Help Amputee Bill Jeannotte rebuild his life
Donation protected
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3k2ORJ2alOc&t=11s
Help a Multiple Amputee get His Life
Back
Please take a few minutes to watch the video
Hello, I’ve started this GoFundMe account for my brother Bill Jeannotte. Bill is one of the strongest people I know but has endured some of the most torturous and debilitating circumstances I have ever seen. My brother was struck with a still undiagnosed disease that caused him incredible pain as his limbs basically dissolved and melted away, requiring over 17 amputations since 2003. In spite of being misdiagnosed and receiving no treatment until recently, Bill has always seen the good in the world and has kept a positive attitude throughout tremendous hardship. He’s been a solid rock and friend to those around him, giving the shirt off his back to those who needed it and being a strong supporter to loved ones and friends, including his twin daughters Kelly and Kennedy who suffer from intellectual disabilities, and myself. Bill attempted to join the Military Police in 2002-03 to serve his country in Afghanistan but was unable to realize his ambitions after he suffered unimaginable pain as his toes melted and he required them to be amputated. After working hard to regain his health, he enlisted in the Reserves in 2006 once again hoping to join the effort in Afghanistan but was again afflicted with tortuous pain, eventually having to retire in 2010 with the loss of his right leg, denied disability benefits from the Canadian Armed Forces. His tragedy continued as he lost everything, but he refused to give up, and continued to rebuild and find other ways to earn an income, learning new skills and never giving up. His affliction continued to destroy him, but every time he refused to give up, even after needing two amputations of his left leg in 2015 and losing most of his fingertips. Throughout these ordeals Bill kept a positive outlook on life and continued to be a supportive influence on his friends and family, and an amazing example of courage and persistence to his daughters, his friends, and his family. Bill even went back to earn his graduate degree in Film Production in 2018 at Sheridan College. Unfortunately, his affliction returned and caused even more amputations. Bill was forced to sell off most of his film making equipment over the last couple of years in order to survive and has to rely on the meagre income of disability welfare. He knows his disabled daughters will rely on him for support for the rest of their lives and is heartbroken that all of his positivity and efforts have still left him destitute and without the means to currently make a living. Bill relies on his 2006 Mini-Van as an essential tool to connect with the world as an independent person and to access the necessities of life like groceries, doctor appointments and employment, but his vehicle is nearly broken down completely and he desperately requires a new one. His prosthetics are provided by disability but are a sub-basic variety that do not allow him meaningful use and he needs ones that give him the ability to actually get around effectively. This past year he’s had to sell most of the gear he needs for work just to keep the bills paid and things like providing his daughter with much needed braces, and he needs that equipment replaced in order to continue finding meaningful employment. My brother is a proud, honest man, who would never take a hand-out, but after losing so much, so many times, I believe that he truly deserves a hand-up. Thank You for your support.
Organizer and beneficiary
Lana Jeannotte
Organizer
Burlington, ON
Bill Jeannotte
Beneficiary