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Help Jesse recover!

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WOKE UP PARALYZED!
***EYE UPDATE- Unfortunately, I found out today that I have to endure yet another issue and subsequent surgery. Lately, my vision has gotten worse and I am seeing double, I cannot focus on things up close, I have a scratch on my cornea (feels like there is an eyelash in my eye at all times) and my distance vision is deteriorating further. I have seen 5 optometrists, 2 ophthalmologists and 1 surgeon so far. I have one more surgery consult in late November and I will find out the actual results at this time, but it is the opinion of all the previous consults that I need Laser surgery in order to fix my eyes. Because my eyes are so damaged, they may not be able to fix them 100% and will probably need reading glasses. However, I will not need my regular glasses. They offered me 2 types of surgery. The cheaper one consists of them taking a blade to my eye, cutting my cornea to create a flap to fix it. Using this option has a side effect of becoming blind. For a $500 difference the other plan for surgery is to use a guided laser to correct all the problems and it is much safer. This surgery also comes with a lifetime guarantee which means as I get older and my eyes change again, it will be corrected for free. Unfortunately, for this, the surgery has been set for December 9, 2022 because of its urgency. The surgery is not covered by the government and so I need to raise $5,340. If I do not raise that money prior to surgery, they will not operate and will cancel my surgery and I will be unable to see.***

WHEN I ALMOST DIED- I have been out of the hospital since July. I was moved between 2 'handicapped accessible' units. The current unit I have is on the 5th floor, and I cannot open the door to get into my apartment or leave it without someone opening it for me. Nor can I take the elevator downstairs or upstairs by myself. The thermostat is out of my control as it is centrally controlled, and it is constantly too cold or too hot. I am unable to reach my mailbox, and I must wait for two staff members to assist me in coming back to my unit. And then, when I tried to talk to the building management, they listened to what I had to say, said they would reply back, but four weeks later, they still had not replied. I then retained a lawyer through social services, and the following day they responded to her. I was simply asking for them to change the buttons that open the doors to wave-accessible buttons rather than push buttons, which I cannot do. This only would cost about $110 per button, a fob reader for the inside and outside of my door which would cost around the same amount for each fob reader. I need the ability to control my temperature in the unit. Lastly, I asked them for elevator access via remote or fob which is already installed in the elevator; they would need to program it to your floor. The day after all of this happened, I received a rent increase illegally as I was not served in writing 90 days prior, have not lived here a year and after 4 months, my rent should not go up and it was increased by double the legal limit which is 2.5%. That same day, later in the afternoon, I get a call from my lawyer saying that the building has also retained a lawyer.
At the end of August, I was found by staff unresponsive when they came up for the normal check. They had to immediately begin CPR which lasted 4 rounds before I was revived and called 911 in the meantime. After CPR, it was revealed that it actually caused severe damage. Despite saving my life, it created further issues while I was rushed to the hospital. My catheter was pushed into my prostate and caused a blood loss. I ended up being in the hospital for 7 days; 2 days in the ICU and 5 days on the general medicine floor. They found I had a massive infection- a UTI. I was on 3 different antibiotics IV while there. Once being released from the hospital, I was told that because I came in via ambulance, that I have to leave by ambulance and they charged me $250 to come home. That hospital visit was necessary, but a nightmare because I was doing so well, other than the building issues.


Prayers are graciously welcomed Tehillim can be read in the name "Yosef Ben Esther"

To all the current and future donors:

My name is Danielle and I am writing on behalf of my friend Jesse Levy because he is unable to do so himself:

I am eternally grateful to those that have reached out and donated to assist me in making this journey easier and less painful. Thank you so much for your continued support!

19 months later, he is unfortunately still paralyzed. The ward that he is on while in the hospital is rapidly becoming a Covid ward and the circumstances are becoming unsafe. Fortunately, an apartment has been secured for Jesse. However, due to the lack of funds and equipment, he is not able to move in to the unit. We are pleading with all of our donors for any assistance that you can provide to get the necessary equipment and care so he can relocate to this safer space.

