Hello everyone,
I have been waiting on edge to get confirmation of our health ministry's approval for Chris' stay for another 3 months based on all the success we have had. All day I have been on the phone with the Lawyer and the ministry office. All the paper work had to be sent twice as the ministry could not find or did not get it. With panic running wild the letter from Chris' neurologist in Surrey was sent direct this afternoon only to be told she could not or does not make the decision on the extension. Just before leaving Chris' room this afternoon I got word from the lawyer's office who have been doing all the leg work at home while I am in Ponoka, that the ministry was only going to extend the stay for six weeks??????
The only explanation we have until a letter is sent, is that there must be a place in BC where he should be able to get the same treatment!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What a screwed up system.
This is the same government that would not, could not place Chris anywhere to get rehab last year. Upon applying for support to go to Ponoka I was then told I would have to write them and explain why I wanted to go to Ponoka? Right hand doesn't know what the left hand is doing.
We have worked our butts off for eight months now, flying back and forth every week to work extra with Chris to push the limits in rehab and always thinking wouldn't it be wonderful to be able to stay home and work with him around family and friends. Ponoka has provided what no other facility could provide and allow me to continue with therapies and exercise even after hours. All under one roof with an amazing staff. Even with the gains of the last six weeks just when the tide changed and rehab is becoming more intense, we are shot down and some government employee who has no experience in rehab or injuries of this magnetude or even what is available in BC, and they are going to make a life changing decision with no knowledge to what this course of action is going to remove from someone who has worked against all odds over the last two years just to get to these baby steps of success.
At this time I would like each and every one of you to write to your MLA, MP and any other agency you think could make a difference. We were blindsided once with the car accident, a second time when it came time for therapy at home (none exists) Begging every step of the way just for the right to fight for life and the freedom to work at rehab which we have done ourselves and with the staff at Ponoka. I have to say I am in shock and still reeling in the wake of this off the cuff decision.
To be told that such a place exists in BC even though more BC patients have arrived over the last couple of months, I hope to find that they have built a new facility and staffed it with neuro-trained Physio, Ot, Rec, Speech therapist and not the what was there when I left. I hope it is a training hospital that specializes in brain injury and some of the most forward think doctors working at it. Somehow I do not think I will find this.
A time has to come when all the craziness and bullshit stops and we start thinking about the injured and make informed decisions that are in their best interest no matter where that might be.
Shame on a government that can ship its residents abroad for therapy because they will not build and staff with properly trained professionals. They would rather produce smoke and mirrors and hope the individual will get tired of fighting and go away quietly.
We should all be scared and concerned for ourselves, asking can we trust a government when they control the: insurance company, medical coverage, rehab centers(or lack of), limits in court, funding for home care, access to money for rehab from insurance until they stretch the wait out over four or five years. Tell me the truth is it any wonder why people loose it.
What has happened to honesty and caring, everyone living in this Province and in Canada for that matter should remember this could happen to you or your family member. Speak up now before it's too late. I always thought that in a crisis, in a time of need or during a time of desperation there would be help, man was I wrong.
If they put as much energy into helping us with housing and home care Chris would be out of the system and home. They would never have to deal with this again, but government can't let go.
Sorry for rambling and carrying on but my god when will they just let us live and get on with our lives.
Kevin
