It took quite a bit of manoeuvring and a whole lot of man power (thanks Adam!!) but the girls were settled into their new home at the beginning of May. I hate to say it, but we kicked them out. Ok, I don't hate to say it, but it is the truth. We moved back to the old house (where they were living) and so we had to find them a new place to live.
I think they may have got the better end of the deal. Brand new place with hardwood floors and granite counter tops. Yeah, life is rough!!
I have also started up a new network system. It is through www.tyze.com and it is an online networking system. I signed up, created a profile and then invited others onto the network. It is a closed system, by invitation only. It allows me to post things like Kenzie's schedule and let members of the network know when she needs help with things.
For example, I can post that she has an appointment on Thursday at such and such a time. People who are invited onto the network can "claim" that appointment and let everyone else know that they will take responsibility for getting her there. I think it will be great, if I can just get people to sign in and use it... Daddy Jim?????
I'm coming to the realization that we need to be a bit more purposeful in creating and expanding her network. People have the best of intentions, but day to day life happens and it is easy to forget that you said you would help out. Or some people just don't know HOW they can help. This should be useful. we are also going to be joining www.planedmonton.ca in the near future.
We are still working on finding Kenzie more work for the fall so she won't have so much free time. One of the things I posted on her online network is a copy of her resume so people have an idea of what she is capable of doing and what types of experience she currently has.
Monday 21 May 2012
Friday 17 February 2012
The "System"
Well, we have come up against "the system".
AISH did a review of Kenzie's bank account and determined she has too much money. That means that although she was receiving a supplement because she is celiac and diabetic, she no longer qualifies. The good news? at $6.99 for a loaf of bread, it won't be long before she is broke and the supplement will kick back in.
I imagine this is just the first of many times when we are going to come face to face with a bureaucracy that is intent on keeping people on AISH living paycheque to paycheque.
I'm rather conflicted about it. I really don't believe people should get rich on government money. Whether that be employment insurance, welfare or even AISH. However, the system is designed to punish those that are trying to get ahead.
Lets say you were on AISH, and you were living off of $1,088/month - yes, that is the rate as of right now. Like Kenzie, you are a celiac and diabetic so you qualify for an additional $200. That means you have $1,288. You want to buy a new livingroom set and TV because you are moving to a new apartment next year. You need to save for a down payment as well.
So, you start setting aside some money. I have no idea how you would even begin setting money aside because with that kind of income, where does the extra money come from? But for the sake of argument, lets say you are able to set some aside. Your family gives you some money for your birthday or Christmas etc. and you sock it away in your bank account.
After saving for quite some time, you have $3,000. Just enough for the down payment on your new apartment, a living room suite and a TV. Or, maybe you decide you don't need the new furniture, but you want to have some money set aside for a holiday or for emergencies.
Well, you have now entered the "too rich" zone. AISH will notify you that you no longer qualify for the food subsidy, and your already meager income will be cut back by $200 or 15%.
Saving for a car? good luck. A holiday? not likely. Retirement? bahahahaha!
People who are on AISH have gone through a rigorous qualification process that includes reams of application forms that are backed up by doctors forms and in-person interviews. These are not slackers or people who have chosen not to work. These are the people in society who simply do not have the ability to support themselves. Why does the government - and by extension society - work so hard to keep them poor and living hand to mouth?
Bah!
AISH did a review of Kenzie's bank account and determined she has too much money. That means that although she was receiving a supplement because she is celiac and diabetic, she no longer qualifies. The good news? at $6.99 for a loaf of bread, it won't be long before she is broke and the supplement will kick back in.
I imagine this is just the first of many times when we are going to come face to face with a bureaucracy that is intent on keeping people on AISH living paycheque to paycheque.
I'm rather conflicted about it. I really don't believe people should get rich on government money. Whether that be employment insurance, welfare or even AISH. However, the system is designed to punish those that are trying to get ahead.
Lets say you were on AISH, and you were living off of $1,088/month - yes, that is the rate as of right now. Like Kenzie, you are a celiac and diabetic so you qualify for an additional $200. That means you have $1,288. You want to buy a new livingroom set and TV because you are moving to a new apartment next year. You need to save for a down payment as well.
