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But, you know - maybe one short doctors note would suffice instead of all that if they are that concerned about imposters pretending they have a mobility impairment to get a cheap ride on the ferry.
 
Wait. It isn't the person with the disability. It would be the person who does not have. People swindle with student cards in Toronto which is why they altered student id, (or were altering). It is why only government issued id is valid for senior discounts.

People were caught using white cane who were not valid white cane holders. My dad's lane is a "visually impaired cane" which is not fully white. This is a signal. He also has ld issued by the Mobility group in the region.

You wouldn't have to keep it up to fool a ticket seller.


I think having a gov't issued id separate from your health card world be reasonable and save time. It should indicate specifics though to provide suitable information to identify assistance or discounts such as mobility.
 
Okay...but the criteria to be on income assistance as well - when Mr. and Mrs. Rockefeller who are 65 get to ride at a discount ? But I have to have to be on disability income assistance (not so can't even apply) and the government then would have to release my personal information confirming i am on income assistance to the company and the doctor has to fill out another section? And then I get a special ID card in the mail branding me special just so there's no doubt about it. The Rockafellers just have to present their drivers licenses at the ticket window.

There has to be a more respectful way than that. I am still a paying customer/ passenger.
 
I think the possibility of anyone going out of their way to get a walk-on discount by pretending to have a disability is so negligible it's laughable - they might slip by if anyone ever did because the ferry transports thousands of people daily - but people who do need help have to jump through dehumanizing hoops just to be given courtesy of being ourselves.
 
What an excellent question Seeler. This is an issue near and dear to my heart and one I have been doing a lot of thinking about for my doctoral work - though I approach the issue from an extreme caregiving standpoint. So, the experiences of the primary caregiver who has responsibility for a vulnerable individual with a disability.

Well, there is the research. There is no lack of research that tells us that people who care for children with disabilities experience significant financial, emotional, marital and physical stress - to name just a few challenges. Parents are often overwhelmed, exhausted, and isolated.

In my experience I would agree with the posts that suggest there is lots of paperwork to do. Managing Matthew's care and funding demands a lot of time. We work with silos of money from a range of sources and organizing, monitoring, and ethically spending the money takes time. Is it a pain? Sure. Do I get tired of repeating our story and advocating in a broken system? Yes. But doing so ensures my son's care and well being so I do it.

We have access to some unique resources to, for the most part, Matthew has what he needs so I cannot complain. I believe he is well care for.

What I personally find stressful is the lack of privacy. I always have staff in my house. 24 hours a day. And because of professional boundaries they are not, and cannot be, friends. So paradoxically I am often never alone, but sometimes quite lonely since getting out can be challenging at times - particularly in the winter with a wheelchair.

Also as a caregiver I have chronic back and shoulder pain. I have been lifting my son for 16 years and a body can only take so much. While we have slings in our home there are still some parts of his care that simply require heavy lifting. You can't change a diaper with a sling, so I have to do the lifting and repositioning in bed which is taking its toll on my body.

That said I adore my son. So while being caregiver certainly brings challenges and there are many days I wish my life were different, I will NEVER place him in long term care as long as I can manage his care.
 
Kimmio - when I read your posts about the ferry - I see two separate issues. One is the need for physical assistance on board & how to ask for and receive that. Quite a separate issue is the possibility of discounted fare. They are very different & different solutions come into play I think.

In light of Seeler's original question - what suggestions would you have for BC Ferries about best way to provide physical assistance to you, when they are asked to do so? The "asking" is important, I think - so as not to presume those with differences do need assistance. Do the ferries have suitable grab bars, items or people available to assist with mobility, etc.? Would it be helpful for their staff to have more training? I imagine you have specific constructive suggestions that you could offer.

In terms of "fair" - no the world is not fair. And IMO "fair" does mean "equal" or "same." But that's quite another philosophical discussion - so I don't want to derail this thread.
 
