I will start by saying, saying sorry for the delays just doesn’t cut it, so….. I am not apologizing for the delays you just have to know it is a very busy time and I will do my best to update as frequently as possible. I will add in smaller updates as they occur so they are brief and cover all that is happening.
So things have been moving forward and upwards, not as fast as I want but in the big picture, fast in comparison to all the crap that has been thrown at us. As long as we can walk around, through or over the crap and keep the peddle to the medal for what Chris needs it is good, life is good, it really is how you play the game.(of life).
New meanings for everything I have encountered and everything Chris has had to endure. I am still in an impatient frame of mind when it comes to new things happening, then I remember what my cousin quietly told me. If you plant seeds in the garden they do not grow over night, but if you nurture and tend to their needs and have a whole lot of undeniable belief in what you are doing or planting those seeds they will grow and develop, even without all your worry!
So onto the update…….. We have a standing frame that works perfect for Chris and have applied for funding for it. We have purchased a Lazy Boy chair and it has added a great break during hectic days it is big enough to allow his niece and nephew to sit in with him.. Speech has been going great, Chris has started on yogurts and mashed potato with gravy and some other soft foods and water. A cold has set in and put things on hold for a few days. Chris made it out for thanksgiving dinner and for Halloween, he even got to trek around with his niece and nephew for a while during their trick or treat time. He just got measured for new orthotics for his feet which will make standing a lot easier and more effective.
Funny, nothing we need, can we have, we have to beg and grovel for extended periods then maybe if we are lucky we will get the funds or portion of what is needed.
For this reason I will never forgive or forget ICBC and their walk away attitude nor the health system that wanted to walk away and wash their hands of our problem. They have the power to help to make this journey a little less painful if that’s possible, but they choose not to, they would rather have us drag it through the courts for several years so they can collect interest on the money that would change Chris’ quality of life for the better today I hope none of them are in this situation and have to deal with the same BS.
Here are a couple of links for you to check out pretty cool stuff.
http://www.cbc.ca/asithappens/episode/2010/11/03/wednesday-november-3-2010/
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/technology/science/vegetative-patients-may-be-aware-newly-recruited-researcher-says/article1779227/
Thank you all,
Kevin and Chris
Thursday, November 4, 2010
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
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
Thursday, September 9, 2010
I know, long overdue
Hello All,
I was reminded by the people in Santa Barbara that they keep informed by reading the blog. My not posting through the summer more than I have is due to things running a little smoother, the pace at which things have been happening or not. I promise to at least tell a little each week if not each day. As things progress I will update immediately.
Chris was out to his good friend's wedding on September 3, 2010. That Friday Michele and I took Chris to Scott’s wedding at Crescent Beach Park and then to the reception in Richmond. Thank you Scott for the Invitation and not forgetting that although Chris can not talk he knows everything around him and showed the emotion during your wedding,
I have found that allot of people have excluded Chris from their lives; I am sure because they do not know how to deal with the change. He is still that same loveable Chris struggling to speak, struggling painstakingly to get movement back to break free from the prison he has been left to.
Please all of you remember when you visit do not make special conditions, treat Chris like Chris; he needs to know that you understand, more so that people see the progress he has made, and not all for nothing.
I can only imagine the pain and loneliness that he experienced trapped inside watching the system try to shut him down and push him aside these last few years. I have felt and lived it, you don’t know what it is like to have one so dear and close to your heart ripped from you all to soon, I not only felt that I lost my son, but my best friend. This is not the end, but the beginning for nothing could have prepared us for this, but we both can see that change is possible and not just for us, but to use what we have learned to help others from the inside out.
But the fights that have been fought, the knowledge that has been consumed and the understanding of brain injury has made me so dam determined to give him every chance and access to all avenues to fight his way back and eventually to tell his story.
It is all to long a road to walk alone, I thank Michele for staying close but for understanding the bond we have and giving me all the room and help I need, she really has been the glue with my family that has kept me together and focused on Chris and his needs.
I recall him telling me how lonely it was at med school and with missing family and friends while in residency away from home. His biggest joy was to return home to be with family and friends he missed so much.
Without being to forward or pushy Chris really does need the support of all of you now, his progress continues each day. You can feel the emotion and passion when someone whom he has not seen or heard from for a while shows up to say hello or help out.
We are getting help from the therapists from GF Strong with our speech needs thanks to Alisa the speech therapist who has worked incredibly hard since Chris was returned home all too soon.
Heather (not our Ponoka Heather who helped start it all) but our home Heather, she has taken the ball passed from Ponoka and carried it well, she has immense insight and feelings of Chris’ needs and pushes each day to strive further working to strengthening him so he can move forward in other areas. Included in the thanks are for Chris' help when I am not there, Joanne and the people at aqua-therapy. More equipment and software I hope will soon be ours to access even if we keep getting turned down by the different ministries for funding as we have been. Some where we will find the funds to get what is needed.
My not being up to date with the information on Chris has reminded me of the phenomenal amount of fantastic people following and keeping tabs on us, again sorry to all of you who check in each day and find nothing new. I will endeavour to be more consistent, I am sure you can appreciate the difficulty with time, watching and fighting the system that Chris can not defend himself against, look after all his needs now and for the future as well trying to work since being home catching up after a couple of years away. I am doing my best and Chris is keeping me on that track. So I will end with a last thank you to all of you and a special thanks to the doctors who worked with Chris who are always there to help and support when needed, you can not put into words what it all means to have that support.
THANK YOU SO MUCH,
Kevin and Chris
I was reminded by the people in Santa Barbara that they keep informed by reading the blog. My not posting through the summer more than I have is due to things running a little smoother, the pace at which things have been happening or not. I promise to at least tell a little each week if not each day. As things progress I will update immediately.
Chris was out to his good friend's wedding on September 3, 2010. That Friday Michele and I took Chris to Scott’s wedding at Crescent Beach Park and then to the reception in Richmond. Thank you Scott for the Invitation and not forgetting that although Chris can not talk he knows everything around him and showed the emotion during your wedding,
I have found that allot of people have excluded Chris from their lives; I am sure because they do not know how to deal with the change. He is still that same loveable Chris struggling to speak, struggling painstakingly to get movement back to break free from the prison he has been left to.
Please all of you remember when you visit do not make special conditions, treat Chris like Chris; he needs to know that you understand, more so that people see the progress he has made, and not all for nothing.
I can only imagine the pain and loneliness that he experienced trapped inside watching the system try to shut him down and push him aside these last few years. I have felt and lived it, you don’t know what it is like to have one so dear and close to your heart ripped from you all to soon, I not only felt that I lost my son, but my best friend. This is not the end, but the beginning for nothing could have prepared us for this, but we both can see that change is possible and not just for us, but to use what we have learned to help others from the inside out.
But the fights that have been fought, the knowledge that has been consumed and the understanding of brain injury has made me so dam determined to give him every chance and access to all avenues to fight his way back and eventually to tell his story.
It is all to long a road to walk alone, I thank Michele for staying close but for understanding the bond we have and giving me all the room and help I need, she really has been the glue with my family that has kept me together and focused on Chris and his needs.
I recall him telling me how lonely it was at med school and with missing family and friends while in residency away from home. His biggest joy was to return home to be with family and friends he missed so much.
Without being to forward or pushy Chris really does need the support of all of you now, his progress continues each day. You can feel the emotion and passion when someone whom he has not seen or heard from for a while shows up to say hello or help out.
We are getting help from the therapists from GF Strong with our speech needs thanks to Alisa the speech therapist who has worked incredibly hard since Chris was returned home all too soon.
Heather (not our Ponoka Heather who helped start it all) but our home Heather, she has taken the ball passed from Ponoka and carried it well, she has immense insight and feelings of Chris’ needs and pushes each day to strive further working to strengthening him so he can move forward in other areas. Included in the thanks are for Chris' help when I am not there, Joanne and the people at aqua-therapy. More equipment and software I hope will soon be ours to access even if we keep getting turned down by the different ministries for funding as we have been. Some where we will find the funds to get what is needed.
My not being up to date with the information on Chris has reminded me of the phenomenal amount of fantastic people following and keeping tabs on us, again sorry to all of you who check in each day and find nothing new. I will endeavour to be more consistent, I am sure you can appreciate the difficulty with time, watching and fighting the system that Chris can not defend himself against, look after all his needs now and for the future as well trying to work since being home catching up after a couple of years away. I am doing my best and Chris is keeping me on that track. So I will end with a last thank you to all of you and a special thanks to the doctors who worked with Chris who are always there to help and support when needed, you can not put into words what it all means to have that support.
THANK YOU SO MUCH,
Kevin and Chris
Thursday, August 26, 2010
A little reading material
Hello again,
A little reading material,
This site was forwarded to me with the comment “But who reads it?” I do appreciate the information it reinforces the fact that others are as concerned about the lack of resources and knowledge to deal with Brain Injury as I am, but feel the despair in the lack of acknowledgement of Brain Injury and what is needed. This report I believe was prepared around 2000-2002 and has little impact on the current way we deal with Brian Injury. It is a vicious circle as we try to identify and change, but spend valuable rehab dollars getting reports and studies to tell those, who are not listening or do not care, what they need to do to effect change. Time has come to fund the care givers and front line workers in Brain Injury so real change can happen!
It is a long read if you are up to it browse through see where your tax dollars are being spent but not providing any benefit!
http://www.health.gov.bc.ca/library/publications/year/2002/MHA_Brain_Injury_Guidelines.pdf
Excerpts from the above:
For families and significant others, the effects are equally devastating. There is a struggle
to understand the full impact of the brain injury on the loved one, issues of grief, loss and intimacy, reorientation of roles and responsibilities within the family and the impact on one’s own coping skills and resourcefulness. The costs to society are enormous, not only for care, treatment and rehabilitation but also in lost productivity, the personal contribution to society and the generational impact on the community.
Persons with brain injury receive a range of services from acute care to institutional rehabilitation and community-based support services (who are they kidding). Acute care and hospital-based rehabilitation services for persons who have brain injuries are reasonably accessible in British Columbia (not in our province wonder where they investigated?). However, persons with brain injuries often (always) experience difficulties in obtaining the community services many of them subsequently require.
The estimates for traumatic brain injury (an injury to the brain resulting from a blunt instrument or other cause) range from 100/100,000 to 200/100,000. Using a rate of 150/100,000, this translates into about 6,000 traumatic brain injuries. Based on US statistics, about 20% of individuals will die as a result of a traumatic brain injury before reaching a hospital, which translates into a surviving 4,800 individuals with traumatic brain injuries in the province. Of these remaining 4,800 individuals, the following has been observed, based on US statistics:
• 3,840 will acquire a mild brain injury, requiring services in 10% to 18% of the cases (384 to 691);
• 480 will acquire a moderate brain injury and 7% (34) of these will die. Of the remaining 446, one-third (47) will have no disability and two-thirds (399) will have a disability; and,
• 480 will acquire a severe brain injury - 50% (240) will die. All the remaining 240 will have a disability.
