Hey everyone,
Chris is doing great in his physio worked really hard Monday and Tuesday yesterday morning started slow but came alive for the physio session. The therapist and Chris are on the same wave length he loves those physio times. Pool was slow and relaxing in the afternoon, made for a relaxed and tired evening, as he was sleeping on and off during the hockey game. Today we start with morning stretching and then head right to the pool, then out and on to the tilt table for an hour long session of interactive moving and working on head control for the neck muscles. Before this session ends we will do some chest therapy and trunk control.
Lunch time and relaxing then up on the cycle for a cardio workout and then a shave. Better get going or I will be late, by the way still no word on any of the promises made by the government and Fraser Health. I will let you know as soon as I find out any news.
Kevin
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Link to Paper & ICBC Still not willing
Below is the link to a story done by the Red Deer Advocate, click and have a read?
http://www.albertalocalnews.com/reddeeradvocate/news/provincial/Families_fear_patients_may_be_sent_out_of_brain_injury_clinic_84771787.html
Also just a quick update regarding the house we tried to complete on. We have come up short for a third time ICBC and their egregious behaviour, would seem to most level headed citizens that they are in fact not wanting to help in any way, and have now cost us a third attempt at finalizing a home that would provide everything we would have needed to bring Chris home.
I guess when it comes right down to it, they just don't care, and it is not their family member lying in a facility bed, waiting to be railroaded into an extended care bed.
ICBC insured the car that caused this epic disaster and now want to find any avenue to walk away with the money that is so missing from Christopher's moving forward.
I would give anything to have Christopher back the way he was, to say good morning, to say good night, to ask how my day was or I his, but that's not possible, we will never again be able to share those simple conversations we all take for granted.
I would guess that not a tear flows for what we have lost, not from the health ministry, not from the Health Minister, nor the Premier and especially not from the adjusters or management at ICBC, or the high priced lawyer hired by them, "the insurance company of the people". (What a joke)
Money now is the only thing that will give him a chance, at somewhat of a life, which they have taken from him. Now they keep grinding and stalling and would almost seem to work hand in hand with the health ministry to force their will and bullshit down our throats.
When people, when will we stand up and say enough, we are not sheep, or animals to be herded or forced to pasture, we are all equal and stand as humans to be counted. Who then decides who will live and who will die?
Will it be a communications person turned political who you would think with the tragedies he has had in his life would have some understanding of compassion and what is right, or I suppose you could bend the opposite direction and take out your anger with the system that failed you by denying that right to all others.
Keeping in mind this is only an advance we have tried to secure for over a year now, they know the devastation and just do not care, remember this when you have a sore neck or are bruised up. If they can look the other way while a life lies in the balance, how are they going to honestly treat someone with a minor injury?
Take care my friends the very insurance company we paid to start and run and still fund hold our futures in their hands.
It’s hard to hold and help someone in your hands if you are always wringing them. If anyone can shed some light on as to why they would have to hire a lawyer to defend an action, where the damage grossly exceeds the liability amount. Why refuse to help or aid in any way so as to minimize the damage that has already taken place. I truly hope that these adjusters and lawyers can go home at night and relax with their families knowing they are ripping the hearts out of the victims and their families. I give up trying to make sense of this there has got to one person out there who sees the damage that is being propagated here and will eventually step forward.
Thanks for letting me vent, I sometimes grow weary and need to find strenght in all the mess.
Kevin
http://www.albertalocalnews.com/reddeeradvocate/news/provincial/Families_fear_patients_may_be_sent_out_of_brain_injury_clinic_84771787.html
Also just a quick update regarding the house we tried to complete on. We have come up short for a third time ICBC and their egregious behaviour, would seem to most level headed citizens that they are in fact not wanting to help in any way, and have now cost us a third attempt at finalizing a home that would provide everything we would have needed to bring Chris home.
I guess when it comes right down to it, they just don't care, and it is not their family member lying in a facility bed, waiting to be railroaded into an extended care bed.
ICBC insured the car that caused this epic disaster and now want to find any avenue to walk away with the money that is so missing from Christopher's moving forward.
I would give anything to have Christopher back the way he was, to say good morning, to say good night, to ask how my day was or I his, but that's not possible, we will never again be able to share those simple conversations we all take for granted.
I would guess that not a tear flows for what we have lost, not from the health ministry, not from the Health Minister, nor the Premier and especially not from the adjusters or management at ICBC, or the high priced lawyer hired by them, "the insurance company of the people". (What a joke)
Money now is the only thing that will give him a chance, at somewhat of a life, which they have taken from him. Now they keep grinding and stalling and would almost seem to work hand in hand with the health ministry to force their will and bullshit down our throats.