So, you start setting aside some money. I have no idea how you would even begin setting money aside because with that kind of income, where does the extra money come from? But for the sake of argument, lets say you are able to set some aside. Your family gives you some money for your birthday or Christmas etc. and you sock it away in your bank account.
After saving for quite some time, you have $3,000. Just enough for the down payment on your new apartment, a living room suite and a TV. Or, maybe you decide you don't need the new furniture, but you want to have some money set aside for a holiday or for emergencies.
Well, you have now entered the "too rich" zone. AISH will notify you that you no longer qualify for the food subsidy, and your already meager income will be cut back by $200 or 15%.
Saving for a car? good luck. A holiday? not likely. Retirement? bahahahaha!
People who are on AISH have gone through a rigorous qualification process that includes reams of application forms that are backed up by doctors forms and in-person interviews. These are not slackers or people who have chosen not to work. These are the people in society who simply do not have the ability to support themselves. Why does the government - and by extension society - work so hard to keep them poor and living hand to mouth?
Bah!
Monday 13 February 2012
Is the Future Here Already??
Did you know it is 2012 already?
I know, it was a bit of a shock for me too. This is the last year Kenzie spends in high school. That means that starting in the fall, she will only have two afternoons a week where she is working. The rest of the time will involve Hannah Montana re-runs and spending time on Facebook. Not exactly a healthy, full life.
I need to come up with an alternative for her and so I need to start looking now. Ideally, I would love to see her working at least every afternoon. Because she can't work the cashier's till at her current workplace, she won't be able to get any more shifts. That means we need to start looking for a second job for the girl.
On the up side, the 2012 budget came down last week and all AISH recipients are scheduled to receive an additional $400 a month starting in April. That means the average cheque will now be $1588. It is very much appreciated, but can you imagine living off of that? Rent, utilities, food etc.?
There is also an anticipated increase for PDD (Person's with Developmental Disabilities), however, I don't know if it will affect Kenzie's situation or not. The media is reporting that 'agencies' will receive an increase for their workers. However, Kenzie is in an FMS (Family Managed Support). Whether that will mean her supportive roommate will also get an increase is unclear. If it doesn't, I will be annoyed because that means the PC government is pumping more money into agencies - which dollar for dollar cost more - than allowing families to manage their own children's future. In other words, they will put more and more money to pay for administration and CEO's salaries, rent or mortgages on agency buildings etc. rather than directing it towards families that don't have buildings or salaries.
But any-who, I digress. I am getting Kenzie's resume together and we are going to get out there and see if we can find a second job for her. If you know of anyone who needs someone for three afternoons a week, let me know.
The other hurdle we still need to address is transportation. Currently, I am picking Kenzie up and driving her home from work twice a week. I can't keep doing that and I certainly can't do that when we get her a second job. That means I have taken the leap and applied for Strathcona County Accessible Transportation (SCAT - yes, SCAT. I know, I am sorry). I'm not sure they are going to be the answer to our problems, but I am going to give it a try.
If anyone has any suggestions or ideas on any of these topics, please, please, don't hesitate to comment. We are walking this path for the first time and we could use all the help and insight the inter-web can offer!
I know, it was a bit of a shock for me too. This is the last year Kenzie spends in high school. That means that starting in the fall, she will only have two afternoons a week where she is working. The rest of the time will involve Hannah Montana re-runs and spending time on Facebook. Not exactly a healthy, full life.
I need to come up with an alternative for her and so I need to start looking now. Ideally, I would love to see her working at least every afternoon. Because she can't work the cashier's till at her current workplace, she won't be able to get any more shifts. That means we need to start looking for a second job for the girl.
On the up side, the 2012 budget came down last week and all AISH recipients are scheduled to receive an additional $400 a month starting in April. That means the average cheque will now be $1588. It is very much appreciated, but can you imagine living off of that? Rent, utilities, food etc.?
