His name was Scott Ganley.

Today, I am gutted again. In June, I wrote about the loss of Bruce and promised that his story, and what happened to him, would not simply be forgotten. What I did not know then was that another family was already searching for someone they loved.

We have lost another valuable member of Alberta’s disability community. His name was Scott Ganley.

Scott Ganley’s family has now shared publicly that they are certain Scott died by suicide. Scott was not a headline or a statistic. He was a brother, a son, a member of our community, and someone who wanted to work, contribute and help make things better for other disabled Albertans.

“The straw that broke the camel’s back for Scott — one of those straws — was the Alberta government’s rollout of ADAP.” — Hannah McIntyre

I have spent a lot of time over the past several months talking about AISH, ADAP and the fear and uncertainty that these changes are creating for disabled Albertans. Hearing about Scott has made that work feel painfully personal once again.

In June, we lost Bruce. Now we are grieving Scott.

I am angry that we are here again, but more than anything, I am heartbroken for another family that has lost someone they love.

We cannot bring Scott back. What we can do is make sure his family is heard, make sure our community is heard and continue demanding that disabled Albertans are treated with the dignity, clarity and humanity they deserve.

On Saturday, Hannah McIntyre, Scott’s sister, has graciously and courageously agreed to speak for Scott and her family and tell us what this journey has looked like and meant for Scott. I want her to have the space to tell us about her brother — not simply about the circumstances surrounding his death, but about the person he was and why his life mattered.

That is what One Is Too Many is supposed to be about.

It is about remembering that behind every AISH file, every ADAP transition, every government announcement and every policy decision is a human being. These are our neighbours, friends, siblings, children, parents and members of our community.

One Is Too Many takes place Saturday, September 12, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. at Centennial Plaza, 9924 101A Avenue NW in Edmonton.

RSVP: https://forms.gle/D6BWbYvwym9unYdG7

More information: https://oneistoomany.alpac.site/

If you are thinking about suicide or worried about someone else, call or text 9-8-8. You can also contact Alberta’s Addiction and Mental Health Help Line at 1-877-303-2642 or 811. If there is an immediate risk to life, call 9-1-1.