Storytime Tapestry Newsletter

The newsletter devoted to spreading love and cultural awareness around the world.

Carol’s Corner

Dec 1, 2006

A Compassionate Appeal

Carol Roach

We have all had our dealings with governments and their red tape. I know so many people who are trying to get disability and have been fighting the battle for years. People are justifiably discouraged as it seems that the government is an entity without soul or regard for humanity.

My friend Barbara from the USA recently had a very bad experience working for a church. She was wrongfully dismissed and the pastor lied about her, soiling her reputation. As a result, she was refused unemployment benefits. She filed an appeal. Unfortunately, she lost that as well. Barbara doesn’t know how she is going to survive with no income coming in and she is now leaving it up to God. My heart goes out to her and to the many others who are going through the same or similar experiences. Where do you go, what do you do when even the government refuses to help you?

At the same time that Barbara was fighting her case in front of the review board, I was appealing my own. Last October I worked for a whole three days. There were many things happening in my life at the time, I was still ill, I had just moved, and it was the time I found out my sister was rushed to the hospital dying of throat cancer. My life was upside down. If I had not had my writing and internet friends for support during this particular black period in my life, I certainly would have broken down. Suffice to say that I could not continue working at that place.

Unfortunately, I failed to declare my three days earning, which amounted to $235.00 and because of this I was sent a notice from the unemployment office that I owed that money along with a $137 fine, and because of the failure to notify them, I was not entitled to any subsequent unemployment benefits. The end result of their assessment was that I owed them a total of $685.00. I did not worry or panic. I filed an appeal and I left it at that point in God’s hands. I knew in my heart that it would work out in the end.

I received the ruling from the appeal board last week. This is what they said,

Information from the Docket

The claimant explained she failed to declare her earnings because at the time she was under a lot of stress from moving…She had to quit her job after a few days because her sister got sick with cancer and died a few months later. The claimant declared that during that period her life was in turmoil and she forgot almost everything including making a change of address. She could not handle her job as her sister was dying….”

“Based on the facts listed….the board concluded that the claimant left her employment because of the excessive stress she was experiencing which represents just cause to voluntarily leave her employment according to the unemployment law. The appeal is granted unanimously.”

I am jumping for joy at the decision. My story is a testament showing that sometimes, a government body really can have heart.

Carol Roach

winterose@videotron.ca

A Native of Montreal, Quebec, Carol is a graduate of Concordia, and McGill University.  She holds a bachelor in psychology and a Masters in counselling psychology.  Carol Roach is a published writer and newsletter editor.  You can purchase her book: Picking up the Pieces: A Woman's Journey at www.publishamerica.com, or www.amazon.com.  You can also go to your local bookstore and order it there as well.  Be sure to quote the isbn number: 1-4137-1921-X for local purchases:  Carol’s second book: Angels Watching Over is currently looking for a home. Stay tuned for details. 

If you are interested in other stories feel free to join her newsletter: Storytime Tapestry at: http://subs.zinester.com/98907 , or email her directly at winterose@videotron.ca and she will be glad to accommodate you.  Carol enjoys email and responds to every inquiry.