Stuck

I try really hard not to post negative blogs, because I want to know that differences can be made, things can change, the world can improve! But today I am feeling stuck.

I am saddened and angered that Calgary City Council struck down the Secondary Suites second reading, and that many people will become homeless, in major credit debt, or other unseen, unspeakable things because these politicians wouldn't do what is best for their citizens. I don't know why they voted the way they did. Maybe some of them got so many angry emails that they were afraid that they wouldn't be voted for in the next election if they did what was right for society.

I am furious that I am in a revolving cycle of never ending poverty and I feel that I have no control over my circumstances.

There was a time where I felt I had control over my circumstances and could make it out of poverty. When I decided that I was smart enough to go back to school, and when I graduated landed employment with a company as a Medical Office Assistant. It was with a company that had helped me when I was a teenage run away, and I wanted to work with them because of the great work they do to help people out of their circumstances, and to support people when they are in the situation they are in. Also, to give back to a company that greatly helped me in my time of need.

But then I became mentally ill, I developed an addiction, I encountered a bully at work, and I quit my job. I became more depressed, because I was not eating my iron, Vitamin D, and Calcium levels dropped. I had a diagnosis of sleep apnea and could not afford the mask. Which probably contributes to the depression. I started antidepressants and was able to get at a level where I could get a job.

And then.......I slipped on ice at a Calgary bus stop. I got up, went to work, and stood on it for 4 hours. What else was I supposed to do? I had to go to my first employment and then go to my second job which was my third day of work.

After 4 hours I was in excruciating pain. I had my parents come and take me to an urgent care centre where they xrayed it. Instead of coming back and telling me that it was bruised, they came back and told me I had broken my patella.

Months later when I was able to get back on my feet and start physiotherapy I was surprised to learn that Alberta Works did not cover this. I contacted the city to see if they could help me with the cost of physiotherapy as it was city property I fell on. They informed me they would not cover this. I don't understand, wouldn't you WANT me to get back to work full time and support me in doing that as soon as I could????

Now, I have developed a lump that we are trying to figure out what it is. It's left me in pain constantly. The only relief is taking 4 narcotic pills twice a day until I see a specialist. (The wait lists are long).  The money for that comes out of my pocket because Alberta Works does not cover that medication, and I've tried many that are ineffective. And I am only able to work 2 days a week for 5 hours with modified work duties.

Sigh.....This post is too long, and I'm tired of complaining. There is some good news today. The NDP Government boosted the minimum wage to $11.20/hour starting October 1, 2015.

It's a start.