Hello,
Wish I felt more like jumping up and yelling Happy New Year but somehow this government of our has sucked the life out of me. Chris's lawyer seems to have given up some time ago in fighting for his rights or making an argument for his staying, it seems if it takes work, he does not want to tackle it.
Changes are in the works.
I am finalizing the Society we had to get in place in order to be eligible for home care funding, something his lawyer was to do but will not, nor will they cover the cost of putting it together. It looks like the lawyer’s inability to secure an advance from the insurance company and bring our plan together is going to carry on for some time now. It has been over two years and not a penny advanced, I have tried to covered all the costs up until now with it causing stress for me and Chris. With the trial likely another two years away we will have to raise approximately $250,000.00 to allow for the care and rehab we will have to provide until it is settled.
What isn't used for rehab will go to altering our home to make it safe and secure for Chris' care hopefully we can put that together in quick order. My mistake was thinking that a lawyer hired to look after all aspects that could arise from such a disastrous situation would in fact do that, which is not the case.
Just so I can air my disbelief in the job done or not done. I would like to say that this same lawyer told me that after approximately six months and based on police reports and ICBC investigations there was no case to pursue.
Basically enough money from ICBC to cover care costs for about three years then nothing!
I took it upon myself to investigate the car, the accident scene, government paper work and endless days examining the site of the crash. I was able to bring all of this together with evidence and records from freedom of information. Even though this was all done by myself I still had to convince this lawyer that the case was unbelievable. I now see a lawyer running with a lawsuit that promises to be very rewarding and yet the day to day needs of Christopher are going unfulfilled because we cannot access any of this money or assistance.
If anyone has suggestions on how to finance or fund the shortage until we get through this very tight time I am all ears to looking at a plan. I could also use some legal advice to several questions I have not been very trusting as of late so again if any of you know of a trustworthy lawyer who can be upfront and honest and who doesn’t waiver from day to day on issues I would be indebted for that contact information.
Any advice or information you don’t want to post to the site you can email directly to drbigelow@shaw.ca and it will be kept confidential and I will be the one to access it, Thank you.
Did not mean to go on, but the frustrations build and build and there is never a place to vent so here I am doing it. I know I cannot do everything that is required, but I will give every free minute to do whatever it takes to make right. I also know Chris has a lot of friends and supporters who may be able to shed some light through their experiences or give some advice on how to get through all this red tape.
The time has come where changes are happening and to move forward means pressing on to secure what is needed.
Chris’ therapy has been on holiday mode for the last week and will be until the start of next week. His pool sessions and Physio has been taking up the bulk of his time as so many are away on Christmas holidays. Physio has been so great filling in extra slot of time where openings have been left missing therapists.
Christopher and I are wishing all of you a very Happy New Year.
Drive safe, have fun, don’t drink and drive.
Thanks everybody,
Kevin
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Monday, December 28, 2009
Monday December 28, 2009
Our meeting with CBC went great today,
The point was made and hopefully people as well as the Government and health officials will take note and do the right thing and extend Chris' stay. Maybe with the wisdom that is picked up we will be able to build a place here to run therapy for brain injury, as there are hundreds and hundreds of people in our home province with brain injury and very few of them will get the rehab that is necessary for them to move forward and even have a chance at life.
Please let everyone you know and ask them to spread the word that the CBC program GO PUBLIC will be on Tuesday January the 5th, 2010. CBC radio morning news as well as the internet at CBC.ca, where the story will be in print form with pictures and video.
Later make sure to watch the CBC evening news in BC and on the CBC National news across the country that same night.
It will be extremely important that everyone leave a comment on the CBC webpage at the end of the story, the more comments and feelings expressed the more important it will become for government to deal with.
With all the distractions happening over the last month I realize that the updates for Christopher has been few and far between, just wanted to let you know this therapy is still going on strong and he still doing great, we hope to keep it that way.
But as I expected early last week we had social worker from Surrey phone the social worker in Ponoka to ask what the feeling was I guess looking for a heads up before talking to me. I told the social worker in Ponoka to have the social worker in Surrey to call me directly which he did.
The social worker from Surrey called and asked me what my feelings were about Chris coming home, what my plans were for Chris and had I thought of an extended care place I would be happy with because he could not stay in an acute care bed in the hospital when he returned.
Interesting because I believe it states you must take the first available bed and do not get a choice, which also means you can sign for acceptance and end up in a hole of a place. Then it is too late to change or do anything about it.
Here again is the health ministry working behind the scenes with smoke and mirrors spinning the plan into motion and pleading ignorance when questioned on it.
Enough said and wasted on the health system plan or lack of, it has already taken an untold amount of my time away from Christopher.
I was amazed how quickly the government can band together to suppress or pretend to have never heard something when it is needed but when asked to help or departments to work together you can feel like you are talking to a brick wall.
I proceeded to tell her that my plan was to finish therapy with Chris in June in Ponoka and have him return home, to his home to continue therapy that was designed by the therapists in Ponoka.
So it turns out exactly the way I said it would a month ago, on word that the extension was only going to be six weeks not the three months. I told those who would listen that the health ministry was looking for extended care for Chris not rehab. We have not to this day received a reason for their decision, not a call to explain, not an email in return to our requests, they tell us on one hand that they are looking into the extension and haven't made a decision yet (still waiting for more information) but they have their people already preparing for an extended care facility for Chris. Which means there will be no rehab or no further continuing of Chris's therapy to move forward basically they have put a gun to his head and said this is the end.
I do cling to the hope that there is still that small percentage of hope that they're going to change their minds come to their senses to do the right thing and provide an extension that Chris so desperately needs. But this teleconference won't take place until 11 January four days before Chris comes home.
The only MLA from all letters written to even acknowledge, was Gordon Hogg’s office from Whiterock they were concerned and said they would like to help and would check out with the health Ministry and Kevin Falcon, who is my and Christopher's MLA and get back to me. Tuesday morning they called me back to say that Mr. Falcon's office had received letters and he was aware as to what was going on and that no decision had been made, they were still waiting for more paperwork to come from Ponoka. I let Gordon Hogg’s office know that I had just been talking with the doctor in charge in Ponoka, and no such request has ever been made. For almost a month they have been telling people that they are looking into it, and taking care of it. i guess they just forgot to send the request just a minor over sight.
All of you who have read the previous blogs I have posted saw the letters from the Halvar Jonson Center in Ponoka from the Therapist, doctor and from Chris' neurologist here in Surrey. Can you all read english did any of you have trouble understanding the wording.
I have had a ten year old read it and even they understand what is being said and what Chris' best interest would be? Getting lost in all of this is that there is to be a minimum amount of therapy to be happening, just for him to survive, let alone move ahead with even the slightest chance of improving further. If Chris has to return to BC all the work we have done over the last two years was in vain, why would you save a life then walk away it makes no sense?
I don't know how you people would feel about your own MLA twisting the truth or just not being up front and honest to a fellow MLA and the Health Minister none the less, but I am appalled, I am still in shock listening to this MLA preach the word from the health ministry as if it were the truth without questioning the facts. I even gave an accounting for all the things that were being told, that were wrong but I guess because I am not their constituent it's not worth the follow up.
I really do believe though that this MLA owes an explanation to his constituent that wrote the letter, so as to answer this constituents concern.
I would think that we should all be a little concerned about our well-being.
The day before all of this transpired I was also told by the communications department in the Alberta Health Services, (which is their equivalent of our BC Health) that I would no longer be able to have CBC's cameramen or reporters or anyone from CBC set foot on Alberta Health Services property, so basically there would be no film no coverage, no story, I asked why, as it was to promote the extraordinary brain injury work being done in Ponoka, and to help everybody with an injury be informed, not just Chris I was told that Alberta has a good working relationship with BC and they didn't want to harm it, so basically BC stuck their fingers across the province line and blocked our story or tried to block our story from being told. It would seem the walls they can through at you are never ending, just think of the tax dollars being used to suppress instead of helping! What a waste.
It really makes you wonder who's looking out for you or me or our families with MLA's not being honest to each other, do you think for one moment that they would hesitate in holding the truth back from us stupid citizens, taxpayers and voters.
I think it's about time that some of these Ministers, their assistants as well as all the people in positions to deal with families and health issues of this magnitude get out into the working trenches and visit some of these places where the work takes place day in and day out and experience it firsthand maybe it would be an awaking for them.
Brain injury is a tremendously large problem in our society, with little or no funding, I can understand all the skirting the issues when pressed, as they do not know what to say.
Wouldn’t it make sense to put people in place that care and make decisions in your best interest and especially in the positions that make these important life altering plans?
