Parameters of Housing

The Parameters of Housing

Below information taken from - The Prince Edward Island "Housing and Data Trends. Published 5/17/2018   www.princeedwardisland.ca/poverty-reduction

DEFINITIONS OF HOUSING NEED 

The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) defined housing need as made up of three factors: 

•  housing is unaffordable if it costs more than 30 percent of before-tax household income. 
• housing is inadequate if it needs major repairs; and 
• housing is unsuitable if it does not have enough bedrooms for the size and makeup of the household. 

Households facing these conditions are considered to be in need only if they cannot afford to address them. A household is said to be in “core housing need” if: 

• its housing falls below at least one of the adequacy, affordability or suitability standards, and 
• the household would have to spend 30 percent or more of its total before-tax 
• income to pay the median rent of alternative local housing that is acceptable (meets all three housing standards.)

According to the 2016 census, over 10,000 households in Prince Edward Island had at least one housing need, but fewer than half of those (4,880) were in core housing need. 

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Joey Blacquiere - My Housing Journey

I'm not sure when I stopped thinking of where I lived as just being home and that being with either of my parents was a sure and questionless thing. However, I do know that when mom died in 1988 and when Dad remarried in 1990, I began to think of housing differently. I started thinking of it in more independent terms of what I needed as a place to live.

I met Carol Clark on February 13, 1991 and we began dating. Carol lived with her parents just outside of Kensington and she would travel into Summerside and stay with me on the weekends. However, shortly afterward I moved in with her into her parent's home as Carol's father had a heart condition and needed help with the barn work.

While I was living with Carol's family my Dad informed me that he had sold his house on Ottawa Street to my brother Paul. He also wanted to know if I wanted to live in the house with my brother but he told me I would have to make a decision and let him know as soon as possible.

I was no longer living in the house so I was surprised about how sad I felt about the family house being sold. I really did appreciate my Dad's offer of my being able to live with my brother, however, I wasn't certain that I was ready to take on the level of shared responsibility that co-managing a house would require.

None of us can see into the future and unfortunately Carol and I broke up in the spring of 1997 and I found myself in the uncertain and scary place of no longer having a home.

After the breakup I called Dad to let him know what happened and he started calling around to help me with finding a place. After making calls, Dad said that our options at that time were either a group home or MacDonald's Community Care Home. I let Dad know that for me going to the Group Home was not an option I was willing to consider but that I would go with him to check out MacDonald's Community Care Home . We went and I decided that I would stay there until a better option for housing came my way. I moved into MacDonald's Community Care Home in 1997 and ended up living there for 7 years.

The majority of the residents at MacDonald's Community Care Home were seniors with serious health conditions that required supervision and prevented them from being able to continue living independently. While I there I was exposed to a lot of suffering due to illness and a lot of death. As well, my level of independence had been drastically cut – MacDonald's staff wouldn't set my meals aside for me to reheat later so if I was not back by 4:00 P.M. my supper would thrown out and it was a battle (that I finally won) to be able to stay out past their curfew of 10 P.M.

This all took its toll on me mentally and emotionally. I began to feel abandoned by life and I wondered why my existence was reduced to living this way. I did not feel like I was contributing to the life of my community and so I felt worthless. When I was out in the coffee shops and people asked me where I was living and I told them, they would tell me that I did not belong there. It felt good to hear that because it affirmed what I felt but it was frustrating to hear it too because that was my reality.

Until...

A new staff person was hired at MacDonald's Community Care Home. Her name was Carolyn Norring. Carolyn let me know that she was going to buy a home and she gave me an option to move in with her and have her as a caregiver. I told her I was interested and gave her permission to speak to my family about it.

I moved in with Carolyn Norring on May 2, 2003 and I have been living with Carolyn and her family for the past 15 years. I am also attending a day program - Prepare Challenge Create Day Program and work as a reporter on the news blog: EOV.

