Maya thought about what ODSP didn’t cover. It didn’t cover the bus fare to the MS clinic (two zones, $7.50). It didn’t cover the new battery for her wheelchair when the old one groaned up the hill to Leo’s school. It didn’t cover the quiet dread that lived in her chest—the math problem that never solved: $1,255 total. Rent $1,100. Leftover: $155. Food? Hydro? Leo’s feet growing again?
The boat drifted under the bridge and out of sight. She went home to make dinosaur-shaped pancakes from yesterday’s bread. Leo would laugh. That was free.
It floated.
That was the only thing still covered.
“What does ODSP cover?” she whispered, echoing the question she’d asked her new caseworker, David, that morning. He had smiled the thin, bureaucratic smile. “Shelter. Basic needs. Benefits.” what does odsp cover
Basic needs : $733 for food, clothes, hygiene, hydro. She had learned to make soup from carrot peels and the ghost of a chicken. Her own socks were darned three times over. Last winter, she wore two sweaters to bed so Leo could have the extra blanket.
It didn’t cover the birthday cake Leo wanted for next Tuesday. The one with the green dinosaurs. Maya thought about what ODSP didn’t cover
The coin stopped spinning. She picked it up—a loonie. The last one until next week’s cheque.