I will attach links below to get you to the CBC.
Worth saying again:
Please let everyone you know and ask them to spread the word that the CBC program GO PUBLIC will be on Tuesday January the 5th, 2010. CBC radio morning news as well as the internet at CBC.ca, where the story will be in print form with pictures and video.
Later make sure to watch the CBC evening news in BC and on the CBC National news across the country that same night.
It will be extremely important that everyone leave a comment on the CBC webpage at the end of the story, the more comments and feelings expressed the more important it will become for government to deal with.
But most of all please tell everyone you know, tell them to tell everyone they know to go to the website for CBC at the end of the story on go public about Christopher to leave their comments to leave their feelings to open up and let’s make a change together.
Thank you so much for following, thank you so much for caring, I am eternally indebted to you for your support and assistance in trying to make a change for Chris's life.
Kevin
Links:
http://www.cbc.ca/bc/
Go Public:
http://www.cbc.ca/bc/features/gopublic/
CBC News; Vancouver at 5, 5:30 and 6: Weekdays 5:00, 5:30 & 6:00 p.m
CBC Radio & TV. audio Listen live to CBC Radio 690 AM/ 88.1 FM
The point was made and hopefully people as well as the Government and health officials will take note and do the right thing and extend Chris' stay. Maybe with the wisdom that is picked up we will be able to build a place here to run therapy for brain injury, as there are hundreds and hundreds of people in our home province with brain injury and very few of them will get the rehab that is necessary for them to move forward and even have a chance at life.
Please let everyone you know and ask them to spread the word that the CBC program GO PUBLIC will be on Tuesday January the 5th, 2010. CBC radio morning news as well as the internet at CBC.ca, where the story will be in print form with pictures and video.
Later make sure to watch the CBC evening news in BC and on the CBC National news across the country that same night.
It will be extremely important that everyone leave a comment on the CBC webpage at the end of the story, the more comments and feelings expressed the more important it will become for government to deal with.
With all the distractions happening over the last month I realize that the updates for Christopher has been few and far between, just wanted to let you know this therapy is still going on strong and he still doing great, we hope to keep it that way.
But as I expected early last week we had social worker from Surrey phone the social worker in Ponoka to ask what the feeling was I guess looking for a heads up before talking to me. I told the social worker in Ponoka to have the social worker in Surrey to call me directly which he did.
The social worker from Surrey called and asked me what my feelings were about Chris coming home, what my plans were for Chris and had I thought of an extended care place I would be happy with because he could not stay in an acute care bed in the hospital when he returned.
Interesting because I believe it states you must take the first available bed and do not get a choice, which also means you can sign for acceptance and end up in a hole of a place. Then it is too late to change or do anything about it.
Here again is the health ministry working behind the scenes with smoke and mirrors spinning the plan into motion and pleading ignorance when questioned on it.
Enough said and wasted on the health system plan or lack of, it has already taken an untold amount of my time away from Christopher.
I was amazed how quickly the government can band together to suppress or pretend to have never heard something when it is needed but when asked to help or departments to work together you can feel like you are talking to a brick wall.
I proceeded to tell her that my plan was to finish therapy with Chris in June in Ponoka and have him return home, to his home to continue therapy that was designed by the therapists in Ponoka.
So it turns out exactly the way I said it would a month ago, on word that the extension was only going to be six weeks not the three months. I told those who would listen that the health ministry was looking for extended care for Chris not rehab. We have not to this day received a reason for their decision, not a call to explain, not an email in return to our requests, they tell us on one hand that they are looking into the extension and haven't made a decision yet (still waiting for more information) but they have their people already preparing for an extended care facility for Chris. Which means there will be no rehab or no further continuing of Chris's therapy to move forward basically they have put a gun to his head and said this is the end.
I do cling to the hope that there is still that small percentage of hope that they're going to change their minds come to their senses to do the right thing and provide an extension that Chris so desperately needs. But this teleconference won't take place until 11 January four days before Chris comes home.
The only MLA from all letters written to even acknowledge, was Gordon Hogg’s office from Whiterock they were concerned and said they would like to help and would check out with the health Ministry and Kevin Falcon, who is my and Christopher's MLA and get back to me. Tuesday morning they called me back to say that Mr. Falcon's office had received letters and he was aware as to what was going on and that no decision had been made, they were still waiting for more paperwork to come from Ponoka. I let Gordon Hogg’s office know that I had just been talking with the doctor in charge in Ponoka, and no such request has ever been made. For almost a month they have been telling people that they are looking into it, and taking care of it. i guess they just forgot to send the request just a minor over sight.
All of you who have read the previous blogs I have posted saw the letters from the Halvar Jonson Center in Ponoka from the Therapist, doctor and from Chris' neurologist here in Surrey. Can you all read english did any of you have trouble understanding the wording.
I have had a ten year old read it and even they understand what is being said and what Chris' best interest would be? Getting lost in all of this is that there is to be a minimum amount of therapy to be happening, just for him to survive, let alone move ahead with even the slightest chance of improving further. If Chris has to return to BC all the work we have done over the last two years was in vain, why would you save a life then walk away it makes no sense?
I don't know how you people would feel about your own MLA twisting the truth or just not being up front and honest to a fellow MLA and the Health Minister none the less, but I am appalled, I am still in shock listening to this MLA preach the word from the health ministry as if it were the truth without questioning the facts. I even gave an accounting for all the things that were being told, that were wrong but I guess because I am not their constituent it's not worth the follow up.
I really do believe though that this MLA owes an explanation to his constituent that wrote the letter, so as to answer this constituents concern.
I would think that we should all be a little concerned about our well-being.
The day before all of this transpired I was also told by the communications department in the Alberta Health Services, (which is their equivalent of our BC Health) that I would no longer be able to have CBC's cameramen or reporters or anyone from CBC set foot on Alberta Health Services property, so basically there would be no film no coverage, no story, I asked why, as it was to promote the extraordinary brain injury work being done in Ponoka, and to help everybody with an injury be informed, not just Chris I was told that Alberta has a good working relationship with BC and they didn't want to harm it, so basically BC stuck their fingers across the province line and blocked our story or tried to block our story from being told. It would seem the walls they can through at you are never ending, just think of the tax dollars being used to suppress instead of helping! What a waste.
It really makes you wonder who's looking out for you or me or our families with MLA's not being honest to each other, do you think for one moment that they would hesitate in holding the truth back from us stupid citizens, taxpayers and voters.
I think it's about time that some of these Ministers, their assistants as well as all the people in positions to deal with families and health issues of this magnitude get out into the working trenches and visit some of these places where the work takes place day in and day out and experience it firsthand maybe it would be an awaking for them.
Brain injury is a tremendously large problem in our society, with little or no funding, I can understand all the skirting the issues when pressed, as they do not know what to say.
Wouldn’t it make sense to put people in place that care and make decisions in your best interest and especially in the positions that make these important life altering plans?
I will attach links below to get you to the CBC.
Worth saying again:
Please let everyone you know and ask them to spread the word that the CBC program GO PUBLIC will be on Tuesday January the 5th, 2010. CBC radio morning news as well as the internet at CBC.ca, where the story will be in print form with pictures and video.
Later make sure to watch the CBC evening news in BC and on the CBC National news across the country that same night.
It will be extremely important that everyone leave a comment on the CBC webpage at the end of the story, the more comments and feelings expressed the more important it will become for government to deal with.
But most of all please tell everyone you know, tell them to tell everyone they know to go to the website for CBC at the end of the story on go public about Christopher to leave their comments to leave their feelings to open up and let’s make a change together.
Thank you so much for following, thank you so much for caring, I am eternally indebted to you for your support and assistance in trying to make a change for Chris's life.
Kevin
Links:
http://www.cbc.ca/bc/
Go Public:
http://www.cbc.ca/bc/features/gopublic/
CBC News; Vancouver at 5, 5:30 and 6: Weekdays 5:00, 5:30 & 6:00 p.m
CBC Radio & TV. audio Listen live to CBC Radio 690 AM/ 88.1 FM
Friday, December 18, 2009
Late Friday night
Dr R today said the ministry phoned and now wants a tele conference with the docs in Ponoka, myself and mention of Dr Jaworski because his name showed up somewhere in the original paper work, I think the social worker forgot to remove it when she sent the original request for me.
Man the cards just keep being stacked.
That Jaworski wouldn't talk to me or discuss anything going way back to the beginning ay SMH, what are the chances of him giving something constructive. He originally spoke against Chris going to rehab at all.
The good things are Chris is still doing great and the equipment trials are working out fine. Its late and I am beat waiting for a delayed flight.
