Liz and John Croucher
Donation protected
A hard working, caring and loving couple, both struck down in tragedy within less than 1 year of each other!
My dear friend Liz Croucher sustained a stroke (brain hemorrhage) in March 2017 at the age of 50, which has left her paralyzed on one side and unable to function at full capacity, therefore, unable to work. Liz’s husband John has been Liz’s sole caregiver and income provider due to delays of disability benefits and our broken medical system!
Then on October 21, 2017, while providing care for Liz, John slipped on the stairs in their home and broke his neck. This resulted in the need to be airlifted to ICU Vancouver General Hospital. Once he was stabilized, John was moved to GF Strong Centre to begin rehab. His wife Liz left dealing with her harsh new reality and worries of her husband now in Vancouver.
This accident left John a quadriplegic struggling everyday with the hardships of his new reality in life. John was not eligible for disability benefits as he took his CPP prior to his accident! Once again, our medical system is very broken!!!!!
While at GF Strong, John developed a bed sore on his leg (Bed sores, or pressure ulcers, are injuries to the skin that develop as a result of prolonged pressure upon the areas that remain in constant contact with other surfaces. The injuries impact those who must remain in the same position in a bed or a wheelchair for long periods of time because they cannot shift positions to alleviate the pressure on their own). This requires, among other steps, changing the patient’s position regularly – at least every two hours if not more. Please remember, it only takes 5 minutes of a nurse’s time to turn a patient to prevent bed sores!
In a nursing facility that is cutting financial corners, care does not always happen! As a result, and due to the total lack of adequate nursing care, John’s leg was amputated!
John was eventually moved back to the island to a full care facility in Victoria. With the help of Handy Dart and a wheelchair, Liz was able to see her husband.
But once again, catastrophe struck, and due to the lack of proper care, and shortage of nursing staff, John developed a bed sore on his back this time, leaving him unable to be up in a chair any longer. By the time the nursing staff took note to the severity of his back, the skin had eroded to an unimaginable proportion! As things became worse, Liz took it upon herself to have John sent to the emergency department to be seen by a skin specialist. Please note that all the supplies to treat John’s ulcer is another burden that must be covered financially by John and Liz as this is not covered by the facility!
Liz remains in her home, a 5th wheel RV (where there is no hope of John ever returning to live their again)!
Pad fees, hydro, water, repairs, bank payments, cost of Johns care and numerous medical supplies for both John and Liz have all become overwhelming burdens on John and Liz’s finances! Liz even gave up her cell phone and internet as it is simply not affordable any longer. There are countless expenses that Liz and John will have to bear, many of which they just cannot afford! Neither of them receives physiotherapy due to the exorbitant cost! Physio, a must have in both their cases!
This is a couple that worked hard all their lives, their kindness and generosity always overwhelming, and now in MUCH NEED of financial help and kindness from others.
Liz and John face many physical and psychological challenges. Every contribution of financial help or services will make a huge impact on their lives.
I am humbly asking for donations to help support my dear friends, Liz and John and I thank you from the bottom of my heart!
Joanne Waddington
My dear friend Liz Croucher sustained a stroke (brain hemorrhage) in March 2017 at the age of 50, which has left her paralyzed on one side and unable to function at full capacity, therefore, unable to work. Liz’s husband John has been Liz’s sole caregiver and income provider due to delays of disability benefits and our broken medical system!
Then on October 21, 2017, while providing care for Liz, John slipped on the stairs in their home and broke his neck. This resulted in the need to be airlifted to ICU Vancouver General Hospital. Once he was stabilized, John was moved to GF Strong Centre to begin rehab. His wife Liz left dealing with her harsh new reality and worries of her husband now in Vancouver.
This accident left John a quadriplegic struggling everyday with the hardships of his new reality in life. John was not eligible for disability benefits as he took his CPP prior to his accident! Once again, our medical system is very broken!!!!!
While at GF Strong, John developed a bed sore on his leg (Bed sores, or pressure ulcers, are injuries to the skin that develop as a result of prolonged pressure upon the areas that remain in constant contact with other surfaces. The injuries impact those who must remain in the same position in a bed or a wheelchair for long periods of time because they cannot shift positions to alleviate the pressure on their own). This requires, among other steps, changing the patient’s position regularly – at least every two hours if not more. Please remember, it only takes 5 minutes of a nurse’s time to turn a patient to prevent bed sores!
In a nursing facility that is cutting financial corners, care does not always happen! As a result, and due to the total lack of adequate nursing care, John’s leg was amputated!
John was eventually moved back to the island to a full care facility in Victoria. With the help of Handy Dart and a wheelchair, Liz was able to see her husband.
But once again, catastrophe struck, and due to the lack of proper care, and shortage of nursing staff, John developed a bed sore on his back this time, leaving him unable to be up in a chair any longer. By the time the nursing staff took note to the severity of his back, the skin had eroded to an unimaginable proportion! As things became worse, Liz took it upon herself to have John sent to the emergency department to be seen by a skin specialist. Please note that all the supplies to treat John’s ulcer is another burden that must be covered financially by John and Liz as this is not covered by the facility!
Liz remains in her home, a 5th wheel RV (where there is no hope of John ever returning to live their again)!
Pad fees, hydro, water, repairs, bank payments, cost of Johns care and numerous medical supplies for both John and Liz have all become overwhelming burdens on John and Liz’s finances! Liz even gave up her cell phone and internet as it is simply not affordable any longer. There are countless expenses that Liz and John will have to bear, many of which they just cannot afford! Neither of them receives physiotherapy due to the exorbitant cost! Physio, a must have in both their cases!
This is a couple that worked hard all their lives, their kindness and generosity always overwhelming, and now in MUCH NEED of financial help and kindness from others.
Liz and John face many physical and psychological challenges. Every contribution of financial help or services will make a huge impact on their lives.
I am humbly asking for donations to help support my dear friends, Liz and John and I thank you from the bottom of my heart!
Joanne Waddington
Organizer
Elizabeth Croucher
Organizer
Saanichton, BC