Think of the odds if you are one of the 480 as Chris is, to survive and being able to start communicating when given the proper tools and assistance and support. This is where the government and Fraser Health wanted to shove him into care extended care home in front of a TV for the rest of his life. He is now showing us he is still the same Chris inside wanting to get out and tell his story, with his medical training I am surprised the fumbling and bungling has not killed him. This is exactly what is needed to change if you can fight through all the perils and percentages of death that we predict even though we are only guessing because we truly do not understand human capabilities and what we do not understand we make up or disregard.
My friends this is a lifetime fight not only for Chris and I but for all of you as you age or injuries happen in your life. We are all human and open to injury and having to deal with the system that does not work, but continues to spend all of our resources and most it with no accountability.
This leaves 1,023 to 1,330 people of all ages requiring rehabilitation every year as a result
of a traumatic brain injury. There is minimal data to determine exactly how many require services as a result of a non-traumatic brain injury. An estimate in Alberta places the number at 40% of the total number of individuals who receive a traumatic brain injury (409 to 532). Extrapolating this to the population in British Columbia, this brings the total to between 1,432 to 1,862 British Columbians requiring rehabilitation for Brain Injury services per year.
Chris is still striving to live, to be heard, to be understood and teaching us all what a fighter and believer he is through all of this despair and frightening experiences he has endured through the system.
Can you imagine having to go this alone, dealing with health authorities that tell you there is nothing they can do, and yet every step of this fight we have proven them wrong.
When will justice be served and those in postions of abusing power and denying access be tossed and those with insight and knowledge be allowed to spread and bring badly needed change to this extremely underfunded area.
I would hope that all Chris’ dedication and commitment to medicine was not going to be lost after this terrible injury, I do now believe that Chris can make tremendous changes in the medical system from his first hand experience and fight.
We only have to think a few years ago at the vibrant, extremely smart, knowledgeable, and loving personality that was a part of our lives, none of that has changed, only we have, looking at him as though he is not the same or able to understand us.
Try giving him the time and love he showed all of us and he will still make you laugh, cry, and see another part of you that you don’t even know exists! Remember he is only a short drive away from any of us and is badly in need of all those familiar voices and friends he held so dear!!!!
Thank you again for your time and patients and most of all your understanding!
Kevin and Dr. Christopher Bigelow
A little reading material,
This site was forwarded to me with the comment “But who reads it?” I do appreciate the information it reinforces the fact that others are as concerned about the lack of resources and knowledge to deal with Brain Injury as I am, but feel the despair in the lack of acknowledgement of Brain Injury and what is needed. This report I believe was prepared around 2000-2002 and has little impact on the current way we deal with Brian Injury. It is a vicious circle as we try to identify and change, but spend valuable rehab dollars getting reports and studies to tell those, who are not listening or do not care, what they need to do to effect change. Time has come to fund the care givers and front line workers in Brain Injury so real change can happen!
It is a long read if you are up to it browse through see where your tax dollars are being spent but not providing any benefit!
http://www.health.gov.bc.ca/library/publications/year/2002/MHA_Brain_Injury_Guidelines.pdf
Excerpts from the above:
For families and significant others, the effects are equally devastating. There is a struggle
to understand the full impact of the brain injury on the loved one, issues of grief, loss and intimacy, reorientation of roles and responsibilities within the family and the impact on one’s own coping skills and resourcefulness. The costs to society are enormous, not only for care, treatment and rehabilitation but also in lost productivity, the personal contribution to society and the generational impact on the community.
Persons with brain injury receive a range of services from acute care to institutional rehabilitation and community-based support services (who are they kidding). Acute care and hospital-based rehabilitation services for persons who have brain injuries are reasonably accessible in British Columbia (not in our province wonder where they investigated?). However, persons with brain injuries often (always) experience difficulties in obtaining the community services many of them subsequently require.
The estimates for traumatic brain injury (an injury to the brain resulting from a blunt instrument or other cause) range from 100/100,000 to 200/100,000. Using a rate of 150/100,000, this translates into about 6,000 traumatic brain injuries. Based on US statistics, about 20% of individuals will die as a result of a traumatic brain injury before reaching a hospital, which translates into a surviving 4,800 individuals with traumatic brain injuries in the province. Of these remaining 4,800 individuals, the following has been observed, based on US statistics:
• 3,840 will acquire a mild brain injury, requiring services in 10% to 18% of the cases (384 to 691);
• 480 will acquire a moderate brain injury and 7% (34) of these will die. Of the remaining 446, one-third (47) will have no disability and two-thirds (399) will have a disability; and,
• 480 will acquire a severe brain injury - 50% (240) will die. All the remaining 240 will have a disability.
Think of the odds if you are one of the 480 as Chris is, to survive and being able to start communicating when given the proper tools and assistance and support. This is where the government and Fraser Health wanted to shove him into care extended care home in front of a TV for the rest of his life. He is now showing us he is still the same Chris inside wanting to get out and tell his story, with his medical training I am surprised the fumbling and bungling has not killed him. This is exactly what is needed to change if you can fight through all the perils and percentages of death that we predict even though we are only guessing because we truly do not understand human capabilities and what we do not understand we make up or disregard.
My friends this is a lifetime fight not only for Chris and I but for all of you as you age or injuries happen in your life. We are all human and open to injury and having to deal with the system that does not work, but continues to spend all of our resources and most it with no accountability.
This leaves 1,023 to 1,330 people of all ages requiring rehabilitation every year as a result
of a traumatic brain injury. There is minimal data to determine exactly how many require services as a result of a non-traumatic brain injury. An estimate in Alberta places the number at 40% of the total number of individuals who receive a traumatic brain injury (409 to 532). Extrapolating this to the population in British Columbia, this brings the total to between 1,432 to 1,862 British Columbians requiring rehabilitation for Brain Injury services per year.
Chris is still striving to live, to be heard, to be understood and teaching us all what a fighter and believer he is through all of this despair and frightening experiences he has endured through the system.
Can you imagine having to go this alone, dealing with health authorities that tell you there is nothing they can do, and yet every step of this fight we have proven them wrong.
When will justice be served and those in postions of abusing power and denying access be tossed and those with insight and knowledge be allowed to spread and bring badly needed change to this extremely underfunded area.
I would hope that all Chris’ dedication and commitment to medicine was not going to be lost after this terrible injury, I do now believe that Chris can make tremendous changes in the medical system from his first hand experience and fight.
We only have to think a few years ago at the vibrant, extremely smart, knowledgeable, and loving personality that was a part of our lives, none of that has changed, only we have, looking at him as though he is not the same or able to understand us.
Try giving him the time and love he showed all of us and he will still make you laugh, cry, and see another part of you that you don’t even know exists! Remember he is only a short drive away from any of us and is badly in need of all those familiar voices and friends he held so dear!!!!
Thank you again for your time and patients and most of all your understanding!
Kevin and Dr. Christopher Bigelow
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Busy Summer
Hello all,
Not much to tell, therapy is going good not expanding as fast I would like, but the equipment we need we keep getting turned down for. Application after application we apply, it is as if someone on the government's end can't wait to say no.
The funny or not so funny part is that nowhere on the forms do they give you instructions or an explanation of why our applications are turned down, they do not give any contact information or numbers to call to inquire. We will keep striving and working hard to expand on what was already built with hard work and therapy Chris is getting stronger all the time and if need be we will have to raise more money privately for the equipment needed instead of waiting for months or years. It is quite apparent that the well being of an individual is not as important as keeping the budget and expenses to an unreasonable level.
How many of you have been left without? Or your family members or friends unable to get what they need to recover and heal, I'm sure it's in the thousands and thousands of people tossed aside without care or thought and yet our government justifies massive spending and huge projects but forget about the people that make up this place we value so much!
Updates will be more frequent as time permit thank you all for your patience and support.
Chris and Kevin
Not much to tell, therapy is going good not expanding as fast I would like, but the equipment we need we keep getting turned down for. Application after application we apply, it is as if someone on the government's end can't wait to say no.
The funny or not so funny part is that nowhere on the forms do they give you instructions or an explanation of why our applications are turned down, they do not give any contact information or numbers to call to inquire. We will keep striving and working hard to expand on what was already built with hard work and therapy Chris is getting stronger all the time and if need be we will have to raise more money privately for the equipment needed instead of waiting for months or years. It is quite apparent that the well being of an individual is not as important as keeping the budget and expenses to an unreasonable level.
How many of you have been left without? Or your family members or friends unable to get what they need to recover and heal, I'm sure it's in the thousands and thousands of people tossed aside without care or thought and yet our government justifies massive spending and huge projects but forget about the people that make up this place we value so much!
Updates will be more frequent as time permit thank you all for your patience and support.
Chris and Kevin
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Going to a Wedding
Hello everyone,
Everything is still chugging along slowly but with direction. Got to get in a thank you for the staff at Connect for their care and understanding and caring as well as putting in the little bit extra help needed, you guys are fantastic!
Special thanks to JoAnne and her exceptional attention to detail.
Fraser Health I am sure are still spinning ways to get out, but after our last meeting they have been more helpful and obliging, at least one anyway!
Chris is doing great, equipment pieces and parts for everything are always in a state of almost here or almost fixed. I can hardly wait to get through the last of my work and back to taking care of it all my way, with the help of the extremely competent and caring therapists we have been brought together with. You do not have to settle for second or third best keep looking and talking there are lots of dedicated and bright therapists out there.
Chris is off to his cousin Bob’s wedding today, should be a great trip out and seeing all the family together. Times like this get me feeling down, then I am reminded of all that I have to be grateful for and making his dreams come as close as possible will always be the driving force behind what I do.
Will update how things went tomorrow got to go Chris is waiting!
Bye for now,
Kevin
Everything is still chugging along slowly but with direction. Got to get in a thank you for the staff at Connect for their care and understanding and caring as well as putting in the little bit extra help needed, you guys are fantastic!
Special thanks to JoAnne and her exceptional attention to detail.
Fraser Health I am sure are still spinning ways to get out, but after our last meeting they have been more helpful and obliging, at least one anyway!
Chris is doing great, equipment pieces and parts for everything are always in a state of almost here or almost fixed. I can hardly wait to get through the last of my work and back to taking care of it all my way, with the help of the extremely competent and caring therapists we have been brought together with. You do not have to settle for second or third best keep looking and talking there are lots of dedicated and bright therapists out there.
Chris is off to his cousin Bob’s wedding today, should be a great trip out and seeing all the family together. Times like this get me feeling down, then I am reminded of all that I have to be grateful for and making his dreams come as close as possible will always be the driving force behind what I do.
