Telling our stories
Injured workers are many times the forgotten part of the Workers' Compensation system. They get injured, leave work and are out of the picture, at least as far as most of us are concerned. It is easy for the politicians and the public at large to dismiss all injured workers, as frauds and cheats, when they are a faceless lot.
The Our Stories section is an opportunity to put a face on injured workers, to show that we are real, viable human beings. It is much harder to dismiss us when you see the face of human suffering. We are people whose lives are irreparably changed by workplace injury or disease. It is an opportunity for us to tell our stories, so that injured workers are not forgotten. This section will show not only the suffering but also the triumph of the human spirit.
Check also other injured worker organizations' websites, online forums and blogs for more experiences in coping with all aspects of their work-related injury or illness.
"Deemed by the WSIB" Tewduda's story - an injured worker (member of Women of Inspiration) shares how the practice of deeming has added to the very real physical pain, mental health and financial impact of a workplace injury [video - produced by Operation Maple]
"Justice for Injured Workers & WSIB - mostly a slow and painful process" [video] - a Hamilton injured worker shares the story of her dealings with the workers' compensation system following her injury and the frustrations shared by many [Youtube] (Dec. 2010)
Injured Worker Radio Show - Hamilton & District Injured Workers Group host a weekly radio show with news and commentary on Ontario's workers' compensation system, and how changes affect are affecting those injured and their families
My Name is M... - a very personal account from a worker injured on the job and then "deemed". Read what "deeming" actually means for a worker and why she seeks fair treatment and real, not phantom, work and phantom wages!
In memory of Dr. Jan Kryspin, physician specialzing in chronic pain management and champion of injured workers [tribute by Odoardo di Santo]
Sylvia Clarke - a profile of the 2009 Eddie Cauchi Award recipient and injured worker activist. Read Orlando's presentation and Sylvia's powerful words [poem].
"Suffocated by the steel giant : Tony Buttaro's battlefor dignity in life and work". Tony Buttaro is a Hamilton steelworker who injured his back at work. He later became a supervisor who had compassion for his workers. Tony paid dearly for these two things. He ended up physically and mentally traumatized... (article by Stan Gray in Canadian Dimension v. 43(5)Sep/Oct. 2009)
"Take a bow" (poem by Barbara Stewart-Fischer of the Women of Inspiration for Injured Workers' Day, June 1, 2008 celebrates those who refuse to give up the fight for dignity and their rights)
"Overcoming barriers with laughter and tears / Superando barreras con risas y lágrimas" [pdf]- a Photovoice project from Latin American Injured Women for Justice / un proyecto de fotografía (Foto Voz) por Mujeres Accidentadas Latinamericanas en pro de Justicia. Six members of LAIW4J decided they wanted to show what life is like for them now that they have permanent disabilities as a result of workplace accident - problems dealing with workers' compensation, the daily struggle of living in pain, the descent into poverty, and the uncertainty of not knowing if their health will deteriorate. (IAVGO, 15 September, 2007)
"What is isn't always what it is - how do I explain our pain!" (poem by Barbara Stewart-Fischer, February 2007 for International RSI Awareness Day)
"Injured workers: portaits of life and loss" - CleoNet's online version of a travelling photo exhibit created by IAVGO community legal worker, Judy Kondrat. A moving testimony to lives shattered by workplace injury.
"In spite of everything " (poem by Beryl Brown, written and presented on the occasion of the injured workers' 15th annual Christmas demonstration, December 7, 2006)
Halima Tato tells her story in CBC's ongoing investigative series on workplace safety ("Dying for a job") as she tries to get her compensation claim recognized by the Board and deals with the chronic pain and depression resulting from her accident. Her story also is an example of the perils of experience rating with the pressures companies in Ontario feel and place on workers, to return to work quickly to avoid lost-time injury claims. (CBC, 24 April, 2006)
Steve's letter - Steve Mantis describes what followed his construction injury, with the road to recovery leading to his involvement with the Thunder Bay injured worker support group and advocacy
"Gli'infortunati sul lavoro / The injured workers" (the renowned poem by Bright Lights' member Antonio Mauro, who despite suffering two industrial injuries as a construction worker, is still denied compensation)