would like to experience a halloween event in the Toronto area. This is a tour through a fully accessible haunted house.

I’ve quickly scanned their site and participation in this event is free of charge although donations will be happily accepted.

You can predetermine how scary and how much involvement you will have prior to starting the tour.

This event is for one night only and it is is very important to reserve a space for you and your friends. They are limited to one night and showing up without a reservation may lead to disappointment if they can’t fit you in.

For more information visit the Frolic’s Haunt website.

DNA Surgery

DNA Strand
DNA Strand

I came across a BBC article about a Chinese university who have successfully altered a human embryo DNA strand to remove a genetic disease.

They had a DNA strand with a defect that was known to cause the potentially life-threatening blood disorder beta-thalassemia

DNA consists of four different building blocks A, C, G and T strung together in various combinations. Apparently, as I understand it, this disease is caused by a single building block out of place among the millions of blocks that make up a DNA strand.  Continue reading “DNA Surgery”

Modular Ramp Ordering Information

A*Com Modular Ramp

I’ve recently had a large amount of interest shown in modular ramp systems and have written a new page in the Wheelchair Ramp section of the website providing information on specific modular ramp components and considerations that need to be taken into account when purchasing them.

The article provides a lot of information on how to determine length and slope of a ramp, modular or not. Components of the ramp and regulations surrounding installation and use of a modular ramp.

For those interested in this information it can be found on the new “Ordering Modular Ramp” page.

Dear Everybody

Dear Everybody is a new awareness campaign from the Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital aiming to remove the stigma often attached to those having a disability and providing guidance for people who may have questions on how to interact with people with disabilities.

As Holland Bloorview is a children’s hospital they provide a lot of information on interacting with children with disabilities but the information also applies to adults as well.

I believe the information gathered at deareverybody.ca is of value to those with disabilities, those who regularly interact with people with disabilities and those who rarely interact with people with disabilities.

They’ve created several a number of tip sheets targeted at specific groups: Continue reading “Dear Everybody”

Aging at home article

I posted an article this morning offering advice and information to seniors about staying in their homes as they age.

This article was written by the people at Stannah Stairlifts and offers information and advice touching on barriers to aging at home, living independently and safely at home and, of course, some information about stairlifts.

It offers some good advice and information for those who are approaching the age, or are already at the age, where staying in their home is becoming more difficult and decisions will have to be made.

So, if you are interested in finding ways to stay in your home as long as possible or have family members or clients who are facing this type of situation I think you’ll find this article worth reading.

Click here to read the article: https://mobilitybasics.ca/articles/age-in-place