Families shouldn't have to 'beg, borrow and steal' to buy medical aids, says mother

Oliviauses a wheelchair most of the time, and sometimes a walker. There are also times when she requires specialized braces.

It's not a matter of can we afford it. It's we can't afford not to.- Glenda Power

Ariana has moderate to severe hearing loss, and must wear a hearing aid.

Power said they are both doing well, but there's one glaring difference in the way the health care system responds to their needs.

She said Ariana's hearing aids, at a cost of several thousand dollars,are paid for by the provincialMedical Care Plan (MCP).

It's a different story for Olivia.

The first time she was fitted for braces at two years old, Powerdidn't even bother to ask if there was a charge.She assumedMCP would pay.

A few weeks later, she received a bill for $1,000. Her last wheelchaircame with a price tag of $10,000.

The family's insurancepaid the cost, but they soon received a letter from their providersaying they had reached the lifetime maximum coverage for wheelchairs.

"This really boggles my mind considering thatOliviais still a child and is still growing," Poweradded.

'That's not universal'

Power said the "inconsistencies" are frustrating, and she questions the true universality of the health care system.

"How can we say that we have a universal healthcare system when a child with cerebral palsywho needs a wheelchair, or a walker or braces or other equipment, cannot get coverage for that?" she said.

"Their families have to scramble, beg, borrow and steal to find money to get that. That's not fair. That's not universal."

Power said the government "as it should"assistsfamilies who receive income support with the purchase of medical aids.

She said families with ample insurance coverage also receive assistance.

However, she said working families with no insurance coverage are often hit hardest.

"Idon't know what they do. That's a huge gap," Power said.

She said families endure great stress and fear when a child struggles with health challenges, and she believes it's not right that the cost of medical aids only add to the struggle.

"It's not a matter of can we afford it. It's we can't afford not to," she said.