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| EMPowerMedia (Fri Aug 08) |
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"Thank you for making such a important film. I want you to know that I’m grateful for what you’re doing and I’m glad that so many people are supporting you."
These are the words of Sophie, written in a letter I received earlier this week. "Sophie" is one of the women who agreed to be filmed for my documentary film project, Life on the Cheque, but only if her face isn't shown and her identity concealed. As much as she is able, Sophie tries to protect her 13-year old daughter from stigmatization by poverty and being on a disability cheque, wanting her to have as "normal" a life as Sophie can provide for her. Sophie grew up in a middle class family in the suburbs of Toronto and has a university degree from Queen's. Fourteen years ago, she spent three months in hospital with debilitating mental illness, and for the next eleven years, she was in and out of hospital, until she was finally prescribed medication that better controls her mental illness.
One of Sophie's reasons for writing was to apologize for not fully answering a question during the interview about the things she did to provide for her daughter. Even though her identity will be kept secret and her face not shown, Sophie was too ashamed to tell me about the "sex for favours" relationship she had with a previous landlord, or the things she stole and hocked. She is grateful that her financial situation has improved so that she doesn't have to do any of these things anymore. But, she says that she would probably do the same things again if she were in the same financial situation, not because she'd want to, but would feel that she had no alternative, as in the past.
I didn't know whether to cry or rage when I read Sophie's letter; I did both. Many other women are put in similar situations to try to provide their kids with a normal childhood. We can and must do better as a society to provide for women and children living in poverty.
Sophie's endorsement of the project is very heartening and encouraging, but also humbling. I hope that the film is able to live up to her expectations of it.
On behalf of Sophie and the other women, thank you for your interest in the project and to everyone who has already contributed financially. |
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