When people, when will we stand up and say enough, we are not sheep, or animals to be herded or forced to pasture, we are all equal and stand as humans to be counted. Who then decides who will live and who will die?
Will it be a communications person turned political who you would think with the tragedies he has had in his life would have some understanding of compassion and what is right, or I suppose you could bend the opposite direction and take out your anger with the system that failed you by denying that right to all others.
Keeping in mind this is only an advance we have tried to secure for over a year now, they know the devastation and just do not care, remember this when you have a sore neck or are bruised up. If they can look the other way while a life lies in the balance, how are they going to honestly treat someone with a minor injury?
Take care my friends the very insurance company we paid to start and run and still fund hold our futures in their hands.
It’s hard to hold and help someone in your hands if you are always wringing them. If anyone can shed some light on as to why they would have to hire a lawyer to defend an action, where the damage grossly exceeds the liability amount. Why refuse to help or aid in any way so as to minimize the damage that has already taken place. I truly hope that these adjusters and lawyers can go home at night and relax with their families knowing they are ripping the hearts out of the victims and their families. I give up trying to make sense of this there has got to one person out there who sees the damage that is being propagated here and will eventually step forward.
Thanks for letting me vent, I sometimes grow weary and need to find strenght in all the mess.
Kevin
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Another long wait with no answers
Hi,
Good Thursday afternoon, Chris has had a wonderful day started out in bed with full stretching routine this morning, then an hour later into the pool for an excellent stretch and sitting session, followed by 30 minute relaxation session in the pool. It was great today we had the pool all to ourselves and the music soothed the whole time.
Out of the water quick change and onto the tilt table for some squats, with Chris really applying himself this morning using some great muscle to move in his squats, then a standing session with some great motor work from the arm and neck, followed with trunk stretches then chest physio.
Chris even helped the unit try out a new pool chair they are buying to make trips for all easier to use, guess it was fitting as he is the one who uses the pool the most.
Still no word on any extension or from
Fraser Health regarding funding to make their demands come true. We will wait patiently as we always do, expecting all is well and they are just crossing t's and dotting i's.
Will let you know as soon as it happens.
Thanks all for the support and wishes,
Kevin & Christopher
Good Thursday afternoon, Chris has had a wonderful day started out in bed with full stretching routine this morning, then an hour later into the pool for an excellent stretch and sitting session, followed by 30 minute relaxation session in the pool. It was great today we had the pool all to ourselves and the music soothed the whole time.
Out of the water quick change and onto the tilt table for some squats, with Chris really applying himself this morning using some great muscle to move in his squats, then a standing session with some great motor work from the arm and neck, followed with trunk stretches then chest physio.
Chris even helped the unit try out a new pool chair they are buying to make trips for all easier to use, guess it was fitting as he is the one who uses the pool the most.
Still no word on any extension or from
Fraser Health regarding funding to make their demands come true. We will wait patiently as we always do, expecting all is well and they are just crossing t's and dotting i's.
Will let you know as soon as it happens.
Thanks all for the support and wishes,
Kevin & Christopher
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
February 17, 2010
Hello,
It's been a while from the last update, just wanting to pass on some of the days happenings that are currently going on in the background, for Christopher's return home.
We are still waiting for, The Fraser Health Authority to give us approval that guarantees all of the funding to be in place prior to his return home. Once funding is in place, with a written agreement, we will have to find appropriate therapists and set up times for this new system to start properly, as well arrange with the pool at home for times so as not to miss any sessions. I have talk to the therapists there and they are looking forward to working with Chris again and with a more aggressive schedule.
I expect to hear from Fraser Health again at the end of this week as to the status of the plan, I am sure they are all in a state of confusion and scrambling to make it all work. This all so the Minister himself doesn’t look like a fellow who does not know the first thing about health care and to cover up the off the cuff comments he makes. Because someone will always be there to bail him out or to put a spin on it, to make it sound like he knows what it is he is talking about.
The Health Minister’s office and Ministry has caused all of this grief and unrest, mostly due to uneducated people making important decisions on other people’s lives.
We were successful in finding a house that looks like it will suit our needs in providing a rehab area and the living arrangements I have searched for, for so long. The only hold back is the ICBC lawyer who is determined to not forward any funds owing, so Christopher can receive the basics of what he deserves, a place to live and proper set up to do rehab to make his life easier and just plain liveable. Even though we will have to do that rehab and make our own way through this.
It is amazing that we buy insurance to protect ourselves from these horrific accidents from happening. But when we go to collect or expect the insurance company to pay, they put a fight up like everyone is stealing from them, do they just forget that is what insurance is for and we all pay for it, or are we all too complacent and accept the unacceptable. Maybe the government shouldn’t be in the insurance business if that is the case...
