A disorganized society

According to Mullaly (2007), “Society is viewed as a complex whole or organism consisting of individuals interacting within numerous interdependent social systems such as the family, the workplace, and the school”(p. 101). This liberalism view explains how important society is viewed, also as all the individuals in it. Liberalism sees society at equilibrium, and when social systems “get out of tune with one another …. It can cause disorganization”(p.101). One of the results from this disorganization is that illnesses, abuse, family problems, community problems, etc. can occur. As a result, the liberalism ideology is always trying to get back to equilibrium.

In an article posted in June 2010 by the Liberal Party of Canada, Liberal MP’s address the growing problem with the disease multiple sclerosis. Multiple sclerosis is a disease that affects many Canadians, as a matter of fact “Canada has one of the highest rates of the disease in the world, with 55,000 to 75,000 people" (Liberal Political Party. Liberals join MS patients on the Hill in call for government action, June 1 2010). The Liberal Party is recognizing this disease that is causing many Canadians harm and offering their help to find a cure. As stated in the article, “Multiple Sclerosis is an unpredictable disease of the central nervous system, which can range from relatively benign to somewhat disabling to devastating, as communication between the brain and other parts of the body is disrupted”. There are many physical disabilities involved with this disease, such as a person having problems walking because of muscle problems, balance issues, paralysis and many more. 

  

As the article states the Liberals have proposed a new study for people who are struggling with MS , based on the effiecency of “liberation therapy”. Many other countries around the world have already begun this plan, which is a minor surgery that unblocks blood vessels that are thought to have an impact on some people. Liberals keep forcing this growing issue to have the study done, as the sooner it is done, the sooner people with MS can perhaps have another option to help with their disease.

What the Liberal party is noticing is a disorganization that has occurred, and now it is their duty to get society back at equilibrium. Since there is such a big portion of people affected by this illness there is now an off balance in society. Liberal views don’t have a problem with intervening in society, as they are more likely to promote it. They’re noticing that the individuals with MS are having a negative effect on the community as a whole. As Mullaly (2007) also says “liberals include in their value the freedom from such social evils as unemployment, disease, and squalor.” (p.98)

Liberals feel that in society there is need for government intervention for people who are ill and need help. As a result of this they insist on helping the people who struggle with these day to day problems that one would encounter. Not only is it difficult for the person struggling with the disability, it also affects people who now have to care for the ill person (which could be a relative, doctor, or any person they may need assistance from in society).

However, there is the problem that liberals fail to recognize is that some people are better off than others (not as equal as others), or ahead of the race. People with MS are one of the many people in society who are behind in the race.  This makes it more difficult for them to keep up with society's demands because they have their own problems to deal with. Cost of medical bills, time taken off work and even time taken away from the joy of life from being in pain are all sad side effects from MS. A person who is not dealing with an illness would not likely have these problems in their lifetime. As much as liberalism believes in having an equal society where everyone can succeed, this is not the case for people with MS.

In this case, I feel like the Liberals are stepping up and pushing an issue towards the Conservative government that displays the inequality for people with MS. Even if the conservatives feel this is more money Canadian tax payers will have to pay, the “liberation” project is worth looking into as MS can quickly take over any person’s life.

- Jessica VL

References:

Mullaly, B. (2007). The New Structural Social Work (3^rd ed.). Don Mills, Ontario: Oxford University Press Canada

Liberal Party of Canada. Liberals join MS patients on the Hill in call for government action. 01 June, 2010.<http://www.liberal.ca/newsroom/news-release/liberals-join-ms-patients-on-the-hill-in-call-for-government-action/>

"We still have a ways to go"

According to a 2006 publication by the Council of Canadians with Disabilities, when it comes to electing a Party, the Liberals promised and demonstrated their dedication for a development in the support plans for the disabled. Unlike the other parties, the council did receive the Liberal’s 150 million dollar investment as an indication of their commitment. From the perspective of the CCD, the Liberals are more vocal and interactional when it comes to the matters of physical disability than any other political party in Canada.

Mullaly states that liberals strongly believe in the concept of equal opportunity; that it “provides everyone the means to succeed” (Mullaly, 97) and “climb the social ladder if they really try” (Mullaly, 96). The fact that liberals see equality of opportunity as an important factor in society is reinforced by a Liberal statement:

"We have a ways to go. But the Liberal vision for an accessible and inclusive Canada is clear. Ten years from now, Canadians with disabilities will enjoy the same Canada as other Canadians enjoy-where the only difference between Canadians with disabilities and those without will be the disability itself, not the quality of life."

Canada is a country with more accessibility for the physically disabled, but like the Liberals stated, we still have many things to improve on, such as the resources made available and the way people perceive the physically disabled as less than them in social status. Although Canada has resources and money to gain better accessibility, there have not been many changes. For example, a school just recently provided handicap door openers. Something that I believe should have been done five or more years ago occurred a year or two ago. We still have ways to go.

