by Sheri Marino I just want to take a minute and express my sadness over the article I and my family were mentioned in, in today’s Peak, February 11.
First, please let me say Chris Bolster is an amazing journalist and I have much respect and admiration for not only him but the Peak itself. In my opinion, the Peak has always been a champion in defending our disabled rights and being a voice for those who can’t communicate effectively.
Roughly five weeks ago I went to the Peak with a story that was extremely sad and very true of not only what we’re living through as a family, but also what many other disabled adults are suffering with as well. Many of us are forced to live in sub-standard conditions (leaking roofs, rats, mould, faulty wiring, et cetera). The story I came to the Peak with was from the heart and sadly is the truth.
My family, through no fault of our own, is dangerously close to becoming homeless and we are not the only ones. When I read the article this morning I started to cry. What I took from the article is we complain a lot and my son, who is autistic, is loud. This breaks my heart in so many ways I can’t even express it effectively.
We are good people and great tenants. We pay our bills on time, are never late with our rent and we take loving care of the properties in which we’re blessed to call home. We have impeccable references. This mention of us in this way will almost guarantee us becoming homeless for who wants to rent to people who complain a lot? I just don’t understand why and it breaks my heart to not see the truth. The people around us who know first-hand what we’ve been struggling with don’t understand as well.
I was led to believe that my name and story were being lent, so to speak, to a story on the influx of slumlords here in Powell River, who are contributing to the sad living conditions that a lot of our adult disabled are now forced to live in. Instead, it was used in an article that in my opinion (I mean no disrespect in any shape or form), basically slaps the back of the elite and informs them what a good job they’re doing trying to help our disabled and homeless, which, again in my opinion (and many others as well), is not the full truth.
We can not, as a society, back away from the truth for it does a great injustice to those who are suffering and the great people of Powell River in general. Here in Powell River we have more special needs per capita than anywhere else in Canada. If we don’t stand up for our adult disabled and speak the truth we shall watch all of us perish on the very streets of Powell River.
Powell River has an amazing history of being the first in many things. Please, I beg of you, let’s be the first to stand up and say we will help our adult disabled. We won’t let them become casualties or numbers.
It’s too late for my family as this article will hurt us not help us and if we are able to find another house now remains to be seen. But, God willing, we can help the others who are suffering like us. Thank you for your time to read my words. God Bless.
Sheri Marino is an autism and disability advocate living in Powell River.
