Corina Bohnet

In the spring of 2021, our dear friend, wife, mother, daughter and sister Corina contracted Covid-19. As her symptoms worsened, and breathing became difficult, an ambulance was called and she was transported to the Peter Lougheed Hospital, with Shane unable to accompany her due to his own Covid 19 recovery. What for some was a mild set of symptoms and quarantine period, for Corina, turned into a fight for her life.

Shortly after her admission, Corina’s oxygen levels deteriorated, necessitating she be intubated and transferred to the ICU. Her ICU admission was lengthy, included a bowel surgery, reintubation and most troubling, the development of Guillain Barre Syndrome (GBS), a rare neurological disorder in which the immune system attacks the peripheral nervous system, rendering her essentially paralyzed, unable to speak, move her limbs or smile at Shane who spent every day at her bedside during her extended hospital admission.

From the acute care received at the Peter Lougheed Hospital to rehabilitation received at the Foothills Hospital and most recently the Halvar Jonson Centre in Ponoka, over the past 17 months, Corina has shown the most incredible resilience, perseverance and strength to face her significant obstacles head on and work diligently in an effort to recover her mobility, speech and independence. Despite her best efforts, Corina’s recovery has been slow and it remains ongoing. At this point in time, though her inpatient rehabilitation, funded through AHS is coming to an end, her need for further rehabilitation is not.

Shane has been the most incredible support to Corina since her illness began, literally being at her bedside daily from her ICU admission through to her transfer to the Halvar Jonson Centre in Ponoka last fall, which coincided with his return to work. Despite the four hour round trip to Ponoka, he has continued to attend multiple times a week, has brought Corina home for extended visits, provided round the clock care and made modifications to the home to enhance her accessibility. To witness his love, loyalty, positivity, humour and gentle care for her is simply incredible.

It is now our turn to help support both Corina and Shane. Upon her discharge home, Corina will require private physio and speech language services, and also a health care aide to assist Shane as he continues to support her. The costs of these services is high, but they are necessary to help her maximize her potential recovery.

Sheri and I have known Corina and Shane for decades and know them asking for help is a difficult if not sometimes impossible task. So we are doing the asking of Corina’s beloved friends, family and colleagues, to please consider donating to offset some of the significant costs Shane and Corina will soon incur. Thank you so very much for your consideration.