Let us not forget that we let these imbeciles make these rules and we let them pay enormous amounts of money to companies and corporations with the excuse that we have to get proper people to run these corporations for our own good. So not only are we being robbed blind by the government and the crown corporations, we get to pay indecent salaries and bonuses to these people to do it to us.
When the going gets tough the government closes the door and refuses to talk, or they hire high priced lawyers to cover their asses. As well let us not forget the spin doctors hired and paid for with our dollars to change or deflect attention from the stories that show the truth. When was the last time you could buy a Mercedes Benz at a discount price, oh wait we all didn’t get that chance because we did not work at the training center. These people who would deny funds to someone who by no fault of their own has had their lives taken from them and is in dire need of funds to ensure that life can go on. But somehow found it to be acceptable that they buy at a deep discount, cars that were written off wrongfully and paid for by the people of this Province who have no choice but to purchase insurance from this clown corporation. The purchase of Olympic tickets used by the same people who deny the basics to those in need. The question keeps coming to mind “what were they thinking” but a close look reveals just that, they don’t think they just waste.
To continue, rehab is the question and there is no negotiating anything that limits it. This is an absolute necessity for Christopher's ability to move forward and his enjoyment of life.
Mr Michael Ragona from the law firm of Alexander Holburn Beudin and Lang Barristers and Solicitors, who have been hired by ICBC to defend the driver in the court case, he has made a demand for terms in order to allow an advance of the money they already owe Christopher. Terms which we can never meet, or have the ability to do so. While all the while he is telling everyone that he's put the advance out for Christopher and he hasn’t taken it. I wonder if the driver was ever asked if he would be ok with Chris being given an advance with no strings attached if it were to help make his life better, I think not.
The point here is the money from the insurance policy is not enough to cover the costs of caring for Chris for more than a couple of years into the future. I think ICBC knows the policy limit will be paid out in full and is owed to Christopher.
But they seem to be led astray (or maybe this was the plan) by a lawyer who has no compassion or feelings for a human life in limbo Christopher in particular. There is no question about the policy and that it is owed, so I don’t know if by ruining not only Chris’ life and mine, he is shutting down a whole family and breaking emotional bonds that are pushed to the limit.
So we may end up with allot of people on stress leave or disability insurance or maybe forced into welfare coverage. Where does the cost to society end, and why does the ICBC management require and pay for services to someone who will end up costing the Province a ton of money in the end. We pay for insurance, we have no choice, we have no choice of the insurer so when this happens they should be front and center doing whatever is required to make things better being honest and settling up front like every British Columbian expects
This refusing to advance a small portion of what is owed from the policy provides nothing positive for any one unless ICBC collecting interest on unpaid money is more important than people’s lives.
Remember that we put the people in charge of ICBC into office and we can take it away. We can change the way the injured get the help they need. If we can stop the dishonesty and big money payouts to lawyers that ruin lives, then we can make life better for all those who are injured in our province. Maybe we could afford to build our own Brain Injury Rehab Center so we don’t have to ship our loved ones out of province for the help we cannot give them here in their own.
The Province has showed its inability to look after its own people, it has showed the health care system run by bureaucrats is dysfunctional and does not provide what the people need. Maybe they should get out of the insurance business completely and then let some of the medical professionals become a part of running a health system they work in and understand!
Talking to ICBC is really like talking to a wall. Cases like this are not rocket science and should be dealt with in a fair, quick and equitable manner taking into consideration the victim, and family and the damage that has been caused as well as all of the other people that this will affect.
Part 7 section has been another ball game, there does seem to be rules for both sides and they do talk and negotiate on issues, more so they have real down to earth people to talk to.
Based on the dealings I have had with ICBC over the last two years I would definitely say if you're in an accident of any kind and must deal with the insurance company get a lawyer. It will not cost you any more to have a lawyer, but you cannot afford to deal straight with them because they are so out of touch with reality.
The lawyer will collect more than you would on your own, his fees in general will be paid by ICBC by way of a bigger award. Maybe when everyone hires a lawyer, for even for the smallest of claims they will get the drift that being honest and trust worthy pays big savings.
ICBC and their management team could step in and take action to make things right, they choose not to.
I would tell anybody in this province if you have ICBC insurance claim, be prepared to fight them tooth and nail every step of the way I don't care if you got a fender bender or small scratch on your car, make sure that you get advice and protection, hire a lawyer to take action on your behalf, it is unbelievable and a daunting task to argue or fight with them and the government every step of the way it almost seems as if they're working hand-in-hand with the health ministry to cut off any kind of funding that we possibly can attain to carry on with Chris's rehab.