So I will keep it posted as it occurs.
Thanks so very much for those of you who sat down and wrote today it will have an impact.
Kevin
Man the cards just keep being stacked.
That Jaworski wouldn't talk to me or discuss anything going way back to the beginning ay SMH, what are the chances of him giving something constructive. He originally spoke against Chris going to rehab at all.
The good things are Chris is still doing great and the equipment trials are working out fine. Its late and I am beat waiting for a delayed flight.
So I will keep it posted as it occurs.
Thanks so very much for those of you who sat down and wrote today it will have an impact.
Kevin
Friday Morning Update
Hey everyone,
Just a note to ask if you have not already, please write to you MLA, your MP, the Premier,, Health minister Kevin Falcon. Any others you can think of pass on to friends and relatives the more we flood them the tougher the decision will be to not give Chris a chance.
As you will read CBC news will do a story on Chris set to air Jan 5th.
Copy your emails or letters to any other outlet that will promote Chris' story getting out there. News papers both local and the big ones I cannot talk to any other news outlets until the story airs on the fifth but you can get out what is going on and create a need to know by the other news agencies.
Right now the government thinks it’s just them and me and what can he do.
The call I got from Surrey Social worker today confirms what I have been saying all along.
They were wondering what home I was sending Chris to as there is no room at SMH.
"They just can't wait to put Chris in An extended care facility". This even as they tell me they are reviewing their decision. His moving forward and gains we have made and right in the middle shut it down and stick him in the closet. Should make us all wonder what's in store for us, as we age or if we get injured?
In fact that was the sole purpose of the call, which by the way was made to the social worker in Ponoka prior to calling me. They wanted to find out what and how I was thinking and feeling before calling me.
I may not be a rocket scientist but it is so blatantly in your face that these politicians and their staff are underhanded never up front or honest, they will tell everyone they are listening and concerned and are addressing your concerns (while their ears are plugged) then turn around and stab you in the back.
I have told them Chris will be coming home with me when he is ready, to a house with a rehab plan built by myself with the guidance and planning with the therapists in Ponoka.
I went on to explain if they used their time helping us with this instead of trying to strong arm us into the crap they are told to do, the government and system would be saving money, time, and resources?
It is fairly obvious that someone with a plan has no place in a system that tells you how to live or conduct your life.
Please, speak up before it's too late.
I hate to ask for all of you to help, and I wouldn't if thought I could do it alone, but Chris' future and i dont want to leave anything to chance.
Thank you,
Kevin
Just a note to ask if you have not already, please write to you MLA, your MP, the Premier,, Health minister Kevin Falcon. Any others you can think of pass on to friends and relatives the more we flood them the tougher the decision will be to not give Chris a chance.
As you will read CBC news will do a story on Chris set to air Jan 5th.
Copy your emails or letters to any other outlet that will promote Chris' story getting out there. News papers both local and the big ones I cannot talk to any other news outlets until the story airs on the fifth but you can get out what is going on and create a need to know by the other news agencies.
Right now the government thinks it’s just them and me and what can he do.
The call I got from Surrey Social worker today confirms what I have been saying all along.
They were wondering what home I was sending Chris to as there is no room at SMH.
"They just can't wait to put Chris in An extended care facility". This even as they tell me they are reviewing their decision. His moving forward and gains we have made and right in the middle shut it down and stick him in the closet. Should make us all wonder what's in store for us, as we age or if we get injured?
In fact that was the sole purpose of the call, which by the way was made to the social worker in Ponoka prior to calling me. They wanted to find out what and how I was thinking and feeling before calling me.
I may not be a rocket scientist but it is so blatantly in your face that these politicians and their staff are underhanded never up front or honest, they will tell everyone they are listening and concerned and are addressing your concerns (while their ears are plugged) then turn around and stab you in the back.
I have told them Chris will be coming home with me when he is ready, to a house with a rehab plan built by myself with the guidance and planning with the therapists in Ponoka.
I went on to explain if they used their time helping us with this instead of trying to strong arm us into the crap they are told to do, the government and system would be saving money, time, and resources?
It is fairly obvious that someone with a plan has no place in a system that tells you how to live or conduct your life.
Please, speak up before it's too late.
I hate to ask for all of you to help, and I wouldn't if thought I could do it alone, but Chris' future and i dont want to leave anything to chance.
Thank you,
Kevin
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Late December 16, 2009
Quick note just got word from lawyers office and I quote:
"Just got off the phone with the Ministry and they didn't really have any answers."
This even though they said it would be looked at on Monday, looks like it's a stalling game wait long enough and it will be too late to change what is happening.
They went on to say, "They said that the Ministry is doing a letter to Dr. R cc: Dr. D asking for more information from Ponoka. Once they receive the information they will pass that along to the medical director who will review it and then a decision will be made. I asked if we could be cc on that letter and she said no. I asked how long this would take she said she didn't know."
Talk about a disfunctional system!
Stay tuned.
"Just got off the phone with the Ministry and they didn't really have any answers."
This even though they said it would be looked at on Monday, looks like it's a stalling game wait long enough and it will be too late to change what is happening.
They went on to say, "They said that the Ministry is doing a letter to Dr. R cc: Dr. D asking for more information from Ponoka. Once they receive the information they will pass that along to the medical director who will review it and then a decision will be made. I asked if we could be cc on that letter and she said no. I asked how long this would take she said she didn't know."
Talk about a disfunctional system!
Stay tuned.
Quick update
Hey all,
Just to let you know what’s going on, heard through the lawyer today that the ministry is writing to the Doctor in Ponoka and the Doctor in Surrey asking for more information.
Having copies as requested from the therapist as well as both doctors proved to be too complicated to handle the first time around .
Obviously the first read of these reports and letters proved to not be clear enough.
You can read highlights from these letters on the previous day’s blog.
We all know how much free time, and lack of patients our Doctors have, so I am sure they wouldn't mind providing the same info two, three, maybe four times until, they who must make these complicated decisions, get an over load of information, for which they know nothing about, so they can put a spin on it, until it fits their need.
Oh wait that’s, our health care system I am talking about.
This just goes from being a simple fix, which does not take a well educated person to decipher, to being cruel and unusual punishment for Chris and our family.
I wonder how many hours or for that matter minutes have any of these politicians or their subordinates have spent in a rehab facility for people with catastrophic injuries to see what goes on, in a day in a life.
Day after day of long stressful hours trying to rebuild a person, so they may have a second chance at a life that was taken away by matters beyond their control, I think very few if any.
Will keep you informed,
Please keep your fingers crossed, because hoping and wishing may prove better than physical evidence or a trained professional's opinion.
Thank you,
Kevin
Just to let you know what’s going on, heard through the lawyer today that the ministry is writing to the Doctor in Ponoka and the Doctor in Surrey asking for more information.
Having copies as requested from the therapist as well as both doctors proved to be too complicated to handle the first time around .
Obviously the first read of these reports and letters proved to not be clear enough.
You can read highlights from these letters on the previous day’s blog.
We all know how much free time, and lack of patients our Doctors have, so I am sure they wouldn't mind providing the same info two, three, maybe four times until, they who must make these complicated decisions, get an over load of information, for which they know nothing about, so they can put a spin on it, until it fits their need.
Oh wait that’s, our health care system I am talking about.
This just goes from being a simple fix, which does not take a well educated person to decipher, to being cruel and unusual punishment for Chris and our family.
I wonder how many hours or for that matter minutes have any of these politicians or their subordinates have spent in a rehab facility for people with catastrophic injuries to see what goes on, in a day in a life.
Day after day of long stressful hours trying to rebuild a person, so they may have a second chance at a life that was taken away by matters beyond their control, I think very few if any.
Will keep you informed,
Please keep your fingers crossed, because hoping and wishing may prove better than physical evidence or a trained professional's opinion.
Thank you,
Kevin
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Still awaiting the outcome
I will place a letter I have put out giving a little more background to Chris and his situation. Hopefully making everyone a little more informed. I would love to see people actively voice their concerns and astonishment not just with Chris but with every person in this province that is going through the same scenario as we are.
Have a read and let me know how you feel better yet let the Province and the Country now how you feel.
In the next few days I will be attempting to link twitter and facebook to the blog so as to spread the word far and wide. I have spent the last several days here at home trying to get word on Chris' extension with no success yet! It is looking good that we will be doing a piece on the CBC TV to bring to everyone’s attention the injustices that we face every day. Will keep you informed as it unfolds.
Here is the Letter:
It is a long one, followed by excerpts from Dr's and therapist's in support of Chris Staying in Pononka and continue the therapy that has been so great.