*URGENTLY SEEKING*

-HOSPITAL BED $3,175 Thank you to a generous donor, this is no longer needed!

*STILL NEED*

-MATTRESS with air pump controller $3,832
-RAZ COMMODE for bathroom/need it to shower with tilt $4,020
-HOYER PATIENT ELECTRIC LIFT required for bed to chair transfer, commode transfer $3,699
-SLINGS FOR THE LIFT TRANSFER $700
-CARE which is 42 hrs per week not including nights (government compensates 14 hrs, March of Dimes Charity donates 25 hrs) which is an extra 45 hrs or care per week (government will not compensate) $22,176

The night care is only recommended for the first six months and will drop as time goes on. The only thing that has allowed him to regain some motion in his arms has been therapy, which he needs 4 times per week ($2,240 per month) and these costs are mounting. Donations can be made through here or directly to the therapy place (details upon request).

Various other costs include medications not covered, supplements, transportation and technological devices to create an accessible environment for him which runs an approximate cost of $6,500.

*Please note that all donations are in Canadian funds and any US donations will be converted into Canadian funds*

THANK YOU ONCE AGAIN AND TO SEE THE FULL STORY, PLEASE SEE BELOW!

Jesse
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Life is fragile and we take it for granted a lot of the time. I now know that it is true in more ways than one. I was an independent, self sufficient young man who has a beautiful 5 year old child named Jacob. I am self employed, working long hours each day, taking care of clients and have been growing my real estate business for years.

 In the blink of an eye, my world changed. I was working on my marketing into the late night and I fell asleep sitting up at my work table. When I woke up, I was completely paralyzed from the neck down. Yes- I went from complete independence to not being able to feed or clothe myself or do any of the basic life skills that people take for granted every day.

I was in the ICU while many tests were run on me to determine what caused this paralysis. Blood flow was blocked to my spine due to the angle and duration that my head was resting during my sleep while sitting at my desk. I was taken into surgery to locate the exact vertebrae that needed to be remedied. While in surgery it was discovered that I had no natural curvature in my neck and had a condition called stenosis.

 All of the major hospitals took interest in my case. As soon as I was approved to be moved into the rehab centre, a new development came in. It turns out I have a severe case of the West Nile Virus. This may be part of the cause of the paralysis but it is still being studied as a multifaceted case. Doctors including my surgeon, the infectious disease specialist, a neurologist, physiotherapists, nurses, pharmacists and GI doctor all make up the extensive team working on my diagnosis and treatment.

I will be remaining in the hospital, dealing with my already weak immune system caused by ulcerative colitis and now being treated with interferon, antibodies and blood plasma transfusions for a week to see if there are any improvements.

The costs for my new life, just the basics, will be difficult to keep up with as they will amount to $50,000 for the year or so that it will take me to recover and possibly get back to a functional life. Medications, living expenses at the hospital and later the rehab facility, a specialized wheelchair, a walker, a shower chair, physiotherapy, psychological support and many other living expenses incurred with not being able to work or provide for myself will quickly add up and put more pressure on me.

I believe in paying this forward once I return to my normal. I plan on helping others who have similar issues with mobility and plan to use my influence in several communities to make this happen.

Life is fragile. Remember and cherish every moment as if it could change in an instant, much like mine did.

Thank you for your support. I really do appreciate it!

 Jesse



ALL DONATIONS MADE ON THIS WEBSITE DIRECTLY BENEFIT THE MEDICAL CARE AND REHABILITATION OF JESSE LEVY. 
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Donations 

  • marina kiblitsky
    • $100
    • 8 mos
  • Maria Santiago
    • $100
    • 1 yr
  • Sheryl Oleksak
    • $50
    • 2 yrs
  • Victoria Grinman
    • $90
    • 2 yrs
  • Anonymous
    • $68
    • 2 yrs
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Organizer

Danielle Eberschlag
Organizer
North York, ON

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