MS Sucks! Help keep Doug at Home

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Kim and I have been friends with the Abbott’s for over 30 years. I can not tell you how hard it is to watch both them go through this. Cindy has truly taken on her vows of in “sickness and in health” without a 2nd thought and the boys Kyle and Brandon are always available when they get the call “Your Dad has fallen”.
We want your help in keeping Doug at home where he can be with his family but that requires change.
Doug began having issues with his back and legs in approximately 2009. At that time, he was diagnosed with Degenerative Disc disease and spinal stenosis. He continued to work but the pain progressively got worse, and he began experiencing numbness in his left leg. In June 2012, he left work one day because he said, “his legs could not hold him up”. After several MRI’s, Ultrasounds and xrays, Doug was diagnosed with suspect Multiple Sclerosis. He was referred to a neurologist who would not confirm the diagnosis of M.S, as he believed Doug was not within the realm of criteria. With the back pain and numbness continuing, Doug was unable to return to work. He has not worked since that day in June 2012. In 2016 we thought Doug had a stroke. He spent 6 days in hospital, with more MRI’s, CT’s and scans. It was then the Multiple Sclerosis diagnosis was confirmed after they determined he had a flare up of symptoms. He was then referred to the M.S. clinic to be followed by a physician who specializes in M.S. A new treatment was started, and Doug was able to maintain some normalcy in his life. He worked hard to exercise, walking 5km per day, was able to continue with gardening, cooking, and maintaining the house. Unfortunately, then Covid hit, and Doug was not seen by a specialist for 2 years. During those two years, his symptoms increased with the numbness now spreading to the right side and his mobility decreasing. Doug has been seen by surgeons, pain clinics, and endured over 15 MRI’s.
He began walking with a cane in July 2021. In August, he was seen by a new neurologist. He scheduled another series of MRI’s and tests and indicated his current treatment was no longer effective, but that Doug did not qualify for the next treatment plan. At that time, he also revoked Doug’s driver’s license. This was devastating for him. After several falls, he then transitioned to a walker in October of 2021. He could no longer walk his dog, he couldn’t drive, and tasks around the house were becoming increasingly difficult for him. By January, his mobility had decreased further and he was having several falls. Doug is now having challenges with simple everyday tasks and requires assistance for dressing, showering and even eating. He was assessed by an Occupational Therapist in January 2022, and it was determined that Doug would require an electric wheelchair. We will be moving the bedroom to the main floor as Doug is now unable to manage stairs. To accommodate the chair, renovations are needed to make the main floor of the house accessible for him. He will also require a manual wheelchair for appointments as we are unable to put the electric wheelchair in our vehicle. We are facing many challenging times ahead and are hoping to keep Doug in our home as long as possible.


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    Organizer and beneficiary

    Lisa Richardson
    Organizer
    Caledonia, ON
    Cindy Abbott
    Beneficiary

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