Dr. Christopher Bigelow touched so many people I had no idea just how many until all the cards and calls came after the accident, from all over the world where he practised or was a part of.
The government has made it hard in so many ways. Starting with all the red tape just so Chris could leave to get his medical education, again something they have no plan in place for in the training of doctors, at least none of any value in relation to the need. It continued the whole time he went through his studies abroad something he was forced to do if he wanted to pursue his medical education. The Provincial education system even refused to give him a student loan because the health ministry asked them to not fund any students who left Canada for their training, unbelievable. Chris did not let the obstacles get him down he fought through them never taking breaks from Medical school he worked semester after semester to get to his goal, as well as volunteering in the places he studied thinking he could make a difference.
As it would turn out all the places Chris had to travel to for training and practise would have him see and learn things never possible here at home. I remember him saying that many times that it was one of the hardest things to do, yet he would do it all over again given the chance, the people Chris came in contact with made his attitude and sense of reality very grounded and sound. It produced and even more caring person than Chris already was.
Christopher completed his Bachelor of Science degree at the University of British Columbia, and then went on with his academic studies in the Caribbean, at the American University of the Caribbean in St.Martin. BWI. While completing his medical degree he also received his Master’s of Science degree then went on to Ireland for a year to complete his medical rotations, finishing them off in Bakersfield, CA, and Vancouver BC.
Christopher then interviewed with Cottage hospital in Santa Barbara, CA. and ultimately spent three years as medical resident and Chief Resident there. Then with his need to come home and practice the government again threw obstacles in front of him which he was dealing with when this accident happened.
I am writing to expose and ultimately get us some help for my son, Dr. Christopher Bigelow, who was in a bad car accident November 3, 2007. He suffered a traumatic brain injury. He was rushed to Royal Columbian Hospital, where he spent 4 months then transferred to Surrey Memorial Hospital, where he spent 12 months. Throughout this time more so at Surrey Memorial he received very little if any physical therapy (which is key ingredient for recovery) and we were told there was nothing that could be done for him in BC by the Fraser health region.
The lack of staff and resources was the reason we were given for such little therapy. While I questioned the ability of the Physiatrist and his knowledge in treating injuries of this nature, I never received anything more than, “you should place Chris in an extended care home and walk away”, basically writing Chris off, meanwhile an excellent physical therapist who worked in the same hospital as the Physiatrist, was spending some of her own time in getting Chris to work and making some progress. Again, due to lack of funding in our medical system, Chris was not getting the quantity or quality needed. So I looked at other options for further help. But no such facilities that house therapists all together under one roof for injuries of this magnitude exist in BC. I took my son out to, Hyperbaric chamber 3 – 5 times a week this was an all day event, acupuncture until we were told only 10 sessions at reduced cost were allowed under our health plan, some of the first changes happened in the hyperbaric chamber and with acupuncture. We also tried to get into see a neuro-trained physio therapist, but found that only a few exist in the lower mainland and waiting lists are long and are not covered completely by our health plan.
I then found a place with two amazing people at an aqua-therapy in Aldergrove. Even though it was an all day trip I made sure that Chris got driven there 3 times a week and when they were short staffed I would jump in the pool and help out. My family and I were doing daily stretching with Chris to keep him limber. More things were happening all the time after the pool sessions took off. We were witness to amazing rehab and people given access to this therapy that is totally underrated. Also found that allot of these people could not be made aware of other treatments that may help by the people running this center or they risk losing their right to bill and have more clients from these sources.
I will not name so no retribution will be possible, the only reason for this suppression of knowledge would be it was going to cost the companies that were paying, even more, if the injured people find out what is out there for more help.
Then, after being turned away from all treatment possibilities in BC, we heard about Halvar Jonson centre for brain injury in Ponoka, Alberta.
After several discussions I had with the doctors in Ponoka explaining the only therapy tried, was one I had talked to doctors in California about, this was a drug trial. The Physiatrist in Surrey wanted nothing to do with it so I talked to the Neurologist about it, the Neurologist thought it had merit and put together the trial while Chris was still in the hospital in Surrey. This drug had no affect at the time, but the doctors in Ponoka knew of several drug therapies that are common place in brain injuries and still could not believe that none had been tried. They agreed to accept Chris, on a trial basis to try all of the standard things that should have been tried in our home Province but never were, frankly they were quite amazed to see nothing had been administered or tried according to basic rehab philosophy. He has been in Ponoka, AB since March 10, 2009. He was accepted and funded by our BC health for 3 months ending in June 2009.
Then I reviewed the test and results noticed that things were not as they seemed and in conjunction with the Doctor and therapists wanted to do some more trials with drugs Chris resulting in another extension due to administration of these drugs.
During this time I had researched out exercise equipment for Chris to aid in his circulation and respiratory system to avoid the pitfalls that all brain injuries encounter. To his surprise Chris started pedaling the bike on his own and again filled the center with disbelief. This then vaulted all in the rehab team to look and go further. This whole process has been filled with doubt and disbelief all of the endless pushing and fighting continues to move forward. I was able to get the letters and support of the wonderful neurologist at Surrey and was able to get an additional extension based on the things that were starting to happen in Chris and his awareness.
From the moment I started working with Chris and the new Physio therapist in Ponoka things started to open up fast and furiously which spread to other disciplines and their encouragement, wanting to work to make a change.
Now, here we are in December and the Halvar Jonson Center has suggested another extension as BC cannot accommodate Chris’ needs; physical therapy 5 ½ hours split into 7 sessions. Recreation/ aqua therapy 2 hours allotted, 4-5 hours given each week. Occupational therapy 2 hours split into 4 times a week. Nursing also is providing stretching and ranging of his joints, minimum of twice a day as well as the freedom to try of new and current drugs/medications. Our BC health system has denied his extension which means Chris will have to come home mid January and sit in a bed in extended care with no rehab once home. That is because some government employee decides it is time to end it, “just because”.
Again I have been trying through government offices and the legal system to get funds to help out with altering a house that Chris can live at home in and continue therapy the way it is supposed to be done.
But as long as no help or funds are released from the insurance or Health ministry, they’ll put him up in an extended care home take away all rehab funds then he will get to watch television all day and rot away a unbelievable human spirit which will become another statistic because that’s what governments are good at keeping numbers but not helping.
I have been looking for a suitable house for over ten months now and the plan is to bring Chris back and have him live at home close to family and friends. The house will have to be adapted for wheelchair accessible and other necessities for Chris. Then we need nursing staff/aids and therapists. All of the programs just drag their feet hoping the requests will stop most of the time you are told such programs do not exist, until you come across someone who is willing to share that they have a program that is funded or provided by a particular agency.
If our province continued their support for Chris in Ponoka, because there is no place in BC that provides this treatment and the government has acknowledged this, then Chris’ recovery and progress will have a chance to continue daily. This will also give us time to get all the things in order here at home so he could come home and step into a rehab program designed by the therapists in Alberta and myself. He will then be close to friends and family. Currently, I am commuting weekly back and forth to Edmonton to be with Chris and provide the things that are not done or covered by health care. Just as things start to come together and progress is being made the government is deciding to pull support away even though they cannot provide it in our own Province. The cost is basically the same whether Chris is in Alberta or in Surrey a difference of $28.00 a day which we offered to pay, somehow.
The Halvar Jonson center in Ponoka, Alberta provides access to all the therapies and doctors as well as 24 hour care all brought together under one roof, or he could be in a hospital bed in Surrey with no therapy and no plan or future.
All of the senior doctors Chris worked with whether in the Caribbean, Ireland, Vancouver, Bakersfield, Los Angeles or Santa Barbara will attest to his unrelenting passion in the pursuit of medicine. The praise was endless and any one of them would tell of his unique qualities in dealing with people. Chris is a person with a caring loving attitude towards all and his endless pursuit of knowledge always wanting to be on the cutting edge of new research.
For the last two years since his accident, he has become a victim of the very system that he wanted to come back and help by being a part of, even with all the crap put in front of him.
It is very frustrating I would love to tell his story but from the beginning not just the accident, people would then realize just how awful the system treats our own. Then turns around and tells the public about all it's doing to make things better.
All I want is to give Chris the best rehab possible and give him every chance to pull through this he deserves that much considering he survived through 6% that live after an injury like this and survived the 3% that survive after the first year of that 6%. He is a fighter and if given the chance will make every effort to succeed. In a nut shell that is what I want to get out, let people know what is really going to happen if you are injured and need help. Imagine those who do not have anyone there to fight every step of the way? They end up in extended care home in front of a TV set because it is the cheapest for the Government to do.
