Both Parents to Lose EI while caring for Injured Soldier.

[kratz]

Under current EI rules, one parent is allowed to offer compassionate care. While it is nice for both parents to be available and there are obvious advantages, in my opinion, do both parents truly need to be present?

from CBC.ca

Not fair for parents of wounded soldier to lose EI benefits: minister
Last Updated: Friday, March 20, 2009 | 12:17 PM NT

Canada's human resources minister has directed officials to take another look at the case of two Newfoundland and Labrador parents who have been told they will lose employment insurance benefits while they help their son recover from wounds sustained in Afghanistan.

The Armed Forces flew Sadie and Maurice Ricketts, who live in Pollard's Point in Newfoundland's White Bay, to Ottawa to help care for their son, Kyle Ricketts, a trooper who was injured in a roadside bomb attack on March 8.

The couple was told they will lose the employment insurance benefits they were collecting since they were laid off if they stayed away from their home for more than a week.

The Ricketts were too upset to do a taped interview with CBC News. Sadie Ricketts had been working at a local shrimp plant while her husband lost his job in Fort McMurray, Alta.

Officials told the couple that only one of them is entitled to "compassion leave," meaning that the other would lose EI benefits unless they returned to Newfoundland within a week.

Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development Diane Finley said the case will be revisited.

"These are unusual circumstances, so we're looking at all of the options at this point in time," Finley told CBC News.

"This soldier's been injured, and we understand that having his parents there with him would help his recovery. I've instructed my officials to look into this particular case and to immediately resolve the issue in the fairest way possible."

An official in Finley's office said the department is now also reviewing what can be done "for other soldiers and their families in similar situations."

Brian Pollard, Kyle Ricketts's uncle, said he was disgusted that his relatives could lose EI benefits while caring for a soldier injured in Afghanistan.

"I couldn't believe that another department in the federal government could treat somebody like Kyle — who volunteered and ended up going over and serving the country for freedom and democracy — and treat him like that," said Pollard from his home in Bishop's Falls.

Meanwhile, Kyle Ricketts underwent a second surgery on Thursday for his injuries.

 

[Another Mom]

Depending on the nature of the injury, his needs and the fitness level of his his parents, lifting him  by 2 people may be required. In all of these cases, individual  circumstances should be paramount instead of blanket rules.

 

[Snakedoc]

Agreed that a case-by-case evaluation is appropriate and it appears that is exactlywhat is being done.

 

[PMedMoe]

I see that they are away from home, so I don't think it's a matter of them losing EI but a matter of them both being able to be on "compassionate" leave while collecting EI.  I'm sure I'll get slagged for this but EI is not so that you can be away from where you are seeking employment to look after a family member.  While I understand the soldier was injured in Afghanistan, would it make a difference if both people were to take this compassionate leave to go and care for an elderly parent or a family member injured some other way?  Just playing the Devil's advocate here and giving people more to consider.

It seems lately (particularly after a hullabaloo about a certain business in Petawawa) that any time someone feels "wronged" about an action against them, they use the "it's a soldier" or "they served in Afghanistan" argument.  The reservist who was unable to do his exam for his driver's license comes to mind.

 

[armyvern]

Depending on the nature of the injury, his needs and the fitness level of his his parents, lifting him  by 2 people may be required. In all of these cases, individual  circumstances should be paramount instead of blanket rules.

I absolutely agree with this statement. But, I also agree that same is applicable to all Canadians, not just soldiers, who may suffer debilitating injuries and require care of loved ones. Having both of their loved ones present will have the exact same impact upon their own recovery in these circumstances.

I'm sure the average non-soldier Canadian is also not receiving the additional benefits for provision of medical care / outside assistance that our duty-wounded soldiers are entitled to and receiving (granted, sometimes receiving after having to put up quite the fight with VAC).

 

[GAP]

Is there not provisions under Sissip/VA to accommodate this cost?

 

[armyvern]

Is there not provisions under Sissip/VA to accommodate this cost?

There are provisions for accomodating the costs associated with bringing in outside personal care-workers and health workers for soldiers injured while performing their duty.

 

[my72jeep]

a wee bit off topic here but the name of the member is a tad bit familiar whats the chance he is related to Tommy Ricketts VC?

 

[kratz]

While I was reading the article, I had similar thoughts much as PMedMoe mentioned. I thought of the young soldier who was in the news over his driver's license as well.