Kimmio said:
I don't drive, we don't have a car, and there are days when my anxiety is high and/ because my muscles are too stiff to feel safe walking out alone - getting to the bus stop, on the bus, transfer to the train - in the rain with cane and umbrella. Walking anywhere after dark when I can't see as well where I'm stepping. If it snows or the ground freezes (so far so good) I'm hooped. It's overwhelming. There are days I don't go out because of that. I cancel work or plans. Then I feel guilty and depressed. I am working on that with a doctor now - and others- to overcome this. I wasn't always this dependent (and I feel shame about that - some say I should some say I shouldn't but somebody's always got an opinion and they often contradict) but I just need extra help for a little while or maybe I need to learn to adapt. Either way. There are things called taxi-savers. Discounts tickets for half price cab fare. You need to have a disability or be a senior and in the case of the former, a doctors form filled out to get them. I don't have that. I know about all these things but hate accessing them for myself because it just feels like a violation of my person and a shame to have to justify help leaving the house and going somewhere necessary - or other things that are necessary.
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I guess my experience here didn't count. I'm too mainstream according to you. It doesn't matter that just getting a taxi wasn't an option - it was viewed by the clinic the same as public transport.
 
Carolla said:
Kimmio - when I read your posts about the ferry - I see two separate issues. One is the need for physical assistance on board & how to ask for and receive that. Quite a separate issue is the possibility of discounted fare. They are very different & different solutions come into play I think.

In light of Seeler's original question - what suggestions would you have for BC Ferries about best way to provide physical assistance to you, when they are asked to do so? The "asking" is important, I think - so as not to presume those with differences do need assistance. Do the ferries have suitable grab bars, items or people available to assist with mobility, etc.? Would it be helpful for their staff to have more training? I imagine you have specific constructive suggestions that you could offer.

In terms of "fair" - no the world is not fair. And IMO "fair" does mean "equal" or "same." But that's quite another philosophical discussion - so I don't want to derail this thread.
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If the cost of living is more onerous for people with disabilities should they not get a discount?
 
Kimmio said:
If the cost of living is more onerous for people with disabilities should they not get a discount?
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I did not suggest they should not - I stated that the issues are separate.

On the question of discount then - if the person with the disability has received a multi-million dollar settlement because their disability results from a tragic accident - do you want that person to be eligible for the discount? Or is it reasonable to have a means test? It's a question of what we as a society want to fund - often through our taxes - and the stewardship of decision making regarding how that money is spent. It's complicated IMO.
 
Living hindered in any matter ... is a non-experiential thing to many Kimmio ... they can't even imagine the condition!

Just imagine people that are deprived of even thinking such things ... because of the bibles ban on knowledge and the essential burial of light in the 2nd rate testament ... a bit of hypo theatrical emotion that is subtle to most right now?

Others call this hyperbole ... humorous trivia to those without such experience?

The gods like entertainment in the cruelty to others ... consider Caesar and the Roman Circus ... where previous Christians were eaten by cats ... until the big cat passes ID ... then the cat is out of the bag man's control! The fecundity goes on ... considering what mortals don't have clues about ...
 
Interesting ... on CBC radio I just heard an OT from Edmonton talking about seasonal affective disorder & the benefits of light therapy. He commented that he realized many people may not be able to afford to buy light boxes to treat this. So he approached the local library & managed to find funding to install some light boxes in the library - so people can go there, sit for half an hour and read while getting the benefit of the light boxes. I liked that initiative and his advocacy.
 
Carolla said:
I did not suggest they should not - I stated that the issues are separate.

On the question of discount then - if the person with the disability has received a multi-million dollar settlement because their disability results from a tragic accident - do you want that person to be eligible for the discount? Or is it reasonable to have a means test? It's a question of what we as a society want to fund - often through our taxes - and the stewardship of decision making regarding how that money is spent. It's complicated IMO.
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Is it likely a multimillionaire would travel by public transport of worry about costs? Sorry some are mean as chit ...
 
Carolla said:
I did not suggest they should not - I stated that the issues are separate.

On the question of discount then - if the person with the disability has received a multi-million dollar settlement because their disability results from a tragic accident - do you want that person to be eligible for the discount? Or is it reasonable to have a means test? It's a question of what we as a society want to fund - often through our taxes - and the stewardship of decision making regarding how that money is spent. It's complicated IMO.
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Excellent question Carolla. :)

I personally believe that in cases where an individual has an unusually large award then it is reasonable that they be exempt from certain funding. In an era of very limited funding we need strategies to ensure the greatest assistance for as many people as possible.

My son will likely receive very little government funding once he crosses the age of 18. I am okay with that.
 
