System Shock

The thing that never happens HAPPENED. The system saved the day!

Allow me to explain.

My client is on long-term disability from his job due to his mental illness. His wife works full-time at a fast food restaurant. They have had subsidized daycare for their 6 year old daughter for the past two years.

They received notice recently that their subsidy would end as of September, as their daughter will begin attending full day school. They asked me to call Children’s Services to advocate keeping the subsidy, as they can’t afford the full rates. Children’s Services explained to me that once a child is past the preschool age, and in full day school it is presumed that they do not require the same level of care, and the parent should be able to manage this. Apparently, this is policy. She said she had never heard of any exceptions being made. I kinda see their point, but have these people never heard of P.D. days? Winter and spring break? Summer vacation???? There are many days when the little one will not be in school.

My client is doing well in his recovery, but is not yet able to take care of his daughter by himself for extended periods. He has appointments with various therapists, doctors, clinics pretty much daily, and has difficulty staying awake for long periods of time and handling stressful situations.

So today, 3 days before they are to be cut off the Children’s Services worker calls me back. Apparently the department has just finished approving a new policy which states that approved disability leaves will continue to qualify for supports beyond preschool age, and this already applies to this family.

Hallelujah! We must have saved up some good karma or something. I was all set to do battle with the higher-ups if need be, but they pre-empted me! Any of you readers who work in or receive social services will know just how rare an event this is indeed.

Not bad for a Monday morning.

Potty Break

I was at our local disability support office with a client the other day. It’s a nice new building, so I decided to take the opportunity to use a clean and non-scary washroom. I walked in and nearly burst out laughing (which was bad, since I really had to pee) when I saw this sign next to the toilet:

I then turned around and saw this one:

Text: AS A COURTESY TO THE NEXT USER PLEASE OBSERVE THE FOLLOWING: > Do not step on the toilet bowl > Please FLUSH the toilet after use > Keep the whole toilet area clean as you leave. Tissue is cheap. > Please wash your hands after you have finished.

One sign must not have been enough to dissuade these incorrigible washroom destroyers. I guess some people just have no sense of public toilet etiquette.

Anything Else to Add?

Check all that apply:

Concurrent Disorder (Substance Abuse)

Dual Diagnosis (Developmental Disability)

Other Chronic Illness and/or physical disabilities

First time I’ve checked ‘em all. Oh yeah, and throw in an Acquired Brain Injury to boot. For a guy diagnosed with Bipolar and PTSD. Actually, truth be told, I'm kind of surprised it took until now.

Please, just go

I’m crossing all my fingers and toes today. A client of mine has been on a housing transfer list since 2006. She has been in supportive housing since 2004, when the housing agency made an “in situ” arrangement for a family member to rent to her, as he was going to let her live in the first and second floor of a semi-detached that he owns. This seemed ideal at the time (I’m told) because she has two children of disparate ages and three bedroom housing stock is low.

The situation has not worked out. He constantly asks her for money over and above the rent to pay for household bills, utilities, and improvements. She frequently gives in because, hey: she doesn’t want the lights to go out of the heat turned off. She has multiple complex health issues, and is on disability so she has funded this largely through a line of credit and credit cards. She is in DEEP debt. And majorly stressed. The effects on her mental health and family life have been devastating. I would go so far as to say there has been financial and emotional abuse happening.

About one year ago I started calling the housing agency to get an update on her transfer. Somewhat understandably, these things are not always a priority compared to new client’s who haven’t even been housed yet. The agency was able to show her one unit, but she didn’t take it. It was in a neighbourhood far removed from just about everything, and her daughter would not be able to get to her high school (she attends a special program). Understandable, but frustrating for all that it didn’t work out.

Fast forward one year. She’s been doing relatively well given the circumstances, and we’ve been working a lot on goal plans. We realized together that the housing issue is creating a huge obstacle to most of her other goals and aspirations. Since it’s been a year, I call the housing agency for updates, and to impress on them how urgent this situation has become. I do an email follow up and cc: the manager just to make sure we aren’t forgotten about.

Well that did the trick!

Two days later a unit has been found for her to view. We went to see it yesterday. It’s in a great neighbourhood, near the schools, nicely kept building and clean, good sized unit. She seemed to like it, but had one major concern which I’m really hoping will not sabotage the whole venture. If she says no to this one, she only gets one more chance.

Our work is supposed to be client driven, but I admit I was not unbiased with my client yesterday. I talked up what I thought were the good points, I printed out a map for her of the area, highlighting access to services, routes to school etc. I suggested ways that I thought we could work around her ONE concern.

She has to decide today. I hope she takes it.