EOV covers stories of interest to persons with disabilities and Islanders in general. Housing I know is not only a concern for myself but for many Islanders. It is empowering for me to work on stories such as housing and give back to my community in a meaningful way.

My future hopes for housing? I would like to see my housing parameters expand have my own place and live more independently. What I am envisioning is an apartment that is on the ground level in a secure building in the Hill Crest housing area. Hill Crest apartments come with fridge and stove, heat and sewer and have a maintenance team that take care of all the maintenance, snow removal of driveways, grass cutting. They also have an option to rent at an extra fee washers and dryers that you have to install. Location is important to me. Community involvement and independence is something I take pride in and I want to be in close proximity to grocery stores, coffee shops and all the businesses and organizations that I most often frequent.

https://www.princeedwardisland.ca/sites/default/files/publications/housing_data_trends_poverty_reduction_backgrounder_may_2018.pdf

Darlene

Darlene

On Tuesday, April 10^th, 2018 I went to see my mom twice that day, in the morning and again to see her that evening.

My mom, Darlene, passed away that evening at 8:15pm.

Gathered around her were her two girls; myself, Joni Lee and my sister, Jennifer Lynn, our mom's sister, Tammy and our mom's husband, Lea.

Our mom lived a grand life. She had a great job and a loving family. One of my special memories of mom and me took place in November in 2015. It was just Mom and me for two weeks. Well, Mom and I took a tour bus filled with other country music lovers. We went on a bus tour to Nashville. We had a grand two weeks. I will always treasure that time with her.

When our mom went to Alberta to see my sister Jennifer and her family she started having some pain. Jennifer, being a nurse, told Mom to go for a test at the hospital. Mom was tested and it was pancreatic cancer. The doctors at the hospital in Alberta did surgery and mom got better.

But then in January 2018 the cancer came back. She was at home for a while but eventually went to the Summerside Hospital.

On Tuesday evening when our mom passed away I was there and I'm glad I was. Lea, her husband took it hard. He said she was too young.

I called Catherine from the hospital and told her and when I got to my apartment I told Suzanne that my mom passed away. Catherine and Jim came to my apartment. I told them that I wasn't going in to work on Thursday morning. They said that was fine and that I just needed to do what I needed to do to take care of me.

I'm going to miss my mom a lot but I have lots of family and friends around me and I know they will come when I need them.

I would like to thank everyone for their support and prayers for my mom and our family and for the PCC Day Program for helping me go through my loss. I have lots of friends by my side and that was a comfort to my mom.

I have always loved the song by Brett Kissel, “I Didn't Fall in Love With Your Hair.” He wrote that song for his Mom when his mom had cancer and whenever I hear this song I think of my mom and how much love she needed when she was going through all she had to go through.

Today I was helping Catherine in the kitchen and I asked her, “Do you know how I'm getting through this? It's my music.”

Mom, I will keep on singing.

 E.O.V Reporter:

Joni Lee Miner

My Mom, Darlene and I

Rockers For Recovery

EOV Reporters, Joey Blacquiere and Joni Miner recently had the opportunity to have a chat with Ryan Gallant about his up and coming fundraising event "Rockers For Recovery."

Joni - When did you come up with the idea for your fundraising event?

Ryan - That was first discussed last summer between my sister and I. I have Cerebral Palsy so I have always wanted to do something for it and my sister has always wanted to do something for Mental Health.

Joni – Okay, so it's kind of a combined thing between you and your sister.

Joey – The name of your concert, “Rockers for Recovery” is really cool. How did you come up with the name for your event?

Ryan – We thought of a couple of different names but decided on it because it's kind of like a rock show and it's to help others.

Joni - Are there any businesses sponsoring this event ?

Ryan - Island ReLeaf Glass on 224 First Street said that they would sponsor the event if needed.

Joey - Do you have representatives/from both the CP and Mental Health that will be

speaking at the event.

Ryan – Yes, Jenny Cooper, a mental health activist and Jeremy MacDonald will be speaking on behalf of Cerebral Palsy.

