Peg Sharing Circle - Exploring the Lived Experience of Poverty - Valerie Wolbert

This case study details the lived experience of Valerie Wolbert, President of the Manitoba Chapter of People First, focusing on the intersection of intellectual disability, poverty, and systemic barriers in Canada.

• Valerie Wolbert experiences significant financial strain due to high housing costs relative to her income. She receives approximately $1,300 per month from disability benefits, while her combined monthly rent and utilities total $925, leaving limited funds for other needs.
• Systemic financial structures create a 'clawback' effect that discourages employment for people on disability. When Valerie obtained part-time work, the earnings were deducted from her disability and insurance payments, requiring her to pay money back to the government.
• Poverty limits access to timely healthcare and creates a perception of social devaluation. Valerie reports long wait times for medical procedures, such as an MRI for a shoulder injury sustained two years prior, and feels that the government and society view people in poverty as 'bums'.

APA

Producer),, V. W. R. (. E. M. (. (2011). Peg Sharing Circle - Exploring the Lived Experience of Poverty - Valerie Wolbert. International Institute for Sustainable Development. https://www.iisd.org/articles/insight/peg-sharing-circle-exploring-lived-experience-poverty-valerie-wolbert

Chicago

Producer),, Valerie Wolbert,Christa Rust (Interviewer),Jason E.J. Manaigre (Technical. Peg Sharing Circle - Exploring the Lived Experience of Poverty - Valerie Wolbert. International Institute for Sustainable Development, 2011. https://www.iisd.org/articles/insight/peg-sharing-circle-exploring-lived-experience-poverty-valerie-wolbert.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Producer), |first1=Valerie Wolbert,Christa Rust (Interviewer),Jason E.J. Manaigre (Technical |title=Peg Sharing Circle - Exploring the Lived Experience of Poverty - Valerie Wolbert |publisher=International Institute for Sustainable Development |date=15 February 2011 |url=https://www.iisd.org/articles/insight/peg-sharing-circle-exploring-lived-experience-poverty-valerie-wolbert |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{producer2011peg, author = {Producer),, Valerie Wolbert,Christa Rust (Interviewer),Jason E.J. Manaigre (Technical}, title = {{Peg Sharing Circle - Exploring the Lived Experience of Poverty - Valerie Wolbert}}, institution = {International Institute for Sustainable Development}, year = {2011}, month = feb, url = {https://www.iisd.org/articles/insight/peg-sharing-circle-exploring-lived-experience-poverty-valerie-wolbert}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }