Loading...
Huron Expositor, 2007-02-14, Page 511111111111.111111111 Opinion The Huron Expositor • February 14, 2007 Page 5 Local disabled people need a hand up, not a hand out, says Seaforth man To the Editor, Webster's dictionary defines the word "dis- criminate" as follows: "act on the basis of a dif- ference between; distinguish from another ...(discriminate against)...select for unfavourable treatment by taxation, etc." As a mid-40 Canadian born in this country, first let me say that when the word "disabled" is added to this description, it is never without various forms, and degrees of "discrimination." Some people obviously have visible chal- lenges that are noticeably and unarguably bla- tant such as those in a wheelchair for example. I know that I am blessed th be able to physical- ly move about on my own. lb those people who are unable to move freely as they would like to, but who always greet me with a genuine smile, please know that you are an inspiration to me, and I thank you. There are numerous other challenges that those labeled "disabled" face on a daily basis, which even though unseen, are sadly very real. The "discrimination" of government bureau- crats and subsequently other institutions (such as banks), makes it extremely difficult to main- tain personal dignity, especially when those entrusted with the authority within the provin- cial and federal governments to make the nec- essary changes required, instead choose to prac- tice unrelentingly the oppression of those in society deemed "disabled." My personal life experience which confirms this candid statement; began over eight years ago, and until that time I really did not realize or comprehend the constant discrimination that "disabled" people are so very wrongly subjected to. Eligibility for a government disability pension is an extremely frustrating and time-consuming battle. Often times before there is the ultimate proper resolve between the medical community and the bureaucratic red tape, people die! And when a disability pension is finally approved, contrary to what some people assume, the amounts are below our national poverty level, and in no manner whatsoever do these figures justify those that wrongly think we are on "easy street." As if this isn't sad enough, the government protocol as a prerequisite to any attainable assistance stipulates that total assets cannot exceed $5000, and that all such resources one might have in excess of this amount must be liquidated and exhausted before they will deem the claim as eligible. Within our society, the discrimination towards the "disabled" is so wrong, and I will continue in the persistence of utilizing this as inspiration to bring attention to our reality by simply stating the truth. My credo is to not only "rock the boat" but ultimately "tip is over," or die trying. The oppression by our governments to those deemed "disabled" must be addressed. It makes me absolutely livid that government officials justify their grandiose pay increases such as they do, while continuing to stone wall those with such life -impacting circumstances beyond their control. If that's not discrimina- tion, then what do you call it? In closing, I respectfully quote these few words from the best selling book to date: Prvrbs.31 8) "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. 9) Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy." We are not expecting or wanting a hand out! What we need is a hand up! Wayne Alderson Seaforth, Ont. Seaforth's Queen's Hotel robbed of $4;000 in February, 1982 FEBRUARY 10, 1882 In the Huron Notes column, Mr. John Shipley of the Huron Road, Hullett, last week purchased from Mr. Wilds, of Tuckersmith, a span of colts, coming two or three years old for the handsome sum of $265. Mr. John McLeod of Bayfield, had his hand badly smashed while working in the sawmill of that vil- lage the other day. His forefinger was nearly torn off. The Exeter Village council at their last meeting, decided to pass a bylaw limiting shop liquor licens- es to two, and prohibiting connec- tion with any other. They also fixed the fee for shop licenses at $125 and hotel licenses at $100. FEBRUARY 15, 1907 As a result of hog cholera having got into his herd, Mr. T.U. Elliott, of the London road, near Clinton had to kill 35 of his hogs last week. This makes 50 he has lost from the same cause during the past two months and cleans him out of his present stock. A rink from the Seaforth curling I club is in Guelph this week com- peting for the Sleeman trophy. They are still in competition hav- ing won three games. The Clinton players were down again on Wednesday for a friendly game, and were again defeated by the home players. These Clinton games are getting to be a joke. The Expositor reported the pre- sent high price of lumber is said to be largely due to the great scarcity of logs and labour and a shortage of cars in British Columbia. Orders read last fall are still waiting for transportation at Vancouver. FEBRUARY 5, 1932 Rev. W.G. Brown, M.A., B.C., of Saskatoon, Moderator of the Presbyterian Church, was guest speaker on Thursday evening in the First Presbyterian Church. He thanked the people of the East for the wonderful help they are send- ing to the dried our district in the West and predicted a great future of the Presbyterian Church. A.W. Dunlop, Chevrolet dealer, in Seaforth, advertised new cars from a low as $635 for a Standard Roadster to $895 for a Special all weather Phaeton. In the local briefs column, Mr. A.C. McCauley, of the Provincial Bank, brought into the Expositor office, last Friday, a large brown butterfly, which he had caught on Main Street. It was a lively one and flew about the office for sever- al days. FEBRUARY 22, 1957 Subscribers of the McKillop Municipal Telephone System rejected a proposal -to investigate the possibility of selling the sys- tem, and instead approved a rate of approximately $5 per year The Juvenile and Midget hockey teams advanced to the W.O.A.A. playoffs. Both teams were success- ful in semi-final competition. Plans for the annual penny sale were discussed at the Women's Hospital Auxiliary meeting, held in the Scott Memorial hospital. Huron and Perth Counties each added about 2,500 to its population during the five year period from 1951 to 1956, the census division of the Dominion Bureau of Statistics reported Tuesday. Mr. and Mrs. Robert Beattie of Winthrop celebrated their golden wedding anniversary on Wednesday, Feb. 20. FEBRUARY 10, 1982 The Queen's Hotel on Goderich St. E., in Seaforth was robbed sometime last Saturday night or early Sunday morning. Police Chief Hal Claus says a sum of money and cheques, with a total value of more than $4,000, waA`taken. The Seaforth and District Arena committee is meeting in closed ses- sion tonight, Wed. Feb. 10, to look at proposals from contractors for a new arena. Rate increases which will become effective in March for 'the Tuckersmith Vanastra I)ay Care Centre were approved at the regu- lar meeting of Tuckersmith Township council Feb. 2. The Seaforth and Area Fire Department responded to two alarms this week.