Sunday, September 26, 2010

End of summer update

Hello,


Few things have been happening in the late days of summer. Chris did make it out to a couple of weddings, his cousin’s and one of his good friend’s.

He attended a BBQ at the pool he does his water therapy at last weekend the 19th.
Also went with Shelley a couple of weeks before that to a family day BBQ.

His Therapy has been moving forward with good strides, never as fast as I would have it, I just have to keep repeating to myself everything in moderation and remember he can not go as strong as before his injury.

Thank to all who made the effort to come and visit as I know the sound of all your voices stories made a difference this week. Hope to see all of you over the next month.

We are presently trying to obtain privately all of the necessary equipment Chris requires and were promised we would get when we got home, they just didn’t tell us we would have to get in line and wait and wait and wait. Waiting is not my strong point government interference and stalling is my pet peeve. So I guess I will do what has become my every day requirement in this post accident life that is to go forward with out delay and walk over the hills or through the mountains to get what Chris needs even if it requires begging or embarrassing those who deny the needs of others.
The latter seems to work with those in power positions as they treat funds and programs as if they were their own to distribute!

We have to date been turned down for all the equipment or tools we have asked for even though the therapists have applied for endless others and they are not turned down.

Most of these denial letters do not give names or telephone numbers to contact nor do they tell you what papers or documents are missing, so there is no way to fine tune or shorten your wait you must apply all over again and again and again! No wonder so many people give up and turn away (I believe this is what is hoped for from the ministry). Ever wonder what the government does with all the program monies that are never paid out to those who need them. Just think of the millions of dollars they have to spend on other more important things like Olympics, political parties!!!

All of the federal and provincial programs are designed so if you are disabled and have no one to fight and beg for you, you go without too bad for you?

Our provincial government goes on TV to tell us of all the wonderful programs and additions they are putting in place for us, but unless you are someone who needs it you will never see the bungling and waste that goes on day in and day out.

On the positive side, I took Chris out to one of the companies I met at the rehab trade show that was held in Vancouver a couple of weeks ago, to get measured for his own standing frame that will allow him to gain strength in his legs and trunk as well as balance. They also make chairs and additional seating options so his days can be more varied and accommodating to his requirements for more comfort.

Speech therapist is working closely with the other therapists and people from GF Strong to bring in some of the technology I have been ranting about for so long.

All in all each week we make more progress, moving forward to overcome our disabilities instead of wallowing in them.

Fraser Health still has rumblings going on, staying on top of them and ahead in knowledge has not been the problem, instead it is the nagging ongoing waste of time and money they represent, as well to many levels to the management structure, to many people with time on their hands and no purpose in their hearts. Maybe we will be in for a house cleaning before long as the waste can not go on like this forever; political unhappiness in this province is going to rumble through the system before very long. Even the suppliers of the needed equipment for the disabled have been told of countless cut back to equipment and lists of needed equipment they will no longer pay for even when backed by doctors and therapist’s letters and reports.


For those who did not read the Sunday morning Province newspaper, the story on A6 about
Will Campbell, will give you some insight as to what we are up against with ICBC.

In this story it is the same Lawyer, Michael Ragona QC and the Law firm Alexander Holburn Beaudin and Lang, which he is apparently a partner, that has been assigned in Chris’ case to block any money or funds to help with alterations to our house or to make Chris a home so he can get back to his family and be with the people he should be with. ICBC is responsible for all of the short falls and bullshit we have had to endure. We have made endless requests but to no avail they simply do not have to listen because there is no accountability for ICBC or it managers and adjusters. Looking from the outside they have done a gross injustice to the driver of the vehicle who they supposedly represent, as well as to Chris and his deserving requests for assistance, assistance which by the way has been given in countless other cases, just not ours for some reason. That reason will remain unknown because there is no accountability!

Once we started our fight to get Chris what he needed out of the medical system, ICBC hired this guy and shut down all talks with us and to this day refuse to discuss and advances or assistance. Even though Chris’ personal information was passed around through the ministries without our consent, makes you wonder how secure all your information is with them, doesn’t it?

All I can do is stay the course, stay focused and what ever changes I can help make, hopefully will make it better for everyone in need.

Till next time, remember Chris would love to see all of you!

Good bye,

Kevin

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi Kevin:

Kim Harris here, Norm Gagatek's wife. Minister Falcon was in Invermere yesterday on the downlow. I recieved a tip that he was coming in to tour our new ER at the hospital.
I rounded up a small group for a protest. He stopped and spoke with us briefly, listened to whatever I could get out in 5 min., then proceeded to announce that the Ministry is giving 25 million dollars for brain injury. My response was guarded and told him that was a good start. Now that they are "invested" financially, the gate is open and we are going to push our way in until a facility like H.J. is up and running in BC.
Happy Thanksgiving and my best to your family.
Kim

Anonymous said...

Hi Kevin & Chris,

I am on the board of directors for the BC Brain Injury Association. We are hosting our annual fundraiser on November 15, 2010. We would be honoured if you would be our guests.

Regards,

June
june.jeffries@telus.net

Andrew said...

Hi Kevin:

I read this morning in the Globa and Mail, it was front page and sounds very promising:

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/technology/science/vegetative-patients-may-be-aware-newly-recruited-researcher-says/article1779227/

Take care
Andrew A