Poverty Awareness in York Region

The recent spike in heating costs has sparked a dominoes affect for those stricken with disabilties and in particular those who are extra reliant on heat and hydro.

Dan Philion, featured in a CBC piece produced by an award winning documentary Producer and Hosted by Amanda Margison Sat Jan 25 on the affects of the rising costs of heat, is a barometer to that effect. in fact Dan is like a barometer on wheels, as he can reel off to you the various upcoming weather reports in seconds. Weatherman Dan. Ha

Dan incognito in happier times

Stricken with Muscular Dystrophy, Dan is affected more than "normal" people in reaction to cold and needs to keep a warm atmosphere to lessen his everyday pain, being that he's unable to take pain meds due to also having a heart condition.

He relies on not only having heat for which he uses natural gas, at a higher temp than most, but also hydro, to keep his powered chair and various lifts working for which he relies to get in and out of bed and shower and up and down his basement stairs and even his door. In the recent winter ice storms I can tell you he was more than a little concerned and there seemed no emergency plan in place for if power was lost. He'd have had to fend for himself,
especially since his care service providers refuse to supply someone to put him into bed at night.

Dan troops on though, and hopes to guest DJ in between band sets at an upcoming event which if the dances take off could lead to an ongoing part time job opportunity for him - doing something he likes too.

YRT transit costs are the highest in country

Until then, his ever dwindling left over money after paying his bills, will have to suffice for a proud guy who once walked and worked hard and who didn't ask for this life. Awhile back they actually took over his gas bill payments because he was in arrears as the costs escalated. Now they take it right off the top before he sees anything and after paying his bills he's left with about $150 - all for food, transportation, meds not covered etc. He puts on a brave front but I know he feels more pain and anguish than he lets on, and his diminishing physical health adds a dimension of insecurity an independent guy who raised two kids, mostly as single dad - and from a wheel chair - maybe we could all learn a little from him.

Please watch the CBC piece and support more than a 1% raise for ODSP recipients. If he can work he will. he doesn't need being forced and it took the Region 7 years to provide him transportation at night to even do so - precious time lost to use his ever receding physical limitations.