ICBC’s lawyer has made some ridiculous comments regarding Christopher and his therapy, the very therapy they are stopping from moving ahead. Here is a quote from him:
“That a Committee be appointed on behalf of Dr. Christopher Bigelow. Such a suggestion is not in any way to be understood as a criticism of the Guardian ad litem, Kevin Bigelow, but our client requires an assurance that the advance will be spent on medical assistance which will be of some benefit to Dr. Bigelow. Again, not meaning to be critical of Kevin Bigelow, from the materials we have at hand, it would appear that the medical assistance so far rendered to Dr. Bigelow has been a little or no assistance in his rehabilitation.” These are the same people who for over two years have refused to give an advance of the money owed to Christopher so we may take advantage of every rehab opportunity.
This is exactly what I talk about with the spin on things, here we have an Insurance company’s lawyer refusing to pay or provide help for over two years. Yet their lawyer can stand up and tell us “from the materials we have at hand, it would appear that the medical assistance so far rendered to Dr. Bigelow has been a little or no assistance in his rehabilitation.” Forgetting that they control the funds and availability of what therapy we can access. That is like telling a homeless person to quit sleeping outside or wondering why a person with no money isn’t eating at the finest restaurants. Like I said earlier so out of touch with reality it isn’t even funny, just scary!
Good bye till tomorrow,
Kevin
It's been a while from the last update, just wanting to pass on some of the days happenings that are currently going on in the background, for Christopher's return home.
We are still waiting for, The Fraser Health Authority to give us approval that guarantees all of the funding to be in place prior to his return home. Once funding is in place, with a written agreement, we will have to find appropriate therapists and set up times for this new system to start properly, as well arrange with the pool at home for times so as not to miss any sessions. I have talk to the therapists there and they are looking forward to working with Chris again and with a more aggressive schedule.
I expect to hear from Fraser Health again at the end of this week as to the status of the plan, I am sure they are all in a state of confusion and scrambling to make it all work. This all so the Minister himself doesn’t look like a fellow who does not know the first thing about health care and to cover up the off the cuff comments he makes. Because someone will always be there to bail him out or to put a spin on it, to make it sound like he knows what it is he is talking about.
The Health Minister’s office and Ministry has caused all of this grief and unrest, mostly due to uneducated people making important decisions on other people’s lives.
We were successful in finding a house that looks like it will suit our needs in providing a rehab area and the living arrangements I have searched for, for so long. The only hold back is the ICBC lawyer who is determined to not forward any funds owing, so Christopher can receive the basics of what he deserves, a place to live and proper set up to do rehab to make his life easier and just plain liveable. Even though we will have to do that rehab and make our own way through this.
It is amazing that we buy insurance to protect ourselves from these horrific accidents from happening. But when we go to collect or expect the insurance company to pay, they put a fight up like everyone is stealing from them, do they just forget that is what insurance is for and we all pay for it, or are we all too complacent and accept the unacceptable. Maybe the government shouldn’t be in the insurance business if that is the case...
Let us not forget that we let these imbeciles make these rules and we let them pay enormous amounts of money to companies and corporations with the excuse that we have to get proper people to run these corporations for our own good. So not only are we being robbed blind by the government and the crown corporations, we get to pay indecent salaries and bonuses to these people to do it to us.
When the going gets tough the government closes the door and refuses to talk, or they hire high priced lawyers to cover their asses. As well let us not forget the spin doctors hired and paid for with our dollars to change or deflect attention from the stories that show the truth. When was the last time you could buy a Mercedes Benz at a discount price, oh wait we all didn’t get that chance because we did not work at the training center. These people who would deny funds to someone who by no fault of their own has had their lives taken from them and is in dire need of funds to ensure that life can go on. But somehow found it to be acceptable that they buy at a deep discount, cars that were written off wrongfully and paid for by the people of this Province who have no choice but to purchase insurance from this clown corporation. The purchase of Olympic tickets used by the same people who deny the basics to those in need. The question keeps coming to mind “what were they thinking” but a close look reveals just that, they don’t think they just waste.
To continue, rehab is the question and there is no negotiating anything that limits it. This is an absolute necessity for Christopher's ability to move forward and his enjoyment of life.
Mr Michael Ragona from the law firm of Alexander Holburn Beudin and Lang Barristers and Solicitors, who have been hired by ICBC to defend the driver in the court case, he has made a demand for terms in order to allow an advance of the money they already owe Christopher. Terms which we can never meet, or have the ability to do so. While all the while he is telling everyone that he's put the advance out for Christopher and he hasn’t taken it. I wonder if the driver was ever asked if he would be ok with Chris being given an advance with no strings attached if it were to help make his life better, I think not.
The point here is the money from the insurance policy is not enough to cover the costs of caring for Chris for more than a couple of years into the future. I think ICBC knows the policy limit will be paid out in full and is owed to Christopher.