Joni - Are you hoping for this to become an annual event ?

Ryan – Yes, I am hoping that it will go over well and we can do it again next year.

Joey – How would you like to see this event grow?

Ryan -I Just hope that people will show up for it and have a great time.

Joey - You seem very passionate about this event. Can you share with our readers why it matters so much to you?

Ryan – Because the causes matter to me and the fact that I love music makes it important too.

Joni – A while back you mentioned in a Facebook post that this has been something you've aspired to for many years. Is it fair to say that organizing this event is the realizing of a major personal goal for you?

Ryan – Yes! Definitely! I always wanted to be in the events business. I always wanted to book bands for a living so, yes, this is a big deal for me.

Joey - How do you see your life changing after the event ?

Ryan - Not much. I just hope that people will see what I can do and trust me to do something like this again.

Joni - Who has been your major support people for the planning of this event ?

Ryan - My sister obviously and the DJ who is Island ReLeaf, as well, Tommy Bigger would be big, and Random Zero the bass player and lead vocalist.

Joey - Are you in need of volunteers?

Ryan - I could need some help in the area of sound and photography.

Joni – Who is playing at the event?

Ryan - Aaron Scott Earthquake are the headliners, Random Zero is an Alt Rock power trio from Summerside, Busted Skulls is a punk influenced metal band from Charlottetown PEI and the DJ Tommy Bigger is going to be there too so it's going to be an exciting night!

Joey -Are you having fun with this event ?

Ryan – Yes, I am having fun with the event. Some of it is kind of stressful - getting the people together and making sure that they are going to do the Job, that kind of thing.

Joni - Is there anyone besides the Silver Fox and the bands that you would like to give a shout out to?

Ryan – Yes. Island ReLeaf Glass. They've been very supportive people.

Joey - What has been your biggest surprises in organizing this event?

Ryan - Just the support from people. I really didn't expect this much support. It means a lot.

(From lt to rt - Joey Blacquiere, Ryan Gallant, Joni Miner)

Hear, Hear PEI program

On Wednesday, September 13th our EOV Reporters, Joey Blacquiere and Joni Miner met Rose and Mike Barbour of Hear, Hear PEI. Shortly after meeting Rose and Mike EOV contacted them and asked for an interview.

"Our struggles can make us stronger and better, if we allow them to. The choice is ours." - Rose Barbour

1. What inspired and motivated you to create “Hear, Hear PEI”?

Mike has had hearing loss for most of his life. In January 2017, I insisted that he get hearing aids again, after not having them for a few years. Hearing aids are very expensive so it is a big financial sacrifice to get them, but he really needed them so he went to find out what they would cost. The quoted price was between $4,000-5,000 for two hearing aids. We reworked our budget to make it possible for him to get a pair so he set up an appointment and got them. The high cost of hearing aids got us thinking about other people with hearing loss who, no matter how much they reworked their budgets, just wouldn’t have the money to get them so they go without. 

It was sad to think that the only thing standing in the way of someone having good hearing and being able to participate fully in life (hearing loss can be very isolating for many) was the cost of hearing aids. 

In that sense, hearing loss can be as much of a financial disability as a physical one since there is a solution for it but people can’t afford it.

