Thanks.
Many times it's been suggested--fundraising, family, and friends. Unfortunately, when you are someone who comes from a very disadvantaged situation, as Ms. McIvor and I do, that isn't a possibility.
My husband and I put each other through school. We've had tremendous support from the good woman sitting behind me, my mother-in-law, but in terms of approaching organizations to try to get funding for the medical treatment I need....
I have a mental disorder that no psychiatrist in the province of Alberta will treat. Foothills Hospital will not see me in the OT department to even assess me for a walker.
We're supposed to have universal health care, and because I have a traumatic brain injury and a mental illness, I'm denied brain injury rehabilitation. Medical fees for me in this country are as serious as for someone in the U.S. There are no qualified personnel to care for me. I've got to suck it up and I've got to deal with it on my own. You should be applauding that.
The reality is I ended up in the leadership of every organization I approached for assistance as to how I might help myself. That is how I've come to this table. And while it's been a privilege to come to this table, also our organizations are pressed so badly with every woman....
As Shelagh said, I too am privileged. Even in my disadvantage, I have a husband, a home, and a vehicle. But every ounce of every day--and I go as hard as I can, to the detriment of my health--is in the service of the women of this country. There are people who phone me at 2 a.m. There are people who phone me at six in the morning. There are people who phone me to fall asleep at night. There are people whose tears I dry, whose houses I try to help clean.
We are so maxed out just trying to service the people coming to our door that we can't even think about fundraising.