Hey folks, as you may know, Andrew (Drew) contracted West Nile Virus in August and lost the use of his right leg and is experiencing major weakness in the left. He has had continuous major pain in the hips and joints as a result of this strange and unique illness. And just when he has started to mentally pivot from physical handywork to focus on art in his future, his fine motor skills using his right hand are becoming shakier.

As a family, we have been taking this on, day by day, with hope for him regaining movement in his legs, but the reality is that he is returning home with a major change in mobility. It requires that we re-grade our front yard and add a platform lift to our porch, add a stair lift indoors and re-do our bathroom to accommodate a wheelchair. We also have to purchase two wheelchairs (one super skinny for upstairs and one that he can use downstairs & out and about. Along with all these fun items is the physio therapy, hopefully some mental therapy and super fun inhouse accessories on the walls and stripper poles to get him in and out of areas. It’s a long list, isn’t it? I’m pretty overwhelmed.

This experience is very humbling as so many friends and family ask how they can help. Drew has been blessed with lots of visitors in hospital and rehab which has been the ultimate spirit lifter! Friends have provided meals and yard work and everyone who can has opened their doors to Wren at any time. My very dear friends have volunteered to start this GoFundMe so that if anyone (in this economy!?) would like to help financially, they can.

We will use this space to provide updates on Drew as he continues on this stupid adventure. Currently he is at Providence Health Care Centre. They are wanting to send him home ASAP although we are pushing for a longer stay as it should be provided by OHIP till the end of October. This puts a fire under my butt to figure out how to get him home safely and happily so he can experience life independently.

Thank you for reading. We are counting our blessings but it still sucks big rocks.

Xo Sandy, Andrew & Wren (and Betty!)

(P.S. You may prefer to donate directly to our family, avoiding site fees so that 100% of your planned donation goes to getting Drew home. If so, please contact the organizer, Nancy, via the link below and she'll connect you with me.)