Randy and Barb
Donation protected
Barb Watts did a noble thing: she told the truth.
And now she and her husband, Randy Goodhope, are victims and their cupboards and fridge are becoming emptier with each meal they have.
It is a disturbing and downright low-spirited commentary on some Albertans — perhaps even more who have remained silent — are being treated during a time when compassion and common sense should be used ... and, not botched bureaucracy.
Randy was forced to apply the emergency brake on an 18-year career as an ETS driver when he was struck with Encephalitis, an imflamation of his brain.
He uses a wheelchair and is deaf. Randy helps supports himself and Barb with his CPP and a monthly cheque from the Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped.
Barb was working full-time in a Salvation Army thrift store. When COVID-19 invaded, Barb was laid off March 15.
Rather than applying for the Canadian Emergency Benefit, she was approved for E.I.
She wanted to be completely transparent. But Barb’s honesty and integrity backfired with such impact which, frankly, defies logic.
When Barb told Randy’s AISH caseworker, she was told AISH would take back whatever she made, dollar for dollar. And then the kicker: Randy will not get another AISH cheque until Barb returns to work.
But for now? Barb had to “beg” for $83 to cover a month’s rent from AISH, which has to be paid back.
Barb opened a letter — just last week -- from the federal government saying she would not be getting an E.I. cheque this past week because of the volume of CERB cheques mailed out.
So without Randy’s AISH payments — it’s two months, and counting — combined with Barb waiting for E.I., things are tight.
“I asked the AISH worker about food and they gave me $23 for food for Randy,” said Barb. “When I asked about me, the caseworker told me I had to go to The Food Bank.
“I broke down and cried. I am embarrassed. I am in my late fifties, and should not have to go to the Food Bank.”
On Friday Randy’s CPP cheque was deposited giving Barb a daunting choice, not knowing when her E.I. is arriving.
“Do I buy food, or pay rent?” She asks.
The pandemic has forced us to do things differently. It has also exposed deficiencies in how we treat and care for others — especially for people in care.
One has to seriously question if existing income support programs like AISH has a mechanism in place when Alberta declares a state of emergency. If the answer is, in fact, no, an even more compelling needs to be asked.
Why not?
Following policies and staying within guidelines are expected most of the times.
But when a once-in-a-life-time global rife surfaces, human compassion and understanding has to trump doing things by the book.
Someone once bravely said rules are meant to be broken.
I am Randy and Barb get over this mountain with a GoFundMe page.
Because … nobody should suffer for telling the truth.
And now she and her husband, Randy Goodhope, are victims and their cupboards and fridge are becoming emptier with each meal they have.
It is a disturbing and downright low-spirited commentary on some Albertans — perhaps even more who have remained silent — are being treated during a time when compassion and common sense should be used ... and, not botched bureaucracy.
Randy was forced to apply the emergency brake on an 18-year career as an ETS driver when he was struck with Encephalitis, an imflamation of his brain.
He uses a wheelchair and is deaf. Randy helps supports himself and Barb with his CPP and a monthly cheque from the Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped.
Barb was working full-time in a Salvation Army thrift store. When COVID-19 invaded, Barb was laid off March 15.
Rather than applying for the Canadian Emergency Benefit, she was approved for E.I.
She wanted to be completely transparent. But Barb’s honesty and integrity backfired with such impact which, frankly, defies logic.
When Barb told Randy’s AISH caseworker, she was told AISH would take back whatever she made, dollar for dollar. And then the kicker: Randy will not get another AISH cheque until Barb returns to work.
But for now? Barb had to “beg” for $83 to cover a month’s rent from AISH, which has to be paid back.
Barb opened a letter — just last week -- from the federal government saying she would not be getting an E.I. cheque this past week because of the volume of CERB cheques mailed out.
So without Randy’s AISH payments — it’s two months, and counting — combined with Barb waiting for E.I., things are tight.
“I asked the AISH worker about food and they gave me $23 for food for Randy,” said Barb. “When I asked about me, the caseworker told me I had to go to The Food Bank.
“I broke down and cried. I am embarrassed. I am in my late fifties, and should not have to go to the Food Bank.”
On Friday Randy’s CPP cheque was deposited giving Barb a daunting choice, not knowing when her E.I. is arriving.
“Do I buy food, or pay rent?” She asks.
The pandemic has forced us to do things differently. It has also exposed deficiencies in how we treat and care for others — especially for people in care.
One has to seriously question if existing income support programs like AISH has a mechanism in place when Alberta declares a state of emergency. If the answer is, in fact, no, an even more compelling needs to be asked.
Why not?
Following policies and staying within guidelines are expected most of the times.
But when a once-in-a-life-time global rife surfaces, human compassion and understanding has to trump doing things by the book.
Someone once bravely said rules are meant to be broken.
I am Randy and Barb get over this mountain with a GoFundMe page.
Because … nobody should suffer for telling the truth.
Organiser and beneficiary
Cam Tait
Organiser
Edmonton , AB
Barb Watts
Beneficiary
