Walking a block is now a struggle for Burnaby’s Shaun Balint. Even being outside is dangerous, as his immune system is so compromised.
Two years ago, Balint was a 275-pound bodybuilder. Today, at 6’3″, he weighs just 130 pounds.
One day he just started losing weight, and no matter what he ate, the pounds kept dropping.
“It’s kind of gotten worse since February. I’ve lost about 45 pounds. The way my body is reacting, if I eat anything now it’s just kicking everything out,” said Balint.
The only thing he can eat are supplements and protein bars prescribed by his doctor, but they’re very expensive at almost $900 each month – and now he’s having to choose between paying rent or paying for the supplements.
Although Balint was told the government would cover the cost, after filing an application, he learned that less than $200 a month is covered.
In a statement to Global News, the Ministry of Social Development and Social Innovation said they could not comment on specific cases for privacy reasons but that the ministry provides “a range of nutritional supplements to eligible people receiving assistance” and the supplements are “intended to provide access to additional nutrition, above basic support, to people who have more costly dietary needs driven by an underlying medical condition.”
The ministry’s statement goes on to say:
“The ministry does not have the authority to exceed the value of the supplement as set in regulation. The range of nutritional supplements provided in B.C. under an income assistance program is comparable or better than most other provinces in Canada. In total, our government invests about $140 million each year on a wide range of medical supports including nutritional supplements to ensure people get the help they need.”
For the past two months, Balint and his wife haven’t had enough money to pay their rent. Luckily for them, their landlord has been understanding.
“I have a God-send for a landlord, but at some point she has to say… you know,” said Balint’s wife Laura.
After turning to their local MLA Kathy Corrigan, who contacted the Ministry of Social Development for help in covering the cost, the couple was turned down once again.
Corrigan said the ministry was “adamant” about their decision not to cover the cost.
While Balint loses more and more weight, a team of specialists are trying to determine the cause of his illness.
For now, he says he has no choice but to stay on the supplements. He currently eats about eight to 10 protein bars and eight to 10 protein shakes a day.
The couple has started a Go Fund Me page to help find money to pay for them, but they still hope the government will make an exception before they’re evicted.
“You pick: you’re homeless or he dies. And that’s kind of what it’s sitting at right now,” said Laura.
–With files from Samantha Falk
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