We the family and friends of Dr. Christopher Bigelow would appreciate and be eternally grateful for whatever help or assistance you could provide.
Kevin Bigelow,
Christopher’s Father
Excerpts from Dr. R
HALVAR JONSON CENTRE FOR BRAIN INJURY
November 3, 2009
British Columbia Ministry of Health Planning
Ministry of Health Services
Regional Commitment Payments and Support
Out of Province Claims ‘
Victoria, BC
Attention: Lolanda Emerson
As of August Dr. Bigelow was finally on an adequate dose of the last possible medication to be tried, namely lamotrigine. This intervention also stopped his frequent epileptic seizures and since then he has very slowly, but definitely, started to follow simple and repeated verbal commands in specially designed sessions usually in cooperation between physiotherapy and occupational therapy.
Within the next two months (i.e., by the end of October 2009), he achieved the ability to use his left upper extremity (LUE) to identify playing cards, their suits, and numbers, and he demonstrated that he could do simple math such as addition or subtraction He will also answer yes or no to simple questions.
As of this date, Dr. Bigelow is receiving the attention of OT (occupational therapy) for 2 hours/week broken into four sessions, PT (physical therapy) for 51/2 hours/week in seven sessions, RT (recreation therapy) for 2 hours/week for two swimming pool sessions plus 3 extra hours of swimming with his father (who also participates in swimming sessions with RT), adult Education Centre for 2 hours/week, and several hours a day of heavy nursing care. This rehabilitation nursing also includes regular ranging of his joints and stretching muscles minimally twice a day.
As a result of the above described attention in the last month, Dr. Bigelow has also increased his responsiveness to nursing staff who now also report witnessing his attempts of communication with them using yes/no responses with his left hand thumb pointing up for “yes” and closing the left ,and fist for “no”.
Based on this outcome, all the staff involved in Dr. Bigelow’s care are now advocating that their interactions continue with the hope that it will maintain his current physiologic and motor status as well as to hopefully further potentiate his ongoing improvements in his ability to interact with his environment.
In summary, I can report that the effort of the past 8 months resulted in changes in Dr. Bigelow’s ability to meaningfully interact with his environment. While this may lead to some improvement in the quality of his life. I recommend that OT, PT, S-LP and RT should be involved in designing and follow-up of such maintenance programs that are based on the level of function that has been achieved at HJCBI. Hopefully this should be available in his home province of British Columbia once he relocates to his permanent residence there. It is my opinion that this level of care and ongoing stimulation does not necessarily require the expertise of HJCBI. However, as HJCBI presently is not experiencing pressure for its available resources, and should the BC Ministry of Health continue to approve financing for Dr. Bigelow’s out of province treatment, then Mr. Bigelow is welcome to continue to receive the attention of this facility and its staff.
Regardless of any possible extension in his stay at HJCBI, he will be returning to BC to a permanent residential setting.
Physician
Halvar Jonson Centre for Brain injury
Alberta. Health Services
To:
British Columbia
Ministry of Health Planning
Ministry of Health Services, Regional
Commitment Payments and Support
Out of Province Claims
Christopher Bigelow is presently in the Halvar Jonson Centre for Brain Injury at The Centennial Centre for Mental Health and Brain Injury, Ponoka, Alberta. It is the opinion of the physician and treatment team members that Christopher:
• Continues to benefit from ongoing rehabilitation and a discharge date has not been set.
Physician
Halvar Jonson Centre for Brain injury
Excerpts from Dr. D November 27, 2009
Re: Bigelow Chris
To Whom it May Concern,
I have reviewed the progress notes and letters supplied to me by Dr. Rosenkranz of the Ponoka facility currently housing Dr. Bigelow: I have not examined this patient since the time he left British Columbia.
However, I have a great deal of confidence in Dr. Rosenkranz’s observations, and feel that based on those observations, he is drawing the correct implications for Dr. Bigelow’s prognosis and treatment plan.
I would agree with Dr. Rosenkranz’s recommendations - if there is no similar facility in British Columbia and no imminent need to utilize the Ponoka facility for a higher-needs patient, Dr. Bigelow would be most appropriately maintained at the Ponoka facility.
Dr. D Bsc, MD, CSCN, FRCPC
Neurology, Surrey Memorial Hospital
Clinical Assistant Professor, Neurology
University of British Columbia
November 27, 2009
Ms. Lee Cave
Ministry of health services
Out of Province Claims
2-1, 1515 Blanchard Street, Victoria, B.C. V8W 3C8
Tel 1-250-952-1940
Fax: 1-250-952-1334
Re: Dr. Bigelow, Chris.
Dear Ms. Cave:
As you are aware, Dr. Bigelow sustained a traumatic brain injury in a motor vehicle accident on November 3, 2007. At this time Dr. Bigelow is in Halvar Jonson Center for brain injury in Ponoka. I am writing this letter to support Dr. Bigleow’s extended stay in Ponoka, Alberta.
He is receiving aggressive rehabilitation for his traumatic brain injury and, according to his treating physiatrist, has made moderate gains in his functional status. Based on these gains, which have translated into functional improvement by all accounts, I would fully recommend an extended stay at the Halvar Jonson Center.
Sincerley,
Dr. D Bsc, MD, CSCN, FRCPC
Excerpts from Physio
Progress Report Novernber 10, 2009
Attendance and Participation:
Dr. Bigelow is scheduled for five – six 60-minute active PT sessions per week in addition to a morning stretching program 5 times per week.
Tracking from October 15, 2009 November 10. 2009 revealed he was alert and participated in 16/19 (84%) of his active treatment sessions.
Dr. Bigelow’s father attends PT regularly and receives information at that time. He is an active participant in his sessions.
Motor Control:
Left Upper Extremity:
Mr. Bigelow demonstrates his greatest control and active movement in this extremity. At present all movements lack the strength. Timing and target accuracy to be used in functional activities. Mr. Bigelow does demonstrate active movement at all joints in the left upper extremity. Controlling. The active movement in this arm continues to be challenging for Mr. Bigelow. Presently, with his hand supported on a table and his elbow positioned and stabilised ahead of his shoulder. He can slide his arm towards a, target placed on the table in the directions of shoulder flexion, extension, internal and external rotation. All movements are completed in short 1-2cm movements and lack target accuracy.
When supported in sitting at a table, Mr. Bigelow has been successful in using. Shoulder internal and external rotation to respond to yes/no questions using his left hand to touch an X or check mark.
Left Lower Extremity: Mr. Bigelow demonstrates the ability to activate most muscle Groups around the hip and knee. Coordination and recruitment accuracy remain poor and strength presently is <2-/5. He is noted to actively recruit his hip extensors in supported sitting as a balance strategy.
Assessment and Treatment Recommendations:
Over the past month Mr. Bigelow has been alert and participated well in 84% of his PT sessions. He continues to demonstrate an increased ability to actively control the movements of his left arm and hand and is working towards accessing simple switches with OT and Speech Language Pathology. Vhen positioned on the tilt table or in . iupported sitting he continues to be able to utilise his left arm in communication through thesetection ofYes/No. OT continues to explore modifications to his headrest in hopes I hat he will be able to utilise his arm and hand more effectively in his wheelchair
At this time Mr. Bigelow is continuing to benefit from a multidisciplinary approach to his rehabilitation. PT. OT and Speech Language Pathology are presently exploring different seating options (head. Rest and lap tray) to aid Mr. Bigelow in sitting upright in his wheelchair. Also with his increased ability to consistently produce active movement in his left arm and hand accessing simple environmental controls (switches) may soon be .n option for Mr. Bigelow.
Conversely, failure to receive adequate services, weather in the community or in an institutional setting will have a detrimental effect on Mr. Bigelow’s systemic health particularly in the areas of contracture management and protection of his respiratory health. This in turn will result in an increase in both caregiver burden and his need to access acute care services in the future.
Treatment Plan:
Mr. Bigelow will continue to attend five to six active (tilt table and supported sitting) PT sessions per week to work on increasing strength in his left arm and hand and to work on head control. He will also continue to receive 5 stretching sessions per week to maintain passive range of motion. Collaboration with OT and SLP is ongoing.
BScPT
Have a read and let me know how you feel better yet let the Province and the Country now how you feel.
In the next few days I will be attempting to link twitter and facebook to the blog so as to spread the word far and wide. I have spent the last several days here at home trying to get word on Chris' extension with no success yet! It is looking good that we will be doing a piece on the CBC TV to bring to everyone’s attention the injustices that we face every day. Will keep you informed as it unfolds.