But they seem to be led astray (or maybe this was the plan) by a lawyer who has no compassion or feelings for a human life in limbo Christopher in particular. There is no question about the policy and that it is owed, so I don’t know if by ruining not only Chris’ life and mine, he is shutting down a whole family and breaking emotional bonds that are pushed to the limit.
So we may end up with allot of people on stress leave or disability insurance or maybe forced into welfare coverage. Where does the cost to society end, and why does the ICBC management require and pay for services to someone who will end up costing the Province a ton of money in the end. We pay for insurance, we have no choice, we have no choice of the insurer so when this happens they should be front and center doing whatever is required to make things better being honest and settling up front like every British Columbian expects
This refusing to advance a small portion of what is owed from the policy provides nothing positive for any one unless ICBC collecting interest on unpaid money is more important than people’s lives.
Remember that we put the people in charge of ICBC into office and we can take it away. We can change the way the injured get the help they need. If we can stop the dishonesty and big money payouts to lawyers that ruin lives, then we can make life better for all those who are injured in our province. Maybe we could afford to build our own Brain Injury Rehab Center so we don’t have to ship our loved ones out of province for the help we cannot give them here in their own.
The Province has showed its inability to look after its own people, it has showed the health care system run by bureaucrats is dysfunctional and does not provide what the people need. Maybe they should get out of the insurance business completely and then let some of the medical professionals become a part of running a health system they work in and understand!
Talking to ICBC is really like talking to a wall. Cases like this are not rocket science and should be dealt with in a fair, quick and equitable manner taking into consideration the victim, and family and the damage that has been caused as well as all of the other people that this will affect.
Part 7 section has been another ball game, there does seem to be rules for both sides and they do talk and negotiate on issues, more so they have real down to earth people to talk to.
Based on the dealings I have had with ICBC over the last two years I would definitely say if you're in an accident of any kind and must deal with the insurance company get a lawyer. It will not cost you any more to have a lawyer, but you cannot afford to deal straight with them because they are so out of touch with reality.
The lawyer will collect more than you would on your own, his fees in general will be paid by ICBC by way of a bigger award. Maybe when everyone hires a lawyer, for even for the smallest of claims they will get the drift that being honest and trust worthy pays big savings.
ICBC and their management team could step in and take action to make things right, they choose not to.
I would tell anybody in this province if you have ICBC insurance claim, be prepared to fight them tooth and nail every step of the way I don't care if you got a fender bender or small scratch on your car, make sure that you get advice and protection, hire a lawyer to take action on your behalf, it is unbelievable and a daunting task to argue or fight with them and the government every step of the way it almost seems as if they're working hand-in-hand with the health ministry to cut off any kind of funding that we possibly can attain to carry on with Chris's rehab.
ICBC’s lawyer has made some ridiculous comments regarding Christopher and his therapy, the very therapy they are stopping from moving ahead. Here is a quote from him:
“That a Committee be appointed on behalf of Dr. Christopher Bigelow. Such a suggestion is not in any way to be understood as a criticism of the Guardian ad litem, Kevin Bigelow, but our client requires an assurance that the advance will be spent on medical assistance which will be of some benefit to Dr. Bigelow. Again, not meaning to be critical of Kevin Bigelow, from the materials we have at hand, it would appear that the medical assistance so far rendered to Dr. Bigelow has been a little or no assistance in his rehabilitation.” These are the same people who for over two years have refused to give an advance of the money owed to Christopher so we may take advantage of every rehab opportunity.
This is exactly what I talk about with the spin on things, here we have an Insurance company’s lawyer refusing to pay or provide help for over two years. Yet their lawyer can stand up and tell us “from the materials we have at hand, it would appear that the medical assistance so far rendered to Dr. Bigelow has been a little or no assistance in his rehabilitation.” Forgetting that they control the funds and availability of what therapy we can access. That is like telling a homeless person to quit sleeping outside or wondering why a person with no money isn’t eating at the finest restaurants. Like I said earlier so out of touch with reality it isn’t even funny, just scary!
Good bye till tomorrow,
Kevin
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Thursday February 11, 2010
Hey all,
Good day today no tension, no interference just workouts and relaxing pool sessions.
Chris had a good day and a very active physio time. He seems stronger and stonger week by week, let’s hope all the government bungling and haphazard ways of dealing with all this, doesn't cut into or affect his therapy any more than it already has.
We probably won't know anything more about how this is unfolding until next week as long as they keep their word. Lots more to tell on this but I will wait and give them a chance to do what they are saying they will do. All too often it is just lip service and more wasted time. Let’s wait, hope and see.
Ponoka news will do an update next week as well as local papers hopefully we will have good news to print rather than more pleading.
I will weigh in on the ICBC saga in the next update, still trying to digest the latest unbelievable, in fact ridiculous comments coming from the ICBC lawyer. He basically has set a condition that is unattainable and he knows that this will block Chris' chance at any access to funds to help with rehab and house alterations.
