In ‘dire straits’
Unable to work, Roger Langille runs out of options
Roger Langille doesn’t know if he’ll be able to heat his house – or for that matter, if he will even have a house – in a few days.
The Bass River man is suffering from health issues that prevent him from returning to work, but he’s being denied disability benefits.
He’s sold off some of his possessions to pay bills, but the money’s gone and he can’t find anything else to sell.
“I’m in pretty dire straits now,” he said. “I’m out of resources, and I’m behind on my mortgage and everything. Basically, I can’t stay here much longer. I have no idea what I can do.”
Langille was in the work force for 39 years, spending the last seven and a half of those as a truck driver for MSD Enterprises, in Glenholme.
On June 21, 2017 he had a heart attack. He was able to return to work for three months after that, but was laid off during the winter, and then his doctor told him he couldn’t return to work.
Along with having a heart that doctors feel isn’t strong enough for surgery, Langille had diabetes and severe arthritis.
He’s on medication for his heart, and if he spends a few minutes in the cold he begins shaking.
“I tried to get disability, but I was told I had to be totally disabled,” he said.
“I’ve had no income since July 7, and when my medication runs out I won’t be able to buy any more. I’m pretty near out of oil. I try not to let things get to me, but when you get bad news all the time it does get to you.”
Added to the health issues, he had someone access his bank account and rip him off.
After his heart attack, Langille bought a four-wheeler to clear snow, but he expects it will be repossessed any day.
He did get some food through the Christmas Index program and says it’s lasted well because his troubles have left him with little appetite.
His mother, who is 85 and handicapped, lives in Beaverbrook.
He tried to visit her weekly but has run out of money for fuel.
He has an application for social assistance, but knows it will take time to process, and the holiday season slows things down even further.
“When I was working, I figured I was all set,” he said. “Now, I’m basically done.”