Will update how things went tomorrow got to go Chris is waiting!
Bye for now,
Kevin
Friday, July 23, 2010
Friday Update
Hello,
Just a quick update, things are going really good. Chris is finding more and more ways to let us know what's bugging him.
The Therapists have been fantastic looking for more tools and ways for communication; we have applied for some programs that will help with the cost. Fraser Health is seemingly on board with the way things are going, time will tell. I would rather find what we need without the hassle but what ever it takes!
Still looking for a house to fit us getting pretty close, would be so much easier if ICBC stepped up as promised to help with the housing issue, but they have more important things to do with our money, like keeping the managers well paid and fed.
Can't find a case like it, where they would advance some of the claim to help out with housing and therapy. It is an on going issue I will fill in more in the next couple of days.
Also post when new things are happening!!
Thank you all,
Kevin
Just a quick update, things are going really good. Chris is finding more and more ways to let us know what's bugging him.
The Therapists have been fantastic looking for more tools and ways for communication; we have applied for some programs that will help with the cost. Fraser Health is seemingly on board with the way things are going, time will tell. I would rather find what we need without the hassle but what ever it takes!
Still looking for a house to fit us getting pretty close, would be so much easier if ICBC stepped up as promised to help with the housing issue, but they have more important things to do with our money, like keeping the managers well paid and fed.
Can't find a case like it, where they would advance some of the claim to help out with housing and therapy. It is an on going issue I will fill in more in the next couple of days.
Also post when new things are happening!!
Thank you all,
Kevin
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Good evening can't sleep
Good Evening,
I thought about all the crap that has been brought forward to block Chris’ progress and have to ask why?
Is it because the people that perpetuate this are ignorant to the fact that rehab works?
It has been shown over and over that continual rehab from an early start is most productive, and yet it is seldom started when it should be if at all.
If it were not for all the contacts through doctors that Chris worked with and for I would not have known either.
Fraser Health and the Ministry of Health never offered and in fact turned us down to be a part of their program, most of the doctors involved were of the belief that you don’t touch or move anyone after a brain injury.
Use to think it really was the way they thought but soon realized that it was just plain ignorance. Those who fight and persevere through the gamut of obstacles set in place by the Health authority seem to get some token of help, but it always is being pulled back. It is as if when you make progress a red flag goes up that says this could cost us more so lets stop it. I wonder really wonder how these people who work for Fraser Health go home at night and love and be loved.
I only hope their children never experience the devastation Chris and all of us have had to endure, through the injury and tremendous losses. We still fight the archaic system every step of the way. If any of these people’s children experienced a tragedy like we have, would they fight or give up and swallow all the crap they have forced down others throats.
Their work requires them to be sneaky, dishonest, story tellers and at all costs cut back any and all therapy the bottom line here is dollars and we have all seen what our government, Health system, Health region find important and it is not people. Nor is it caring whether someone heals and moves forward it all comes down to how many dollars are saved or not spent.
I will attend the meeting Wednesday morning even with reports missing and two of the three administrators missing with nothing of importance to discuss we will have them pay an extremely large amount of money to sit and rehash the bull around and around, I think when they have meetings it makes them feel justified in get ridiculous high pay for really providing nothing of value. If some of these people in Fraser Health had to work in the private domain they would be out of a job. Interesting enough that the cost of administrators and bureaucracy in the Fraser Health region alone amounts to around 9 billion dollars a year. If we cut that in half and gave it to those who supply rehab we would have a healthy change to injured people in this region.
Lots more to add and enlighten but it will have to wait.
Good night will fill in the missing pieces tomorrow.
Kevin
I thought about all the crap that has been brought forward to block Chris’ progress and have to ask why?
Is it because the people that perpetuate this are ignorant to the fact that rehab works?
It has been shown over and over that continual rehab from an early start is most productive, and yet it is seldom started when it should be if at all.
If it were not for all the contacts through doctors that Chris worked with and for I would not have known either.
Fraser Health and the Ministry of Health never offered and in fact turned us down to be a part of their program, most of the doctors involved were of the belief that you don’t touch or move anyone after a brain injury.
Use to think it really was the way they thought but soon realized that it was just plain ignorance. Those who fight and persevere through the gamut of obstacles set in place by the Health authority seem to get some token of help, but it always is being pulled back. It is as if when you make progress a red flag goes up that says this could cost us more so lets stop it. I wonder really wonder how these people who work for Fraser Health go home at night and love and be loved.
I only hope their children never experience the devastation Chris and all of us have had to endure, through the injury and tremendous losses. We still fight the archaic system every step of the way. If any of these people’s children experienced a tragedy like we have, would they fight or give up and swallow all the crap they have forced down others throats.
Their work requires them to be sneaky, dishonest, story tellers and at all costs cut back any and all therapy the bottom line here is dollars and we have all seen what our government, Health system, Health region find important and it is not people. Nor is it caring whether someone heals and moves forward it all comes down to how many dollars are saved or not spent.
I will attend the meeting Wednesday morning even with reports missing and two of the three administrators missing with nothing of importance to discuss we will have them pay an extremely large amount of money to sit and rehash the bull around and around, I think when they have meetings it makes them feel justified in get ridiculous high pay for really providing nothing of value. If some of these people in Fraser Health had to work in the private domain they would be out of a job. Interesting enough that the cost of administrators and bureaucracy in the Fraser Health region alone amounts to around 9 billion dollars a year. If we cut that in half and gave it to those who supply rehab we would have a healthy change to injured people in this region.
Lots more to add and enlighten but it will have to wait.
Good night will fill in the missing pieces tomorrow.
Kevin
Moving Forward Against All Odds
Good morning,
It has been over a month since any updates have been done to the blog, mainly because I've been very busy, Chris's therapies and running great and expanding
The therapies that Chris is taking part in have been absolutely fantastic his physio is ramping up and working in cooperation with the speech therapy. Occupational Therapy is working with both other disciplines to find the equipment and other environmental controls that will assist.
The amount of energy Chris puts out trying to communicate is unbelievable I am in awe at his strength and determination. Chris knows he has to struggle to communicate to let us know the things that he needs.
He is now answering questions putting sentences together, picking out pictures.
We just have to find an easier way for him to communicate all of these feelings to us.
Our daily job is to strengthen the areas that he needs to use so as to promote communication; I feel we are well on the way to doing this.
It will be a couple days before the next update, tomorrow Wednesday morning we will meet with Fraser health and the therapists that are treating Chris.
Until now Fraser health remained running in the background I'm sure looking for ways to cut back or to weasel their way out of all of the things that were promised.
I have never seen an organization run the way this one does, it seems to be run by people who have no training or background in rehabilitation or successful medical research in the field in which they are employed.
When given information by highly trained professionals, doctors and by the therapists highly trained in this area of injury they still want to look the other way and pretend they know best.
It's about time that some of the research on training or lack of, be made public for all to read, you would then understand why people in these situations in need of therapy but not able to get it, can not move forward and have very little hope of ever doing so!
Basically our health system would have a social worker or their appointee decides who and what you will get for therapy if any at all. It is sad that these decisions are made by someone with less or no training in the discipline in question and have the ability to toss aside the trained professionals report and recommendations’ and come up with their own personal decision based on what?
That being said, would then lead one to believe that a social worker could then double as a neuro-physiotherapist saving the system a whole whack of money. But wait a minute; why should they do it when they actually think that a care aid or rehab assistant can take the place of a fully licensed physio therapist with neuro training.
My goodness does the physio therapist association know this, if this is true why would anyone want to put in the years of training to specialize in this field for which there is an unrelenting need, when in fact anyone can do it. I have been hands on with this for almost three years now, I have seen it all, but the wasted money for all the multiple layers of bureaucracy to over see highly trained professionals is most daunting and the biggest waste of medical and rehab dollars in a system that is dysfunctional and a waste of tax payers dollars.
We will wait and listen; we will be patient but only as long as it is in Chris's best interest.
It's so very true, information is a powerful thing in the wrong hands it could be devastating,
yet in the right hands it can evoke change for thousands.
We need to keep researching and keep promoting, knowing that brain injury is still in its infancy for rehab. It is definitely about time that trained professionals as well as those in administrative positions in this field get up-to-date and not 20 years behind the time even more so if they are involved in making policy and overseeing programs of this magnitude.
At the end of the day Chris is doing great the therapists are doing a wonderful first-class job and at Connect the place Chris resides for the time being, are great listeners and caregivers we appreciate the care and dedication provided by these people. I hope that they're doing a good job does not affect the support the ongoing care at Fraser health and the ministry of health are going to provide.
Thank you all for your patience and your ongoing support we will in the near future be putting together another news story that will engulf allot of these issues and start to show the positive things that can happen in brain injury rehab.
Bye for now and thank you,
Kevin & Chris
It has been over a month since any updates have been done to the blog, mainly because I've been very busy, Chris's therapies and running great and expanding
The therapies that Chris is taking part in have been absolutely fantastic his physio is ramping up and working in cooperation with the speech therapy. Occupational Therapy is working with both other disciplines to find the equipment and other environmental controls that will assist.
The amount of energy Chris puts out trying to communicate is unbelievable I am in awe at his strength and determination. Chris knows he has to struggle to communicate to let us know the things that he needs.
He is now answering questions putting sentences together, picking out pictures.
We just have to find an easier way for him to communicate all of these feelings to us.
Our daily job is to strengthen the areas that he needs to use so as to promote communication; I feel we are well on the way to doing this.
It will be a couple days before the next update, tomorrow Wednesday morning we will meet with Fraser health and the therapists that are treating Chris.
Until now Fraser health remained running in the background I'm sure looking for ways to cut back or to weasel their way out of all of the things that were promised.
I have never seen an organization run the way this one does, it seems to be run by people who have no training or background in rehabilitation or successful medical research in the field in which they are employed.
When given information by highly trained professionals, doctors and by the therapists highly trained in this area of injury they still want to look the other way and pretend they know best.
It's about time that some of the research on training or lack of, be made public for all to read, you would then understand why people in these situations in need of therapy but not able to get it, can not move forward and have very little hope of ever doing so!
Basically our health system would have a social worker or their appointee decides who and what you will get for therapy if any at all. It is sad that these decisions are made by someone with less or no training in the discipline in question and have the ability to toss aside the trained professionals report and recommendations’ and come up with their own personal decision based on what?
That being said, would then lead one to believe that a social worker could then double as a neuro-physiotherapist saving the system a whole whack of money. But wait a minute; why should they do it when they actually think that a care aid or rehab assistant can take the place of a fully licensed physio therapist with neuro training.
