From 2012 to 2015 I suffered constantly with lung inflammation and infections.   I went through multiple cycles of illness, to time off, to working from home.  As my schedule slowed down my constant lung infections eased up a bit. I had originally been diagnosed with asthma, but the medication never helped.  Prednisone was it.  I did not have allergies and a doctor told me that what I thought was an infection, really wasn’t, and that “…asthmatics typically cough green.”  My reply, “I don’t.”  I left the hospital in tears.  My closest friends reassured me it wasn’t in my head, and my illnesses was not normal.   They all told me I had to keep at it. Even my family physician, who knew I wasn’t well, said in his notes, “…she probably won’t return to work.”  However, told me “If (I) had intentions of collecting an income while not at work…” he wouldn’t help.  At the time, I was the primary breadwinner.  I was not able to work and without support, we were in dire poverty.  My lungs were so raw I was coughing blood in 2013.  That's when my breathing issues got worse.

In this time frame I was diagnosed with Relapsing Polychondritis because my airway was collapsing 77%.  The key clencher symptom of Relapsing Polychondritis.  In addition, I was also diagnosed with a mild IgG deficiency, which is a protein in our blood that helps us fight infections.  

My health issues were beyond my control.  Yet, I was completely dismissed and minimized; even ostracized at work and the medical community. The irony of it, my colleagues and I dealt with research on Disability, and services.  They weren't any kinder, even though they were aware of challenges people with disabilities have in getting help.

Believe me, this petition will help Canadians protect their health, and access to objective care, free of harrassment, and gaslighting; without burdening Canadians with lawyer fees.  You have a human right to be treated fairly.