Valérie is fighting to get her disability recognized after her application for social assistance was refused.
Written testimony
J’ai fait une demande de révision, parce que ma première demande a été refusée. Et ils m’ont envoyée en expertise voir un de leurs médecins, évidemment. Donc c’est vraiment des combats, des batailles que je dois mener puis que plein d’autres personnes doivent mener comme moi, pour faire reconnaître la gravité de leurs symptômes puis l’invalidité qui vient avec …
La notion de permanence c’est très difficile et ça rajoute encore une fois un stress supplémentaire, stress financier, puis un stress de devoir aussi se battre pour faire reconnaître qu’est-ce qu’on vit au quotidien, puis à quel point la maladie a pu chambouler ma vie, dans le fond, celle de ma famille puis ce qui est vraiment dommage, c’est que c’est vraiment ma seule option sincèrement. Parce qu’il y en a beaucoup… Si j’étais seule, je pourrais avoir l’aide sociale, de l’aide de dernier recours. Je serais admissible pour contraintes sévères à l’emploi. Ça c’est pas mal certain, mais le fait que je sois en couple fait en sorte qu’ils considèrent le salaire familial, puis à ce moment-là bien je ne peux pas y avoir droit, même si on s’entend qu’on est quand même loin d’être riche.
[I applied for a review because my first application was refused. And they sent me to see one of their doctors, obviously. So it’s a real battle, a battle that I have to fight, and that many other people have to fight, like me, to have the seriousness of their symptoms recognized, and then the disability that comes with it.
The notion of permanence is very difficult, and once again adds to the stress, the financial stress, and the stress of having to fight for recognition of what we go through on a daily basis, and the extent to which the disease has turned my life upside down, and basically that of my family. Because there are so many … If I were on my own, I could get social assistance, help of last resort. I’d qualify for severe employment constraints. That’s quite certain. But the fact that I’m part of a couple means that they consider the family salary, and then I don’t qualify, even if we agree that we’re far from rich.] Translation from original French.
More content
- Mental Health Support – ValérieValérie had limited mental health support because she had to pay out of pocket.
- Getting Care for Long COVID – ValérieValérie made repeat visits to ER because she couldn't get help elsewhere.
- Complementary and Alternative Care – ValérieValérie gained a sense of control over her symptoms with the help of her kinesiologist.
- Support From Family, Friends, Communities – ValérieValérie notices her supporters running out of steam.
- Impacts on Children and Parenting – ValérieValérie wishes her children didn't have so much responsibility.
- Loss of Income and Need for Financial Support – ValérieValérie is afraid of falling into the hole of an unrecognized illness.
- Loss of Income and Need for Financial Support – ValérieValérie was studying to become a teacher. There was no teaching during lockdown so she was not entitled to employment insurance.
- People with Long COVID Advocating for Themselves – ValérieValérie is fighting to get her disability recognized after her application for social assistance was refused.
- Advice to Others Living With Long COVID – ValérieValérie warns that pushing yourself too hard can have long-term negative consequences.
- Psychosocial Impacts – ValérieValérie hits the wall emotionally every time her symptoms flare up.