My goodness does the physio therapist association know this, if this is true why would anyone want to put in the years of training to specialize in this field for which there is an unrelenting need, when in fact anyone can do it. I have been hands on with this for almost three years now, I have seen it all, but the wasted money for all the multiple layers of bureaucracy to over see highly trained professionals is most daunting and the biggest waste of medical and rehab dollars in a system that is dysfunctional and a waste of tax payers dollars.
We will wait and listen; we will be patient but only as long as it is in Chris's best interest.
It's so very true, information is a powerful thing in the wrong hands it could be devastating,
yet in the right hands it can evoke change for thousands.
We need to keep researching and keep promoting, knowing that brain injury is still in its infancy for rehab. It is definitely about time that trained professionals as well as those in administrative positions in this field get up-to-date and not 20 years behind the time even more so if they are involved in making policy and overseeing programs of this magnitude.
At the end of the day Chris is doing great the therapists are doing a wonderful first-class job and at Connect the place Chris resides for the time being, are great listeners and caregivers we appreciate the care and dedication provided by these people. I hope that they're doing a good job does not affect the support the ongoing care at Fraser health and the ministry of health are going to provide.
Thank you all for your patience and your ongoing support we will in the near future be putting together another news story that will engulf allot of these issues and start to show the positive things that can happen in brain injury rehab.
Bye for now and thank you,
Kevin & Chris
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Early June 2010
Hello again,
Nothing but good news happening with Chris these days, he floored all of us by hitting a 100% while working with the speech therapist. Questions ranged from simple pictures then to words, then onto phrases, then sentences and questions that required some form of calculation.
Even for me it left me in tears and I am the one that requires proof before getting too excited.
Along with all of this I picked up his TV on Monday and installed it on the wall so the angles now are good for him from any side or distance, made sure we got all the right connections so as to attach the computer and other forms of technical support that will help us to communicate more effectively and at a quicker pace. Physio sessions were great as well Chris responds quicker and uses visual targets to answer questions. We are now working to strengthen his muscles that he needs to use while sitting and interacting; this in turn is working with the speech therapist in her quest to find the right tools to use. The OT has brought in a lady from GF Strong to assess what Chris needs in the way of switches or tools to interact in his environment.
It has been a struggle to arrange for the equipment needed but special thanks to Sheila at Mr. Doig’s office we have been able to get the things we need and in place so they work until I can get it together with the equipment we need for the future.
Heather you have a very special place in Chris’ and my hearts, I can not begin to thank you. You know I credit a lot to you and your determination, your passion and drive in making others see what only I thought I could see. This page is not long enough to go on thanking everyone, Anthony for all the quirky gadgets Graham and Laurie for the evening shifts when Chris started moving and communication with his fingers and no one wanted to believe them, their determination to show the others it was happening, all of the nurses and aides that cared so much from the heart for Chris when it became much more than just a job.
To all the staff from administration to education to Rec-therapy thank you for the magical time of transformation that we were given there with you, for listening to me over and over and believing in my determination to make a difference in this area of brain injury. Our fight is not yet over but at least there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
To Doctors “R” and “G” thank you for the chance and the open door to change, without that chance I am afraid I would have failed in this journey as no one in this province will listen or seems to care.
Larry the support and encouragement and you always being there when I needed that extra push or paper completed, will always be remembered, I am even more determined to make people open their eyes and see the injustice that has been brain injury up until now, every life is worth fighting for people just don’t know how to.
Now that I am home it is still a battle, but showing others the things I learned while there with Chris have enabled me to enlighten other caregivers and therapists on how and why “you never say never”!
I must add here that the therapist and care workers we have working with us are fantastic I will not go as far to say better than Ponoka that will never happen, but they have come in with open ears and understanding mostly not being influenced by word of mouth and misdirection. They are very special people that have those same qualities as those in Ponoka, it really has to stem from experience and a way of believing in something. Just wanted to be clear that good therapists and people are every where you just have to open your eyes and not take what is given, always ask questions and ensure that those you are trusting your future with are people you can believe in and trust yourself.
Maybe one day soon we will carry that message clearly, and in a way that the politicians that hold access to the funds to create that change can understand!
This is such an exciting time, thank you all for sharing your time, thoughts and support. If I need your backing and support in the future to make changes or to rally for more for the disabled I know I can count on you, and really in crazy times like this who could ask for any more than to have a great bunch of friends, supporters and believers that know that one person can make change, albeit a slow one. Chris and I will keep the push on making people who are accountable, accountable and those who control funds that will effect the changes needed for people who can not speak for themselves.
Thank you all,
Kevin and Dr. Christopher Bigelow
Updates twice a week or as needed.
Nothing but good news happening with Chris these days, he floored all of us by hitting a 100% while working with the speech therapist. Questions ranged from simple pictures then to words, then onto phrases, then sentences and questions that required some form of calculation.
Even for me it left me in tears and I am the one that requires proof before getting too excited.
Along with all of this I picked up his TV on Monday and installed it on the wall so the angles now are good for him from any side or distance, made sure we got all the right connections so as to attach the computer and other forms of technical support that will help us to communicate more effectively and at a quicker pace. Physio sessions were great as well Chris responds quicker and uses visual targets to answer questions. We are now working to strengthen his muscles that he needs to use while sitting and interacting; this in turn is working with the speech therapist in her quest to find the right tools to use. The OT has brought in a lady from GF Strong to assess what Chris needs in the way of switches or tools to interact in his environment.
It has been a struggle to arrange for the equipment needed but special thanks to Sheila at Mr. Doig’s office we have been able to get the things we need and in place so they work until I can get it together with the equipment we need for the future.
Heather you have a very special place in Chris’ and my hearts, I can not begin to thank you. You know I credit a lot to you and your determination, your passion and drive in making others see what only I thought I could see. This page is not long enough to go on thanking everyone, Anthony for all the quirky gadgets Graham and Laurie for the evening shifts when Chris started moving and communication with his fingers and no one wanted to believe them, their determination to show the others it was happening, all of the nurses and aides that cared so much from the heart for Chris when it became much more than just a job.
To all the staff from administration to education to Rec-therapy thank you for the magical time of transformation that we were given there with you, for listening to me over and over and believing in my determination to make a difference in this area of brain injury. Our fight is not yet over but at least there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
To Doctors “R” and “G” thank you for the chance and the open door to change, without that chance I am afraid I would have failed in this journey as no one in this province will listen or seems to care.
Larry the support and encouragement and you always being there when I needed that extra push or paper completed, will always be remembered, I am even more determined to make people open their eyes and see the injustice that has been brain injury up until now, every life is worth fighting for people just don’t know how to.
Now that I am home it is still a battle, but showing others the things I learned while there with Chris have enabled me to enlighten other caregivers and therapists on how and why “you never say never”!
I must add here that the therapist and care workers we have working with us are fantastic I will not go as far to say better than Ponoka that will never happen, but they have come in with open ears and understanding mostly not being influenced by word of mouth and misdirection. They are very special people that have those same qualities as those in Ponoka, it really has to stem from experience and a way of believing in something. Just wanted to be clear that good therapists and people are every where you just have to open your eyes and not take what is given, always ask questions and ensure that those you are trusting your future with are people you can believe in and trust yourself.
Maybe one day soon we will carry that message clearly, and in a way that the politicians that hold access to the funds to create that change can understand!
This is such an exciting time, thank you all for sharing your time, thoughts and support. If I need your backing and support in the future to make changes or to rally for more for the disabled I know I can count on you, and really in crazy times like this who could ask for any more than to have a great bunch of friends, supporters and believers that know that one person can make change, albeit a slow one. Chris and I will keep the push on making people who are accountable, accountable and those who control funds that will effect the changes needed for people who can not speak for themselves.
Thank you all,
Kevin and Dr. Christopher Bigelow
Updates twice a week or as needed.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
June 1, 2010
Hi,
Welcome to June 2010. Chris' therapies are going great new ideas and things to try are getting him more into the therapy than I thought possible this soon after returning home. Finding the right therapists after having the best in Ponoka was a chore but we have come close and Chris is making up lost ground because of the unorganized and hastily, unorganized and poorly arranged transfer back home.
G.F. Strong is lending us some environmental controls and helping us to get this rolling, speech is working on Chris' swallowing and taste as well as trying to use the controls once in place. Physio has some great ideas and really is excited to work with Chris and it shows in Chris' responsiveness to her and his participation in all of his sessions.
Anyone who can say that rehab does not help after a certain amount of time has obviously been misinformed and not educated enough to make decisions or in fact has never worked with brain injured people in a productive way. Always looking to decrease therapy for anyone is a no brainer as we all know as things get better and stronger the need for therapy increases and never decreases.
I think a debate on TV with some of Fraser Health’s officials and or people from the Ministry of Health would be quite enlightening either in showing the shallow depth of training or that in fact its the dollar that rules all and not the injured person's best interest at all. Perhaps some day in the future we will be able to see the benefit to people, society, family and the reduced burden on health care by increasing therapy, making people better and stronger and not draining the all so precious health dollars.
I will have to keep a close eye on the people at Fraser Health and the Health Ministry as I know their intentions were anything but what has turned out. They have been doing what is needed as I have requested with a little pressure.
I will be paying attention to every detail and request made by anybody that has any thing to do with Chris' recovery detail, documenting it all, as a lot of people do not see things with clear glasses or take each case on its own merit and will always be trying to sabotage the efforts I have worked years for.
The buttons you talk of being pushed are still there waiting, in fact over loading. As I see it you have to have enough damming evidence to make your point hard and clear, but I hope I never will have to. Moving forward in a positive environment for Chris and other individuals with a brain injury is the most important thing at this time as long as we have this and the cause for brain injury moves forward each day, I am happy and we all should be. I will keep you all informed if the train starts rolling off the track. All of you that read and pass along the information regarding Chris, and the injustices done or tried play such an enormous roll to help to make those responsible for rehab accountable, you all have become a big part in what has become some what of a movement and we will move on.
Thank you to all the Doctors, Nurses,Aides, support staff, BC health workers, Alberta health workers, health workers in the rest of this country who have written in support, all of Chris' family, friends as well as the many, many, people from BC, Alberta and the rest of Canada who have become a part of our support group, this includes all of the great people from Ponoka for being so dedicated, professional and just plain human beings with big hearts that really care. If only I could instil just a bit of this into our health system here what a different world we would have.
There will be “Dr. Christopher Adam Bigelow Society for Brain Injury” shirts available very soon I will post the details when they are available. All proceeds will go directly to the Society.
Thank you all again so much for the support, concern, caring and love you send. I share it all with Chris and he is aware of all that is going on around him and of the tremendous amount of support out there. He shows it every day by fighting against all odds that makes him that human being we all grew to love and respect.
