Where to find my writings

Hello all

As some readers may already know, a little over a year ago a very old staff (as in he worked for me 10 years ago, not that he really old) started to work for me again. He's an independent author and that was the main reason why he came back was to devote more time to his writings.

Taking advantage of his new skill list I published my book 'The Journey' as an ebook. Over 500 downloads latter I consider it a great personal success. For those who still haven't read it you get it free from Smashwords, KOBO  and IBooks. It's also available on Amazon but that seller has problems with free books so it on again off again free or 99 cents US. These are only a sample of where you can find 'The Journey", it pretty much available anywhere ebooks are sold.

Given the success of 'The Journey' I started writing a series of essays on various disability topics. I've also published these and are available for 99 US cents each at Amazon , Kobo, Ibooks, and Smashwords. I urge to to check them all out, I think they're good value for the money.

Finally all the publishing also got me noticed by other content providers. The good people at the Selfadvocate offered me a monthly column. The first one is up so take a look.

So that's it. The reason why I haven't been writing here much is because I've become a professional writer. I believe that what I have something to say and that it is important and that like many people out there a small fee is not unreasonable.

An Opportunity to Share with Others UPDATE # 1

Further to the last post, I wish to elaborate a little to get you thinking about what may interest you.....

• These informal sessions could be held in someone's home or weather permitting. a park or other outdoor venue
• we could discuss such things as "Independence" and what that means to you
• we could discuss a huge exciting rally type event , aka "HOOTENANY 2015" which would reach out to the public and give them more insight into the lives and strifes of persons with disabilities and or seniors
• we could have live music at these sharing sessions (lead by someone you may know) and perhaps we could even  collectively create our own song or two
• we could discuss the many or not, useful or not, benefits available or not, to persons with disabilities like the RDSP, the Federal and Provincial Disability Tax Credits, CSIL (Choices in Support of Independent Living) Maybe we could come up with some new ones.

We are excited to hear your thoughts.

An Opportunity to Share with Others

Hello everyone; 

Thora and I have a great idea - brilliant in fact! Does anyone out there wish they had a place or opportunity to share with others (either disabled or not) their concerns, questions, ideas etc about any topic that interests you in a safe friendly atmosphere with others who care? Years ago, on occasion, as the interest dictated, I would have a couple people to my place to discuss things like independence and what it meant for them and me and sometimes I took their ideas and applied them to my own life.. I found this very beneficial and worthwhile and good way to socialize. Would anyone out there be interested in such a similar situation and if so, please let me know and let's see what we can make happen. We hope to hear from you soon and perhaps more ideas will emerge.

My Thoughts Around the RDSP by Cathy Grant

My thoughts around the RDSP

by Cathy Grant

I believe the RDSP program is one of the most significant programs for people with disabilities and their families since the start of the de-institutionalization in the early ‘80’s; a good idea for those who are eligible. 

Why? 

-  Money equals power.

- The program changes the result from Persons with Disabilities being a liability to their families into being an asset to their families.

- They become contributing members of society.

- The money is now under the direct control of the person with the disability. In other words, it would be up to the person as to where they could spend it.

- This could work well with the IF (Individualized Funding) program because the person with the disability also has direct control of their money.

- Some were under the assumption that you had to open with a minimum amount of $1000.00. That is a myth. You don’t have to deposit any money at all to open it.

I wrote a letter to the provincial MLAs and there was positive interest; however, most were forwarded to the Federal MPs who were ultimately responsible for it.

It is a shame that people over 60 cannot make use of it. It should be made available to all Persons with Disabilities regardless of age. It is the disability that is important, not their age.

In my opinion, it would be good if someone like me who is now over 50 could claim back to 2008 when I was only 49 and still eligible and claim that one particular year. I believe there would be a strong case and argument around this point.

I would strongly recommend that any money contributed by the beneficiary of an RDSP not count as income. Under current Person With Disability benefit rules, a person with a disability is only allowed to earn $9600 per year before his or her PWD benefits are clawed back. Allowing people to contribute to their RDSP, over and above the $9600 limit and not lose any PWD benefits, would increase their motivation to work where possible. It would increase their motivation to seek out work that pays them more than $9600 per year and also break the cycle of poverty that many people with disabilities find themselves in today. This could be done with no financial increase to the Province or the taxpayer.

Civil Rights Movement - do we need one?

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=875056222527203

Do you feel we need a Civil Rights Movement and if so, would you get involved and how?

