Dear Editor,

I am about to have my first visit with my surgeon this morning. I have spent the last seven days recovering at home from an emergency . . .

modified radical mastectomy. I live alone and my life is in a tailspin. If ever there was a time to ask for help from my Liberal MP in an attempt to further his platform by placing more importance on bringing in adequate telephone service to rural communities it is today. Not 2021. I may not be here.

I ended up no less than eight times in the past seven days having to get into my car to drive down my driveway to the 301 in my pajamas and slippers to attempt to get cell service in a time in my life when cell service is a matter of life or death. I have lived here for 14 years. Right on a major Quebec highway between Otter Lake and Danford Lake that has no telephone lines. I have had to spend thousands of dollars on various versions of telephone services including a satellite phone. This can’t be happening in 2019. In an emergency how the hell are we expected to call for help? What am I going to do for the next six to 12 months without it?

Approximately, two months ago, my neighbours, Sylvain Drapeau of Escapade Eskimos and his family lost their home and business of 16 years in a fire at 5 a.m. The people taking care of the property and dogs could not get cell service to call 911. They came over to my house to see if I could but could not wake me up and ended up at another neighbour’s before they were able to call 911. Needless to say it was all over but the crying by then.

You may phone me if you wish at 819-334-0903 but you may not be able to hear me. Who knows — it might be a good service day.

Please keep in mind that this essential basic human right is far more important than faster internet.

Rachel Lapointe

Otter Lake, Que.