Bye for now,
Kevin
Welcome to June 2010. Chris' therapies are going great new ideas and things to try are getting him more into the therapy than I thought possible this soon after returning home. Finding the right therapists after having the best in Ponoka was a chore but we have come close and Chris is making up lost ground because of the unorganized and hastily, unorganized and poorly arranged transfer back home.
G.F. Strong is lending us some environmental controls and helping us to get this rolling, speech is working on Chris' swallowing and taste as well as trying to use the controls once in place. Physio has some great ideas and really is excited to work with Chris and it shows in Chris' responsiveness to her and his participation in all of his sessions.
Anyone who can say that rehab does not help after a certain amount of time has obviously been misinformed and not educated enough to make decisions or in fact has never worked with brain injured people in a productive way. Always looking to decrease therapy for anyone is a no brainer as we all know as things get better and stronger the need for therapy increases and never decreases.
I think a debate on TV with some of Fraser Health’s officials and or people from the Ministry of Health would be quite enlightening either in showing the shallow depth of training or that in fact its the dollar that rules all and not the injured person's best interest at all. Perhaps some day in the future we will be able to see the benefit to people, society, family and the reduced burden on health care by increasing therapy, making people better and stronger and not draining the all so precious health dollars.
I will have to keep a close eye on the people at Fraser Health and the Health Ministry as I know their intentions were anything but what has turned out. They have been doing what is needed as I have requested with a little pressure.
I will be paying attention to every detail and request made by anybody that has any thing to do with Chris' recovery detail, documenting it all, as a lot of people do not see things with clear glasses or take each case on its own merit and will always be trying to sabotage the efforts I have worked years for.
The buttons you talk of being pushed are still there waiting, in fact over loading. As I see it you have to have enough damming evidence to make your point hard and clear, but I hope I never will have to. Moving forward in a positive environment for Chris and other individuals with a brain injury is the most important thing at this time as long as we have this and the cause for brain injury moves forward each day, I am happy and we all should be. I will keep you all informed if the train starts rolling off the track. All of you that read and pass along the information regarding Chris, and the injustices done or tried play such an enormous roll to help to make those responsible for rehab accountable, you all have become a big part in what has become some what of a movement and we will move on.
Thank you to all the Doctors, Nurses,Aides, support staff, BC health workers, Alberta health workers, health workers in the rest of this country who have written in support, all of Chris' family, friends as well as the many, many, people from BC, Alberta and the rest of Canada who have become a part of our support group, this includes all of the great people from Ponoka for being so dedicated, professional and just plain human beings with big hearts that really care. If only I could instil just a bit of this into our health system here what a different world we would have.
There will be “Dr. Christopher Adam Bigelow Society for Brain Injury” shirts available very soon I will post the details when they are available. All proceeds will go directly to the Society.
Thank you all again so much for the support, concern, caring and love you send. I share it all with Chris and he is aware of all that is going on around him and of the tremendous amount of support out there. He shows it every day by fighting against all odds that makes him that human being we all grew to love and respect.
Bye for now,
Kevin
Friday, May 28, 2010
May 28, 2010 Friday
Hey everyone,
Last week or two have been pretty good, equipment is starting to arrive and therapy is going great.
Thanks to wonderful therapist and the tremendous foundation set by the staff of doctors, nurses and therapists at Halvar Jonson Center. With out their input and guidance we would not have had the insight or backing to make the therapy carry on here at the pace it needs to. With the ongoing input and the open mindfulness of the therapists here to use their instincts to listen and ask questions based on actual findings instead of the usual guidance set out by health authorities.
Funny how the truth has a way of opening up and showing us things that we never thought possible when only given the chance!
Thursday Therapy was amazing great physio session and the afternoon speech session was awe inspiring. As all of our second family in Ponoka knows Chris pulls things out of no where and makes the hair on your neck stand up. While doing speech he was answering the questions and symbols faster and faster as well as putting together three commands at once, we pushed him again and again maybe over doing it a bit but it was so amazing to see and really solidified the fact that his ability to progress and focus on tasks is growing and getting stronger.
Heather our physio therapist at HJC had always seen this in Chris and was able to bring out the fight in Chris, she was so right when telling me he will only respond and answer to those who he knows will wait for the answer when asking a question. My biggest fear when returning home was that no one here would be able to connect with Chris like heather did. Although it is not quite the same strong connection just yet as it was with Heather at HJC, it is building and getting stronger with both of the therapists Chris now works with, I just want to say how grateful I am to have found them and appreciate their dedication and openness.
Since being home I have also had the pleasure to meet more and more people in the brain injury family and will use their stories to keep moving forward in the promoting of therapy and more funding for Brain Injury in this Province.
Equipment is still being tweaked and adjusted as I have time but we will continue to strive to move forward always appreciating each day and the time we have together.
I am trying to keep the updates regular but time does not always allow this.
Thank you Heather for doing the follow ups on Chris and for passing on our progress to all the others at our second home, HJC.
Bye for now,
Kevin
Last week or two have been pretty good, equipment is starting to arrive and therapy is going great.
Thanks to wonderful therapist and the tremendous foundation set by the staff of doctors, nurses and therapists at Halvar Jonson Center. With out their input and guidance we would not have had the insight or backing to make the therapy carry on here at the pace it needs to. With the ongoing input and the open mindfulness of the therapists here to use their instincts to listen and ask questions based on actual findings instead of the usual guidance set out by health authorities.
Funny how the truth has a way of opening up and showing us things that we never thought possible when only given the chance!
Thursday Therapy was amazing great physio session and the afternoon speech session was awe inspiring. As all of our second family in Ponoka knows Chris pulls things out of no where and makes the hair on your neck stand up. While doing speech he was answering the questions and symbols faster and faster as well as putting together three commands at once, we pushed him again and again maybe over doing it a bit but it was so amazing to see and really solidified the fact that his ability to progress and focus on tasks is growing and getting stronger.
Heather our physio therapist at HJC had always seen this in Chris and was able to bring out the fight in Chris, she was so right when telling me he will only respond and answer to those who he knows will wait for the answer when asking a question. My biggest fear when returning home was that no one here would be able to connect with Chris like heather did. Although it is not quite the same strong connection just yet as it was with Heather at HJC, it is building and getting stronger with both of the therapists Chris now works with, I just want to say how grateful I am to have found them and appreciate their dedication and openness.
Since being home I have also had the pleasure to meet more and more people in the brain injury family and will use their stories to keep moving forward in the promoting of therapy and more funding for Brain Injury in this Province.
Equipment is still being tweaked and adjusted as I have time but we will continue to strive to move forward always appreciating each day and the time we have together.
I am trying to keep the updates regular but time does not always allow this.
Thank you Heather for doing the follow ups on Chris and for passing on our progress to all the others at our second home, HJC.
Bye for now,
Kevin
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Wednesday May 12, 2010
Hi,
Friday came and went, so much going on and no down time, I am going to have to set a time each day to sit and update as I know from the emails so many of you look each day as to what is happening with Chris.
We have managed to keep him moving and his breathing is clear he is doing great getting out to the pool three times a week, Physio is happening this week and will build up to five days a week with lots of new ideas coming forward we have had to alter the equipment and look at having to buy some as Fraser Health had none and is taking forever to acquire it or just waiting for us to buy it?
First off, Fraser Health had no therapy as promised or planned nor was any equipment in place when we got back to BC, a very quick exit with no thought involved as to how they are going to make the Minister of Health’s comments come true, that was Mr Falcon telling everyone we have places like Ponoka here in BC.
Turns out they were just empty promises to get us home and stop therapy, they were not even prepared to follow all the recommendations from HJC as to what Chris required, they were going to wing it and see how little support they could get away with until the questions kept arising and I guess realizing that not talking to and taking advise from the very place we send all our injured would look pretty stupid, with a little prodding they finally talked to the therapists and have now said they will follow Ponoka's recommendations.
This could mean though that just like working hard in Ponoka and making unbelievable progress they decide to make it all stop without so much as an explanation or reason, still no reason to this very day. We continue to send more people to Ponoka because we do not know how to treat or apply the therapies that are necessary. Talking to a lot of people that do not know up from down and make a lot of comments or promises I just got tired and decided taking what was given instead of what was promised was not going to happen to Chris. We have found some great therapists and are starting to set up our own rehab that follows the blue prints sent from Ponoka.
The promises of transferring seamlessly from Ponoka back closer to home with rehab the same as in Ponoka was an empty promise to quell and stifle the questions and curiosity that is created every time Fraser Health or the Health Ministry has something to say. I also didn’t tell you that coming home to the same treatment that we had in the programs in Ponoka was a dream that turned into a nightmare and to add insult to injury they now require Chris to pay for daily care. Wow in a car accident in your home province as a victim then they charge you to live, while withholding all of the insurance money you are entitled to and knowing they have taken away your ability to work. Thought we did not live in a third world country guess our priorities need to be addressed next election.
I still do not understand why we have people who do not understand rehab, in the positions that will hire or apply the required therapy, all the in house therapy they have is inadequate and years behind the times. Fortunately private therapist with an abundance of knowledge do exist you just have to look long and hard. Time to get a thinning of the many many managers and directiors of nothing and use that money towards
the much needed and ignored therapies.
If you want to read the last newspaper update I think it was the Red Deer Advocate middle of last week.
The link is as follows:
http://www.albertalocalnews.com/reddeeradvocate/news/provincial/Sons_therapy_plan_in_disarray_92869054.html
The Ponoka paper as well as out local papers I am hoping will finish and print in the next week or so and we are going to do an update with Global TV as to where we ended up and what is in store for Chris. I will post times and places as they come available.
Kevin
Friday came and went, so much going on and no down time, I am going to have to set a time each day to sit and update as I know from the emails so many of you look each day as to what is happening with Chris.
We have managed to keep him moving and his breathing is clear he is doing great getting out to the pool three times a week, Physio is happening this week and will build up to five days a week with lots of new ideas coming forward we have had to alter the equipment and look at having to buy some as Fraser Health had none and is taking forever to acquire it or just waiting for us to buy it?
First off, Fraser Health had no therapy as promised or planned nor was any equipment in place when we got back to BC, a very quick exit with no thought involved as to how they are going to make the Minister of Health’s comments come true, that was Mr Falcon telling everyone we have places like Ponoka here in BC.
Turns out they were just empty promises to get us home and stop therapy, they were not even prepared to follow all the recommendations from HJC as to what Chris required, they were going to wing it and see how little support they could get away with until the questions kept arising and I guess realizing that not talking to and taking advise from the very place we send all our injured would look pretty stupid, with a little prodding they finally talked to the therapists and have now said they will follow Ponoka's recommendations.