With this soldier, there are programs to look after his rehabilitation, and plans to get family there to reassure everyone after injury. As for the parents' EI being in danger of being cancelled. Do both parents need to be present for the whole rehabilitation? In my mind, it's a nice to have, but should it be a must have?

There does seem to be more news items being published with a, "soldier", or "Afghanistan" and now he can not....ect. This story takes that media formula one step further to the immediate family's EI benefits. Where does this go from here and where would it stop?

 

[GAP]

While I was reading the article, I had similar thoughts much as PMedMoe mentioned. I thought of the young soldier who was in the news over his driver's license as well.

With this soldier, there are programs to look after his rehabilitation, and plans to get family there to reassure everyone after injury. As for the parents' EI being in danger of being cancelled. Do both parents need to be present for the whole rehabilitation? In my mind, it's a nice to have, but should it be a must have?

There does seem to be more news items being published with a, "soldier", or "Afghanistan" and now he can not....ect. This story takes that media formula one step further to the immediate family's EI benefits. Where does this go from here and where would it stop?

This is entirely about CF PR....and the Big Bad Conservative government being the bad guy...The MSM has an agenda also....

 

[trencher]

This matter will get resolved very soon.

 

[Takeniteasy]

The American Wounded Warrior Fund also has the Wounded Warriors Family Fund. This fund focuses on the tremendous efforts put forth by the family members. The families need to be acknowledged for their sacrifice  and great efforts in the recovery of those who have sacrificed so much. We all have a role to play and being proactive in finding answers is one way. They take an active role with the nurses, doctors, physio's , occupational therapist and counselors as a volunteer without pay, they are a huge asset and should be recognized as such.

 

[armyvern]

The American Wounded Warrior Fund also has the Wounded Warriors Family Fund. This fund focuses on the tremendous efforts put forth by the family members. The families need to be acknowledged for their sacrifice  and great efforts in the recovery of those who have sacrificed so much. We all have a role to play and being proactive in finding answers is one way. They take an active role with the nurses, doctors, physio's , occupational therapist and counselors as a volunteer without pay, they are a huge asset and should be recognized as such.

Absolutely agreed. But, Canadian soldiers who are WIA also benefit from many etitlements that oridanary Canadians suffering debilitasting injuries do not.n home respite care, health care, assistanrts etc.

Do ordinary Canadians not deserve the same kind of "mom and dad" present for duration of patients recovery 'coverage' that we seem to be talking herwe?

Sorry, bit tipsy - it's been a very, very long  night of hard to make phione calls - yet again.

 

[Takeniteasy]

My fight as always been for all Canadians and like other issues equipment, technology, research the military leads the way in providing public resources for all Canadians. Yes everyone deserves it.
Terry Fox did say if everyone gives 1$ you are part of the marathon of hope, imagine if every Canadian gave 1$ a month the progress we could make. Just my 2 cents.
We are all in this together and ya a couple of pops as well.

 

[armyvern]

My fight as always been for all Canadians and like other issues equipment, technology, research the military leads the way in providing public resources for all Canadians. Yes everyone deserves it.
Terry Fox did say if everyone gives 1$ you are part of the marathon of hope, imagine if every Canadian gave 1$ a month the progress we could make. Just my 2 cents.
We are all in this together and ya a couple of pops as well.

All I can say to this as I sit here mourning the loss of yet another firend in TFA today & putting back the ryes ìs

`botto`ms up`


---- the mods will prbably cut me off shortly (oookops), but I`ve managed to somehow get the french accents gouing on my keyboard and am clueless as to how to effectively CEASE it!! dammit.

 

[Another Mom]

There are many inequities in our health care system as services get cut. Families don't care where the help comes from, they just want it, and desperately so.  In BC, physiotherapy was cut  from covered services. So if your injury is caused by a MVA and you can sue and get  big $$$ you can pay for it and other services such as wheelchairs and othotics. If your injury arose another way, you would be on your own and  SOL.  Some families do not  have  the means for even one parent to take off for their child without taking a financial hardship.  Thank God for service organizations.

 

[armyvern]

Some families do not  have  the means for even one parent to take off for their child without taking a financial hardship.  Thank God for service organizations.

Another excellent point. Thank god for the volunteers of those service organizations!! Most of them are indeed volunteers.

Many ordinary Canadians requiring care would be SOOL were it not for the gestures of many fine Canadians put forth daily on a volunteer basis.

There are everyday heros everywhere within Canadian society ... if we just bothered to look.