If I wasn't so overwhelmed with an abundance of crap to look after every day, I could write about the wrongs all day. I truly hope by the time we are finished there will be an open pathway for others to use and not have to fight every step of the way.
Goodnight,
Kevin
Good day today no tension, no interference just workouts and relaxing pool sessions.
Chris had a good day and a very active physio time. He seems stronger and stonger week by week, let’s hope all the government bungling and haphazard ways of dealing with all this, doesn't cut into or affect his therapy any more than it already has.
We probably won't know anything more about how this is unfolding until next week as long as they keep their word. Lots more to tell on this but I will wait and give them a chance to do what they are saying they will do. All too often it is just lip service and more wasted time. Let’s wait, hope and see.
Ponoka news will do an update next week as well as local papers hopefully we will have good news to print rather than more pleading.
I will weigh in on the ICBC saga in the next update, still trying to digest the latest unbelievable, in fact ridiculous comments coming from the ICBC lawyer. He basically has set a condition that is unattainable and he knows that this will block Chris' chance at any access to funds to help with rehab and house alterations.
If I wasn't so overwhelmed with an abundance of crap to look after every day, I could write about the wrongs all day. I truly hope by the time we are finished there will be an open pathway for others to use and not have to fight every step of the way.
Goodnight,
Kevin
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
February 10, 2010 second part
On a separate topic, the help and aid that we have been waiting for two years, from ICBC is now even further away. The lawyer for ICBC has put conditions on that are beyond our control, they will never be able to be met. This makes quite a statement, that ICBC is not prepared to help with rehab or help Chris to move forward, even though he was a passenger in a car insured by this insurance monopoly.
I still believe that ICBC has been working behind the scenes with health ministry and possibly the other defendants lawyers. The amazing thing through all of this is the inability of ICBC and the ministry of health to actually sit down and talk about what is needed and how we can work around all of these things to keep Chris moving forward.
They just don't care.
Once I get the papers together I will post the quotes from this lawyer and you will see what we're dealing with.
Kevin
I still believe that ICBC has been working behind the scenes with health ministry and possibly the other defendants lawyers. The amazing thing through all of this is the inability of ICBC and the ministry of health to actually sit down and talk about what is needed and how we can work around all of these things to keep Chris moving forward.
They just don't care.
Once I get the papers together I will post the quotes from this lawyer and you will see what we're dealing with.
Kevin
February 10, 2010
Hello again,
Just a quick update on the teleconference between Fraser health and the facility in Ponoka.
Not a whole lot decided, I think they got all of their questions answered and are waiting for word on a temporary extension, so they can finish getting all of the parts together that they're going to need to accomplish the goal of building Christopher a rehab regimen similar to that in Ponoka.
I will have to wait and see if it really is possible. From the conversations it's easy to understand it is very few people in BC who can treat brain injury effectively or properly. They just don't seem to be able to comprehend how BIG the little things are and what a change they can make up. The funny thing is, is that they do not really realize exactly what is being done in Ponoka, they are trying to reproduce something they don't really understand.
During the meeting they did agree that there is no facility in BC that can provide Chris with the care that he needs and hence the trial and error process of piecing it together. February 15 was the discharge date pretty carelessly given out by the ministry of health, I guess they didn't quite realize all the work that goes in to brain injury therapy, well they're learning now.
Upon inquiry the ministry of health has stated that Fraser health has the authority to extend Chris's stay while this gets sorted out, Fraser health says they don't have the authority, and they need another letter asking the ministry to extend his stay.
They now say they will need a letter from another doctor in BC asking for an extension, they propose to ask a new Dr. for this letter even though this Dr. has never met Christopher or have any idea of his treatment. I have asked them to resubmit the letter from Dr. Diggles again which was a very direct and concise letter.
Did I mention the left-hand right-hand confusion previously?
This is such a tedious and drawn out process, with no thinking, no planning and no looking to the future. It really is scary to think that our provincial health authorities are left to look after us(to the best of their abilities).
I did have a look at a facility that they're proposing to take Chris to, the staff and the lady in charge that I met with seemed to know what they are doing and run a safe and productive facility for Chris to stay at temporarily, while we tried to figure out all of the stumbling blocks with the house.
As long as I can pick out and hire the therapists, and the funding comes through for all the missing pieces this all should come together and work.
It's going to be a waiting process again hopefully the decisions will be made sometime late next week. I will keep you informed as things progress. I really do not see how this can all be put together in less than 4 to 6 weeks, we will see.
Bye for now,
Kevin
Just a quick update on the teleconference between Fraser health and the facility in Ponoka.