We wanted to see if there was some way we could help so we started researching what was being done in other areas to help low-income individuals with hearing loss. This is where we learned about hearing aid recycling programs. We gathered as much information as possible and created our own PEI program that we call “Hear, Hear PEI.” Dalhousie University’s Audiology Department runs a hearing aid recycling program in partnership with the Lions Club. They were very helpful and answered all of our questions. 2. How long did it take you from the conception of the idea till you fitted someone with a hearing aid? We started researching and developing the program in January. By March, we had fitted our first recipient with a pair of hearing aids. It was pretty amazing to meet the person; she was so grateful! 3. In the developing and running of “Hear, Hear PEI”, was there anything that surprised you? Yes! We were pleasantly surprised at the support the program received right off the bat. We launched the Hear, Hear PEI blog to tell people about our idea for a hearing aid recycling program and how they could help us, and two days later, we were being interviewed on CBC Island Morning and a couple of days after that, we were on the front page of the Guardian. We were also invited to do an interview with a national radio program that had a regional office in Halifax.We were also surprised at the number of people who have unused hearing aids sitting in cupboard drawers because they didn’t want to throw them out. 4. You’ve had at least two radio interviews. What was the response to those interviews like? The response to the local radio interview was amazing! That is how Steve Wong, who is a hearing instrument specialist with PEI Hearing Consultants, first heard about the program. He immediately contacted us to ask how he could help. That was big for us because we knew that the program would not get off the ground unless we could find someone to work with our clients to fit them with hearing aids and do the follow up care that is required. Not only was he willing to help with that, he was passionate about the program and motivated to make it successful. He became part of our planning committee. He’s been here since the beginning and we can’t say enough good things about him! Annie Lee MacDonald who is the president of the PEI Chapter of the Canadian Hard of Hearing Association also heard us on the radio. She sent an email to offer her assistance so we reached out to her. She joined our planning committee as well. Many Islanders also heard the radio interview or read the article in The Guardian. This led to many people emailing or calling to make arrangements to drop hearing aids off to us. We had a steady stream of people coming to our door to donate hearing aids. They were so happy that their old hearing aids were going to help someone else to hear. 
Murphy’s Pharmacies also came on board to help us. They have our posters and hearing aid donations boxes in all of their locations across PEI. This makes it more convenient for people to donate hearing aids.

None of these great things would have happened without the media attention to our cause. It helped us to get the word out to a lot of people.

5. How many islanders have you currently helped outfit with hearing aids? We’ve fitted 10 low-income Islanders with hearing aids so far. 6. You have very helpful and detailed instructions on your blog to make this process easier for islander’s applying. Do you have anyone on your team that can help folks with literacy problems fill out applications? We certainly try to provide as much information as possible on the blog so people are clear about the criteria and how to apply. Our application is only available through PEI Hearing Consultants at the time of the hearing test so individuals could certainly let Steve or Katie at their clinic know that they need help filling in the application. They would pass that information along to us and we’d reach out to the person. 

We would be more than happy to help anyone to fill in the application. 7. How has this experience changed your lives?
This experience has brought us in touch with many wonderful individuals that we would not have met otherwise from our planning committee members, Islanders who donated hearing aids, our hearing aid recipients and many more. It has also opened our eyes to the fact that any one of us can play a role in solving problems that can seem insurmountable on the surface. For instance, we knew that there were a lot of Islanders who had hearing loss but couldn’t afford hearing aids. We also knew that we could never personally afford to buy hearing aids for all of them. However, through the Hear, Hear PEI program, we are able to collect hearing aids across the Island that are no longer being used, and put them to good use in our program to help other Islanders to hear again. 8. Your lives were affected directly by the loss of hearing and the difficultly motivated you to do something to help others. Do you have any words of experience for readers who may also be struggling with a challenge? Prior to starting the Hear, Hear PEI program, I was an addictions advocate for five years. During that time, I reached out to many people across the Island and elsewhere who were either struggling with addiction themselves or, like Mike and me, they loved someone who was struggling with it. My message to them was to never give up. I think that applies to all struggles that we face. We have to find the strength to keep going. To do that, it is important to find a network of support among people who understand; people with lived experience, who get what you’re going through. For us, meeting other parents whose children were also struggling with addiction helped us through our darkest days. It also empowered us to speak out and advocate for better services for people struggling. We both came out of that challenge stronger people for having gone through it. Our struggles can make us stronger and better, if we allow them to. The choice is ours.

