ST-LAZARE — Quebec’s social services minister finally addressed the lack of services for disabled children in her riding. In a recent report on Global News, the CSSS Vaudreuil-Soulanges (regional health board) confirmed that the majority of their 350 clients with disabilities are currently on a waiting list for more services.
“I know that they want some more services, we’re giving a lot,” said Lucie Charlebois, the minister responsible for social services.
Charlebois asked the regional health board for a clearer picture of the situation after Global News aired the story about a St-Lazare family fighting for more services. While the minister admits they could offer more assistance, she explains that it may not make much of a difference for a family coping with such severe disabilities.
“Even if we give more, it will never be enough because these are really severe cases,” said Charlebois.
What adds insult to injury for the St-Lazare mother of two disabled boys is that Charlebois was elected in her riding.
“I promise you, this is a woman who came to my door before the elections to get elected, met the boys and said, ‘Is there anything you would like?’” deplored Ann Gagnon.
The CSSS Vaudreuil-Soulanges has also confirmed that families living off-island seem to have access to less services than those living in Montreal. In Gagnon’s case, she lost a long list of financial benefits and services for her sons when she moved from DDO to St-Lazare 8 years ago.
“We lost a lot and that’s why they had given me an “x” amount of hours and said you’re on the waiting list for the rest of it,” insisted Gagnon, “they acknowledged the fact that I do need these services, that’s not the problem!”
The regional health board previously explained that a lack of resources prevents them from providing enough services to their disabled clients. Gagnon for example, is only getting 8 hours of help per child each week, which is a fraction of the 20 hours per child she’s been told she’s entitled to.
And while the minister says the upcoming restructuring of the health care system may allow for more services for families dealing with disabilities, some worry it will do the exact opposite.
“I think there’s gonna be a lot of cuts,” said Gagnon, “the social workers are already overloaded!”
And without any new concrete measures from the minister, Gagnon worries that families dealing with disabilities will continue to be treated like second-class citizens.
“I’d invite her to come spend a day with me and the kids to see what our life is really like,” Gagnon suggested, “we can even do it at her house if it’s more convenient!”
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