At 21, Benjamin Lohner can香蕉视频直播檛 be left alone for long. Having both Down syndrome and autism, he needs someone who can read his cues, calm his anxiety, and redirect his impulses before they turn destructive.
But after leaving the school system, the level of care he received dropped sharply, and his mother, Tamara Hodgson, is pleading with the province for more help after he recently had an outburst where he wrecked parts of their James Bay residence.
香蕉视频直播淭he second week of spring break, I was at my wits' end because the anti-psychotic medication didn't work very well,香蕉视频直播� said Hodgson. 香蕉视频直播淎ll the things that would normally bug him really bugged him.
香蕉视频直播淗e destroyed his bedroom and my hallway, threw everything out the window, took everything off the walls, and just overall was being really unsafe.香蕉视频直播�
The mother of two said this episode stemmed from a lack of appropriate support, and a constantly changing list of prescription drugs meant to stabilize Lohner's mood 香蕉视频直播� an approach that, she said, has only made things worse.
But things weren香蕉视频直播檛 always like this with Lohner.
From kindergarten to Grade 12, Hodgson said her son always had access to one-on-one support provided by the school. Through the years, Lohner and his helpers would develop a mutual bond, which would taper down his anxiety and help him avoid potential triggers.
Everything changed when he graduated from Victoria High, leaving the school system behind and entering the world of adult care.
To help prepare for the transition, a tool called the Guide to Support Allocation (GSA) was used, which assesses an individual香蕉视频直播檚 needs and determines the appropriate level of support they are eligible to receive.
香蕉视频直播淲hen you're in high school, there's all this paperwork that you fill out basically to prove how independent or how not independent your child is,香蕉视频直播� explained Hodgson. 香蕉视频直播淒epending on the result of this assessment, this will determine the level of support they will receive [as an adult].香蕉视频直播�
According to the GSA, administered by Community Living BC (CLBC), a score of one means total dependence, while a five indicates total independence.
Lohner was determined to be a four.
This score provides her son with a three-on-one staffing model, meaning Lohner shares one worker with two other individuals, Hodgson explained.
The mother disputes the test香蕉视频直播檚 results.
香蕉视频直播淚'm not happy with the fact that the [GSA] is not a correct tool for him,香蕉视频直播� said Hodgson. 香蕉视频直播淚t's not showing the reality.香蕉视频直播�
Since her son transitioned to Garth Homer a year and a half ago, a CLBC-funded activity centre for adults with disabilities in Saanich, she said his overall quality of life has decreased.
While Hodgson (and Lohner) truly appreciate the service and care provided by Garth Homer, the level of support provided by the Crown corporation is insufficient, she said.
Being in a new environment and overstimulated can heighten Lohner香蕉视频直播檚 anxiety. This, in turn, can trigger 香蕉视频直播渋mpulsive,香蕉视频直播� 香蕉视频直播渋nappropriate,香蕉视频直播� or 香蕉视频直播渦nsafe香蕉视频直播� behaviours, which Hodgson attributes to his 香蕉视频直播渄ual diagnosis conundrum.香蕉视频直播�
The result is Lohner has been excluded from specialized transport, unable to access activities, and prevented from reaching his full potential, claims the mother.
香蕉视频直播淗e's just not able to be as successful in his program, like going swimming or doing outdoor things,香蕉视频直播� she said. 香蕉视频直播淗e just needs that person to have eyes on him to see what he's thinking and look ahead just to help and guide him.香蕉视频直播�
Lohner香蕉视频直播檚 occasional outbursts led Garth Homer to request the help of a crisis response team.
When Hodgson requested a reassessment for her son, she said CLBC shifted the responsibility back onto her.
香蕉视频直播淭hey said, 香蕉视频直播業'm sorry, but his GSA is four, and you need to find the right medication,香蕉视频直播� so we're still plugging away,香蕉视频直播� she said.
From the insomnia-inducing Fluoxetine in high school to the drowsy Clonidine, weight-gaining Risperidone, triggering Abilify, and worsening Rexulti, Lohner has tried them all, Hodgson said.
Going through a roller-coaster of moods, this cocktail of drugs left Hodgson concerned for her son香蕉视频直播檚 well-being.
香蕉视频直播淚 felt really pressured to get him on a drug, as opposed to having the proper amount of human support,香蕉视频直播� said Hodgson. 香蕉视频直播淚 was scared that he was gonna get kicked out.
香蕉视频直播淚 feel like CLBC needs to provide some more funding to Garth Holmer for more support so that he, and everyone else, can be safer香蕉视频直播� and enjoy [their] activities.香蕉视频直播�
In a written statement to Victoria News, CLBC mentioned that, although they can香蕉视频直播檛 comment on specific cases due to privacy reasons, they remain committed to ensuring that clients receive the services and support they need.
They highlighted that they have policies and tools to support 香蕉视频直播渇air and unbiased decision-making香蕉视频直播� and engage with service users, striving to meet all their requests despite challenges and limitations.
香蕉视频直播淐LBC香蕉视频直播� works within a budget, and requests for service are always greater than available funding,香蕉视频直播� reads the statement. 香蕉视频直播淐LBC prioritizes requests to ensure those with the most urgent needs receive services as soon as possible.香蕉视频直播�
Garth Homer CEO Geoffrey Ewert said the organization works with families to provide the best possible support and services, even in the face of adversity.
香蕉视频直播淲hen there is a significant gap between the needs of the person and the resources made available, we do our best to be innovative and solutions-based,香蕉视频直播� reads Ewert香蕉视频直播檚 written response. 香蕉视频直播淲hile these efforts香蕉视频直播� are not a permanent solution nor sustainable, we recognize the pressures families are under and we will always do everything we can to support them."
