Sarnia mom diagnosed with cancer desperate to get daughter with complex needs into group home
CBC
For months, Ann Marie McColl has been trying to move her daughter, who has complex medical needs, into a full-time care home. But last week, the family's situation became more urgent.
McColl, who is a single mom, was diagnosed with breast cancer last Tuesday and will have to undergo surgery and radiation. Since she is her daughter's only caregiver, she's desperate to ensure that the 20-year-old will have someone to look after her.
"Now more than ever, I need to know that she's going to be OK, because if [my cancer has] spread, then where is my daughter going to go? The unknown is so scary," McColl said through tears.
"If my health is not in a good space, then obviously [my daughter] is stuck, she won't have anybody."
The family says its been waiting since March to get approval from the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services for funding that will allow McColl's daughter to move into a home that provides around the clock care.
McColl says their first application was sent in just before the pandemic began.
WATCH: McColl talks about her worries for her daughter
McColl says her daughter has multiple mental health and developmental issues, including autism, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) from an incident that happened when she was younger.
Most recently, she says her daughter was diagnosed with Addison's Disease.
The illness, according to John Hopkins Medicine, impacts the hormone cortisol which helps break down fats, proteins and carbohydrates in the body. It also controls blood pressure and affects how the immune system functions.
She says her daughter often forgets to take her medication and needs someone to provide her with 24.7 care.
But despite filing multiple applications to the government, McColl says she has yet to hear back or know if their application is being reviewed.
Since finding out her diagnosis, McColl says she has had Sarnia-Lambton member of provincial parliament Bob Bailey send a letter up to the ministry urging them to prioritize her case.
In an email to CBC News, the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services (MCCSS) said that people "determined most at risk are prioritized for available resources."
Saskatoon city hall says police spending is projected to be $2.6 million over budget this year. That pushes the city into a $1.2-million deficit position, according to a report that will be considered by city council next week.
Students at the University of Regina are days away from deciding whether a newly formed student association should become their official representative body.
All public schools on P.E.I. are closed Friday and thousands of Maritime Electric customers are without power as strong winds create hazardous travel conditions across the province.
Prince Rupert, B.C., residents are celebrating the holidays this year with coastal flair.
In the four years Chelsey Simmonds has worked at the Eva Rothwell Centre, she has seen the need increase every year at the centre’s community food pantry.
CBC is once again looking to make the holiday season kind in Windsor-Essex.
Acute Care Alberta has extended its contract for another year with a private surgical facility at the centre of probes into health procurement and contracting.
As food bank use continues to climb across the province, front-line workers in Thunder Bay, Ont., are working to improve both food security and education.
More ads could soon be coming to Toronto’s subway system.
The driver wanted in connection with a fatal hit and run on Highway 401 earlier this week has been identified, police say.
There are mixed feelings about the proposed Grays Bay road and port project, among people who live in nearby communities.
WARNING: This story details allegations of child abuse and includes graphic content.
Provincial police in Lambton County have charged a 23-year-old man with second degree murder following a death investigation that began this past Saturday.