'I have to fight for myself': Quadriplegic man says N.S. government told him to live in a hospital
A diving accident at 14-years-old left Brian Parker paralyzed from the chest down.
Now at age 49, he's without the person who was caring for him full-time until just last week, after his 68-year-old mother was diagnosed with breast cancer.
“I don't know how to repay her back,” says Parker, tearing up. “Now she's all on her own, and I have to fight for myself.”
Parker's brother has stepped in, but only for so long, as he’s juggling other family needs and his job.
Parker, who has a degree in computer programming, has been unable to work and is on social assistance.
After his mother couldn’t take care of him anymore, he turned to government for help, but says he was told there is only one option.
“To throw me in a hospital bed, bed to bed,” he says, “That's not right, not right at all.”
Parker doesn’t want to live in a hospital, but in his own apartment, with the help of a full-time caregiver.
He can't afford private care and needs more hours of care than programs like the VON can provide.
“It sounds all too familiar,” says disability advocate Vicky Levack.
That's because a decade ago, she was given a similar option.
At 21 years old, Levack was sent to live in a long-term care home alongside the elderly.
Ever since, she has fought for those with disabilities in Nova Scotia to be given the choice to live where they want and get the care they need.
“We say we're going to be an accessible Nova Scotia by 2030, which means having everybody on the same playing field, regardless of disability status,” she says, “and this shows me that they haven't done enough.”
In 2019, the province’s Human Rights Commission Board of Inquiry found the province discriminated against three people with disabilities, finding they were living in a psychiatric hospital unnecessarily.
On Sunday, the Department of Community Services offered a statement in response to Parker’s story.
“We know the important role of family members and caregivers...and that any change in that support system would be difficult,” writes department communications advisor Christine Deveau. “While the Department of Community Services cannot comment on individual cases, there are several options available through the disability support program, depending on the level of supports that someone needs."
The statement cites the Independent Living Support Program, which had its cap removed earlier this year to allow more candidates to qualify.
Deveau adds the Department of Seniors and Long-Term Care may also be able to assist.
But Parker says he's been told there's no beds in long-term care, although he wouldn’t want to live in such an institution, even if there was.
“For me, a nursing home is a place you go before you die,” he says, “And I can’t do that. I’m 49 years old. It’s gonna kill me in the end.”
Before his situation changed, Parker says he was planning to go back to university to pursue a law degree. Now, he’s not sure what to do, and believes the province should have more options for Nova Scotians in similar situations.
“There should be immediate emergency funds there to take care of drastic situations,” he says.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Half of Canadians have negative opinion of latest Liberal budget: poll
A new poll suggests the Liberals have not won over voters with their latest budget, though there is broad support for their plan to build millions of homes.
Twins from Toronto were Canada's top two female finishers at this year's Boston Marathon
When identical twin sisters Kim and Michelle Krezonoski were invited to compete against some of the world’s most elite female runners at last week’s Boston Marathon, they were in disbelief.
opinion Why you should protect your investments by naming a trusted contact person
Appointing a trusted person to help with financial obligations can give you peace of mind. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew outlines the key benefits of naming a confidant to take over your financial responsibilities, if the need ever arises.
Ottawa injects another $36M into vaccine injury compensation fund
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
Senate expenses climbed to $7.2 million in 2023, up nearly 30%
Senators in Canada claimed $7.2 million in expenses in 2023, a nearly 30 per cent increase over the previous year.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Accused of burglary at stepmother's home, U.S. senator says she wanted her father's ashes: charges
A Minnesota state senator and former broadcast meteorologist told police that she broke into her stepmother's home because her stepmother refused to give her items of sentimental value from her late father, including his ashes, according to burglary charges filed Tuesday.
Australian police arrest 7 alleged teen extremists linked to stabbing of a bishop in a Sydney church
Australian police arrested seven teenagers accused of following a violent extremist ideology in raids across Sydney on Wednesday, as a judge extended a ban on social media platform X sharing video of a knife attack on a bishop that started the criminal investigation.