‘I want to be a person’: Man without identification says he can’t live adult life

According to the Canadian government, Lucas Veley doesn’t exist.

Lucas, now 20, was born at his home in Bellrock, Ont. Since he wasn’t born at the hospital, his parents had to apply at a later date for his official government documents.

They say Lucas’ health card was mailed to them, but he never received a birth certificate or a social insurance number.

Barb Veley, Lucas’s mother, said that they needed to renew his health card when he turned 16, but they were told it couldn’t be done — because Lucas was never officially on Canadian record.

This came as a surprise to Barb, who said Lucas never had a problem enrolling in school, receiving health care and that they received child tax benefits for him.

The Veleys have applied for Lucas’s government identification four times since they were originally denied, but have had no luck.

“I keep sending things in and I don’t get anything back,” Barb said.

For Lucas, it’s been trying.

“I want to be a person,” he told CKWS. “I haven’t seen the world, and I cant — I’m not allowed.”

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Although the 20-year-old went to school, he has never had a job and cannot get one without a social insurance number, but he says he helps out where he can around the house.

“I’m terrified of getting hurt or getting sick because I don’t have a health card. I’m worried that i’m going to put my family in debt.”

His father, Todd, said the ordeal has made him feel helpless.

“I apologize to him all the time,” he said. “I want it so bad for him to have his ID and have a life.”

Newly re-elected MPP for the region Randy Hillier has now become involved. He says although this situation seems a bit unusual, it isn’t as uncommon as it sounds.

“We’ve helped many people in the past with similar problems. I have no doubt that we’ll help Lucas out,” the MPP said. Representatives for MPP Hillier have already mailed the family forms to get things started.

Although the family is now getting a hand from high places, there’s no current timeline for when Lucas will be recognized by the Ontario provincial government.

Until then, Lucas is landlocked and pretty much home-bound.