Let's Take A Minute

Let us take a minute to remember and encourage the displaced in Slave Lake, a beautiful community of 7,000 where I once spent a weekend with my sister Jacquie, who lived there at the time. Her time there affected her so much that she and her husband Jason (the ones that got me blogging in the first place) have opened their home in Edmonton to several of their friends. Kudos to you guys! I am proud of you.

Your Partner in Life

AISH: There Is Hope On The Horizon

This past Monday night I attended a Wildrose Alliance Town Hall meeting at Edmonton's Norwood Legion, which was organized by Wayde Lever, Wildrose Alliance candidate for Highlands-Norwood.

The highlight of the evening was an appearance by Wildrose leader Danielle Smith, who was greeted by 350 devoted and enthusiastic supporters.

Smith expounded on her plans to bring accountability to government and end the party-line voting currently employed by the Progressive Conservatives. Under an Alliance government, the very draconian Bill 50 land use act, which allows Stelmach's PC's to potentially seize and control any land in the province as they see fit, would be instantly repealed.

But most importantly for Alberta's disabled community, the AISH benefit would be increased under an Alliance government. And significantly, Smith pledged to increase the amount of money that disabled Albertans can earn without losing their benefits, thereby increasing the incentive to work and feel valuable to society.

So hope is on the horizon, if we as the disabled community get out and vote for change. Change can be scary. But if we need inspiration, we need only follow the example of Wayde Lever, who was born 41 years ago with cerebral palsy. I speak from experience when I say that as a disabled person, it is easy to fall into a rut and get down on yourself and your abilities.

Wayde has never done that, and it is that determination which has carried him this far and will continue to do so in his mission to represent the constituents of Highlands-Norwood. As he recently told me, "For me, the letters c. and p. stand for courage and perseverance, not cerebral palsy. If the current MLA for Highlands Norwood wants to keep his seat, he is going to have to beat me, because I am focused. And when I am focused, I succeed".

Your Partner in Life

Some Reasons Why I Miss Ralph Klein

1. Ralph had a plan to take Alberta out of debt.

2. Ralph outlined his plan.

3. Against all kinds of opposition, Ralph stuck to his plan, giving Alberta almost a decade and a half of prosperity under the Alberta Advantage with the simple act of balancing our provincial budget.

4. When Ralph misstepped and wanted to cut the AISH benefit back for the disabled in 1997, hundreds of us gathered at Edmonton's Grant MacEwan College to voice our displeasure. And the plan was abandoned almost immediately. If I ever had the chance to meet Ralph Klein, I would shake his hand and thank him for that.

5. On those occasions when his personal missteps became public, he admitted and acknowledged them, got help, and dealt with them.

6. And let's face it, Ralph Klein had personality and confidence, two things important to any politician in communicating to the people, formulating long range plans, and sticking to them. When he won in 1992, he exuded confidence, not a look that said, "Oh shit, I thought Jim was gonna win", like Ed Stelmach did.

Your Partner In Life

Just to Clarify...

Thank you everyone who responded to my last post. I was deeply touched, and I truly do appreciate it. Based on the comments, I just want to clear up a few things:

1) As tight with its purse strings as the Alberta government is, it does not only pay me only $315, though I certainly understand how you could arrive at that conclusion based on how I worded my challenge. I receive $1965 modified AISH because my building runs on the Designated Assisted Living program, and my rent is $1650. The $315 is what is left over after the rent is paid. I pay my Internet bill, then I decide if I can afford toilet paper, shaving cream, and a $84 bus pass or three bus ticket books. Believe me, if the government only paid me $315, I think I would stage a production of Oliver! on the Legislature steps! Thanks to Loretta for reminding me to choose my words more carefully. Best of luck to you!

2) To Melanie, a candidate who wanted to know if she was supposed to run a household or a government on $315 per month, it was meant to be a household. Let's say a family of four, with food, clothing, school fees, dental visits and and the like, just to make things interesting. Thanks Melanie, and best of luck to you!

Thanks also to Joe Albertan, whose blog can be found at www.joealbertan.blogspot.com. Joe tirelessly chronicles the many blunders of our leaders. He was kind enough to link my "Some Simple Math" and "MLA Challenge" posts on his blog. Along the way, he has offered much support and encouragement. Thanks friend, I appreciate it. Keep up the great work Joe, way to go!

Your Partner In Life

An MLA Challenge

Okay, Alberta MLAs. I've let you know how much of a budget I have to work with every month.

$315 dollars.

I'm willing to look past the old-style fist-shaking, talking-head screaming matches like the CNN Crossfire of old.

Let me gather you around a virtual table, as we raise our water glasses and I issue you the following challenge.

"Tell me how you would spread out 315 dollars over the course of one month."

Hit the comment button.

Email me at carydean65@gmail.com

Search Michel Mike Hebert on Facebook.

I want to hear from you.

Let's start a dialog.

I'm ready and willing.

Are you?

Your Partner In Life

Some Simple Math

For those who don't already know, I have cerebral palsy.

It's not something I spend a lot of time thinking about, as it doesn't really affect my daily life, such as my ability to blog.

But the fact is that I need a relatively small amount of care to start my day. I am very satisfied with the care that I receive in the building in which I live, and with the company that runs the building and provides the care.

I truly do not mind paying the $1650 per month that it costs to live in the building, as this covers utilities, three square meals in a cafeteria, snacks, laundry and all that great care.

But what I do mind is an Alberta government that gives me $1965 and says "Here's $315, go play real-life Monopoly now". That's one bill and a couple of incidentals, folks. If you want to save for your future, as the disabled can now do with the Registered Disability Savings Plan? Too bad fella! Enjoy that bag of chips now!

Add to that a municipal government that thinks nothing of charging me $84 for a monthly transit pass while charging seniors with GICs and stock portfolios about $30 for a pass they can use all year. I am very grateful for all that seniors did for me and my way of life during the war years, but where's the logic?

Don't misunderstand, I am fully aware of the mess the global economy is in, and I am not going to sit on my ass expecting a free pass. All I want is some accountability and common sense from our elected officials in the Progressive Conservative party, who have been running things for 40 years. As evidenced by the recent YouTube "cookie" sensation starring the now-ousted head of the Alberta health authority, common sense is now not part of their vocabulary.

There is now a new party on the horizon: the Wildrose Alliance. I am now willing to listen to their common sense approach, which involves not muzzling their MLAs in caucus, for one thing.

Your Partner In Life

A KFC Christmas

During the Christmas season, as at any time, communication is important.

Let me take you through yesterday's events.

I was with my wife, not near my computer or phone. Suddenly my sister shows up at the door. Didn't I know that my dad, sister, and brother-in-law were coming over for a Christmas feast today?

I thought it was actually on Christmas!

So we wait for Dad, who was coming by bus, and was arriving at 11:30.

He showed up at 1:00, saying that he thought he had to leave at 11:30.

So the feast is gotten at KFC.

Chicken, corn, fries, coleslaw, 7-Up.

But no cutlery.

Or plates.

Sister has meltdown when none of the three convenience stores visited have plates.

Brother in law suggests cups.

Cups are gotten.

Three-times folded paper towels substitute for plates.

I carry leftover chicken home at my feet.

Leftover pop at my back, stuffed down my T-shirt.

Can't wait till next year!

Merry Christmas everyone!

Your Partner In Life