How does someone rebuild credit after an illness?

I got severely ill and couldn’t pay my credit cards… or student loans… I was so ill that I didn’t keep in contact with my creditors… My credit card company refuses to let me pay my $1200 debt that I had 10 years ago. I’m somewhat recovered and am getting better everyday…and I would like to buy books and classes on the internet that cost over $100 (the maximum gift cards go)... I keep applying for credit cards and they keep denying me… Am I finished with credit cards and loans for the rest of my life? How can I rebuild my credit to at least $500… and will I ever get another student loan… I live in Canada… I am still ill, but not forever… I don’t have a job yet and I’m on permanent disability.