Jeremy Bailleul

As many of you know our son Jeremy: Firefighter (achieving rank of Lieutenant), EMT, marathon runner, rugby player, provincial track athlete and more, was diagnosed at age 33 with Early Onset Parkinson’s Disease.

He has bravely and without ever a complaint, set about doing all that he can to make the most of this life changing and life challenging journey. Even with all he is personally dealing with he nevertheless has always looked beyond himself for opportunities to reach out to others to make their lives a little bit better, more now so with those in the Parkinsons community. He donates a great deal of time and energy to those affected with this disease as well as their families and friends. He feels that's an important thing to do for he understands what they are experiencing and facing.

Following his diagnosis Jeremy qualified as a Personal Trainer and then went on to qualify as an instructor with a program called ‘PWR Moves’, designed specifically for those with Parkinson’s disease. Over the past six years he has sought opportunities to utilize this training in various capacities. Most recently he has been co-teaching a class on-line and in person that not only aids in the management of the Parkinson’s symptoms but also teaches strategies and exercises to help deal with the various other struggles that come with this disease.

Jeremy has a heart of Gold and those who are blessed to know him as we do, find much inspiration in how he faces life head on despite the trials and struggles that have been thrown at him... his determination, grit and level of caring is truly awe inspiring. 

Jeremy has done all that he can to push back the progression of his own symptoms thru exercise, yoga, diet, meditations etc. Unfortunately they have progressed to the point that now he is needing a specialized surgery called deep brain stimulation (DBS) which will try to help manage his symptoms of this challenging and unrelenting disease.

Jeremy’s surgery is scheduled to take place February 2, 2022 at the University of BC Hospital in Vancouver, BC. He will be required to travel there from his home in Vernon for ongoing assessments and treatments both pre and post surgery: twice pre surgery, then weekly during the first six weeks of his recovery, then one to two times a month thereafter to ensure that everything is calibrated just so and is working properly.

And as many of you know, the main routes and highways connecting the Okanagan to Vancouver were severely damaged this fall by devastating floods. Despite the heroic efforts to rebuild and repair them as soon as possible, travel by land/vehicle will be at best unreliable, so we are anticipating the need to fly some of these times (other than immediately following the surgery when that will be contraindicated). We are still working out those logistics as you can appreciate.

I am setting up this ‘Go Fund Me’ page in hopes of raising some of the funds needed to offset the expenses that Jeremy and his wife Terrylynn will incur for transportation, hotels and meals associated with this surgery. All the surgical costs are covered by his Medical Insurance.

While we recognize that there are so many needs within your own families and communities, we would be so appreciative and grateful if you would be able to help us at any amount.

And as always from our home to yours may you have the blessings, hugs, prayers and peace that you are in need of at this time.

Sincerely,

Janet Bailleul