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Updated Information About Story Sharing: Change of Plans! 

We have heard loud and clear, and we have changed our approach going forward! The Individualized Funding Coalition for Ontario (IFCO) has received a number of great newly written stories from people who came out to the Story Sharing evening on May 1, 2023, and others who also received assistance from a volunteer later.   Our goal is to support people and families who would like to share their stories, keep people safe, and at the same time respect any fears or thoughts about sharing.

IFCO understands the fears around story telling! Many people and families are not feeling safe to share their story through an on-line form. We have taken down the link to this form.  Many are afraid to use their real names in their story, worrying there could be negative effects.  In those situations, IFCO has been able to support people/families to write an anonymous story— one where they can keep their names and location private. 

Experienced families who have had individualized funding and for some the opportunity for some independent facilitation over time have expressed mixed feelings about sharing their stories.  They have shared many times in the past, it feels like “not yet again”.  Also with broad changes not yet in place for those who would choose the option of fully and tailored lives with the support of individualized funding – families are nervous to step out.  We understand how tired and somewhat hopeless folks are feeling in these times. We also respect how vulnerable folks are also feeling right now. 

For those people and families who have been interested in sharing their story, we have been able to ensure they feel safe in part having their story stay anonymous and have provided some writing assistance! These folks have either participated in the story sharing evening held May 1, 2023, and/or they reached out to IFCO requesting some support to get their story written down.   People have been able to tell their story, and get their story written by a story writing volunteer   At the same time, keep their life private by making their story anonymous has felt safer. 

We know that authentic stories by people living with a disability have the power to touch others, to help with awareness.  Stories bring people together and create a sense of community. Stories connect us through feelings and how we respond to them.  We are continuing to gather stories for what we expect will be a powerful collection of heartfelt honesty. We now know that having someone carefully listen and  help is key to success. Here are some graphics to help people and families think about what they might say. 

steps for story telling

Below are some ideas provided by people and families that may help you get started.

  1. What are your struggles? What has been hard for you? 
  2. What does this mean for you and/or your family? Consider sharing specifically how this impacts your day or the day of your family member? Give us examples.  Here are some examples that people or families have already shared with us: 
    • “Not enough Passport funding has lead to my son’s withdrawal from life in the community. Things started to decline once he turned 18 and support dwindled to almost nothing. $5,500 is not enough to build a life, or find a worker.”
    • “I used to have an independent facilitator, the government cancelled that help. It means I have no way to connect and meet new people, My facilitator talked to me and my family about trying things we were nervous about. She used to help me meet people and go to new places. It took a long time for us to feel safe. But all that was lost.”
    • “I can’t live my life like other citizens, I have no funding to pay a worker. This means I stay home. It is lonely, my health has been bad. My mom says it is because I am depressed”.
  3. What could government do to make your life and/or the life of your family member better? Why are you taking time to write this story? What do you need? What are you asking for?

Examples of stories about a good life from people who have experienced having individualized funding over time are important as well. These stories would assist younger people and their families to set new goals and see what may be possible.  If you have a good example to share, contact us to ask for some help with writing an anonymous story.  Describing what having adequate funding has meant to you would be so inspiring to others.  These stories offer people hope!     

Connect with your MPP 

It is important that your local MPP knows about your story. This is especially true if you do not have enough funding to purchase the supports and/or pay support workers to assist you to live an everyday ordinary life. Your MPP may not know how hard your are struggling, and how the decisions by our government have left you without the right supports.

To find your local MPP use this link: https://www.ola.org/en/members

Connect and Share with a Bigger We!

Click this link for more actions and ideas: http://individualizedfunding.ca/more-actions/

Legal Capacity and Supported Decision-Making.

Click here to read what you can be doing to bring about change for Ontario citizens : https://individualizedfunding.ca/action-needed-for-ontario-citizens/

Consider Becoming a Member!

Join the Individualized Funding Coalition for Ontario (IFCO) by using the link below. People, friends, families, professionals, autonomous networks, organizations and agencies are welcome to join. There is a place on the form to tick off your support of the IFCO Accord.  Organizations and agency partners will be pleased to know that receipts will be sent directly to your email. Many thanks to Community Living Windsor, a long-time partner with IFCO, for setting up this safe on-line method for becoming a member! https://clw.formstack.com/forms/ifco_membership

If you are a People First member or self-advocate experiencing low income, OR a Family Network or People First Chapter with no operational funding, there is a link on the membership form you can click for a bursary to become a member.

For anyone who would prefer to mail in their membership, you can do this by downloading and printing the: IFCO Information & Membership Brochure, 2023

  • Fill out the membership form panel inside the brochure and mail it to:  Individualized Funding Coalition for Ontario, c/o 3357 Walker Rd, Suite 2, Windsor, ON  N8W 5J7.
  • Please feel free to share this brochure with others. It contains excellent information about the ‘Coalition.’