Thank you, Madam Chair.
I would like to begin by saying that this is my second appearance before your committee. I came here in December 2022. So I would save time if I didn't have to appear again. I don't know if you want me to go over all my service records, but I served for 10 years, from 1988 to 1998. Since then, I have been totally and permanently incapacitated, according to what has been stated. That said, I would really like to take the time I have today to talk about what is happening in the present. I don't want to be someone who keeps going back to the past. I want to move forward, and I'd like to be given the opportunity to do so.
The last time I testified before this committee, I brought two suitcases like this one. This time, I brought just one, but it's not because the situation has improved. It's because I only brought the files from the past three years that have not been resolved yet.
Those who know my story know that it took five years after I received approval to have a platform lift installed in my home for that to be done, and it's not over yet. Veterans Affairs Canada, or VAC, has not yet reimbursed me for the amounts I paid the contractor in full. The file I have here with me covers only the last year of the lift saga.
VAC's processing times are extremely long. I have to keep going back to VAC and all the subcontractors they hire, such as Blue Cross and Lifemark. I can't even tell you how much of a burden that is. This task is difficult both for us, who have to take it on, and for all those involved. There are people involved who are making an effort to help us, but their hands are tied.
Last week, we had a multidisciplinary meeting with seven people from the health care community. I am appearing before you today knowing that, next week, I will have to decide whether I want to be treated with ketamine or electroshock therapy. I'm told that I have too much resistance and that I should be put in an electric chair. That's the conversation I had last week. I will have to respond next week, otherwise my file will be closed at the psychiatry department at Ste. Anne's Hospital.
I came here and asked for help from the outset. We're not getting the help. Every time you think you're going to help us or you tell us you're going to help us, you end up throwing another shovelful of dirt over us, burying us even deeper.
I would now like to talk about access to information.
Mr. Richards asked me when we came last time to ask at the archives to get my file. I have not yet received anything from them. I did it with Joël at the time. That's where it stands.
I have looked at everybody here around the table. Nobody from the last time is still here. None of this is happening.
I wrote a letter to the former minister, Ginette Petitpas Taylor, when she came into office. I never got an answer, and I understand I will not, since she is not representing the ministry anymore.
I'm sorry. I have to read from French and English and then translate.
I have here the file of all of my disabilities, which I mentioned the last time, too, that have not yet been treated, since 1998. They keep sending some of them back, saying that they don't have the correct medical term, but I'm not the one who gives the medical terms. It has all been taken back. I brought just the ones from last year.
Again, I'm here. I'm just going to make a plea to you from the heart, because I don't know what to say anymore that I haven't already said. I just want to live. I just want to be able to do my daily life activities, which I can no longer do. This wait of five years for the elevator caused so many injuries that I'm waiting now for six surgeries in both arms—the two elbows, shoulders and wrists.
Last year...after a year of waiting on this, I was told just last week that they see the risks and the benefits might not be too good from the surgeries because I'm getting older—and all of you as well—by the minute, and even more so with all of this stuff to handle.
I found a ball at the dollar store to help me relieve some of the pressure from lying on the elbow. When I say that I'm trying my darndest to find the minimal equipment and support needed to get through things....
I am inviting you all to come and see first hand what the beauty in all of this is. You can visualize all of it, if you want to give yourself the chance to do so.
I'd like to take the time to answer any questions. You have my contact.... Any time you want to meet me, I will be there. This matter does not affect just me. My spouse is with me. We have been together for 30 years. He's a veteran as well, going through the exact same thing.
I'm sorry. I didn't want to be emotional, but I'm exasperated, tired and about to blow up. I don't know what else to tell you.
I would like to answer any questions that you may have.