Burnaby man forced to choose between his health or paying the rent
Shaun Balint has been forced to make a near impossible decision — either pay for the protein bars and powder that is keeping him alive or pay for his rent.
Balint has been diagnosed with a range of allergies including gluten, soy and corn — and he is lactose intolerant making it extremely difficult for him to eat.
The former bodybuilder has gone from 275 to 131 pounds over the last year. A dietician prescribed the protein as a way to gain weight It costs about $795 a month to pay for the supplements.
"Right now, my choice is I either buy my protein or I pay my rent. I'm choosing the shakes and bars to try to survive," said Balint.
"I chose to use my rent money to buy protein, because they said at the hospital they were going to cover it. Then they came back and said they wouldn't."
Family stress
Balint is able to claim up to $220 a month under provincial health policy for the supplements.
Balint and his wife, Lara, have already received one eviction notice because of unpaid rent and can't afford to pay for this month either, because Lara is missing shifts at her job to help take care of her husband.
"It has put a lot of stress on our family, a lot of stress on our marriage. I am asking people for help over and over and over again, and people keep closing doors." said Lara.
"I think what should be provided is the income to provide a healthy living for somebody. It shouldn't just be my family, but it should be any family not going through something textbook."
Seeking flexibility
The couple went to Burnaby-Deer Lake MLA Kathy Corrigan for help. She has contacted the province on the couple's behalf in an attempt to find some flexibility on funding.
Balint received documentation from his dietician that was submitted to the Ministry of Social Development and Social innovation detailing what supplements were required.
In an email exchange provided by Corrigan, a provincial official said the province has "no authority to exempt for a higher level of support for supplements," and that Balint should work with his doctor to find "cheaper alternatives."
"We have two doctors, a specialist, as well as a dietician, saying that he needs $795 a month in supplements in order to survive.
They are about the only thing he can eat now," said Corrigan.
"If this was a cancer patient or someone with heart disease, there would be no question about rationing his access to what he needs to survive."
The Balints have launched a GoFundMe page in an attempt to raise extra funds for the supplements.
