Jon Bennett's road to recovery, we need your support!

Family, Friends, & Colleagues,

My name is Eric and I’m fundraising for my good friend, Jon Bennett.

I’d like to take a little time to update you on what happened to Jon, where he is today and what lies ahead…

On September 6th, 2024, Jon fell ill and where Jon usually works through his illnesses, he couldn’t seem to overpower what was happening. Jon decided after work on September 9th to go to the Orangeville hospital’s emergency department to determine what was conflicting him. They realized Jon had pneumonia in one lung and he was prescribed antibiotics to treat him. On the 11th they confirmed pneumonia in both lungs and Jon’s health was rapidly declining. Jon continued to try and manage the virus but on September 12th while in conversation with his employer and friend (Scott Kirby) it was decided he would need to call an ambulance and get to the hospital immediately. Once in the hospital Jon was losing motor functions and handling objects and walking became increasingly more difficult. On September 14th the hospital induced Jon into a coma to reduce his shock and try to ascertain what was happening to him. On September 18th they determined that Jon has Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS). It is a “rare neurological disorder in which a person’s immune system mistakenly attacks part of their peripheral nervous system.” There are severities to this syndrome and Jon unfortunately has a very serve case of GBS. Jon spent the next week on a ventilator and was transferred from Collingwood G&M Hospital to Royal Victoria Hospital in Barrie on September 18th.

The hospital performed a tracheotomy on Jon shortly after his arrival to breath for him while his body fights his GBS. I met with him on the 29th and the nurse advised us that Jon won’t start improving for a couple more weeks. Jon has a very tough fight and long road to recovery. The doctors have estimated that Jon will need at least 1 year to fully recover assuming everything goes smoothly moving forward. Jon will need to start breathing on his own, learn to swallow, eat, walk and talk.

Over the next year, Jon is determined to regain all that he has lost. In the meantime, I’m trying to ease the financial burdens to Jon and his family (Francheska & Mason/4yrs.). With your support/donation it will go towards all of life’s expenses from mortgage payments, bills, and groceries. Any amount, large or small will go a long way and will be greatly appreciated by Jon and his family.

I thank you all very much for taking the time to read this and our thoughts and prayers are with Jon for a full recovery.