Independence

Well things are kind of quiet right now.   Kit is still living in Adam's basement and hopefully that will last quite a while.  This past week Kit and I have spent some time in the Ontario Works and ODSP (Ontario Disability Support Plan) offices.  Kit applied for ODSP back in September but it takes a long time.  More than six months evidently.  In the meantime Kit has been getting a 'street allowance' which Ontario Works now calls a 'basic needs allowance' which is $227 a month.  Now that he has accommodation he has applied for a rent allowance and was approved in four days.  Very efficient.  Ontario Works will now pay most of his rent directly to Adam and Kit will still get his basic needs cheque which will be closer to $200.  Not bad considering we help him out if needed.  Then when his ODSP kicks in he'll get more for each expense.  

I have never been to the Ontario Work office.  We arrived last Monday at about 11:15 and there were only about three people there.  They looked like scruffy guys you'd see on the street, and like us were waiting for an appointment with their worker.  We were told that Kit's was out for lunch and to come back at 1:30.  Long lunch!   Lucky city workers!  So we went out for lunch to Il Fornello across from Metro Hall and enjoyed a delicious bite to eat and returned for 1:30.  There were a few more people there and by the time 2:00 rolled around it was packed.  Anyone who doesn't have their welfare cheques mailed directly comes to pick up the cheques at 2:00.  A security guard appeared and all the customers (90% men) were chatting with each other as if this is a monthly get together.  It was quite interesting listening to them catch up on their activities for the past weeks and their struggles with finding work and difficulties with their families.   Some stories were quite funny and others weren't so happy.  One young man walked in - looking very well kept - could have been working there, but wasn't.  He asked for his cheque and they told him he had the wrong day and he totally blew up swearing at the people behind the glass, and saying he was sick of being picked on as everyone else could get their money but him.  He was sick of the conspiracy against him.   Of course I have no right to diagnose, but he did sound quite like Kit at his worst.  I felt so sorry for him since he was so sure that he was told to come that day, and he felt like everyone was against him.  He said he promised he wouldn't be spending the money on meth like everyone else - so just give it to him.  The ladies behind the glass handled him so well, very kind, gentle and respectful despite his aggressiveness.   The security guard was called and the young man was removed.  Hopefully his cheque was available the next day.   And this happens every day.   All these people, out of work, maybe mentally, physically or emotionally ill, living off of $227 a month.   I can go through that in a few days without thinking about it...  How to stretch that out for one month must be a struggle.  No wonder so many work under the table - who would admit to earning another couple of hundred dollars if you were to lose that?  

As for Kit - he continues to hear voices all the time, and to believe we aren't really real people.  He can't work yet as he is too distracted and the meds are still making him so tired and lethargic.  He spends most of the day sleeping with occasional breaks to go out and have a cigarette.   He is learning some cooking skills and has been barbequeing most of his dinners.  Had a great steak dinner with Adam the other night!  

Thanks everyone for your support through all of this!  It means the world to me!