Not a whole lot decided, I think they got all of their questions answered and are waiting for word on a temporary extension, so they can finish getting all of the parts together that they're going to need to accomplish the goal of building Christopher a rehab regimen similar to that in Ponoka.
I will have to wait and see if it really is possible. From the conversations it's easy to understand it is very few people in BC who can treat brain injury effectively or properly. They just don't seem to be able to comprehend how BIG the little things are and what a change they can make up. The funny thing is, is that they do not really realize exactly what is being done in Ponoka, they are trying to reproduce something they don't really understand.
During the meeting they did agree that there is no facility in BC that can provide Chris with the care that he needs and hence the trial and error process of piecing it together. February 15 was the discharge date pretty carelessly given out by the ministry of health, I guess they didn't quite realize all the work that goes in to brain injury therapy, well they're learning now.
Upon inquiry the ministry of health has stated that Fraser health has the authority to extend Chris's stay while this gets sorted out, Fraser health says they don't have the authority, and they need another letter asking the ministry to extend his stay.
They now say they will need a letter from another doctor in BC asking for an extension, they propose to ask a new Dr. for this letter even though this Dr. has never met Christopher or have any idea of his treatment. I have asked them to resubmit the letter from Dr. Diggles again which was a very direct and concise letter.
Did I mention the left-hand right-hand confusion previously?
This is such a tedious and drawn out process, with no thinking, no planning and no looking to the future. It really is scary to think that our provincial health authorities are left to look after us(to the best of their abilities).
I did have a look at a facility that they're proposing to take Chris to, the staff and the lady in charge that I met with seemed to know what they are doing and run a safe and productive facility for Chris to stay at temporarily, while we tried to figure out all of the stumbling blocks with the house.
As long as I can pick out and hire the therapists, and the funding comes through for all the missing pieces this all should come together and work.
It's going to be a waiting process again hopefully the decisions will be made sometime late next week. I will keep you informed as things progress. I really do not see how this can all be put together in less than 4 to 6 weeks, we will see.
Bye for now,
Kevin
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Thursday, February 4, 2010 Afternoon Report
Good afternoon,
All this talk and worry has lessened the amount of information regarding Christopher and his therapy. I would like to say that every day is still exceptional here. When frustration sets in we can go to the pool and relax, when activity is high we can get on the tilt table and do the unbelievable, when we are tired we kick back in the chair and watch the sports. The changes that I see working every day with Chris are remarkable, the abilities that he tries so hard to show, I know with his effort he will get stronger and stronger with every day's work. This has been an exceptional week for physio, Chris is showing lots more strength in neck and back control.
I am looking forward to getting Chris home, to getting our house set up sooner than later, hopefully getting past the stalling tactics of the lawyer from ICBC. And finally getting the gym and the equipment in place so that therapy can happen when it needs to happen and not restricted by time constraints. I know with the improvements that Chris has come to know, that they will grow and will continue to get stronger when around family and all the friends that I know he misses dearly.
I only hope that after cancelling all of our progress and program here, that the offerings of Mr Falcon's ministry to put together a rehab plan that matches this one in Ponoka materialize and come through. This is the one time in my life where I have to say, "I'll believe it when I see it" just because of the empty promises. My beliefs have always been "you will see it when you believe it", this holds true more than ever when it comes to Chris and what he can do and what we will be able to do .
It will be a very exciting time to be able to be around friends and family once again and provide a productive and positive environment to grow in.
We are going to leave you today with a link to the Edmonton Journal to some research being done I believe in Belgium and England with an functional MRI scanner that picks up brain waves that enables people to communicate through their thoughts showing that just because you lose your motor skills does not mean you should be forgotten and left in a corner.
http://www.edmontonjournal.com/health/Brain+dead+patient+speaks+through+scanner/2520711/story.html
In this world all things are possible have faith in never say never. There is one anecdotal note, if you are going to have a belief system like this, you have to walk the walk not just talk the talk and I believe there's a lot of families out there prepared to take that journey if given the chance.
Goodbye until tomorrow,
Kevin and Christopher
All this talk and worry has lessened the amount of information regarding Christopher and his therapy. I would like to say that every day is still exceptional here. When frustration sets in we can go to the pool and relax, when activity is high we can get on the tilt table and do the unbelievable, when we are tired we kick back in the chair and watch the sports. The changes that I see working every day with Chris are remarkable, the abilities that he tries so hard to show, I know with his effort he will get stronger and stronger with every day's work. This has been an exceptional week for physio, Chris is showing lots more strength in neck and back control.
I am looking forward to getting Chris home, to getting our house set up sooner than later, hopefully getting past the stalling tactics of the lawyer from ICBC. And finally getting the gym and the equipment in place so that therapy can happen when it needs to happen and not restricted by time constraints. I know with the improvements that Chris has come to know, that they will grow and will continue to get stronger when around family and all the friends that I know he misses dearly.
