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Pictured above is Joseph Earnest Clow. (2018)
The ballad of Joe and Dom,
Joe has always been there for his family. He has always had a strong work ethic, positive moral values, and compassion for others. One of Joe's loves is to spend his free time outside. He used to love to spending time working in the garden or on long walks with his dog Roscko.
For 30 years Joe worked at a paper mill. Working days, evenings, and midnight shifts to provide for his family. In late 2007, Domtar paper mill closed down.
Joe was laid off.
Now unexpectedly out of work after many years, the family had to plan for the future. It was around this time Joe began experiencing bouts of unexplained loss of balance.
Joe was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis.
The illness progressed quickly. Joe started losing mobility. He had good days, but each day was harder than the last. He struggled to continue to spend time doing all of the things that used to be second nature to him. After a long day of working in the garden he felt more tired than usual. His long walks with his pup Roscko would require more and more physical effort. Joe began walking with a cane, his gait became laborious and staggering. He needed assistance from a walker. Then a wheelchair with complete loss of function in his legs. I know this paints a bleak picture but Joe has remained positive throughout his journey, now living his life with MS.
Joe's positive attitude brings joy to those around him.
Meet Joe's caregiver and loving wife Dominique.
Dominique, as Joe's lifelong partner, now takes care of the household and Joe.
Dominique isn't a spring chicken either. Lifting Joe is extremely difficult as his legs stiffen up.
Over time, through savings, donations, and the charity of her kind community, Dominique has acquired devices to assist her with Joe's care.
She is able to utilize these devices around the home to help Joe with things most people take for granted. Getting in and out of bed, bathroom tasks, and lifting him in and out of his wheelchair so he can enjoy the outdoors.
She needs help.
Dominique has no such device for helping move Joe into and out of vehicles. In her 60s, Dominique has to lift over 100lbs every time Joe needs in and out of the vehicle. She does this for Joe, so he can leave the house on occasion. Attend numerous medical appointments, to visit family, and sometimes just to bring him outside the four walls of their home where he now spends most of his days because of his immobility.
All funds raised will go towards a vehicle chair lift. The chair lift will enable Dominique to help Joe into and out of the vehicle without having to lift him. The lift quote through the company Liftability is $9500. Dominique has applied to a charity, March of Dimes, who will hopefully be able to assist (max contribution from them is up to $2600). With the charity contribution uncertain, the goal for fund raising is $9500.
Thank you for taking the time to read this. Any donation at all will help Joe continue to be positive and kind in the face of this terrible disease.
(Ride for dad charity - 2013)
(Home - 2010)
(Bruno chair lift)
The ballad of Joe and Dom,
Joe has always been there for his family. He has always had a strong work ethic, positive moral values, and compassion for others. One of Joe's loves is to spend his free time outside. He used to love to spending time working in the garden or on long walks with his dog Roscko.
For 30 years Joe worked at a paper mill. Working days, evenings, and midnight shifts to provide for his family. In late 2007, Domtar paper mill closed down.
Joe was laid off.
Now unexpectedly out of work after many years, the family had to plan for the future. It was around this time Joe began experiencing bouts of unexplained loss of balance.
Joe was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis.
The illness progressed quickly. Joe started losing mobility. He had good days, but each day was harder than the last. He struggled to continue to spend time doing all of the things that used to be second nature to him. After a long day of working in the garden he felt more tired than usual. His long walks with his pup Roscko would require more and more physical effort. Joe began walking with a cane, his gait became laborious and staggering. He needed assistance from a walker. Then a wheelchair with complete loss of function in his legs. I know this paints a bleak picture but Joe has remained positive throughout his journey, now living his life with MS.
Joe's positive attitude brings joy to those around him.
Meet Joe's caregiver and loving wife Dominique.
Dominique, as Joe's lifelong partner, now takes care of the household and Joe.
Dominique isn't a spring chicken either. Lifting Joe is extremely difficult as his legs stiffen up.
Over time, through savings, donations, and the charity of her kind community, Dominique has acquired devices to assist her with Joe's care.
She is able to utilize these devices around the home to help Joe with things most people take for granted. Getting in and out of bed, bathroom tasks, and lifting him in and out of his wheelchair so he can enjoy the outdoors.
She needs help.
Dominique has no such device for helping move Joe into and out of vehicles. In her 60s, Dominique has to lift over 100lbs every time Joe needs in and out of the vehicle. She does this for Joe, so he can leave the house on occasion. Attend numerous medical appointments, to visit family, and sometimes just to bring him outside the four walls of their home where he now spends most of his days because of his immobility.
All funds raised will go towards a vehicle chair lift. The chair lift will enable Dominique to help Joe into and out of the vehicle without having to lift him. The lift quote through the company Liftability is $9500. Dominique has applied to a charity, March of Dimes, who will hopefully be able to assist (max contribution from them is up to $2600). With the charity contribution uncertain, the goal for fund raising is $9500.
Thank you for taking the time to read this. Any donation at all will help Joe continue to be positive and kind in the face of this terrible disease.
(Ride for dad charity - 2013)
(Home - 2010)(Bruno chair lift)