A copy of this letter was sent to Huntsville Doppler for publication.
Dear Mr. Norm Miller, MPP,
I would like to address the changes being made to the victims of violent crimes compensation. I have been in therapy for several years now trying to get to a mental health state that is well enough to even describe the violent crimes that have been done to me in the detail required to apply for this compensation, which I desperately need. With these changes under the conservative leadership, I am now forced to fast-track my application before these changes are in play which is not only re-traumatizing, but the help I would have been given before is now going to be drastically decreased. As is the help I have been receiving for sexual assault recovery, and mental health care because of cuts to those vital resources, as well.
The ramifications from the events that have happened to me are quite a long list, so I will only list a few. Some of which being that I have lost work, income, quality of life, and even the ability to function at the most basic level for a period of time. While I would love to be able to work enough to afford to support myself, my mental health will not allow for it because of the PTSD I am living with as a result of those violent crimes I have endured. I am currently attempting to work part time, because that is all I have the capacity for, and I challenge you to independently survive on the wages I am expected to.
The damage done by all of these cuts may not directly affect you, or your loved ones. You may be fortunate enough never to have to try to survive on so little, while struggling with your mental health simultaneously. But they are affecting so many of us in Muskoka, in such a terrifying way; we are losing any hope of recovery, which is further damaging to mental health, which is now even less available—you see the cycle.
I am at a loss with what the thinking could be behind giving finances to the areas of gambling and alcohol while removing finances from resources that are here to help those suffering. Many are attempting to recover from such destructive crutches as alcoholism and gambling by getting the help they desperately need, so how can a government fund the problem and simultaneously decrease funding for the solutions. It is baffling, to say the least, and most certainly does not serve the well-being of the population.
I can honestly say I have never felt fear as the result of a government until now. Frustration, absolutely. But never fear. While I was extremely disappointed with the Liberals, Ford has hit the vulnerable community from every possible angle, and continues to find more ways to hurt them; there is nothing left for us but to live in fear of what is to come.
Norm, I sincerely pray that you will begin to listen to the people that you are representing and speak up for our actual necessities. This area requires a leader that is willing to step back and recognize the priority of a government should be on the well-being of its people, not on beer, logos, and gambling. I really want to believe that leader is you. I know my survival depends on it. As does that of countless others living in Muskoka. Please hear us. Please represent us. We are in desperate need of your help.
Beth Grixti is a life-long Muskoka resident who advocates for the well being of marginalized groups in Muskoka, and beyond.
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Bravo Beth Thank You
Thank you, Beth, for opening up your life to put a personal face on what this new impersonal government has achieved to date. I have suffered with bipolar mood disorder for over 30 years now. Of course, this is a chronic disease; totally dissimilar from an acute event which spawned PTSD (another chronic disease). Fortunately, I had disability insurance that paid me 2/3 of my salary; not enough to live comfortably, but supplemented with part-time jobs (as I was able); enough for food and accommodation.
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I simply cannot imagine overlaying the uncertainty of worrying about these basic human needs, while attempting to put an horrendous event behind you, and address your PTSD as well.
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I am afraid, however, that you are barking up the wrong tree. With respect, Norm Miller is one of the nicest persons I have ever met, and his father and mother were saints. But he has been an MPP forever, and is still a back-bencher. Perhaps he has a minute bit of leverage, as the Premier vacations in Muskoka; but bear one fact in mind. The Premier is a multi-millionaire and a bully; neither caring or attempting to understand the plight of the less vulnerable in the province. For example, he was down in the States last week inviting all workers to move north (where apparently employment is available for one and all). This must have been news to the many unemployed in our “open-for-business” province.
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Our regional Parry Sound-Muskoka Mental Health and Addictions Service is still your best bet. They are extremely compassionate and will assist you to the extent of their reduced funding, at least.
Thank you for writing Beth. It takes incredible courage to speak about the struggles you endured in past and present. It also shows much character to defend others and stand up for what’s right. Thank you for doing this. Your voice, and the voices of other survivors are important. I hope your voice and the voices of many others are heard.
Beth, thank you for giving this issue a voice. Too often choices are made in government without considering the human being behind the numbers. Norm Miller, Beth’s one voice represents thousands in Muskoka, each of whom has their own story of hardship and healing. Please show up for people.
Thank you Beth for your willingness to expose your own struggles in hopes of being heard by a government that seems to be going out of its way not to listen. Your courage and commitment to our community’s well-being are admirable. May they not only hear you, but actually listen, and follow through.
This is a great letter and captures the real heart of the matter. Thank you, Beth for being so open and allowing a peak into the reality of your world. Hopefully Norm will listen.
Well done, Beth.
Thank you
Thank you for your courage Beth. I believe Mr. Miller is a fine person who truly wishes to petition for his constituents. If he follows his conscience, and stays true to it, I also believe he will stand up to the Premier and voice our concerns, getting us Muskokans what we really need. I’m still hopeful in this regard.
Thank you Beth for sharing this letter and your personal struggles. Thank you for being a voice for so many residents of Muskoka who are, by no fault of their own, unable to add their voices.
Well said! Beth, your courage is amazing. You are bang on with your analysis. Mr. Miller, you and your colleagues’, silence is discouraging at the least.