September 2, 2005
Stranded patient back on his feet in Ottawa
Palluq Manning: "I would like to thank everybody"
JANE GEORGE
Palluq Manning, a diabetic with kidney failure and other serious medical conditions,
now has a roof over his head and a place to eat in Ottawa.
He is renting a room, which he said he found on his own, and takes his meals
at Larga Baffin, the residence for Nunavut patients in Ottawa.
Thanks to the generosity of Nunavummiut who organized fundraisers on his behalf,
Manning has some extra financial assistance as he manages his health care and
a new life in the city.
"I would like to thank everybody," Manning said.
Manning was particularly touched by a car wash benefit organized by a group
of young people who don't know him. He also appreciated the many letters from
old friends and faraway supporters.
"It helped a lot mentally."
Manning, 37, became homeless after he was stranded in Ottawa following his
recovery from a seven-month diabetic coma: he now requires dialysis treatment
three times a week to keep him alive, a service that is not offered in Nunavut.
Because the Government of Nunavut no longer considers him a resident, Manning
is no longer eligible for housing or help from territorial patient services
in Ottawa.
Manning said has never heard anything more from the GN, since he received a
letter from Wayne Govereau, Nunavut's former director of health and social service
programs, dated June 27.
In this letter, Govereau said "major medical concerns" mean Palluq
has to live in Ottawa full-time.
"This consequently requires you to become an Ontario resident and therefore
qualifies you to be financially supported under the Ontario system," Govereau
told Manning.
"I don't want to live here, but I don't have much of a choice now,"
Manning said.
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