There is also an anticipated increase for PDD (Person's with Developmental Disabilities), however, I don't know if it will affect Kenzie's situation or not. The media is reporting that 'agencies' will receive an increase for their workers. However, Kenzie is in an FMS (Family Managed Support). Whether that will mean her supportive roommate will also get an increase is unclear. If it doesn't, I will be annoyed because that means the PC government is pumping more money into agencies - which dollar for dollar cost more - than allowing families to manage their own children's future. In other words, they will put more and more money to pay for administration and CEO's salaries, rent or mortgages on agency buildings etc. rather than directing it towards families that don't have buildings or salaries.
But any-who, I digress. I am getting Kenzie's resume together and we are going to get out there and see if we can find a second job for her. If you know of anyone who needs someone for three afternoons a week, let me know.
The other hurdle we still need to address is transportation. Currently, I am picking Kenzie up and driving her home from work twice a week. I can't keep doing that and I certainly can't do that when we get her a second job. That means I have taken the leap and applied for Strathcona County Accessible Transportation (SCAT - yes, SCAT. I know, I am sorry). I'm not sure they are going to be the answer to our problems, but I am going to give it a try.
If anyone has any suggestions or ideas on any of these topics, please, please, don't hesitate to comment. We are walking this path for the first time and we could use all the help and insight the inter-web can offer!
World Traveller
Well, Kenzie's oldest brother has held true to his commitment to being her travel consultant. This past weekend, he took Kenzie with him to visit her Gramma and Grampa in Phoenix.
Was she excited to go? ummmm.... yeah. Excited is one word, giddy with anticipation would be another!
She had a countdown going on her Facebook page and told everyone she talked to that she was going on a plane with her big brother to visit her Grandparents. From what I can tell, she appears to have had a good time. Swimming, golfing, shopping and visiting.
It is such a blessing that she has people around her who want to share life with her and help her live her life to the fullest. So far she has seen Costa Rica, Disneyland and Phoenix. Where to next?
Was she excited to go? ummmm.... yeah. Excited is one word, giddy with anticipation would be another!
She had a countdown going on her Facebook page and told everyone she talked to that she was going on a plane with her big brother to visit her Grandparents. From what I can tell, she appears to have had a good time. Swimming, golfing, shopping and visiting.
It is such a blessing that she has people around her who want to share life with her and help her live her life to the fullest. So far she has seen Costa Rica, Disneyland and Phoenix. Where to next?
Wednesday 21 December 2011
Where Does Time Go??
Yikes! I can't believe I haven't posted anything here since August. Life has a way of getting away from a person, doesn't it!
Kenzie and Ashley are nicely settled in to their new home. There have been a few bumps along the road but overall, nothing we, and they, haven't been able to handle. Most of the things have been house related - a broken down dishwasher that spewed water all over the floor and into the basement was the latest.
Meals continue to be a struggle as there haven't been any meal-bee's planned. I sent out an email to see if some from her circle that had previously expressed an interest would be willing to put into action what they had talked about. Unfortunately, I received no response so I think I will have to work on setting something else up.
To be really honest, the whole "village" thing hasn't been working as well as I had hoped. The diabetes education portion worked great and my friend stepped up and helped immensely. Another friend stepped in and took on the financial end of things. But as for any of the social, physical or spiritual support, it has pretty much been non-existent - none of the stuff people said they would do has come to fruition.
We will be facing a scheduling challenge in the new year as Ashley's courses change at the University. We have been very fortunate that the store where Kenzie works has been quite flexible and I am hoping that continues. Either that, or I am going to have to start putting some screws to the County about providing appropriate transportation so she can have more independence. I don't like the idea that her work schedule gets changed every time Ashley's does just because there is not a proper transportation system here in town.
That is the quick and the dirty update. If you have any questions, please post some in the comment section - maybe that will help me not neglect this blog lol!
Kenzie and Ashley are nicely settled in to their new home. There have been a few bumps along the road but overall, nothing we, and they, haven't been able to handle. Most of the things have been house related - a broken down dishwasher that spewed water all over the floor and into the basement was the latest.