Carolla said:
Kimmio - when I read your posts about the ferry - I see two separate issues. One is the need for physical assistance on board & how to ask for and receive that. Quite a separate issue is the possibility of discounted fare. They are very different & different solutions come into play I think.

In light of Seeler's original question - what suggestions would you have for BC Ferries about best way to provide physical assistance to you, when they are asked to do so? The "asking" is important, I think - so as not to presume those with differences do need assistance. Do the ferries have suitable grab bars, items or people available to assist with mobility, etc.? Would it be helpful for their staff to have more training? I imagine you have specific constructive suggestions that you could offer.

In terms of "fair" - no the world is not fair. And IMO "fair" does mean "equal" or "same." But that's quite another philosophical discussion - so I don't want to derail this thread.
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No, I wouldn't want them to get a discount if they had a million dollar settlement. But the retired Rockerfellers heading to their island estates do anyway, so why do I have to suffer the red tape and intrusiveness?
 
Kimmio said:
I was only trying to relay that I understand the frustration of transportation issues. :(
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You have basically implied that my experiences don't count earlier. I thought this was another dig into that as you brought up the money aspect in yours, and I didn't see a sign that you were recognizing what I was dealing with. Sorry for misreading into it.
 
Carolla said:
I did not suggest they should not - I stated that the issues are separate.

On the question of discount then - if the person with the disability has received a multi-million dollar settlement because their disability results from a tragic accident - do you want that person to be eligible for the discount? Or is it reasonable to have a means test? It's a question of what we as a society want to fund - often through our taxes - and the stewardship of decision making regarding how that money is spent. It's complicated IMO.
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It is complicated. With that settlement, how much of that is going to one aspect of care, and would that discount mean they aren't scrapping to get another aspect of care, or something to improve their quality of life?
 
A possible solution that I would suggest would be for all persons with disability be issued a standardized card after filling in a form and having it signed by a doctor. This would entitle them to a guaranteed annual income. (No means test required - but a claw-back on income tax for those in middle and high income brackets.) It would also be accepted for all government services - including buses and ferries or any service partly or whole subsidized by taxpayers.
Private services - restaurants, stores, etc. could decide whether to offer a discount for disabled persons (like they do for seniors to attract our business). If they offer a discount they should accept the card as proof of disability. The card would not indicate what the disability was.

I haven't thought out all the details - there are probably a lot of catches. It's just a suggestion.

Fifty years ago or so I read an essay (I believe it was by Pierre Berton). It recommended that when people file their income taxes, if their income is below a certain level (I believe it was the poverty level) that they file a claim for the difference. ie Everyone is entitled to a certain amount (say $20,000). If they only earn $15,000 in a given year, they make a claim for $5,000). If they are unable to work at all, they claim $20,000. It seemed like a good idea to me then. It still does.
 
Carolla said:
Kimmio - when I read your posts about the ferry - I see two separate issues. One is the need for physical assistance on board & how to ask for and receive that. Quite a separate issue is the possibility of discounted fare. They are very different & different solutions come into play I think.

In light of Seeler's original question - what suggestions would you have for BC Ferries about best way to provide physical assistance to you, when they are asked to do so? The "asking" is important, I think - so as not to presume those with differences do need assistance. Do the ferries have suitable grab bars, items or people available to assist with mobility, etc.? Would it be helpful for their staff to have more training? I imagine you have specific constructive suggestions that you could offer.

In terms of "fair" - no the world is not fair. And IMO "fair" does mean "equal" or "same." But that's quite another philosophical discussion - so I don't want to derail this thread.
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FYI I wrote them a letter several years ago asking them to keep lids beside the coffee and pop machines that are in the cafeteria line instead of up by the cashier. They have people carry open and hot drinks while the boat is swaying. I had to make a big production and hold up the line asking for help to get to the til with my drink when I realized there were no lids at the machines.

I got a BC Ferries post card with "Thank you for your feedback" but nothing else and nothing changed. I think it is organized differently on the newer boats.

I wrote a similar letter to Starbucks but nothing changed. Because they keep the lids across the room from the til where the cream and sugar is. But at least they offer to help. Would rather do it myself - carry with a lid on - than hold up the line up while they carry it for me though. I try to remember to get a lid before I order.
 
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