If you believe we need a movement of this type, what would it look like to you? How would you get the information about this movement out to the world other than the usual "emails to MP's and MLA's"?

In my experience, people don't believe rallies work any more - am I wrong? If people don't like them what would we replace a rally with that you feel would work? There obviously has to be a distinct focus and purpose and we need to know our target group. One idea that Thora feels could work would be a public gathering (not unlike a rally) that would be geared to all people, all ages, all genders, etc with music that appeals and draws people of all ages, genders etc . The focus would be decided upon based on the answers you give us to the question: What do you feel is the most important issue today regarding persons with disabilities and seniors? We would appreciate your honest feedback and answers to the above. This would be most helpful in our "Sisters in Action" work. Thank you all. I truly believe you will all answer this - won't you ? Cathy and Thora (Sisters in Action)

SISTERS IN ACTION - POSITIVE HUMAN ACTION FOR EFFECTIVE CHANGE

Hello everyone;
 Hope you will visit, like, share and comment on my sister's and my new FB page "SISTERS IN ACTION"
This is a page where we will keep you up  to date as to the various issues we deal with, creating positive action rather than just talk.

Hope you will visit,

Cathy and Thora

Action speaks louder than words

Yesterday's gone, tomorrow's not here and today's a present which is why we call it a gift.

Therefore - think, do and live for today as that is all we really have.

Let's make things happen.  Let's do more than just talk....let's take ACTION!

If you want to help, consider commenting on this rather than just LIKE-ing it.  The more people that make comments and start some ACTION, the further we will get.

"Take my Present Please"

            I believe people find it hard to receive; therefore they are more interested in giving than getting. We have been trained as children, and continue to believe as adults, that giving is good, but receiving is selfish.

            In the Gospels, it is written that it is better to give than to receive. But if people do not accept gifts, nobody can give! Since we receive God’s unconditional love, it is up to us to love unconditionally too, and this means being able to receive. If we truly love our neighbour as ourselves we must do what will make him happy. So we should follow the golden rule and “do unto others” by receiving gracefully and gratefully.

            It seems to be easier for people to receive at Christmas, but after the New Year people tend to go back to their old ways. Yet our need to give love, time and caring goes on the whole year round. So I think the greatest gift anyone could get would be the ability to receive things, especially LOVE.

            Taking things from people who are not very well off makes the recipient feel guilty, I think. People say things like “Oh you shouldn’t have!” and “Keep your money to buy something for yourself.” People tend to think that handicapped people shouldn’t buy things for others. If you take your purse out to pay for lunch; for instance, people will say “Put your money away, please” or “You can pay next time.”  But, the next time never comes.

            When people won’t take from me, I feel frustrated. Just the same, if someone more handicapped than I am gave me something, I would probably say “Oh, you shouldn’t have.” I would accept the gift, and I would be so touched I would probably cry.

            Much of the difficulty is caused by a lack of true communication. We need to talk about when it is our turn to give, and when it is our turn to receive. When I am out with friends we discuss this beforehand. I think we all should do this.

            There are times when someone really needs to give, and if they are not allowed to, it hurts. Handicapped people have something to give, and they should be allowed to give it!!

Do you feel this way too?

Social isolation --Have you too felt like this? I know that this is part of my issue around “where do I go when I’ve been everywhere and nothing really appeals to me anymore?  I can take it or mostly leave it.  All I can think about is big huge projects that take other people’s time and focus and bother.  I feel like I am bothering people but I want my life to get going and get off it’s butt so to speak.  I wonder if the feeling that “I am broken” ties in here.?  We need a breakthrough and don’t know how to get it.  You would think it would be enough that I know what I want - I.F. and a new home - but it’s not that simple apparently.   

I also want real purpose in helping others.  I would like to have “real things” to do that are purposeful.  Some of these things might include:

• Going to colleges and assisting other disabled people or the students.  I am doing some of that by speaking to classes every year but it’s minimal.
• In the past I had people over to my home and let them speak about their independence versus my independence and I got them to ask me questions and think about their own personal lives.  Are there people out there who would be interested in this type of situation.  I personally would like to do this again. 
• A small church / bible study / home group in my home once a week (evenings)
• I would also feel more like I'm helping if people would comment on my blog posts, emails and Facebook posts.

Things I would like to change in my life:

• A larger home
• Individualized Funding (I.F.)