Here is the Letter:
It is a long one, followed by excerpts from Dr's and therapist's in support of Chris Staying in Pononka and continue the therapy that has been so great.
Dr. Christopher Bigelow touched so many people I had no idea just how many until all the cards and calls came after the accident, from all over the world where he practised or was a part of.
The government has made it hard in so many ways. Starting with all the red tape just so Chris could leave to get his medical education, again something they have no plan in place for in the training of doctors, at least none of any value in relation to the need. It continued the whole time he went through his studies abroad something he was forced to do if he wanted to pursue his medical education. The Provincial education system even refused to give him a student loan because the health ministry asked them to not fund any students who left Canada for their training, unbelievable. Chris did not let the obstacles get him down he fought through them never taking breaks from Medical school he worked semester after semester to get to his goal, as well as volunteering in the places he studied thinking he could make a difference.
As it would turn out all the places Chris had to travel to for training and practise would have him see and learn things never possible here at home. I remember him saying that many times that it was one of the hardest things to do, yet he would do it all over again given the chance, the people Chris came in contact with made his attitude and sense of reality very grounded and sound. It produced and even more caring person than Chris already was.
Christopher completed his Bachelor of Science degree at the University of British Columbia, and then went on with his academic studies in the Caribbean, at the American University of the Caribbean in St.Martin. BWI. While completing his medical degree he also received his Master’s of Science degree then went on to Ireland for a year to complete his medical rotations, finishing them off in Bakersfield, CA, and Vancouver BC.
Christopher then interviewed with Cottage hospital in Santa Barbara, CA. and ultimately spent three years as medical resident and Chief Resident there. Then with his need to come home and practice the government again threw obstacles in front of him which he was dealing with when this accident happened.
I am writing to expose and ultimately get us some help for my son, Dr. Christopher Bigelow, who was in a bad car accident November 3, 2007. He suffered a traumatic brain injury. He was rushed to Royal Columbian Hospital, where he spent 4 months then transferred to Surrey Memorial Hospital, where he spent 12 months. Throughout this time more so at Surrey Memorial he received very little if any physical therapy (which is key ingredient for recovery) and we were told there was nothing that could be done for him in BC by the Fraser health region.
The lack of staff and resources was the reason we were given for such little therapy. While I questioned the ability of the Physiatrist and his knowledge in treating injuries of this nature, I never received anything more than, “you should place Chris in an extended care home and walk away”, basically writing Chris off, meanwhile an excellent physical therapist who worked in the same hospital as the Physiatrist, was spending some of her own time in getting Chris to work and making some progress. Again, due to lack of funding in our medical system, Chris was not getting the quantity or quality needed. So I looked at other options for further help. But no such facilities that house therapists all together under one roof for injuries of this magnitude exist in BC. I took my son out to, Hyperbaric chamber 3 – 5 times a week this was an all day event, acupuncture until we were told only 10 sessions at reduced cost were allowed under our health plan, some of the first changes happened in the hyperbaric chamber and with acupuncture. We also tried to get into see a neuro-trained physio therapist, but found that only a few exist in the lower mainland and waiting lists are long and are not covered completely by our health plan.
I then found a place with two amazing people at an aqua-therapy in Aldergrove. Even though it was an all day trip I made sure that Chris got driven there 3 times a week and when they were short staffed I would jump in the pool and help out. My family and I were doing daily stretching with Chris to keep him limber. More things were happening all the time after the pool sessions took off. We were witness to amazing rehab and people given access to this therapy that is totally underrated. Also found that allot of these people could not be made aware of other treatments that may help by the people running this center or they risk losing their right to bill and have more clients from these sources.
I will not name so no retribution will be possible, the only reason for this suppression of knowledge would be it was going to cost the companies that were paying, even more, if the injured people find out what is out there for more help.
Then, after being turned away from all treatment possibilities in BC, we heard about Halvar Jonson centre for brain injury in Ponoka, Alberta.
After several discussions I had with the doctors in Ponoka explaining the only therapy tried, was one I had talked to doctors in California about, this was a drug trial. The Physiatrist in Surrey wanted nothing to do with it so I talked to the Neurologist about it, the Neurologist thought it had merit and put together the trial while Chris was still in the hospital in Surrey. This drug had no affect at the time, but the doctors in Ponoka knew of several drug therapies that are common place in brain injuries and still could not believe that none had been tried. They agreed to accept Chris, on a trial basis to try all of the standard things that should have been tried in our home Province but never were, frankly they were quite amazed to see nothing had been administered or tried according to basic rehab philosophy. He has been in Ponoka, AB since March 10, 2009. He was accepted and funded by our BC health for 3 months ending in June 2009.
Then I reviewed the test and results noticed that things were not as they seemed and in conjunction with the Doctor and therapists wanted to do some more trials with drugs Chris resulting in another extension due to administration of these drugs.
During this time I had researched out exercise equipment for Chris to aid in his circulation and respiratory system to avoid the pitfalls that all brain injuries encounter. To his surprise Chris started pedaling the bike on his own and again filled the center with disbelief. This then vaulted all in the rehab team to look and go further. This whole process has been filled with doubt and disbelief all of the endless pushing and fighting continues to move forward. I was able to get the letters and support of the wonderful neurologist at Surrey and was able to get an additional extension based on the things that were starting to happen in Chris and his awareness.
From the moment I started working with Chris and the new Physio therapist in Ponoka things started to open up fast and furiously which spread to other disciplines and their encouragement, wanting to work to make a change.
Now, here we are in December and the Halvar Jonson Center has suggested another extension as BC cannot accommodate Chris’ needs; physical therapy 5 ½ hours split into 7 sessions. Recreation/ aqua therapy 2 hours allotted, 4-5 hours given each week. Occupational therapy 2 hours split into 4 times a week. Nursing also is providing stretching and ranging of his joints, minimum of twice a day as well as the freedom to try of new and current drugs/medications. Our BC health system has denied his extension which means Chris will have to come home mid January and sit in a bed in extended care with no rehab once home. That is because some government employee decides it is time to end it, “just because”.
Again I have been trying through government offices and the legal system to get funds to help out with altering a house that Chris can live at home in and continue therapy the way it is supposed to be done.
But as long as no help or funds are released from the insurance or Health ministry, they’ll put him up in an extended care home take away all rehab funds then he will get to watch television all day and rot away a unbelievable human spirit which will become another statistic because that’s what governments are good at keeping numbers but not helping.
I have been looking for a suitable house for over ten months now and the plan is to bring Chris back and have him live at home close to family and friends. The house will have to be adapted for wheelchair accessible and other necessities for Chris. Then we need nursing staff/aids and therapists. All of the programs just drag their feet hoping the requests will stop most of the time you are told such programs do not exist, until you come across someone who is willing to share that they have a program that is funded or provided by a particular agency.
If our province continued their support for Chris in Ponoka, because there is no place in BC that provides this treatment and the government has acknowledged this, then Chris’ recovery and progress will have a chance to continue daily. This will also give us time to get all the things in order here at home so he could come home and step into a rehab program designed by the therapists in Alberta and myself. He will then be close to friends and family. Currently, I am commuting weekly back and forth to Edmonton to be with Chris and provide the things that are not done or covered by health care. Just as things start to come together and progress is being made the government is deciding to pull support away even though they cannot provide it in our own Province. The cost is basically the same whether Chris is in Alberta or in Surrey a difference of $28.00 a day which we offered to pay, somehow.
The Halvar Jonson center in Ponoka, Alberta provides access to all the therapies and doctors as well as 24 hour care all brought together under one roof, or he could be in a hospital bed in Surrey with no therapy and no plan or future.
All of the senior doctors Chris worked with whether in the Caribbean, Ireland, Vancouver, Bakersfield, Los Angeles or Santa Barbara will attest to his unrelenting passion in the pursuit of medicine. The praise was endless and any one of them would tell of his unique qualities in dealing with people. Chris is a person with a caring loving attitude towards all and his endless pursuit of knowledge always wanting to be on the cutting edge of new research.
For the last two years since his accident, he has become a victim of the very system that he wanted to come back and help by being a part of, even with all the crap put in front of him.
It is very frustrating I would love to tell his story but from the beginning not just the accident, people would then realize just how awful the system treats our own. Then turns around and tells the public about all it's doing to make things better.
All I want is to give Chris the best rehab possible and give him every chance to pull through this he deserves that much considering he survived through 6% that live after an injury like this and survived the 3% that survive after the first year of that 6%. He is a fighter and if given the chance will make every effort to succeed. In a nut shell that is what I want to get out, let people know what is really going to happen if you are injured and need help. Imagine those who do not have anyone there to fight every step of the way? They end up in extended care home in front of a TV set because it is the cheapest for the Government to do.
