Support for Joshua

Hi my name is Damon. My son Joshua has currently been residing at the Civic Hospital, in Ottawa Otario. He has been there for over a year while he awaits placement in residential support

placement. Joshua needs 24/7care for all his basic needs. He cannot feed or groom himself, and Joshua also needs wheel chair to get around. In 2020 Joshua lost his vision because his Vp Shunt malfunctioned causing damage to his optic nerve. On top of all of that Joshua is on the spectrum (autistic) and he also has a seizure disorder. He requires lots of support. With all of this Joshia tries to maintain a sense of humour and silly disposition but he is sometimes depressed, and angry.

While he has been in the hospital the staff have done their best to take care of Joshua, but due other patient needs Joshua spends much of his time in his room not getting most of his basic needs met. His mother and I have hired extra workers to go in and take care of Joshua's feeding and other needs such as toileting grooming. They also take him for walks and spend time talking him with him. This is the extra interaction Joshua needs to get through this difficult time. Their kindness and compassion immeasurable.

On April first we received the news that his passport funding will be cut by 10,000 dollars. He used to recieve 41,000. He will now get 31,000. They said the money was for respite relief. I

Guess because he is the hospital he does need his full amount. Due to this reduction we have to cut 3 of his workers shifts. This is not acceptable to me. They have not been able to find him placement now they cut funding that will effect his quality of care. His workers are vital. While the hospital staff are great they have other patients. His workers fill in the gaps in care.

His workers have come found Joshua lay in solid diapers and bed. Sometimes it's hours before some from the hospital staff come to check on him. Like I said his workers are vital. Joshua needs all the support he can get at this time. Our government appears to treat its disabled population as after thought. My son like many other disabled adults needs support.

Like many other parents of adults disabilities we need help for children.