Doação protegida
Early on in my friendship with Chloée, I attended a workshop that she was facilitating on Demystifying the AODA. During the session she shared one of her favourite quotes:
"Disability is not actually about those of us who are disabled; it is about those with the power to call us disabled." — A.J. Withers (2014)
It was in that moment that I realized that the spaces and systems in our communities have been created in ways that allow some to engage with ease, while others are forced to overcome barriers on a daily basis.
My friend Chloée is brilliant. She was recognized at the Global Undergraduate Awards in 2018 for her undergrad work at Kings University College and is now completing her Masters at Queens University.
She is an entrepreneur - having launched her own consulting business to further accessibility and inclusive spaces for disability communities AND co-founded an online platform to increase awareness and education about accessibility, disability and intersectionality.
Chloée is a fierce advocate for change. She is an educator, a mentor, a friend and she is dedicated to supporting others. Now - it's time for our community to support her. Please read her story...
"I was diagnosed with quadriplegia Cerebral Palsy, which impacts my four limbs as well as my speech. I rely on support workers for daily tasks so that I can meaningfully, and actively, contribute to society. My disability renders some activities of daily living quite challenging (if not impossible) to achieve on my own. While I consider myself very independent in some ways, I am completely dependent upon my workers in others. I need assistance for meal prep, housekeeping, as well as some personal care.
I first became a recipient of Direct Funding in 2016. Direct Funding is a self-managed attendant program. My life was enhanced when I hired my first employee as a result of this funding. I relied on this individual for absolutely everything: errands/shopping, meal-prep, personal care, school and work tasks.
My support workers are essential to my well-being and ensure that I can embrace the daily struggles I face. They assist me in my home and within the community. They come to my workplace if needed. They travel with me throughout the province for appointments and various engagements. Most importantly, they allow me to keep up with my busy schedule and maintain my independence.
In the past two years I have battled with sickness that prevented me from living my ‘typical’ life. I learnt to live with the grief of my father’s passing. I have moved four times in the past year. I have left my support network behind and began my life in a new city. And then some.
The challenges I have had to overcome resulted in significant delays in the submissions of my paperwork to ensure the renewal of my Direct Funding - as a result I have been asked to withdraw. I have since made efforts to secure funding through other sources...
Option one had a two year waiting list.
Option two decided that I was "not disabled enough".
My needs are not perceived as valid, even though they are essential to my survival. The reality is, I cannot cook on my own because it is not safe for me to do so. I cannot do housekeeping tasks because it is extremely challenging for me to do so.
I am independent in some areas of life, but completely dependent in others. I have fallen through the gaps of our healthcare systems.
I cannot find another option. But I absolutely cannot live without support."
I knew that I would have to convince Chloée to allow me to set up a Fundraiser for her. She's not interested in band-aid solutions. She wants real systems change. But in order for Chloée to change the world for future generations, we need to make sure she has the basic necessities to live a healthy and independent life.
Thank you for your compassion, your time and your support.
[UPDATE | September 14, 2020]
Since launching this Fundraiser Chloée, in classic Chloée fashion, has continued to work tirelessly behind the scenes to resolve the issue related to her funding. She has been engaging with various community leaders, experts and other resources and supports available to her.
There is still no resolution and so we will continue to raise money and prepare for the worst case scenario. As Chloée continues to work toward a more permanent solution we will continue to be transparent about the situation and provide updates as we go.
"Disability is not actually about those of us who are disabled; it is about those with the power to call us disabled." — A.J. Withers (2014)
It was in that moment that I realized that the spaces and systems in our communities have been created in ways that allow some to engage with ease, while others are forced to overcome barriers on a daily basis.
My friend Chloée is brilliant. She was recognized at the Global Undergraduate Awards in 2018 for her undergrad work at Kings University College and is now completing her Masters at Queens University.
She is an entrepreneur - having launched her own consulting business to further accessibility and inclusive spaces for disability communities AND co-founded an online platform to increase awareness and education about accessibility, disability and intersectionality.
Chloée is a fierce advocate for change. She is an educator, a mentor, a friend and she is dedicated to supporting others. Now - it's time for our community to support her. Please read her story...
"I was diagnosed with quadriplegia Cerebral Palsy, which impacts my four limbs as well as my speech. I rely on support workers for daily tasks so that I can meaningfully, and actively, contribute to society. My disability renders some activities of daily living quite challenging (if not impossible) to achieve on my own. While I consider myself very independent in some ways, I am completely dependent upon my workers in others. I need assistance for meal prep, housekeeping, as well as some personal care.
I first became a recipient of Direct Funding in 2016. Direct Funding is a self-managed attendant program. My life was enhanced when I hired my first employee as a result of this funding. I relied on this individual for absolutely everything: errands/shopping, meal-prep, personal care, school and work tasks.
My support workers are essential to my well-being and ensure that I can embrace the daily struggles I face. They assist me in my home and within the community. They come to my workplace if needed. They travel with me throughout the province for appointments and various engagements. Most importantly, they allow me to keep up with my busy schedule and maintain my independence.
In the past two years I have battled with sickness that prevented me from living my ‘typical’ life. I learnt to live with the grief of my father’s passing. I have moved four times in the past year. I have left my support network behind and began my life in a new city. And then some.
The challenges I have had to overcome resulted in significant delays in the submissions of my paperwork to ensure the renewal of my Direct Funding - as a result I have been asked to withdraw. I have since made efforts to secure funding through other sources...
Option one had a two year waiting list.
Option two decided that I was "not disabled enough".
My needs are not perceived as valid, even though they are essential to my survival. The reality is, I cannot cook on my own because it is not safe for me to do so. I cannot do housekeeping tasks because it is extremely challenging for me to do so.
I am independent in some areas of life, but completely dependent in others. I have fallen through the gaps of our healthcare systems.
I cannot find another option. But I absolutely cannot live without support."
I knew that I would have to convince Chloée to allow me to set up a Fundraiser for her. She's not interested in band-aid solutions. She wants real systems change. But in order for Chloée to change the world for future generations, we need to make sure she has the basic necessities to live a healthy and independent life.
Thank you for your compassion, your time and your support.
[UPDATE | September 14, 2020]
Since launching this Fundraiser Chloée, in classic Chloée fashion, has continued to work tirelessly behind the scenes to resolve the issue related to her funding. She has been engaging with various community leaders, experts and other resources and supports available to her.
There is still no resolution and so we will continue to raise money and prepare for the worst case scenario. As Chloée continues to work toward a more permanent solution we will continue to be transparent about the situation and provide updates as we go.
Organizador e beneficiário
Sienna Taylor
Organizador
London, ON
Chloée Godin-Jacques
Beneficiário