We the family and friends of Dr. Christopher Bigelow would appreciate and be eternally grateful for whatever help or assistance you could provide.
Kevin Bigelow,
Christopher’s Father
Excerpts from Dr. R
HALVAR JONSON CENTRE FOR BRAIN INJURY
November 3, 2009
British Columbia Ministry of Health Planning
Ministry of Health Services
Regional Commitment Payments and Support
Out of Province Claims ‘
Victoria, BC
Attention: Lolanda Emerson
As of August Dr. Bigelow was finally on an adequate dose of the last possible medication to be tried, namely lamotrigine. This intervention also stopped his frequent epileptic seizures and since then he has very slowly, but definitely, started to follow simple and repeated verbal commands in specially designed sessions usually in cooperation between physiotherapy and occupational therapy.
Within the next two months (i.e., by the end of October 2009), he achieved the ability to use his left upper extremity (LUE) to identify playing cards, their suits, and numbers, and he demonstrated that he could do simple math such as addition or subtraction He will also answer yes or no to simple questions.
As of this date, Dr. Bigelow is receiving the attention of OT (occupational therapy) for 2 hours/week broken into four sessions, PT (physical therapy) for 51/2 hours/week in seven sessions, RT (recreation therapy) for 2 hours/week for two swimming pool sessions plus 3 extra hours of swimming with his father (who also participates in swimming sessions with RT), adult Education Centre for 2 hours/week, and several hours a day of heavy nursing care. This rehabilitation nursing also includes regular ranging of his joints and stretching muscles minimally twice a day.
As a result of the above described attention in the last month, Dr. Bigelow has also increased his responsiveness to nursing staff who now also report witnessing his attempts of communication with them using yes/no responses with his left hand thumb pointing up for “yes” and closing the left ,and fist for “no”.
Based on this outcome, all the staff involved in Dr. Bigelow’s care are now advocating that their interactions continue with the hope that it will maintain his current physiologic and motor status as well as to hopefully further potentiate his ongoing improvements in his ability to interact with his environment.
In summary, I can report that the effort of the past 8 months resulted in changes in Dr. Bigelow’s ability to meaningfully interact with his environment. While this may lead to some improvement in the quality of his life. I recommend that OT, PT, S-LP and RT should be involved in designing and follow-up of such maintenance programs that are based on the level of function that has been achieved at HJCBI. Hopefully this should be available in his home province of British Columbia once he relocates to his permanent residence there. It is my opinion that this level of care and ongoing stimulation does not necessarily require the expertise of HJCBI. However, as HJCBI presently is not experiencing pressure for its available resources, and should the BC Ministry of Health continue to approve financing for Dr. Bigelow’s out of province treatment, then Mr. Bigelow is welcome to continue to receive the attention of this facility and its staff.
Regardless of any possible extension in his stay at HJCBI, he will be returning to BC to a permanent residential setting.
Physician
Halvar Jonson Centre for Brain injury
Alberta. Health Services
To:
British Columbia
Ministry of Health Planning
Ministry of Health Services, Regional
Commitment Payments and Support
Out of Province Claims
Christopher Bigelow is presently in the Halvar Jonson Centre for Brain Injury at The Centennial Centre for Mental Health and Brain Injury, Ponoka, Alberta. It is the opinion of the physician and treatment team members that Christopher:
• Continues to benefit from ongoing rehabilitation and a discharge date has not been set.
Physician
Halvar Jonson Centre for Brain injury
Excerpts from Dr. D November 27, 2009
Re: Bigelow Chris
To Whom it May Concern,
I have reviewed the progress notes and letters supplied to me by Dr. Rosenkranz of the Ponoka facility currently housing Dr. Bigelow: I have not examined this patient since the time he left British Columbia.
However, I have a great deal of confidence in Dr. Rosenkranz’s observations, and feel that based on those observations, he is drawing the correct implications for Dr. Bigelow’s prognosis and treatment plan.
I would agree with Dr. Rosenkranz’s recommendations - if there is no similar facility in British Columbia and no imminent need to utilize the Ponoka facility for a higher-needs patient, Dr. Bigelow would be most appropriately maintained at the Ponoka facility.
Dr. D Bsc, MD, CSCN, FRCPC
Neurology, Surrey Memorial Hospital
Clinical Assistant Professor, Neurology
University of British Columbia
November 27, 2009
Ms. Lee Cave
Ministry of health services
Out of Province Claims
2-1, 1515 Blanchard Street, Victoria, B.C. V8W 3C8
Tel 1-250-952-1940
Fax: 1-250-952-1334
Re: Dr. Bigelow, Chris.
Dear Ms. Cave:
As you are aware, Dr. Bigelow sustained a traumatic brain injury in a motor vehicle accident on November 3, 2007. At this time Dr. Bigelow is in Halvar Jonson Center for brain injury in Ponoka. I am writing this letter to support Dr. Bigleow’s extended stay in Ponoka, Alberta.
He is receiving aggressive rehabilitation for his traumatic brain injury and, according to his treating physiatrist, has made moderate gains in his functional status. Based on these gains, which have translated into functional improvement by all accounts, I would fully recommend an extended stay at the Halvar Jonson Center.
Sincerley,
Dr. D Bsc, MD, CSCN, FRCPC
Excerpts from Physio
Progress Report Novernber 10, 2009
Attendance and Participation:
Dr. Bigelow is scheduled for five – six 60-minute active PT sessions per week in addition to a morning stretching program 5 times per week.
Tracking from October 15, 2009 November 10. 2009 revealed he was alert and participated in 16/19 (84%) of his active treatment sessions.
Dr. Bigelow’s father attends PT regularly and receives information at that time. He is an active participant in his sessions.
Motor Control:
Left Upper Extremity:
Mr. Bigelow demonstrates his greatest control and active movement in this extremity. At present all movements lack the strength. Timing and target accuracy to be used in functional activities. Mr. Bigelow does demonstrate active movement at all joints in the left upper extremity. Controlling. The active movement in this arm continues to be challenging for Mr. Bigelow. Presently, with his hand supported on a table and his elbow positioned and stabilised ahead of his shoulder. He can slide his arm towards a, target placed on the table in the directions of shoulder flexion, extension, internal and external rotation. All movements are completed in short 1-2cm movements and lack target accuracy.
When supported in sitting at a table, Mr. Bigelow has been successful in using. Shoulder internal and external rotation to respond to yes/no questions using his left hand to touch an X or check mark.
Left Lower Extremity: Mr. Bigelow demonstrates the ability to activate most muscle Groups around the hip and knee. Coordination and recruitment accuracy remain poor and strength presently is <2-/5. He is noted to actively recruit his hip extensors in supported sitting as a balance strategy.
Assessment and Treatment Recommendations:
Over the past month Mr. Bigelow has been alert and participated well in 84% of his PT sessions. He continues to demonstrate an increased ability to actively control the movements of his left arm and hand and is working towards accessing simple switches with OT and Speech Language Pathology. Vhen positioned on the tilt table or in . iupported sitting he continues to be able to utilise his left arm in communication through thesetection ofYes/No. OT continues to explore modifications to his headrest in hopes I hat he will be able to utilise his arm and hand more effectively in his wheelchair
At this time Mr. Bigelow is continuing to benefit from a multidisciplinary approach to his rehabilitation. PT. OT and Speech Language Pathology are presently exploring different seating options (head. Rest and lap tray) to aid Mr. Bigelow in sitting upright in his wheelchair. Also with his increased ability to consistently produce active movement in his left arm and hand accessing simple environmental controls (switches) may soon be .n option for Mr. Bigelow.
Conversely, failure to receive adequate services, weather in the community or in an institutional setting will have a detrimental effect on Mr. Bigelow’s systemic health particularly in the areas of contracture management and protection of his respiratory health. This in turn will result in an increase in both caregiver burden and his need to access acute care services in the future.
Treatment Plan:
Mr. Bigelow will continue to attend five to six active (tilt table and supported sitting) PT sessions per week to work on increasing strength in his left arm and hand and to work on head control. He will also continue to receive 5 stretching sessions per week to maintain passive range of motion. Collaboration with OT and SLP is ongoing.
BScPT
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Short Info message
Hello everyone,
Just a quick update to Chris' situation, the health ministry had suggested that they would find a place in BC that Chris would come back to so as to continue the amount of therapy he was getting in Alberta.
