An online petition is urging the federal government to implement a national assistance program for those living with disabilities.
Alex Peeler started the petition in early October through the Parliament of Canada website.
It has garnered more than 1,350 signatures.
The 24 year-old man from Conquerall Bank has muscular dystrophy.
He believes a national program would allow the feds to work closely with provinces to provide necessary equipment.
“Right now, it’s a provincial system. Each province has a different system. There is quite a bit of a disparity as some provinces provide a lot of funding and then there are other provinces, like Nova Scotia, that provide virtually none.”
Peeler says his current wheelchair cost almost $30,000 and a new wheelchair accessible van is about $50,000.
He receives no financial help from the Nova Scotia government.
Peeler had to rely on help from insurance and non-profit organizations.
“Basically, depending on where you live, you may or may not get the equipment that you need. It’s things that people can’t live without like wheelchairs, hospital beds, lifts or funding so that they can live independently.”
The petition is open until February 1 and will then go to the House of Commons.
