Help Dave Howie with his Rehab Journey

Support David Howie on his Road to Recovery

December 4, 2020 is a day that we will never forget, a regular morning quickly turned into a reminder of how precious life is.  “Coach Dave” or “Howie” as many know him suffered a severe stroke that has left him paralyzed on the right side of his body and with profound aphasia (inability to produce speech) and apraxia (the brain’s inability to develop plans for speech movement).   

After two surgeries, Dave spent over a month in the stroke ICU unit at Sunnybrook Hospital.  He was then transferred to his home hospital, Southlake Regional Health Centre where he remains today receiving speech and language, occupational therapy and physiotherapy.  He works hard with very slow gains. 

Dave was always on the go and loved his job, coaching and refereeing hockey, playing golf and hockey.  His stroke is still incomprehensible...devastating and his life is forever changed in a blink of an eye.
 
It is an understatement to say how tremendously frustrated and sad Dave is in his inability to communicate and with his physical challenges.  Dave will return home April 7th in a wheelchair and is expected to need therapy for years in the hope that someday he will be able to effectively communicate and regain the use of the right side of his body.

His family are devastated at this change and are struggling in every way imaginable to help navigate this new reality.  Dawn and Daniel have moved home to be together and help on this journey and support mom and dad.  

It has become very clear that the more therapy Dave receives, the more gains we will all see.  In order to offer Dave the care and rehabilitation he desperately needs we realize this will not only be a long journey but also a tremendously costly one.  As his strength returns his therapy sessions will become more frequent and for a longer duration.  Programs are being investigated like the iTAWC Program (Intensive Treatment for Aphasia www.itawc.com) which is a renowned clinic which has proven rehabilitation results. 

We fully recognize and appreciate that people have already supported Dave & Dixie and thank you so much. Others keep asking what they can do to help.  Funds received will go directly towards his therapy and equipment needed to accommodate his challenges.

With all our support and with his great work ethic and determination Dave will remain driven and will never give up on his recovery.

Dave has dedicated his life to caring for and helping others.  His compassion for his friends and family is always evident.  His love to chat and make others laugh is deeply missed by all of us. We maintain great faith and hope that Dave will have a successful rehabilitation journey. 
 
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.  Our gratitude is deep and we know that Dave will be so appreciative too.  We ask that you continue to keep him in your thoughts and prayers as he continues on his rehabilitation journey.