Social assistance cut: the ministry goes back on its decision

Photo Courtesy / Jacques Gingras
The quadriplegic Olivier Gingras receives a mark of affection from his mother, Caroline Morin.

Yanick Fish

Friday, 1 September 2017, 10:31

UPDATE
Friday, 1 September 2017, 10:35

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DRUMMONDVILLE | The ministry of social Solidarity is back on his decision to cut off financial assistance to a quadriplegic because he attended the college.

• READ ALSO: Quebec is cutting its aid because it looks

Olivier Gingras, 21 years old, has lost the use of his arms and his legs in 2009 after diving into a shallow lake. Paralyzed of all four limbs, he has to wear diapers.

Since his accident, he received the support of Quebec because it has severe limitations to employment. He paid for particular drugs and equipment for hygiene care.

However, since he chose to attend the college from 2016, it was felt that he could no longer receive financial aid. Quebec called for the same the sum of $ 7,500, which he had received when he went to school.

On Thursday, the cabinet of minister François Blais has contacted the family of a student with a disability to inform that he was admitted into the program SUCCEED, that he demanded more money and that we would pay him a retroactive basis, the compensation that he has not received since his file is disputed, in may.

The minister intervened to regularize the folder through the program of assistance and social support to SUCCEED. Mr. Gingras had tried to integrate this programme within the framework of its actions, but it was butté administrative barriers.

Battle

Even if she obtained gain of cause, the family of Olivier Gingras intends to continue its fight to allow other people with severe employment restrictions, to be able to conduct graduate studies.

Since the initial release of the story of a quadriplegic, in the Journal of Tuesday, it has received more than twenty messages from people in the same situation.

“We’ve won a round, but the battle is not over. We want a rendez-vous with Philippe Couillard, in order that the attitude of the people changes with the ministry of social Solidarity, that it is easier to get information and access to programs, the rules must take account of disabled persons”, says Jacques Gingras, father of Olivier, and determined.

He adds that the time is now to demand change and a year of the next provincial election and believes that the media coverage of the last few days look in the balance.

“We are aware that it is thanks to the media if it is there. You realize that this is a big strength. We are grateful,” he concludes.

The Gingras family invites people with disabilities themselves in a similar situation to join the group of Olivier on Facebook.