Veterans Affairs Committee on April 1st, 2014

[Cpl Mark Fuchko]

Absolutely.

[Laurie Hawn, Conservative, Edmonton Centre, AB]

We talked about the ELB, and of course it quits at 65. But in your case, the PIA and the PIAS kick in on June 1, after release. Is that correct?

[Cpl Mark Fuchko]

There's actually a waiting period. I got told to wait anywhere from six to ten weeks before I received any payment from that.

It would be nice if it could almost be instantaneous so that the member isn't—

[Laurie Hawn, Conservative, Edmonton Centre, AB]

Yes, but understanding that, or acknowledging that, it essentially kicks in after release, whatever the—

[Cpl Mark Fuchko]

As far as I'm aware; I'm not sure exactly what I'll qualify for, because that has yet to be determined.

[Laurie Hawn, Conservative, Edmonton Centre, AB]

I'm not the adjudicator, obviously, but if you're 108% disabled, then I would assume you would qualify for the PIA plus the PIA supplement, which together will be about $2,700.

Is that your understanding?

[Cpl Mark Fuchko]

That is my understanding, although I've been told that this is not set in stone.

[Laurie Hawn, Conservative, Edmonton Centre, AB]

Okay. Obviously each case is adjudicated on its own merit.

Just out of curiosity, if they didn't keep you at Foothills, where did you go for your rehab?

[Cpl Mark Fuchko]

I was pulled out to the University of Alberta hospital in Edmonton, Alberta. From there I went to the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital, a fantastic facility. I don't think I could have gotten better care anywhere else. They were phenomenal.

[Laurie Hawn, Conservative, Edmonton Centre, AB]

They are the gold standard in at least North America, for sure.

[Cpl Mark Fuchko]

Yes. I hate to say that anything in Edmonton is better than in Calgary, but I have to give them that.

[Voices]

Oh, oh!

[Laurie Hawn, Conservative, Edmonton Centre, AB]

Both hockey teams suck—

[A voice]

Go Winnipeg.

[Laurie Hawn, Conservative, Edmonton Centre, AB]

—but that's another question.

[Peter Stoffer, NDP, Sackville—Eastern Shore, NS]

Right on, buddy.

[Laurie Hawn, Conservative, Edmonton Centre, AB]

It sounds like you've dealt well psychologically...is that a fair statement?

[Cpl Mark Fuchko]

I was really lucky; I had a really supportive family, and my friends were behind me 100%. In my unit they were all really behind me and really proud of me. That meant the world to me, just having that support from that whole group behind me. That really put me where I am today.

[Laurie Hawn, Conservative, Edmonton Centre, AB]

Do you know Warrant Officer Willy MacDonald? He's a master chief now.

[Cpl Mark Fuchko]

I can't say I do.

[Laurie Hawn, Conservative, Edmonton Centre, AB]

He started a program called “It's okay to be okay”. What I'm getting at is that not everybody comes back, even despite your injuries, psychologically damaged. Veterans have talked to me about how they're having a hard time getting interviews because they think there's an attitude, because there's been so much publicity about it, among some employers that if the guy or gal is a veteran, they must be damaged somehow, which obviously is not true.

Have you thought about that, or have you experienced that, you or your buddies, about people being rejected because of an attitude on Civvy Street?

[Cpl Mark Fuchko]

I would say there's probably a little bit of prejudice; the general public would probably view us as emotionally damaged or a risk factor. But for me, I personally haven't run into anything like that. I think it's just that everybody is different, and my perspective is a little different from somebody else's who may be going through that. So I really don't know.

[Laurie Hawn, Conservative, Edmonton Centre, AB]

Yes. I mean, your perspective is excellent, and—

[The Chair, Conservative, Greg Kerr]

Thank you, Mr. Hawn. We're at the end of it.

[Laurie Hawn, Conservative, Edmonton Centre, AB]

Thanks.