Help Jay ride along with his Family

Our friend Jason Imrie (Jay) has been living with Primary Progressive MS for almost 20 years. Jay started showing symptoms in his mid-twenties. Typically after a game of hockey he would complain about back aches, legs being sore and so on. He saw massage therapist, physiotherapist and no improvement. It wasn’t until his extremely determined wife, Sue Imrie decided to journal his symptoms and booked an appointment to go see their family doctor. After a few visits, back and forth, they decided to send him to go see a Neurologist. Test were done and in fact this vibrant, healthy, handsome young man, now a father of a beautiful baby girl was diagnosed with Primary Progressive MS. Jay and Sue that day made a promise to each other  that it wouldn’t change their future goals, their dreams and they would be positive together through the challenges to come. They were able to have three wonderful children and maintain their happy positive attitudes.

For the first ten years Jay had subtle declines at a time and they could adapt, adjust and persevere together as a family.  They bought a smaller house easier to maintain and less steps and they thought they were securing their future to live with this crippling disease.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease in which the body's immune system attacks myelin, the protective sheath around nerve cells that helps send messages to the brain and other parts of the body. Common signs of the disease include trouble walking and maintaining balance, fatigue, sensations of numbness or tingling, and vision problems. But depending on which nerves are affected and the level of damage, symptoms can vary widely from person to person, and may not surface right away or progress steadily.

The last few years have presented their toughest challenges. Jay took a turn and his slow progress jumped to a fast steady decline. They have put over $50,000 into renovating their house to equip for Jay as he can no longer walk, or transfer on his own. He has very limited vision and sometimes even struggles to use his hands. These just name a few of the many devastating effects that MS brings to many affected by this disease. Their positivity has been challenged to say the least. Their next step is now to purchase an accessible van so Jay has freedom to go to his children’s sporting events or see his daughter graduate grade 12 this year. Sue has been Jay’s main care giver and she can no longer lift Jay in and out as this has taken a toll on her health as well. They have reached out to many funding sources insurance etc…. but are constantly told they are not eligible.  A van costs about $80, 000 and with three kids (one heading to university) a mortgage and loan for the renovations and only Sue working, they are extended beyond the norm for many families. They cannot do this alone. They need our help!

Jay is a wonderful father, husband, friend, son and only 43 years old.  There has been many challenges and they have faced them all with the utmost strength and dignity.

This Go fund me Page is intended to help them purchase a vehicle so that Jay can have the ability to go places. The cost is tremendous ~$80k. I hope that you can help this wonderful family that has been robbed of what most of us take for granted every day.

 

Thanks for helping!