This could mean though that just like working hard in Ponoka and making unbelievable progress they decide to make it all stop without so much as an explanation or reason, still no reason to this very day. We continue to send more people to Ponoka because we do not know how to treat or apply the therapies that are necessary. Talking to a lot of people that do not know up from down and make a lot of comments or promises I just got tired and decided taking what was given instead of what was promised was not going to happen to Chris. We have found some great therapists and are starting to set up our own rehab that follows the blue prints sent from Ponoka.
The promises of transferring seamlessly from Ponoka back closer to home with rehab the same as in Ponoka was an empty promise to quell and stifle the questions and curiosity that is created every time Fraser Health or the Health Ministry has something to say. I also didn’t tell you that coming home to the same treatment that we had in the programs in Ponoka was a dream that turned into a nightmare and to add insult to injury they now require Chris to pay for daily care. Wow in a car accident in your home province as a victim then they charge you to live, while withholding all of the insurance money you are entitled to and knowing they have taken away your ability to work. Thought we did not live in a third world country guess our priorities need to be addressed next election.
I still do not understand why we have people who do not understand rehab, in the positions that will hire or apply the required therapy, all the in house therapy they have is inadequate and years behind the times. Fortunately private therapist with an abundance of knowledge do exist you just have to look long and hard. Time to get a thinning of the many many managers and directiors of nothing and use that money towards
the much needed and ignored therapies.
If you want to read the last newspaper update I think it was the Red Deer Advocate middle of last week.
The link is as follows:
http://www.albertalocalnews.com/reddeeradvocate/news/provincial/Sons_therapy_plan_in_disarray_92869054.html
The Ponoka paper as well as out local papers I am hoping will finish and print in the next week or so and we are going to do an update with Global TV as to where we ended up and what is in store for Chris. I will post times and places as they come available.
Kevin
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Wednesday May 5, 2010
Hey everyone,
Things are moving forward at Connect it is turning out to be quite the place. Good people, that listen and take note, change when change is needed and truly love what they do.
About as close to being in the care of the fantastic people in Ponoka without being there.
No physio yet, new happenings everyday but nothing concrete as of yet, just lots of stretching and trips to water therapy as well as getting in the cycling.
Chris met with the speech therapist today and we talked about his abilities, Chris was able (even though he was very tired) to answer five out of five questions with his arm and hand. She was very excited about his drive to communicate and has started to put together a plan for us to work toward.
Meeting on Friday morning with Fraser health people and the therapists, I will update after the meeting and fill in any outstanding issues or short comings, as well I hope to tell of making great strides in their commitment to the needed, deserved and long overdue rehab plan for Dr. Bigelow.
I shall remain patient, obtain any needed equipment that we can not wait for and keep working Chris hard until the plan is in place. I am again trusting people at their word and hoping there are some smart caring people working in our health care system that will start thinking for themselves, therefore effecting change for all in need.
Till Friday which will be an exciting post,
Kevin
Things are moving forward at Connect it is turning out to be quite the place. Good people, that listen and take note, change when change is needed and truly love what they do.
About as close to being in the care of the fantastic people in Ponoka without being there.
No physio yet, new happenings everyday but nothing concrete as of yet, just lots of stretching and trips to water therapy as well as getting in the cycling.
Chris met with the speech therapist today and we talked about his abilities, Chris was able (even though he was very tired) to answer five out of five questions with his arm and hand. She was very excited about his drive to communicate and has started to put together a plan for us to work toward.
Meeting on Friday morning with Fraser health people and the therapists, I will update after the meeting and fill in any outstanding issues or short comings, as well I hope to tell of making great strides in their commitment to the needed, deserved and long overdue rehab plan for Dr. Bigelow.
I shall remain patient, obtain any needed equipment that we can not wait for and keep working Chris hard until the plan is in place. I am again trusting people at their word and hoping there are some smart caring people working in our health care system that will start thinking for themselves, therefore effecting change for all in need.
Till Friday which will be an exciting post,
Kevin
Monday, May 3, 2010
Late Monday
Even with only one visit by a social worker looking in for a few minutes then making the statement “he has transitioned well” eats away at me these people know nothing about Chris or his therapy and yet they would have therapists write recommendations after no real consultation or following the advice of the place we send our injured because we can not treat them here.
A BC resident traveled to HJC to take Chris’ bed once he was forced to give it up and yet our health minister still believes we have places like HJC here in BC but continues to send more of our injured to that slow rehab place in Alberta as he referred to it as.
They are just doing their jobs I hear this all the time, seems like it is the standard cop-out so no one has to answer the tough questions, trouble is they are doing nothing for Chris or his situation or the majority of brain injuries in our province.
I am amazed how people can be in charge of therapy or a rehab program when they do not really understand rehab at all. If they do understand rehab that would mean I have been lied to on several occasions, which I think is a modest statement.
The disregard for the guidance of the HJC just goes to show our government does not understand rehab either or how to put it in place or maybe it is just total disregard for those in need, putting dollars and cents before lives.
I must ask where is ICBC in all of this they are responsible for the auto insurance and the government controls them. The government also controls the health care system and who can and can not access it. The government is also responsible to make the highways and roads we travel safe and secure for our use, we put this trust in them every day we go on the roads to drive, in particular Kevin Falcon (highway minister) when this accident happened, on a highway he was responsible for. Now he is responsible for the health ministry, and not doing any better in that job, in fact he is in a position to hurt a great deal more innocent residents of what we thought was the best province in this country.
The advance in all of this has been taken off the table in support of the health ministry. When asked why they will not help out when they know they are responsible the only response by their lawyer is they need something in return. In return for what, for providing not lifting one finger of help or assistance to a victim of a car they insured. Again another group you have to wonder what a warm and fuzzy evening they spend with their loved ones. ICBC has no defence, no reason to not help as the amount needed to care for Chris for the years to come will add up to ten times the amount they will have to pay.
I ask again where is the human side of the people that work at our Insurance company I hope every day they go home and sit with their families enjoy their company listen to their dreams and future plans then think ahead to all that is possible for their children, all the time knowing they have removed this from Chris and all of his family and all persons with brain injury in this province?
I am sick of begging and fighting for the rights we all deserve maybe it is about time we name the people making these decisions and hold them accountable for their inaction or wasting of resources that have come to be in such short supply. We should be holding the politicians who give lip service to us when we deserve the right to be heard.
It is time the government stopped riding the fence and step in and make the insurance company pay what it owes and stop car accident victims from having to use the limited funds available from our public hospitals and health care system.
To think this government that at one point talked about transparency and openness and now is one of the most backward, self-serving, demeaning governments of the day full of hypocrites and lazy politicians.
Good Night,
Kevin
A BC resident traveled to HJC to take Chris’ bed once he was forced to give it up and yet our health minister still believes we have places like HJC here in BC but continues to send more of our injured to that slow rehab place in Alberta as he referred to it as.
They are just doing their jobs I hear this all the time, seems like it is the standard cop-out so no one has to answer the tough questions, trouble is they are doing nothing for Chris or his situation or the majority of brain injuries in our province.
I am amazed how people can be in charge of therapy or a rehab program when they do not really understand rehab at all. If they do understand rehab that would mean I have been lied to on several occasions, which I think is a modest statement.
The disregard for the guidance of the HJC just goes to show our government does not understand rehab either or how to put it in place or maybe it is just total disregard for those in need, putting dollars and cents before lives.
I must ask where is ICBC in all of this they are responsible for the auto insurance and the government controls them. The government also controls the health care system and who can and can not access it. The government is also responsible to make the highways and roads we travel safe and secure for our use, we put this trust in them every day we go on the roads to drive, in particular Kevin Falcon (highway minister) when this accident happened, on a highway he was responsible for. Now he is responsible for the health ministry, and not doing any better in that job, in fact he is in a position to hurt a great deal more innocent residents of what we thought was the best province in this country.
The advance in all of this has been taken off the table in support of the health ministry. When asked why they will not help out when they know they are responsible the only response by their lawyer is they need something in return. In return for what, for providing not lifting one finger of help or assistance to a victim of a car they insured. Again another group you have to wonder what a warm and fuzzy evening they spend with their loved ones. ICBC has no defence, no reason to not help as the amount needed to care for Chris for the years to come will add up to ten times the amount they will have to pay.
I ask again where is the human side of the people that work at our Insurance company I hope every day they go home and sit with their families enjoy their company listen to their dreams and future plans then think ahead to all that is possible for their children, all the time knowing they have removed this from Chris and all of his family and all persons with brain injury in this province?
I am sick of begging and fighting for the rights we all deserve maybe it is about time we name the people making these decisions and hold them accountable for their inaction or wasting of resources that have come to be in such short supply. We should be holding the politicians who give lip service to us when we deserve the right to be heard.
It is time the government stopped riding the fence and step in and make the insurance company pay what it owes and stop car accident victims from having to use the limited funds available from our public hospitals and health care system.
To think this government that at one point talked about transparency and openness and now is one of the most backward, self-serving, demeaning governments of the day full of hypocrites and lazy politicians.
Good Night,
Kevin
New week new start
Hey all,
We are back at it, a trying weekend letting everything sink in making sure all of Chris’ needs are being met before taking aim at the short fall. Chris had a pretty good weekend and end of the week last week. What is not going great is the therapy, the therapy that was to start the day after arriving home, it was to be seamless so as not to upset Chris’ schedule he was use to and responding to.
Connect’s staff are trying to get it in order, all the time learning, listening and watching while I show and explain how things worked at HJC and why it was so successful. Showing why a caring private facility can always be a viable alternative to our dysfunctional system. They are very good at listening and addressing concerns no problem trusting Chris' daily care with them, they are a good bunch and I look forward to working more with them.
I will start this week by trying to bring in more therapists as there has been nothing after ten days, this is a direct result of the limitations and restrictions that Fraser Health and the Ministry of Health have put in place, they do not and will not recognize the work and detail that HJC has put together over the last fourteen months of long hard work. HJC provided detailed and extensive directions with full reports and descriptions of what has to be done. They have been available at all times at the other end of a phone to provide direct direction to any that would need it. Hard to believe that one of the most advanced centers for brain injury therapy would not be listened to, even after our Minister of health Kevin Falcon said they would follow the direction of Chris’ doctors in Alberta and BC. To this date none of it has been followed or adhered to.
Withholding access to funds, our health system is depriving Chris of a chance to recover to his best ability. We have spent around 400,000.00 dollars in the last year and a bit to get to this point not to mention the sweat and lost lives, torn dreams, the endless fighting of the system, mostly over things they are unable to comprehend or are capable of understanding.
In the middle of making great strides in Alberta at HJC, without notice, without reason or explanation it has been removed almost instantly. I will be meeting with Chris’ legal team to discuss our options but already have a feeling it will be left to me again to push the envelope to make changes happen.
I am taking Chris to the pool right now and will continue this afternoon.
