Category: Disabled persons
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Risebridge offers community support
We are so fortunate that Marnie Boers, a Director with Risebridge, made time to answer questions from PAN about their Fall 2025 operations. 1. Tell us about your drop-in times. Where are they, when are they, and what kind of support is provided to people who attend? Community drop-in times…
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The TRUTH about PAN
Written by PAN Founder Sarah Pump 🟡The entire PAN team is 100% volunteer. 🟡PAN is run on a shoestring with NO consistent funding. 🟡PAN doesn’t have an office. 🟡PAN doesn’t have a phone number. It’s been a rough few days. We are frequently contacted by people in crisis, but demand…
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Medical treatments are often out of reach for disabled people in BC
By PAN Founder, Sarah Pump I have a chronic, degenerative illness. I am on provincial disability (PWD). One of my specialist doctors feels strongly that a specific type of physiotherapy would help with my mobility challenges and chronic pain. He thinks I would need up to eight sessions to see…
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Funeral Resources for low-income people
Anyone in need is eligible for BC government support. They do not need to be on Income Assistance or Provincial Disability to receive this support. Also, if the decedent contributed to CPP for at least 10 years, their estate is eligible for the CPP death benefit of $2500. This is…
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Am I Disabled Enough?
Recently, I have had several kind friends and contacts send me job postings. I have also had one interesting comment on Poverty Advocacy Nanaimo’s social media that if I can do that work, I can get a job and stop draining the public purse by being on Provincial Disability. I…
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The Connection Between Disability and Poverty
By PAN Contributor Cody Wolfe Persons with disabilities are less likely to experience financial security and more likely to live in poverty than persons without disabilities. In 2020, 20% of persons with disabilities aged 15 and over lived in poverty compared to 7% of their counterparts without disabilities(1). There is…
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Our new volunteers: “Nothing for us without us”.
This past week, PAN successfully recruited five new, much needed, volunteers.Our growing team brings me joy for several reasons. Of course, the obvious one is that we can better support the community with a larger team. We now have 15 volunteers! However, there are two other reasons for gratitude. First,…
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A new Food Bank user shares their experience
By PAN Contributor Lynn One day a couple months ago I was asked if I have used the food bank. I replied that I have never used it but lately have been wondering if I could or should. I say this because I live with my elderly father so I…
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From visible to invisible disability
I have previously written here about my health journey, as I became sicker with chronic illness, waited almost three years for surgery, and experienced our health care system in crisis. I am now almost four months post-surgery. This surgery and subsequent physiotherapy successfully addressed one piece of my disability. I…
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A real life example of applying for a crisis supplement
Last week, I applied for a crisis food supplement available through my benefits as a recipient of PWD (Provincial Disability). I thought it might be helpful to other PWD or Income Assistance recipients to share my experience. My son had his annual eye exam with our optometrist.In most cases, when…
Poverty Advocacy Nanaimo 