For self-reliant people like Derek, brain injuries can be a particularly difficult.
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Recovering from traumatic brain injury and stroke means depending on others for even the most basic of activities. A space you can call your own goes a long way towards making up for this loss of dignity & independence.
Playing with Stella at a friend's house, Christmas 2013.
HOUSING
Currently Derek lives in his own apartment in a senior's residence, adjacent to a retirement home which —for a fee— provides his 24-hour care. However, this level of care is extremely costly. And prices are rising. It's not ideal, but it's one of the few options available to younger Ontario residents with physical disabilities like Derek's. So, while we are grateful he has his own place, we are anxious that the rising costs of his current situation will force a relocation to a long-term care facility. For now, the majority of these costs are borne by the disability pension he receives. But this pension expires in 2024, once he turns 65.
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Once his pension expires he will be reliant on CPP and OAS and the monthly donations he receives from a few generous friends. Sadly, that will not be enough. He simply will not be able to afford to stay where he is, and will be forced to move into public long-term care.
SO HOW MUCH WILL IT TAKE?
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The question is not How Much? but rather, How Many? Our hope is that, once his benefits run out, enough of his friends, his family, friends of friends —even caring strangers— can be found to make up the difference between what will be his government income + current donations, and his expenses.
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Yes. We know. It's asking a lot.
But... Say we could get 60 people to contribute $80 every month... sixty people. That's not that many. How many people are there in your social circle? Probably a couple of hundred, yes? And how many of those are deeply trusted, reliable friends. Probably a much smaller number, but let's call it three. Do you have three friends willing to send you twenty dollars a month? You kick in the last $20, and now it's $80. If there were just sixty groups like you, Derek would end up in pretty good shape.
SHARE CIRCLES
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Maybe it's three or four of your best friends. Maybe it's your church group, your book club, or your cycling team. Maybe it's your extended family. Maybe it's a facebook group you belong to. Or, maybe it's the people in your Dungeons and Dragons game. Sharing a donation between people close to you can be a beautiful way of expressing trust.
CARE & REHAB
We want Derek to be able to sustain the level of care he receives today, and to renew the rehab therapy he has been forced to cancel.
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Between the brain tumour, surgery and stroke, Derek's vision, balance, speech and motor skills, were all deeply affected. Multiple deficits translates into the need for an interdisciplinary approach to his care and neuro-therapy, including speech, physio and occupational therapy. With fees for physio averaging between $100-$150 per session, and the price of 24-hour care, it's really, really costly. Only a small very portion is covered by healthcare or benefits. We're determined that he continues to receive the type and amount of therapy he needs to continue recovery and stay healthy. Funds allowing, we would also like to further explore emerging treatments for stroke recovery, such as hippo- and stem cell therapy.
We were shocked to learn most therapy and care costs are NOT covered by the healthcare system over the long-term. For people living with severe disabilities in Ontario, the social safety net is not as wide, and not as deep, as we think.
For people with speech and mobility problems like Derek's, isolation and the inability to access resources are a huge barrier to a happy, healthy and meaningful life. Social stability and physical gains are absolutely possible, but it requires substantial personal, financial and professional support.
Currently, Derek's therapy and living costs are considerable, his options few, and his future is uncertain. We know we can change that with a little vision, and a lot of help from our friends and community.
The countdown has started.
As of this writing there are now 36 months remaining until his disability pension runs out. 36 months to set Derek up with a steady income. The only way for that to happen is if there are enough people of empathy, with kind hearts and open minds, to provide it for him. An umbrella of friends, and friends-of-friends, and even strangers, willing to donate part of their income every month. It's is a lot to ask for but there are no other options left. We need your help. He needs your help.