Kevin
We are back at it, a trying weekend letting everything sink in making sure all of Chris’ needs are being met before taking aim at the short fall. Chris had a pretty good weekend and end of the week last week. What is not going great is the therapy, the therapy that was to start the day after arriving home, it was to be seamless so as not to upset Chris’ schedule he was use to and responding to.
Connect’s staff are trying to get it in order, all the time learning, listening and watching while I show and explain how things worked at HJC and why it was so successful. Showing why a caring private facility can always be a viable alternative to our dysfunctional system. They are very good at listening and addressing concerns no problem trusting Chris' daily care with them, they are a good bunch and I look forward to working more with them.
I will start this week by trying to bring in more therapists as there has been nothing after ten days, this is a direct result of the limitations and restrictions that Fraser Health and the Ministry of Health have put in place, they do not and will not recognize the work and detail that HJC has put together over the last fourteen months of long hard work. HJC provided detailed and extensive directions with full reports and descriptions of what has to be done. They have been available at all times at the other end of a phone to provide direct direction to any that would need it. Hard to believe that one of the most advanced centers for brain injury therapy would not be listened to, even after our Minister of health Kevin Falcon said they would follow the direction of Chris’ doctors in Alberta and BC. To this date none of it has been followed or adhered to.
Withholding access to funds, our health system is depriving Chris of a chance to recover to his best ability. We have spent around 400,000.00 dollars in the last year and a bit to get to this point not to mention the sweat and lost lives, torn dreams, the endless fighting of the system, mostly over things they are unable to comprehend or are capable of understanding.
In the middle of making great strides in Alberta at HJC, without notice, without reason or explanation it has been removed almost instantly. I will be meeting with Chris’ legal team to discuss our options but already have a feeling it will be left to me again to push the envelope to make changes happen.
I am taking Chris to the pool right now and will continue this afternoon.
Kevin
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Finally forced back by the Government with no plan in place
Just a quick update, Chris is at Connect 20445 73A Ave. They have an open door policy, any of you can visit and I encourage you too do so, as he could use all the company and visitors he could get at the moment.
There is no therapy started yet and wont be for another week at least if not longer. Fraser health will not be following HJC recommendations as they said it would nor did they have all the therapy set up for a seamless transfer like they said they would. Fraser Health plans on using care aide to do the work of a neuro-physio to treat Chris.
I wonder how the Physio therapists association views this because if that’s all it takes to be a trained therapist then I am now an expert. I will get into in detail in the days to come.
This is now the time for me to research a little further and start naming names and bringing to light all the promises that are never fulfilled. I am tired and exhausted. I am going to spend a few days getting caught up with some things I have not yet finished and I will write in detail how things went from great to below basic, even though all of the assurances were in place!
Connect has some great people and the transition is slow but positive. The therapy is a disaster and that is my priority at the moment. Heather all of your concerns and mine have come true, BC and the therapists here do not share your passion or dedication and if there is, I have yet to meet them.
I know there has not been much in the blog lately, I have avoided putting in what I thought would be happening just to see if these incompetent government puppets were actually able to bring all of what they say together in a plan that shows leadership and builds trust with family’s. It turns out the expectations and false promises I was given by the government and Fraser health are not coming through. My pre-judgement and concerns were right on the money. I may have to apply for a job in health ministry, as I am starting to think like them. But we know I could never do that because I care too much about the people whose lives have been turned upside down.
Please feel free to drop in and say hello Chris would love it. I will put up lots more in the days to come.
Kevin
There is no therapy started yet and wont be for another week at least if not longer. Fraser health will not be following HJC recommendations as they said it would nor did they have all the therapy set up for a seamless transfer like they said they would. Fraser Health plans on using care aide to do the work of a neuro-physio to treat Chris.
I wonder how the Physio therapists association views this because if that’s all it takes to be a trained therapist then I am now an expert. I will get into in detail in the days to come.
This is now the time for me to research a little further and start naming names and bringing to light all the promises that are never fulfilled. I am tired and exhausted. I am going to spend a few days getting caught up with some things I have not yet finished and I will write in detail how things went from great to below basic, even though all of the assurances were in place!
Connect has some great people and the transition is slow but positive. The therapy is a disaster and that is my priority at the moment. Heather all of your concerns and mine have come true, BC and the therapists here do not share your passion or dedication and if there is, I have yet to meet them.
I know there has not been much in the blog lately, I have avoided putting in what I thought would be happening just to see if these incompetent government puppets were actually able to bring all of what they say together in a plan that shows leadership and builds trust with family’s. It turns out the expectations and false promises I was given by the government and Fraser health are not coming through. My pre-judgement and concerns were right on the money. I may have to apply for a job in health ministry, as I am starting to think like them. But we know I could never do that because I care too much about the people whose lives have been turned upside down.
Please feel free to drop in and say hello Chris would love it. I will put up lots more in the days to come.
Kevin
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Newspaper article
Check the link to the Ponoka News they have been a tremendous source of support and understanding through allot of difficult times.
I will update more as I clear all of what is happening, I am confused by the Ministries latest rant as it makes no sense but still plays out the same, usual way, they do not know exactly what they are doing or what is needed to be done. It is hard to be on top of something you do not understand or care about!
Accountability, this is paramount in the dealing with decisions that will affect someones life.
http://www.albertalocalnews.com/ponokanews/news/90770349.html
Bye,
Kevin
I will update more as I clear all of what is happening, I am confused by the Ministries latest rant as it makes no sense but still plays out the same, usual way, they do not know exactly what they are doing or what is needed to be done. It is hard to be on top of something you do not understand or care about!
Accountability, this is paramount in the dealing with decisions that will affect someones life.
http://www.albertalocalnews.com/ponokanews/news/90770349.html
Bye,
Kevin
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Friday's late evening Post
It’s now later; never new so much chaos would transpire from this morning until this afternoon, lots to talk about.
Got a call from the contact at Fraser Health this afternoon from the same contact who told me their doctor wrote a letter to “themselves” asking for an extension to June 4th. This letter supposedly was to cover the floundering ministry officials who could not figure out how to put a rehab program together or how to pay for it. So after three and a half months of not figuring it out, they asked for directions from the professionals in this field that deal with this rehab day in and day out and are successful at it.
In fact they asked several times what they had to do; then they decided to do nothing, yes just nothing.
No conversing with me or the doctors at Halvar Jonson or listening to their own neurologist in Surrey, mainly because they all told the truth and no agenda to fulfil and would not give what the ministry was looking for, the ok to bring Chris back and stick him in an extended care home.
When they realized that the Minister of Health had made statements that were so far from the truth I imagine they all ran for cover so they didn’t have to tell him to keep his mouth shut about things that are far above his ability to comprehend.
So from there they went behind the backs of Chris’ family making candid calls to doctors and therapist making inquiries to see if they would agree that if they just provided the bare essentials of rehab would that do. None of the true professionals would by into their behind the back tactics and so the waiting turned into another few months without decisions or living up to the commitment the Minister of Health said he could provide.
Just two weeks ago this same person at Fraser Health told me their new doctor had written a letter asking for an extension so they could have more time to put it together. At this rate we should have bought a house in Ponoka?
It took a month and a half after this request and still no answer, from what I can make out from all the calls made to different people with different questions was that they just could not put a simple rehab plan together that would be comparable to HJC.
During this time someone above these puppets in the ministry of Health, decided to call HJC and ask what they were doing, and got the response from HJC, we are “waiting for you to get your act together” another embarrassment for the health ministry. When they were told what the cost was for Chris being there (you would think they would know they have been paying for a year now) they decided to just bring him home as fast as possible with no regard for planning. This is what provoked this call today to tell me they were bringing him home on April 26, 2010 with no plan.
As he put it, I have some great news “they have approved funding for a bed for Christopher at Connect and are going to move him on April 26, 2010”
This is the same person that two weeks ago said they would need the extension to bring it all together? He and Fraser health people all heard the Connect facility say they needed four weeks minimum and would prefer six weeks, so the transition would be smooth and seamless and in fact this same person reiterated this to me just two weeks ago. How can you have trust when these people can not be honest, can not make a commitment, will not follow direction of the professionals with degrees in their field of study and know best as how this should be handled?
It is more the conniving and underhanded way of trying to circumvent the truth then bend and twist it, respect comes from a degree of trust and honesty, it is hard to get once lost. I believe most people in health care deserve our trust to do the right thing. But I am afraid the Minister of Health and most under his command do not deserve nor will they get mine from here on out until they earn it back.
A question for all of you how trusting would you be if your family member or you had to trust these people to do the right thing for you. I think not as far as you could through them. This is just the opening round; I do hope they are prepared for the can of worms they are opening.
These are the same people that have taken two months plus, just to tell me that funding for a bed was approved. The same health ministry people that denied extensions for no reason, then set deadlines that even they could not fulfill, the same ones that after numerous reports and professional advice by some of the leading doctors in this field decided to ignore all of them and bring Chris back to BC with no plan and yet again they rise to the occasion, moving ahead without a plan or purpose, ignoring yet again the professional advice that was provided not once not twice but several times. As it turns out no one who works for the Ministry of health or Fraser Health has the knowledge or the foresight to put together that this information forms all of what is needed for Chris’ future. I think if one of them or their loved one was in the same situation it would be different or maybe their health coverage covers them in the US.
This whole time, over the last five months, all of the dragging out and all of the stalling that was going on, was so they could work in the background behind my back, not being honest and upfront with the professionals at HJC so they wouldn’t question why it was taking months and months to finish what was supposed to be a week long task. Instead they were busy trying do down size the therapy and care instructions that the experts at HJC have given them several times as well as a couple of phone calls and to top it off a teleconference with me then a teleconference with the people at HJC back on February 10, 2010
This person from Fraser Health insisted that Dr G had talk to their doctor and told them that the care required was actually lessoning since we had the teleconference. I talked with Dr G at HJC yesterday he was in the dark and asking me if I had heard anything yet from BC as he hadn’t.
I was unable to get a firm commitment from him on the length of time this facility will be given to Chris for his continued rehab. Nor was I able to get a straight answer from him as to what funds were available to provide rehab therapy similar to HJC as the Minister of Heath said we had and would provide for Chris. The Minister Kevin Falcon went on to say they would do what ever the recommendations of the health care professionals that have brought Chris this far over the last13 months. This now seems to have been forgotten by the Health Ministry.
I guess they are all still high on the Olympic dream. Dreaming seems to be a favourite pastime of this and several ministries.
So at the moment we are trying to squeeze Chris’ departure into a two week slot because of a knee jerk reaction. A time frame that all had agreed was not do-able, it has not allowed for planning or thought of process, no therapist’s in place no written commitment to as how long we will have access to this house, no therapists have been contacted or interviewed. Lets throw more money aimlessly out the door when we do not have enough to look after our injured in the first place, not one person agrees with this, not even the facility Chris will go to.
