stabLe_hips

My husband has secondary progressive MS and receives government funded homecare.  The Ontario government pays HCCSS to oversee home care in Ontario, and then HCCSS contracts out the work to local agencies.  In our case, St Elizz has the bulk of the contract for Bob's PSW care. We were assessed for 7 hours a week - which means once a day a PSW comes in to get him up, give him a shower, dress him, and helps him prepare for his day.  We have all the toys - hospital bed, a lift, a commode, a safety belt, power chair, ramps, roll in shower - everything anyone needs to take care of my husband. Over the last five years, care has declined.  I've estimated that we "miss a visit" roughtly 6 times a month, which is more than once a week.  It's roughly 20% of our visits, overall.  Generally speaking, we miss visits when our main guy is off - sick, vacation, whatever.  This is because local agencies don't get a sick call and re-distribute patient care.  They g...

 the title of a book, one day - "a non-christian would have apologized".   stemming from a recent incident - where members of my parents' church steamrolled a group chat meant to announce my dad's new cell number into a WORSHIPPING AS A FAMILY woot woot chat, and then taking the victim chair when we pointed out that they got the wrong chat, not us - where the 'christians" offered no apology.  It reminded me of every other incident in my life where it seems to be the high holy roller that plays the victim card or refuses to apologize..  and it's so funny how all of a sudden it just all makes sense.  they literally believe they are better than us.

 I've had to ask, more than a few times, for my husband to stop talking.  Life is a lot to take sometimes. I attended a book launch last night with a friend.  A powerful black woman was talking about her time as CEO and then MP and her new ventures - sharing insights and stories about the intersectionality of her race, her mental health, and her womanhood.  It was great.  We went for a beer after, my friend and I, to discuss that and other world happenings - having a lovely evening of embracing and celebrating womanhood. I was telling my husband this morning, while helping him get dressed, and he started in with "i don't know why she'd..." and I had a moment and just told him "please stop talking.  women do not to hear your questions, your thoughts, or your opinions anymore".   It was in that moment, I had a revelation - *I* don't want to hear men's thoughts, opinions, or questions anymore.  I'm tired of them and their arrogant assumptions th...

  Hi Sylvia and Todd, My husband and I are constituents of Todd's and have spoken to him about our experiences with home care.  We are very frustrated with the lack of accountability for organizations that work with government money and real human beings in Ontario.   We are hoping you can help. My husband receives home care through home and community care - and via SE Health.  He has advanced MS and requires help getting up, showering, and dressing.  I do all his other care.  We are turning 53 this year, and he's had MS since he was 21.  We both work, and we've contributed to our communities with taxes, volunteering, and raising children. Last year, we had our primary PSW ask to not work with us - SE Health indicated to the HCCSS that he felt our home was "unsafe" with my husband for lifts, etc..  although we have "all the toys" to make a PSW's life easier.  This PSW was regularly in our home, rushing through my husband's care, and brag...