# Help Gerard Fournier Recover from a Major Stroke

Hello everyone,

My name is David Fournier, and I'm reaching out on behalf of the Fournier family. Our beloved father, Gerard Fournier, has suffered a major stroke that has left him with significant brain damage. This unexpected and devastating event has profoundly impacted our family, both emotionally and financially.

It is a sad irony that he went in for an elective surgery to clear out a build up and prevent a stroke from happening in the future. That very night of the surgery he had the stroke. The Doctor said it was a less than 2% chance that it would occur. My Dad definitely got the unlucky end of that stick of odds.

## About Gerard

Gerard is a kind-hearted, witty, and intelligent man who has always been there for his family and friends. He has spent his whole life showing up in service of those he loves, never batting an eye when someone needed a ride to the doctor or just a helping hand.

He has spent his life as a creative writer in the film industry and has a book and a screenplay that he would still love to see published. As well, he has dedicated the last 10 years of his life as a co-founder of the Women's Day Live foundation to help feed hungry children and their families.

Despite the severity of the stroke, he is still sound of mind and recognizes us, his loved ones. His memory is largely intact, and he remains aware of most conversations. It also warms my heart to see he still hasn't lost his wit and humour in the face of such darkness. However, the stroke has severely affected his ability to speak, read, process images, and use the right side of his body. He struggles to form complete sentences and cannot fully comprehend written words or visuals.

One of the most difficult revelations is that he has become extremely depressed with unusual emotional swings. He lacks purpose and often questions his existence. This has become very taxing on all of us to see this brilliant mind and heart feel like he can no longer express himself creatively.

On a positive note, one of my favourite activities to do with him is to play Beatles songs and sing along to them. His face lights up as we embrace the love and poetry of these timeless classics. It shows the amazing power of memory and nostalgia as he mouths almost every single lyric despite not being able to say most of the words in regular conversation.

## Our Situation

The Fournier family is facing immense challenges. We are determined to provide Gerard with the best care and therapy available, hoping to restore as much of his former self as possible. However, the costs of medical treatment, rehabilitation, and day-to-day expenses are overwhelming. We are in urgent need of financial support to ensure that Gerard receives the necessary care and therapy to improve his chances of recovery.

The healthcare system provides some out-patient therapy, but not nearly the level that he needs for any form of true recovery. He is very low energy and weak most days that it's a constant struggle to get him to go to his appointments. Therefore, we require more hands-on specialty in-home care and therapy. If we work hard together we can get the right side of his body functioning properly, his speech patterns closer to normal, and the rest of his brain rewired so he can reclaim his beautiful life.

## How You Can Help

We humbly ask for your support during this difficult time. Your generous contributions will go towards:

- **Medical expenses**: Hospital bills, medications, and specialized equipment.

- **Therapy and rehabilitation**: Physical, occupational, and speech therapy to help Gerard regain his abilities.

- **Daily living expenses**: Ensuring that our family can focus on Gerard's recovery without the added stress of financial instability.

## Thank You

Every little bit helps, and we are incredibly grateful for any support you can provide. Please consider donating and sharing this page with others who might be able to help. Your kindness and generosity will make a significant difference in Gerard's recovery journey and the well-being of our family.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for being there for us during this challenging time. Let's come together and help our dear father, Gerard, on his road to recovery.

With gratitude,

David Fournier and the Fournier Family