Let’s remember that they approved Chris' going there because nothing was even remotely plausible here in BC. So I was very sceptical about where they had in mind. The letter to Alberta basically says he get six weeks so that they (BC) can find a placement for him. The term placement usually refers to extended care just as they tried before we went to Alberta. We have been told that when he comes back that is the only alternative and if I don’t agree to it I will be charged the $1000.00 per day for every day I refuse to place him there.
Even though they have doctors letters from Ponoka, Therapist letters and reports from Ponoka and Letter from the Neurologist that treated Chris while here in Surrey all recommending that he remain and continue at the level of treatment he is now getting. It took 2 years to find a therapist that Chris connected to and is responding to and now they the government will bring him home paying no attention to the expert advice, makes you wonder if they see it as he will require the sustained therapy and therefore cost more money than an extended care facility?
The kicker here is it is almost the exact same cost for Chris to be in a first class Rehabilitation hospital with almost everything he needs every day intense therapy and access to whatever else we need. The alternative is to come home and lie in a bed and stare at a TV having someone check on you every four hours. Gee don't think it takes a college education to figure out the difference. It would seem that only BC trained professionals can see the benefit to not continuing in Alberta.
But the Government thinks they can do better, why then did such a place not exist for the last two years prompting our journey off to Alberta for the last eight months. As well more brain injured patients arrive from BC all the time because no place exists.
Someone here is lying and not acting in good faith or looking out for Chris' rights or best interests, Chris did not ask for this, I did not want this, we are trying out hardest to make the best of what we have and make it count. We have taken nothing for granted and asked for nothing out of the ordinary. There was car insurance that the government controls and yet we cannot access any of that or expect to without a fight. I am slowly tiring of the fighting I just want to work with my son and give him every opportunity to fight his way through this nightmare and believe me it is. I am going to need all of you who can write a little note to your, MLA and MP and or drop a line to the paper or television station you watch. I still believe the only way to get help at this point is to embarrass the government in its bungling of handling this and get the word out as fast and wide spread as possible. Maybe in doing so it won't be just Chris that benefits maybe we can change it for all those affected by this arrogant and inept way of dealing with human life. Tell them your disgust of the treatment and red tape crap, they need to step forward and help resolve the injustice that is taking place.
Below are some contacts that may make it easier for you to help.
A heartfelt "Thank You" of our appreciation,
Kevin & Christopher
And all those who will benefit from our pain and effort to bring change.
The Sun Newspaper:
To submit letters to the editor for publication in The Vancouver Sun newspaper: sunletters@vancouversun.com.
Ng, Juanita - Life Editor jng@vancouversun.com
The Province Paper:
To alert us to a news story, e-mail us at: tabtips@theprovince.com, or call 604-605-2030, toll-free at 1-866-368-5888 or Fax: 604-605-2759
Kevin Falcon: He is even in our represented area!
Honourable Kevin Falcon
Kevin Falcon was first elected in 2001 to represent the riding of Surrey-Cloverdale, and was re-elected in 2005 and 2009. He initially served as minister of state for deregulation
He previously served as Minister of Transportation since January 26, 2004, overseeing a capital program that included the Kicking Horse Canyon, the Sea-to-Sky Highway and the William R. Bennett Bridge, among many others.
Minister Falcon's leadership recently earned him recognition in Vancouver Magazine’s annual ranking of the city’s 50 most influential leaders.
Before his election to the Legislative Assembly in 2001, he was president of Access Group, a corporate communications firm he founded in 1998. He has also worked in the real estate development industry and was vice-president of Northwest Investment Properties. He received his bachelor of arts degree from Simon Fraser University, and his real estate education at the University of British Columbia.
Quite a story do you think he will help?
Kevin.Falcon@gov.bc.ca 250-953-3547
Our beloved premier lets see how much he really cares about the people of BC?
Gordon Campbell:
Premier Campbell was Mayor of Vancouver for three successive terms from 1986 to 1993. Prior to that, he was a developer. He served for two years under CUSO as a secondary school teacher in Nigeria, Africa. Premier Campbell is married to wife Nancy, a high school principal, they have two sons and two grandchildren.
I wonder if one of his children or grandchildren were in this situation would he help out.
Gordon.Campbell.MLA@leg.bc.ca, 250-387-1715
P.S.You may also want to contact local papers as well.
Thanks
Just a quick update to Chris' situation, the health ministry had suggested that they would find a place in BC that Chris would come back to so as to continue the amount of therapy he was getting in Alberta.
Let’s remember that they approved Chris' going there because nothing was even remotely plausible here in BC. So I was very sceptical about where they had in mind. The letter to Alberta basically says he get six weeks so that they (BC) can find a placement for him. The term placement usually refers to extended care just as they tried before we went to Alberta. We have been told that when he comes back that is the only alternative and if I don’t agree to it I will be charged the $1000.00 per day for every day I refuse to place him there.
Even though they have doctors letters from Ponoka, Therapist letters and reports from Ponoka and Letter from the Neurologist that treated Chris while here in Surrey all recommending that he remain and continue at the level of treatment he is now getting. It took 2 years to find a therapist that Chris connected to and is responding to and now they the government will bring him home paying no attention to the expert advice, makes you wonder if they see it as he will require the sustained therapy and therefore cost more money than an extended care facility?
The kicker here is it is almost the exact same cost for Chris to be in a first class Rehabilitation hospital with almost everything he needs every day intense therapy and access to whatever else we need. The alternative is to come home and lie in a bed and stare at a TV having someone check on you every four hours. Gee don't think it takes a college education to figure out the difference. It would seem that only BC trained professionals can see the benefit to not continuing in Alberta.
But the Government thinks they can do better, why then did such a place not exist for the last two years prompting our journey off to Alberta for the last eight months. As well more brain injured patients arrive from BC all the time because no place exists.
Someone here is lying and not acting in good faith or looking out for Chris' rights or best interests, Chris did not ask for this, I did not want this, we are trying out hardest to make the best of what we have and make it count. We have taken nothing for granted and asked for nothing out of the ordinary. There was car insurance that the government controls and yet we cannot access any of that or expect to without a fight. I am slowly tiring of the fighting I just want to work with my son and give him every opportunity to fight his way through this nightmare and believe me it is. I am going to need all of you who can write a little note to your, MLA and MP and or drop a line to the paper or television station you watch. I still believe the only way to get help at this point is to embarrass the government in its bungling of handling this and get the word out as fast and wide spread as possible. Maybe in doing so it won't be just Chris that benefits maybe we can change it for all those affected by this arrogant and inept way of dealing with human life. Tell them your disgust of the treatment and red tape crap, they need to step forward and help resolve the injustice that is taking place.
Below are some contacts that may make it easier for you to help.
A heartfelt "Thank You" of our appreciation,
Kevin & Christopher
And all those who will benefit from our pain and effort to bring change.
The Sun Newspaper:
To submit letters to the editor for publication in The Vancouver Sun newspaper: sunletters@vancouversun.com.
Ng, Juanita - Life Editor jng@vancouversun.com
The Province Paper:
To alert us to a news story, e-mail us at: tabtips@theprovince.com, or call 604-605-2030, toll-free at 1-866-368-5888 or Fax: 604-605-2759
Kevin Falcon: He is even in our represented area!
Honourable Kevin Falcon
Kevin Falcon was first elected in 2001 to represent the riding of Surrey-Cloverdale, and was re-elected in 2005 and 2009. He initially served as minister of state for deregulation
He previously served as Minister of Transportation since January 26, 2004, overseeing a capital program that included the Kicking Horse Canyon, the Sea-to-Sky Highway and the William R. Bennett Bridge, among many others.
Minister Falcon's leadership recently earned him recognition in Vancouver Magazine’s annual ranking of the city’s 50 most influential leaders.
Before his election to the Legislative Assembly in 2001, he was president of Access Group, a corporate communications firm he founded in 1998. He has also worked in the real estate development industry and was vice-president of Northwest Investment Properties. He received his bachelor of arts degree from Simon Fraser University, and his real estate education at the University of British Columbia.
Quite a story do you think he will help?
Kevin.Falcon@gov.bc.ca 250-953-3547
Our beloved premier lets see how much he really cares about the people of BC?
Gordon Campbell:
Premier Campbell was Mayor of Vancouver for three successive terms from 1986 to 1993. Prior to that, he was a developer. He served for two years under CUSO as a secondary school teacher in Nigeria, Africa. Premier Campbell is married to wife Nancy, a high school principal, they have two sons and two grandchildren.
I wonder if one of his children or grandchildren were in this situation would he help out.
Gordon.Campbell.MLA@leg.bc.ca, 250-387-1715
P.S.You may also want to contact local papers as well.
Thanks
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