'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
Minister 'outraged' after AFN national chief's headdress taken from Air Canada cabin
The federal minister of Crown-Indigenous relations is calling on Air Canada to 'make things right' with the national chief of the Assembly of First Nations, who said her headdress was removed from an airplane cabin during a flight this week.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
'Violation': CSIS had officer investigated after she reported a superior raped her
A CSIS officer's allegations that she was raped repeatedly by a superior in agency vehicles set off a harassment inquiry, but also triggered an investigation into her that concluded the alleged attacks were a “misuse” of agency vehicles by the woman.
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Canada recognizes housing as a human right. Few provinces have followed suit
As more Canadians find themselves struggling to afford or find housing, the country's smallest province is the only one that can point to legislation recognizing housing as a human right.
What to know about avian influenza in dairy cows and the risk to humans
Why is H5N1, or bird flu, a concern, how does it spread, and is there a vaccine? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about avian influenza.
Pro-plastic lobbyist presence at UN talks is 'troubling,' say advocates
Environmentalist groups are sounding the alarm about a steep increase in the number of pro-plastic lobbyists at the UN pollution talks taking place this week.