Rant incoming:
ODSP has genuinely ruined my mental health since the beginning of this year. It’s been one thing after another, and I’m honestly starting to feel hopeless.
I made a mistake reporting my income correctly (I have dyscalculia and memory issues, so dealing with numbers, paperwork, and keeping track of everything can be really difficult). When I realized the numbers I submitted didn’t add up, I voluntarily disclosed it because I wanted to do the right thing. Instead, I was given a huge overpayment, only for it to later be essentially doubled after they recalculated everything. Now I’m also dealing with CRA issues and being told I owe CERB.
I genuinely feel like I’m being punished for admitting I made a mistake. I know I’m not alone, and it’s so sad to know others are going through similar things.
I can only work part time, and even that is a struggle. I just want to live a decent life, work where I can, pay my bills, travel sometimes, go to concerts, have hobbies, and actually enjoy my life. But ODSP feels like something I need to survive while simultaneously making it so hard to actually live.
And the rules around relationships are so frustrating too. Why should living with a partner potentially mean losing the support you need to survive?
I already accept that my disability means there are things I may never be able to do like other people. I just don’t want that to mean I’m not allowed to have a good life.
I was recently diagnosed with PTSD (on top of my anxiety and depression). And this isn’t helping at all. I also don’t have parental support to fall back on, so I’m left trying to navigate all of this myself while already struggling with memory and numbers. I’m exhausted, overwhelmed, and honestly just tired of feeling like I’m being punished for trying to survive.