Thank you Easter Seals.
Finally...people who know what they are doing. We applied for the Incontinence Supplies Grant and sent the forms in on December 5th. We recieved the cheque on Thursday. One month.
The Easter Seals provides funding for diapers to children over the age of 3 with a diagnosis. We recieve 400 dollars annually - $200 in January and $200 in July. So we stocked up and still have enough money left to buy a mega pak to send to his school.


Considering all the bullshit that I've been through emotionally this past week, it was a nice surprise.
It really hit me what a mess our system is here.
Cuyler rec'd his diagnosis last May at the age of 2years 6months. He was then put on a waiting list for the only funded program in the province - Preschool Autism Service (PAS) and it's an IBI program.
Well...last spring as we where going through the gutwrenching, ulcer-inducing process of getting him diagnosed, a group of parents took PAS to the legislature to fight against the fact that the cutoff for PAS was 6. Every child was discharged at age 6.
Legislation was changed. And now all those older kids get to stay in PAS as long as they want or need to. GREAT. Hooray for you.
Now all the little ones are screwed out of service because these older kids are not leaving, therefore no spaces are opening up. I was told that Cuyler will, in all probability, never get into PAS.
And on top of that - the funding we are supposed to recieve through the Ministry of Child and Youth Services, called Special Services at Home (SSAH) will not be available for probably another 2 years. This was money we would love to put towards RDI...but that ain't gonna happen.
So in a nutshell, we were given a devastating diagnosis last May and in effect, left to our own devices to sink or swim. Not given any formal therapy. Lately I feel as though I'm sinking.
We should just up and move to BC. There, each family is given a lump sum to decide what they want to do with it. ABA, RDI, respite - it's their choice, no waitng.
And as far as money - I couldn't have gone to work even if I wanted to last year - there was nowhere for me to put Cuyler. No programs were available to supprt his needs. And right now I couldn't go full time if I wanted to, because again - no support, because again - no money.

I have spent the last week emailing town cousellors, MP's, MPP's, the mayor...anyone who might listen and be able to help. It's election time, so hopefully somebody will help. Or at least try and do something.
I've been emailing everyone I can think of to look for hidden grants or bursaries (nope). My college to see if they have any type of funding for alumni (nope). Sean is going to see if his work has any type of funding or grants for families - my guess will be a big fat fucking NO. As usual.

I'M MAD.
I am an angry irish redheaded mother.
And I will not accept this.