9. Visions tend to evolve and grow through time. What new goal/s do you see as possibilities for Hear, Hear PEI? Our ultimate goal for the Hear, Hear PEI program besides helping low-income Islanders to hear again, was to build a successful program and then find a non-profit group that would adopt it. This would professionalize it and ensure that it is sustainable well into the future. Mike and I both work full-time so had to limit the growth of the program so that it fits with our already busy lives. We know that Hear, Hear PEI has so much potential that a non-profit group could help it to reach. The program took off quickly and is now running smoothly so it was time to enter the next phase, which was to find a suitable non-profit to adopt it. We are currently working with one that is very interested in taking it on. If this happens, it will be wonderful for all involved.
10. How can our readers best assist you in your goal to bring hearing to Islanders?
If your readers have hearing aids to donate, they can take them to any Murphy’s Pharmacies location across the Island. If they know of anyone who has old hearing aids, they can tell them about the program and encourage them to donate their hearing aids. The number of people we can help depends on the number of hearing aids that we get donated so every hearing aid helps!

Murphy’s Pharmacies have hearing aid donations boxes in all of their locations across PEI. 

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EOV would like to thank the Barbours for taking the time to share their story with our readers and to thank them most of all for creating a program that has already helped several islanders hear again!

EOV members (Left) Joey Blacquiere as Reporter, (Middle) Catherine Dickson as editor, and (Right) Joni Miner as Reporter.

Why We Created Eye Opening Views.

As Eye-Opening Views reporters, we want to share the 'Why' of why we created the EOV blog.

In our lifetimes we have, now and then, been left out of things.

Sometimes because our family, friends and medical professionals care and look out for our well being. But sometimes because people didn't want to take the time to get to know us.

Being on the 'outside looking in' is something that everyone will experience in their lifetime. Unfortunately though some of us will experience being left out more than others and that can leave a person feeling like their story and even their life isn't as important as some other lives are ~ feeling like our contributions don't matter.

We at EOV believe all lives and their stories matter. So we want to gather stories ~ Your victories, your failures, your dreams, your fears, your disappointments and your passions.

Because life is for the living and we're alive!

And because your life and your story matters.

Summerside Lobster Carnival 2017 ~ Q & A with Culture Summerside's Marlene Campbell

In her interview with CBC about the Summerside Lobster Carnival, Lori Ellis spoke of the carnival this year going with a more nostalgic approach and it being a more concentrated celebration. Could you expand more on this?

The Summerside Lobster Carnival was started in 1956 to celebrate the role of Lobster in the Island way of life and to bring visitors to Summerside. It was four days in length The 2017 carnival is going back to its roots at the original site of Credit Union Place – once Cahill Stadium. It is joining back with the harness racing which is another passion of Islanders along with lobster. It is being reduced to three days, and the midway will play a big role in providing great entertainment.

 When researching the history of the carnival, Culture Summerside asked for Community feedback regarding this years carnival. What sort of response did you get back from the community? 

The community asked for the carnival to return to its roots and celebrate the carnival aspect over the festival aspect.

The carnival’s original mandate was to celebrate the role of lobster in Island culture and economy. How big of an impact did this original mandate have on choosing and selecting this years Carnival events? 

Very big. The lobster industry is very important in the Island economy and way of life and needs to be embraced and celebrated.

How has the community responded to this year's nostalgic concept? 

The feedback has been very positive and people appear excited. People from away are also calling to book tickets and get information

Are you still looking for volunteers? If so, in what capacity? How can people who are interested contact you? 

A - Yes. We need volunteers to help with the barricades for the parade on Saturday morning. Just call me at 902-432-1298.

Q - What are Culture Summerside's hopes for this year's Carnival? 

A - That the community spirit will be out in full force and people will have a wonderful time that will create memories that will match those of days of old.

Tell us why Islanders should mark this year's Summerside Lobster Carnival on their calendars? 

There is something for everyone regardless their age or budget.

(Click on the link provided below to go to the Summerside Lobster Carnival Website)

https://www.summersidelobstercarnival.website/

The EOV team would like to wish the Summerside Lobster Carnival a very successful 2017!

Did you know that the City of Summerside Has a Brand New Website?

https://summerside.ca/

One Day At A Time With PTSD (An Interview With Peter Demers)

Joni:

What are the steps for someone with PTSD to get medical help ?