This place supposedly will be used until we are ready to handle all of it on our own. Something ICBC has managed to stop for the last two and a half years.
This facility has said they need 4 weeks to prepare and be ready and to get therapies in place and make all of the arrangements.
I was told by the person from Fraser Health today that everything will be ready, but can not tell what it is that will be ready, no details, no direct answers to my questions as to how long or how much is available for therapy or if therapy is still in their plan, no answers, only that they think they only needed a portion of therapy that was told to them but couldn’t tell me who or where that decision was made from. Now want s confer with their doctor again and further info from HJC Christ it just never ends.
If I ran my business like this I would be broke and have no customers. Instead I have to deal and listen to these people and now I am broke, both financially and in belief in our system of honesty.
The dishonest, misleading, inept, unprofessional way of dealing with the very people you serve as a public employee. Does this all come naturally, I hope not, it must be the system you work for that produces all this chaos?
If so then you choose to be a part and propagate the unfairness and inapprehensible way in which people are treated.
I certainly hope all of you who work for the government, ICBC, Fraser health all remember that one day you will be in this situation, will you be looking for a person that will lie and mislead you or would you like to be treated with respect, honesty and truth. You would think it would be common sense, but once in a public sector job obviously all of that is given up, is that a requirement?
Enough for today, I must rethink our position, as I put my trust and Chris’ future in people that said they cared and I believed them, they have sorely let us down. Chris can not defend or speak for himself I will be his voice and spirit and I will fight every minute of every day to make these people accountable for their inaction.
Bye for now,
Kevin
Got a call from the contact at Fraser Health this afternoon from the same contact who told me their doctor wrote a letter to “themselves” asking for an extension to June 4th. This letter supposedly was to cover the floundering ministry officials who could not figure out how to put a rehab program together or how to pay for it. So after three and a half months of not figuring it out, they asked for directions from the professionals in this field that deal with this rehab day in and day out and are successful at it.
In fact they asked several times what they had to do; then they decided to do nothing, yes just nothing.
No conversing with me or the doctors at Halvar Jonson or listening to their own neurologist in Surrey, mainly because they all told the truth and no agenda to fulfil and would not give what the ministry was looking for, the ok to bring Chris back and stick him in an extended care home.
When they realized that the Minister of Health had made statements that were so far from the truth I imagine they all ran for cover so they didn’t have to tell him to keep his mouth shut about things that are far above his ability to comprehend.
So from there they went behind the backs of Chris’ family making candid calls to doctors and therapist making inquiries to see if they would agree that if they just provided the bare essentials of rehab would that do. None of the true professionals would by into their behind the back tactics and so the waiting turned into another few months without decisions or living up to the commitment the Minister of Health said he could provide.
Just two weeks ago this same person at Fraser Health told me their new doctor had written a letter asking for an extension so they could have more time to put it together. At this rate we should have bought a house in Ponoka?
It took a month and a half after this request and still no answer, from what I can make out from all the calls made to different people with different questions was that they just could not put a simple rehab plan together that would be comparable to HJC.
During this time someone above these puppets in the ministry of Health, decided to call HJC and ask what they were doing, and got the response from HJC, we are “waiting for you to get your act together” another embarrassment for the health ministry. When they were told what the cost was for Chris being there (you would think they would know they have been paying for a year now) they decided to just bring him home as fast as possible with no regard for planning. This is what provoked this call today to tell me they were bringing him home on April 26, 2010 with no plan.
As he put it, I have some great news “they have approved funding for a bed for Christopher at Connect and are going to move him on April 26, 2010”
This is the same person that two weeks ago said they would need the extension to bring it all together? He and Fraser health people all heard the Connect facility say they needed four weeks minimum and would prefer six weeks, so the transition would be smooth and seamless and in fact this same person reiterated this to me just two weeks ago. How can you have trust when these people can not be honest, can not make a commitment, will not follow direction of the professionals with degrees in their field of study and know best as how this should be handled?
It is more the conniving and underhanded way of trying to circumvent the truth then bend and twist it, respect comes from a degree of trust and honesty, it is hard to get once lost. I believe most people in health care deserve our trust to do the right thing. But I am afraid the Minister of Health and most under his command do not deserve nor will they get mine from here on out until they earn it back.
A question for all of you how trusting would you be if your family member or you had to trust these people to do the right thing for you. I think not as far as you could through them. This is just the opening round; I do hope they are prepared for the can of worms they are opening.
These are the same people that have taken two months plus, just to tell me that funding for a bed was approved. The same health ministry people that denied extensions for no reason, then set deadlines that even they could not fulfill, the same ones that after numerous reports and professional advice by some of the leading doctors in this field decided to ignore all of them and bring Chris back to BC with no plan and yet again they rise to the occasion, moving ahead without a plan or purpose, ignoring yet again the professional advice that was provided not once not twice but several times. As it turns out no one who works for the Ministry of health or Fraser Health has the knowledge or the foresight to put together that this information forms all of what is needed for Chris’ future. I think if one of them or their loved one was in the same situation it would be different or maybe their health coverage covers them in the US.
This whole time, over the last five months, all of the dragging out and all of the stalling that was going on, was so they could work in the background behind my back, not being honest and upfront with the professionals at HJC so they wouldn’t question why it was taking months and months to finish what was supposed to be a week long task. Instead they were busy trying do down size the therapy and care instructions that the experts at HJC have given them several times as well as a couple of phone calls and to top it off a teleconference with me then a teleconference with the people at HJC back on February 10, 2010
This person from Fraser Health insisted that Dr G had talk to their doctor and told them that the care required was actually lessoning since we had the teleconference. I talked with Dr G at HJC yesterday he was in the dark and asking me if I had heard anything yet from BC as he hadn’t.
I was unable to get a firm commitment from him on the length of time this facility will be given to Chris for his continued rehab. Nor was I able to get a straight answer from him as to what funds were available to provide rehab therapy similar to HJC as the Minister of Heath said we had and would provide for Chris. The Minister Kevin Falcon went on to say they would do what ever the recommendations of the health care professionals that have brought Chris this far over the last13 months. This now seems to have been forgotten by the Health Ministry.
I guess they are all still high on the Olympic dream. Dreaming seems to be a favourite pastime of this and several ministries.
So at the moment we are trying to squeeze Chris’ departure into a two week slot because of a knee jerk reaction. A time frame that all had agreed was not do-able, it has not allowed for planning or thought of process, no therapist’s in place no written commitment to as how long we will have access to this house, no therapists have been contacted or interviewed. Lets throw more money aimlessly out the door when we do not have enough to look after our injured in the first place, not one person agrees with this, not even the facility Chris will go to.
This place supposedly will be used until we are ready to handle all of it on our own. Something ICBC has managed to stop for the last two and a half years.
This facility has said they need 4 weeks to prepare and be ready and to get therapies in place and make all of the arrangements.
I was told by the person from Fraser Health today that everything will be ready, but can not tell what it is that will be ready, no details, no direct answers to my questions as to how long or how much is available for therapy or if therapy is still in their plan, no answers, only that they think they only needed a portion of therapy that was told to them but couldn’t tell me who or where that decision was made from. Now want s confer with their doctor again and further info from HJC Christ it just never ends.
If I ran my business like this I would be broke and have no customers. Instead I have to deal and listen to these people and now I am broke, both financially and in belief in our system of honesty.
The dishonest, misleading, inept, unprofessional way of dealing with the very people you serve as a public employee. Does this all come naturally, I hope not, it must be the system you work for that produces all this chaos?
If so then you choose to be a part and propagate the unfairness and inapprehensible way in which people are treated.
I certainly hope all of you who work for the government, ICBC, Fraser health all remember that one day you will be in this situation, will you be looking for a person that will lie and mislead you or would you like to be treated with respect, honesty and truth. You would think it would be common sense, but once in a public sector job obviously all of that is given up, is that a requirement?
Enough for today, I must rethink our position, as I put my trust and Chris’ future in people that said they cared and I believed them, they have sorely let us down. Chris can not defend or speak for himself I will be his voice and spirit and I will fight every minute of every day to make these people accountable for their inaction.
Bye for now,
Kevin
Friday, April 9, 2010
Thursday afternoon
Hey everyone,
Good day lots of work positive stuff going on each day. Each day that passes I know Chris will be in a different frame of mind once we can set up at home and start involving friends and family in the therapy.
He progress has slowed during his bout with the cold and congestion but is rebounding great. I look forward to being at home with Chris and making the workouts longer and longer with our ability to withstand the rigours of an increasing schedule and tolerance level.
Our big goals are now strengthening his neck and core muscles so we can move forward with more control and tolerance of other muscles.
Every day is a gift with this amazing and wonderful human being. I know there was allot more that Chris was supposed to do with the gifts and talents he was given. I remember the free clinics in St Martin for the poor and the children, for this his name with the other doctors that helped him are now on a plaque hung in the foyer of the main hall at the school. This was just one of the many things that drove him to help those who had nothing, making a difference in peoples lives is why he gave up so much to become a doctor. I only wish I could infuse into the new and especially the older doctors that this zeal is really what it is all about. To the government I wish I could show that there is a better way, but you have to really care. Only people in it for money could take it all in stride and accept this mediocre system we have come to accept as normal!
I am inspired everyday by this man I am proud to call my son and have always been in awe and so amazed by his determination and drive, and all he gave up over the last twelve years. I know all those friends he was missing by being away all those years will still be there for him when he gets home and settled.
Till Later,
Kevin
Good day lots of work positive stuff going on each day. Each day that passes I know Chris will be in a different frame of mind once we can set up at home and start involving friends and family in the therapy.
He progress has slowed during his bout with the cold and congestion but is rebounding great. I look forward to being at home with Chris and making the workouts longer and longer with our ability to withstand the rigours of an increasing schedule and tolerance level.
Our big goals are now strengthening his neck and core muscles so we can move forward with more control and tolerance of other muscles.
Every day is a gift with this amazing and wonderful human being. I know there was allot more that Chris was supposed to do with the gifts and talents he was given. I remember the free clinics in St Martin for the poor and the children, for this his name with the other doctors that helped him are now on a plaque hung in the foyer of the main hall at the school. This was just one of the many things that drove him to help those who had nothing, making a difference in peoples lives is why he gave up so much to become a doctor. I only wish I could infuse into the new and especially the older doctors that this zeal is really what it is all about. To the government I wish I could show that there is a better way, but you have to really care. Only people in it for money could take it all in stride and accept this mediocre system we have come to accept as normal!
I am inspired everyday by this man I am proud to call my son and have always been in awe and so amazed by his determination and drive, and all he gave up over the last twelve years. I know all those friends he was missing by being away all those years will still be there for him when he gets home and settled.
Till Later,
Kevin
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