It is all so simple really.  I am sure there are others out there who feel like I do.  Please comment so we can help each other and make a difference.

CO-OP HOUSING

Ottawa currently provides operating subsidies to co-ops. The current agreements end in 2017 and 2020 (depending on the co-op), which means there will no longer be federal funding for subsidies, leaving thousands in BC facing a housing crisis.

Co-ops must become self-sustaining to last beyond the federal funding, but many are unable to find funds within their budget for those on subsidy.

The percentage of people on subsidy in co-ops vary. In some cases, there are 40% of residents on subsidy, while in other co-ops, there are only 1-2 people. It may be easier for the co-op with less members relying on subsidy to find money within their budget to subsidize those members.  For the co-ops with higher numbers, it will be more difficult, if not impossible.

As of January last year, co-ops can write a letter stating that they can no longer have the funds to support their subsidized members.  It used to be that co-ops were required to have 15% of their members on subsidy.  Now with co-ops being allowed to opt out of having subsidies, those who rely on the subsidies are put in a tenuous situation.  This means that at any point they can get notice that their co-op will no longer offer subsidy, meaning they have to find alternative housing, if such housing is available.

The concern is – where do these people go?  Currently, subsidized housing is offered by B.C. Housing, non-profit organizations, and co-op  housing.  For those who have lost housing due to the cancellation of their subsidy, they are not going to apply to another co-op because the pattern will most likely repeat itself, which considerably lessens options for housing. In addition there are long wait lists for the few subsidized units. For those on subsidy who also need accessible units, there can be a minimum wait of 3 years, or more. There are few accessible subsidy places in B.C. to begin with, taking co-ops out of the equation creates a true housing crisis for people with disabilities.

Unfortunately the Government doesn’t think that 2017 is soon enough to act on this issue.  This is not just a housing issue, but a health issue, as the stress this is causing to seniors, people with disabilities, and families, is causing severe health issues such as depression and heart attacks.

Some concerned people who contacted their MLAs were advised to be patient, and yet there is no information about what exactly the government is doing in preparation for the upcoming crisis. There are no concrete examples of how they are trying to help.

For many people in co-ops, they are not actively involved in co-op issues or politics, and are not aware of what is going on so they are unable to properly prepare for this upcoming crisis, or to advocate for them rights.

This is a Human and Civil Rights issue but we need someone willing to get into a long battle, and fight for sustained action.  Even though this is about human rights, there is no right given to a person to enable them to fight it.

Please talk to your MLA or MP or representatives, or write to Rich Coleman, Housing Minister.

To raise awareness, and to pressure the government to get involved in this fast approaching housing crisis, the Co-op Housing Federation of B.C. has a “You Hold the Key – Fix the Housing Co-op Crunch” campaign.

For more information, or to learn how you can help, please visit the following links:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/youholdthekey/

http://www.chf.bc.ca/eoacampaign2014/whatyoucando

One group working on housing issues is the  MetroVancouverAlliance (http://iafnw.org/canada/metrovancouveralliance). They have spent the six months running a “listening campaign” in church halls and union offices, living rooms and coffee shops, to find out what four issues most affect the residents of Metro Vancouver. The campaign led MVA to name the following four issues as the most pressing: housing,  social isolation, transportation and poverty. The loss of subsidized housing in Vancouver will severely impact people living below the poverty line who rely on subsidy, as their housing is a fundamental need for their health and well-being, and the loss of subsidy will definitely lead to social isolation for many. This housing crisis affects three of the four most pressing issues the Metro Vancouver Alliance will be working on. The founding meeting of MVA, held on March 19^th, 2014, had a turnout of 600 people. Members of MVA include youth groups, unions, non-profit organizations, co-ops, academic departments, faith congregations, neighbourhood houses, and community groups. The members of MVA will work together as a collective instead of working separately or competing against each other.

Groups such as MVA are an important component in creating change but so is the help of individuals. You can make a difference. Please help, in any way you can, by writing a letter, contacting your government representative, becoming more involved in your own co-op, educating others about this upcoming crisis, and keeping awareness alive on this issue.

Please do not contact the owner of this blog, Cathy Grant.  Instead, for information, please contact the Co-Operative Housing Federation of B.C. at 220 - 1651 Commercial Drive, Vancouver, BC  V5L 3Y3  phone:  604-879-5111 or toll free 866-879-4611, members' email:  members@chf.bc.ca   email:  info@chf.bc.ca  web: www.chf.bc.ca