Peter Demers:

First of all let me just say that people should always seek medical help and should consult with a doctor. Regardless of what your employment is or was, if you have a concern of any type (medically) always seek the advise of a professional.



Joni:

Do you take treatment for your PTSD, and if so, what kind of treatment do you take for your PTSD?


Peter Demers:

I am currently dealing with my conditions to the best of my abilities. I have made my concerns known to those who are knowledgeable and are willing to assist me in getting healthy.



Joey:

They say for the majority of PTSD sufferers, the symptoms disappear over time. Have you found this to be true for you?



Peter Demers:

I think in certain situations for some people it might be true but for me personally that is not the case. I find it to be a daily struggle. The important thing for those who do struggle daily is to seek help.



Joni:

Has your PTSD affected your relationships with family and friends, and if so, how ?


Peter Demers:

Yes. I have been dealing with PTSD for many years and it certainly has affected my family especially. It has been an educational process and  again through knowledge comes acceptance and through acceptance comes peace.


Joey:

If you could say one thing to people suffering with PTSD, what would you say?


Peter Demers:


The important thing is to seek medical help. Even if you are unsure. There are good treatments and facilities that can help. One thing that I have learned is that it is good to better educate yourself and others so that you can recognize the symptoms of PTSD and not ignore those who are hurting.

EOV Reporters, Joey Blacquiere and Joni Miner would like to say, "Thank you." to Mr. Demers for sharing his story with them.

Islander Day - A Time to Celebrate Family and Community

Islander Day was a vision of Robert Ghiz and the first Islander Day was celebrated in 2009.

Islander Day is a Prince Edward Island holiday celebrated yearly on the 3rd Monday in February. This holiday centers on family and community and gives people a day off to relax and have fun making memories with family and friends.

Whether born here or moved here, Islander Day is for all people who choose to live on PEI and share a love for the island.We, at EOV, would love to hear about the plans your community has for Islander Day! Please leave us a note and share your holiday fun!



EOV Team

Joey Blacquiere - Reporter
Joni Miner - Researcher

An Interview with Charity and Matthew at Special Olympics

Joey:(Q) Who started the PEI Chapter of Special Olympics ?

Chairty: (A) Special Olympics will be 30 years old in February 2017and it was Cecil Villard in Alberta. He had accepted a position out here for the Hospital and our national office said," Hey, why don't you try to start a chapter on PEI?" So when he came out here 30 years ago, he met with the different groups and we started the PEI chapter of Special Olympics. We were under the umbrella of "Sports and Recreation for the Disabled" at the time. In 1987 we broke apart to become our own acceded chapter of Special Olympics.

Joey: (Q) How many Special Olympians are there currently on PEI?

Charity: (A) Right now we have 249 registered athletes in our data base and we also have 170 or so that are in schools that aren't registered. So we are getting near the 500 mark!

Joey: (Q) Where did the Special Olympics Start?

Charity: (A) SOPEI started in 1968 in Chicago in Soldier Field where Canada and the US compete.  In 1969 it came to Canada.

Joey: (Q) You have an "Athlete's Oath". Why is it important to Special Olympics?

Matthew: (A) In Special Olympics we have an Athlete's Oath and its very important. It encompasses all athletes involved with disabilities and the oath is, "Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt." The emphasis is on giving your best effort, not to focus on the glory of winning a medial or a trophy. The focus is on just being proud of who you are and the effort you put forth.

Joey: (Q) How many Coaches are there volunteering on PEI? Do you need any others?

Matthew:(A)We are very fortunate to have 53 trained coach volunteers t o support our 57 programs. But we are in need of 

additional support for the younger generation. We could use support all over the island. In Summerside we can use support in ten pin bowling and curling and in Kings County we could use support in our Community Sport Program, our basketball program, and walking programs and in central, we can use support at our youth program's community sport program floor hockey program and swimming program.