How basic income changed a family’s life
‘It feels good to know I can buy my child a drink after tests at the hospital’
The following is the text of a speech given at the recent North American basic income congress, held in Hamilton. The author’s first name is Jodi, and we are withholding her last name at her request.
You don’t understand the feeling of shame until you have to call a family member to help you get to the hospital with your child because you don’t have the money to park, cab or take a bus with a broken child.
I was a single mom to three amazing kids for many years: Two of them with special needs. I was married and lived a comfortable middle-class life. We chose for me to stay home and be a full-time mom.
After my divorce I found it next to impossible to work and look after my special-needs daughter. Before children, I worked full-time while obtaining a college degree and I’m about to finish my second degree in social service work, which I have been doing for many years part-time.
I have since remarried and we are now part of the working poor. My youngest daughter is now 11 and has a rare condition called osteogenesis imperfecta as well as epilepsy. She has many appointments each week in Hamilton and at SickKids hospital in Toronto. She requires treatment that takes us to Montreal’s Shriners hospital several times a year.
On any given day I can be called to pick her up from school and take her into the hospital for a broken bone or to bring her home because she has had a seizure.
There was a night several years ago that will always stick in my memory. My daughter had broken her leg and I didn’t know what to do.
I knew she needed an X-ray and cast but I had no money for parking. I couldn’t leave her and walk to a free parking spot and I couldn’t take her with me and walk with her to the hospital. I parked underground and I prayed someone would help us.
While in the hospital trying to concentrate on my daughter I sent several texts to family and friends to
see if anyone could come down and bring me the money to get our car out of parking.
I was ashamed and humiliated that something as simple as parking I couldn’t afford. I honestly don’t know what I would have done if I hadn’t had family to come help me out.
I’m not relaying this story to elicit sympathy, but instead want to share with you how Ontario’s basic income pilot project has changed our lives. I’m a participant in the provincial basic income pilot study.
When I was selected to participate on basic income last year, the very first thing I purchased were Hamilton Health Sciences parking passes that now enable us to always have the ability to get my daughter to the hospital when needed.
Each month I buy passes and always keep one on hand for an emergency.
Basic income has given me the security I needed to help relieve some of the stress of our everyday life.
I’m constantly worried about my children but adding the stress of money worries sometimes made me feel as if I was completely broken and that there was no way out. It drained
a lot of my energy.
I am now a better mom ... I’m able to put some of the worry aside. I am able to complete my education, which has sat in limbo because even with financial assistance, I struggled to afford the extra $70 for my share for the courses and this is why it has taken me so long to graduate.
One day when my daughter is older and more independent I will be able to give back and work full-time. For now, it feels good to know I am able to stop and buy my child a drink after a hard day of appointments or tests at the hospital.
These may seem like little things, but to me they are important.
I am thankful that I am able to be part of this program and I hope that the outcome of this pilot will show the world with a little hand up, people can be empowered to make positive changes in their everyday lives.
I hope our new provincial government will continue to support this important study and the other 4,000 Ontarians who are looking to build a better life for themselves.