Help support coles second chance at life
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As many of you know, my baby brother Cole has been very terribly sick for many years now.
When his sickness began, the doctors were stumped on what it could be. based on the seizures he was believed to have epilepsy. Soon after they thought it to be psychogenic non-epileptic seizures. Cole was prescribed many medications to help, but he continued to get sicker.
After numerous medications, and developing diabetes, many trips to the ICU and multiple comas, Cole was diagnosed with a condition known as Autoimmune Encephalitis. Based on the wide range of symptoms, this disease is often misdiagnosed, and with how long Cole suffered before diagnosis he has suffered loss of life in many ways.
Cole survives daily on numerous medications. Cole suffers from Grande mal seizures on a daily basis. Cole has been places on numerous treatment plans with so far little improvement. it has become unsafe for my brother to leave the house, and he is unable to do so without someone by his side at all times.
When Cole first became very ill my dad took over his care. he left his job and maxed out his medical EI until his job eventually let him go. my dad and his wife care for Cole 24/7. there is no break. the mental and emotional strain that it has taken on everyone, especially Cole, has been unbearable.
After a very tough few days 2 months ago, Cole was put into a coma (his second in a year) and placed on life support. He was then sent to VGH where he spent many weeks before he was able to return home. this meant my dad was also in Vancouver, searching for support and funds to make it through this time.
Cole has now been placed back in VGH where he will remain for a minimum of a month, with a hopeful end result of a life altering brain surgery which may finally give my little brother the chance at a normal life.
I'm hoping to help my dad and Cole through this time, as during this process my dad will remain close to Cole, while still occasionally traveling home to see the rest of his family.
Unfortunately, as we have learned through this process, there are absolutely no financial resources in BC for a parent caring for an adult child. Without my dad by his side, there's little chance that Cole would have survived the many terrible times over the last 10 years.
My hopes are to help to provide my dad a safe place during this time and the comfort to continue supporting my brother through this. If anyone is able to help ease the financial burden in any way it would be so appreciated.
When his sickness began, the doctors were stumped on what it could be. based on the seizures he was believed to have epilepsy. Soon after they thought it to be psychogenic non-epileptic seizures. Cole was prescribed many medications to help, but he continued to get sicker.
After numerous medications, and developing diabetes, many trips to the ICU and multiple comas, Cole was diagnosed with a condition known as Autoimmune Encephalitis. Based on the wide range of symptoms, this disease is often misdiagnosed, and with how long Cole suffered before diagnosis he has suffered loss of life in many ways.
Cole survives daily on numerous medications. Cole suffers from Grande mal seizures on a daily basis. Cole has been places on numerous treatment plans with so far little improvement. it has become unsafe for my brother to leave the house, and he is unable to do so without someone by his side at all times.
When Cole first became very ill my dad took over his care. he left his job and maxed out his medical EI until his job eventually let him go. my dad and his wife care for Cole 24/7. there is no break. the mental and emotional strain that it has taken on everyone, especially Cole, has been unbearable.
After a very tough few days 2 months ago, Cole was put into a coma (his second in a year) and placed on life support. He was then sent to VGH where he spent many weeks before he was able to return home. this meant my dad was also in Vancouver, searching for support and funds to make it through this time.
Cole has now been placed back in VGH where he will remain for a minimum of a month, with a hopeful end result of a life altering brain surgery which may finally give my little brother the chance at a normal life.
I'm hoping to help my dad and Cole through this time, as during this process my dad will remain close to Cole, while still occasionally traveling home to see the rest of his family.
Unfortunately, as we have learned through this process, there are absolutely no financial resources in BC for a parent caring for an adult child. Without my dad by his side, there's little chance that Cole would have survived the many terrible times over the last 10 years.
My hopes are to help to provide my dad a safe place during this time and the comfort to continue supporting my brother through this. If anyone is able to help ease the financial burden in any way it would be so appreciated.
Organizer
Laurel Gibbons
Organizer
Maple Ridge, BC