I only hope that after cancelling all of our progress and program here, that the offerings of Mr Falcon's ministry to put together a rehab plan that matches this one in Ponoka materialize and come through. This is the one time in my life where I have to say, "I'll believe it when I see it" just because of the empty promises. My beliefs have always been "you will see it when you believe it", this holds true more than ever when it comes to Chris and what he can do and what we will be able to do .
It will be a very exciting time to be able to be around friends and family once again and provide a productive and positive environment to grow in.
We are going to leave you today with a link to the Edmonton Journal to some research being done I believe in Belgium and England with an functional MRI scanner that picks up brain waves that enables people to communicate through their thoughts showing that just because you lose your motor skills does not mean you should be forgotten and left in a corner.
http://www.edmontonjournal.com/health/Brain+dead+patient+speaks+through+scanner/2520711/story.html
In this world all things are possible have faith in never say never. There is one anecdotal note, if you are going to have a belief system like this, you have to walk the walk not just talk the talk and I believe there's a lot of families out there prepared to take that journey if given the chance.
Goodbye until tomorrow,
Kevin and Christopher
February 4, 2010
February 4, 2010
Sorry for the delay in information, the government is pretty determined to bring Christopher back no matter whats said no matter how much of their rhetoric is dispelled or proven false, no matter how many new stories no matter how much information we made public they just simply close the door and go along their merry way, without a thought of those in need. I do believe that the people in the ministry of health realized they have a health minister who shoots off at the mouth without using his brain, making accusations of things he really knows nothing about. One consoling part is that I really do believe there are caring thoughtful people that care that actually work using common sense in departments that will have to make this all work. Basically covering up all of the ridiculous comments made by the minister, too bad they have to waste extra time covering for mistakes rather than using their day and precious dollars to look after the enormous workload they already have. Where exactly did all the money for the Olympics come from, better yet all the shortfalls that had to be paid over and above the original cost.
We've been working with people from Fraser health to try to come to an agreement for Chris's therapy when he returns home. Although it's still all up in the air and very confusing, the people we are talking to at Fraser health seem to care and are trying. For the next while I will have a lot of trouble trusting anybody that works for the province of BC, as I have been given vague or no information, misled and my trust betrayed and covered with untruths.
Through all of this my main goal and my only purpose was for Chris's well-being and what will give him the best tools and environment to move forward in. Meeting all of the wonderful people that I've met through this journey I cannot help but to make them my purpose through promoting the same needs for them as I am for Christopher.
Through all of this arguing, fighting and unrest I have come to see the tremendous amount of injuries to not just people in our community or province, but realize that brain injuries are everywhere they are devastating, life altering experiences. When it happens to you, you will have to bend and sway with the pressures, or you will simply break. I will not stop speaking, I will not stop promoting until there's a place that everyone has access to for their journey through rehab.
Must run therapy is about to start will update this afternoon regarding Chris's therapies.
Bye for now,
Kevin
Sorry for the delay in information, the government is pretty determined to bring Christopher back no matter whats said no matter how much of their rhetoric is dispelled or proven false, no matter how many new stories no matter how much information we made public they just simply close the door and go along their merry way, without a thought of those in need. I do believe that the people in the ministry of health realized they have a health minister who shoots off at the mouth without using his brain, making accusations of things he really knows nothing about. One consoling part is that I really do believe there are caring thoughtful people that care that actually work using common sense in departments that will have to make this all work. Basically covering up all of the ridiculous comments made by the minister, too bad they have to waste extra time covering for mistakes rather than using their day and precious dollars to look after the enormous workload they already have. Where exactly did all the money for the Olympics come from, better yet all the shortfalls that had to be paid over and above the original cost.
We've been working with people from Fraser health to try to come to an agreement for Chris's therapy when he returns home. Although it's still all up in the air and very confusing, the people we are talking to at Fraser health seem to care and are trying. For the next while I will have a lot of trouble trusting anybody that works for the province of BC, as I have been given vague or no information, misled and my trust betrayed and covered with untruths.
Through all of this my main goal and my only purpose was for Chris's well-being and what will give him the best tools and environment to move forward in. Meeting all of the wonderful people that I've met through this journey I cannot help but to make them my purpose through promoting the same needs for them as I am for Christopher.
Through all of this arguing, fighting and unrest I have come to see the tremendous amount of injuries to not just people in our community or province, but realize that brain injuries are everywhere they are devastating, life altering experiences. When it happens to you, you will have to bend and sway with the pressures, or you will simply break. I will not stop speaking, I will not stop promoting until there's a place that everyone has access to for their journey through rehab.
Must run therapy is about to start will update this afternoon regarding Chris's therapies.
Bye for now,
Kevin
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