Along with raising more awareness for the disabled, the Liberals had produced a chapter in their platform called, “An Accessible and Inclusive Canada”. It is a chapter that emphasizes their belief of equal opportunity and ways to reduce and prevent more obstacles. The chapter includes the following:

“- A 10 Year National Strategy,

- Tax Assistance,

- A Registered Disability Savings Plan,

- Sustained Investment in Disability Supports,

- A Disability Dimension in Federal Initiatives,

- Combating Stigma and Raising Awareness,

- Safeguarding an Accessible and Inclusive Canada.”

Even though the Liberals were not selected, they are continuing to develop and succeed in their goal of an accessible and inclusive Canada. Although the funding and investments are promised to assist the disabled one of the obstacles that a percentage of the physically disabled has trouble overcoming is poverty and housing. In this article the Liberals attack Harper’s government saying that the Conservative Government have not done a lot to prevent poverty in Canada. It also states that out of the $75 million construction fund to house people with disabilities only 0.1 percent of that has been spent. That is definitely a shocking statistic that should raise awareness in the community, yet we never seem to take action and if we do progress is slow. Again, we have ways to go.

 

For more on the Liberal's questions for CCD and their answer visit:

http://www.ccdonline.ca/en/socialpolicy/elections/Canada-at-150-22march2010

- Kristal

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Mullaly, B. (2007). The New Structural Social Work (3^rd ed.). Don Mills, Ontario: Oxford University Press Canada.

http://www.ccdonline.ca/en/publications/voice/2006/election-7

http://www.liberal.ca/newsroom/news-release/liberals-are-working-to-eradicate-poverty-and-homelessness/

Injured veterans become the "deserving poor"

In a recent article posted by the Conservative Party of Canada, the Conservative government states they are putting in a new support system for seriously injured veterans. The new plan, called the "Legacy of Care", is a set of five new initiatives to help the physically disabled veterans.

An article from Kelly Block describes the five initiatives:
"- Barrier-Free transitional housing for injured soldiers undergoing treatment at one of the CF’s seven centres of expertise in rehabilitation
- Support services such as wheelchair accessible transportation to medical appointments, caregiver respite, child care, and the delivery of medical supplies and groceries during rehabilitation
- Up to $100 per day for family or close friends who leave their job to help provide care to the ill or injured soldier
- Improving access to the Canadian Forces Spousal Education Upgrade Program; and,
- Making it easier for seriously ill or injured veterans to access help, information, and individual attention, through enhanced case management support."


Another main concern with these five new initiatives is the concern for the family. Neoconservatives base a lot their beliefs towards the support from the family, according to Mullaly (2007) "even if people become ill and cannot look after themselves ... it is up to the family to look after them in the first instance" (page 83). The article makes a direct statement that this new plan is not only for the veterans themselves, but also for the families affected, "That’s why we are delivering on our commitment to those who have given up so much for Canada, and to the loved ones who put their own lives on hold in order to be caregivers."

The neoconservatives tend to shy away from interfering with personal support as they believe that it is up to the individual to take care of themselves if problems arise. However, in this case they are making notice that the physically disabled veterans are part of the "deserving poor", and are stepping in to offer their assistance.

This new plan also can give many new perspectives towards the Conservative government. One way is it can give hope to other people who are physically disabled in Canada, as the issue is becoming recognized. As soldiers, many other workers face money struggles once returned home, as they aren't making as much money, need extra assistant to get around, and have health care concerns. There is also the problem of the other caregiver in the household having to make sacrifices to their time and during their work to care for the one who is injured. Perhaps other plans geared towards the physically disabled may be revised, or looked upon again?

In another aspect, this new plan can create more anger towards the conservatives. As many people may feel they are also the "deserving poor", even if they haven't fought for our country. They may feel they aren't getting as much notice as other physically disabled people; becoming unnoticed. Also, neoconservatives can get upset because as a result of this plan, taxes may rise. A common goal that all conservatives want, is to limit the amount of taxes Canadians pay.

Either way the government is making some new changes for persons they view as the deserving poor.

-Jessica VL

References:

Mullaly, B. (2007). The New Structural Social Work (3^rd ed.). Don Mills, Ontario: Oxford University Press Canada.

Conservative Politcal Party. Conservatives Help Deliver a Legacy of Care for Canada’s Veterans. 28 Sept., 2010. 17 Oct. 2010.<http://www.conservative.ca/press/other_stories/conservatives_help_deliver_a_legacy_of_care_for_canada_s_veterans>

Block, Kelly. A Legacy of Care. 12 Oct., 2010. 18 Oct. 2010. <http://kellyblock.ca/2010/10/12/a-legacy-of-care/ >