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Today we're in Vernon British Columbia at the eleventh community consultation. We're at
the halfway point
we started the Comox Valley we've been up to Prince George, we've been down to Surrey
Vancouver Island and now we're in the beautiful Okanagan. I think this is an awesome
idea
you know because how do we know these situations exist
if we don't talk about them. I'm hoping that this is a forum where
we can gain some recognition and hopefully
reduce the isolation of people who have a
severe hearing loss. One of the innovations we've talked about is
the volunteer piece: for example
we have, in Vernon the school children coming into our soup kitchen
to do volunteer work
we have a community garden that was recently started so wanting to bring
folks who traditionally haven't held employment
to get involved, being outside getting their hands dirty and things like that.
Myself have found it very frustrating and very degrading
because you're looked at differently.
You look at me and you don't think I'm disabled, but I tell you I'm on
disability
and I'm dependent on the government, you're looked down upon
and it's not right.
There's a lot a lot of us that are willing and able and
it's hard, it's all a catch-22 and it leads into depression
we want to be part of the community but there's some days where I just don't
have the energy and strength.
and i cant get out and yeah
so if we all come together and
we push for this I think that BC is going to be a better place.
One of the things that this community consultation but at all the community
consultations is
as a politician it's not about us talking it's about us listening.
and Vernon is definitely stepping up to the plate, they are providing solutions,
they are pointing out where the gaps are in service providing and and not just, you know with the
ministry but also with the many different levels of government
but also how we can make things all better for persons not just with
disabilities
but all society.