Meals continue to be a struggle as there haven't been any meal-bee's planned. I sent out an email to see if some from her circle that had previously expressed an interest would be willing to put into action what they had talked about. Unfortunately, I received no response so I think I will have to work on setting something else up.
To be really honest, the whole "village" thing hasn't been working as well as I had hoped. The diabetes education portion worked great and my friend stepped up and helped immensely. Another friend stepped in and took on the financial end of things. But as for any of the social, physical or spiritual support, it has pretty much been non-existent - none of the stuff people said they would do has come to fruition.
We will be facing a scheduling challenge in the new year as Ashley's courses change at the University. We have been very fortunate that the store where Kenzie works has been quite flexible and I am hoping that continues. Either that, or I am going to have to start putting some screws to the County about providing appropriate transportation so she can have more independence. I don't like the idea that her work schedule gets changed every time Ashley's does just because there is not a proper transportation system here in town.
That is the quick and the dirty update. If you have any questions, please post some in the comment section - maybe that will help me not neglect this blog lol!
Tuesday 2 August 2011
Long Weekend Cookfest
Had lots of fun this long weekend. It was our weekend to have Kenzie at our house and we made good use of it. I have found that rather than losing a daughter, I have gained one more - her roommate!
Although Ashley spent the nights at their house, she also spent a lot of time with us. I was able to borrow some books from her, and she got to meet the rest of my family via an impromptu lunch. I think my brother was suitably impressed with her level of geekiness!
We also managed to get about 10 casseroles made and frozen. We tried out a recipe for Beef and Corn casserole, curried rice and Shepherds pie. That should keep the girls fed for a few days! They are struggling with keeping their grocery bills down and to eat healthy. This cookfest was my attempt to help. That and we will probably be doing Costco trips in the future. Turns out for all Ashley's brilliance, she can't boil water without burning it. I'm making it my mission to strengthen this weakness and make a Betty Crocker out of her. Or, to use a language she may recognize "You will assimilate, resistance is futile."
Although Ashley spent the nights at their house, she also spent a lot of time with us. I was able to borrow some books from her, and she got to meet the rest of my family via an impromptu lunch. I think my brother was suitably impressed with her level of geekiness!
We also managed to get about 10 casseroles made and frozen. We tried out a recipe for Beef and Corn casserole, curried rice and Shepherds pie. That should keep the girls fed for a few days! They are struggling with keeping their grocery bills down and to eat healthy. This cookfest was my attempt to help. That and we will probably be doing Costco trips in the future. Turns out for all Ashley's brilliance, she can't boil water without burning it. I'm making it my mission to strengthen this weakness and make a Betty Crocker out of her. Or, to use a language she may recognize "You will assimilate, resistance is futile."
Tuesday 19 July 2011
19 Days
Well, it has been 19 days since the little birdie flew the coop. Or the nest. I have been very pleased with how well things have gone so far. The girls are settling in nicely, (almost) everything has been unpacked and a routine seems to be established.
I think having the girls start living together a couple of months before school starts again was a very good thing. It will give them time to get a routine going, understand each other and develop some comfort.
The only glitch we have encountered so far is one that I am not quite sure how to report on. I want to respect Kenzie's privacy enough that everything is not splashed all over the internet, but I also don't want any parents reading this to think that everything is perfect.
So, for now, I will just say that we have had to do some educating and boundary setting for Kenzie in regards to visitors, boys and roommates. Hmmmmm.... wait a minute..... I guess that isn't so unusual for someone freshly out on their own, is it?
I think having the girls start living together a couple of months before school starts again was a very good thing. It will give them time to get a routine going, understand each other and develop some comfort.
The only glitch we have encountered so far is one that I am not quite sure how to report on. I want to respect Kenzie's privacy enough that everything is not splashed all over the internet, but I also don't want any parents reading this to think that everything is perfect.
So, for now, I will just say that we have had to do some educating and boundary setting for Kenzie in regards to visitors, boys and roommates. Hmmmmm.... wait a minute..... I guess that isn't so unusual for someone freshly out on their own, is it?
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