MEET DAVE THEN ...
White water kayaker, high level snowboard instructor, certified Outdoor Recreation graduate, trained electrician, philanthropist, outdoor enthusiast, hiker, camper, world traveler and skijorer.
Dave and his wife, Cathy - Camping in Three Sisters
Dave hiking - Yoho National Park
Dave snowboarding - Big White (where Dave was a high level snowboard instructor for many years)
Dave skijoring - Kananaskis, with their Huskies, Nyima and Rinjee
Dave canoeing - Bow River
The Beffort Family - Rinjee, Cathy, Dave, Nyima
MEET DAVE NOW ...
Unemployed for over 1 year due to his spine injury. Physically incapable of sport, play or outdoor activity. LIVING IN CONSTANT PAIN.
Dave's spine X-Ray - the red outline shows Dave's severely misplaced L5S1 vertebrae; the reason for the surgery.
DAVE'S STORY
Dave’s active lifestyle was brought to a sudden halt due to a debilitating spinal injury. After months of pain management, chiropractic visits, physiotherapy and spinal injections, Dave and his wife Cathy learned that Dave requires Spinal Fusion Surgery. The above X-Ray diagram shows the severity of Dave’s condition known as Spondylolisthesis, the displacement of vertebrae at L5 and S1.
Doctor’s orders and tremendous pain has kept Dave from working as an electrician for over 1 year. The Befforts have made every necessary financial adjustment to make ends meet, including Cathy working extra shifts and renting bedrooms in their home for additional income.
Dave and Cathy were recently told shocking news – Dave would possibly have to wait ANOTHER full year or more before the Alberta Health Care System could schedule him for surgery. They were told the surgery would be a traditional "open" back surgery, which would require a lengthy recovery. According to the Laser Spine Institute, recovery from open back surgery can take up to a full YEAR! http://www.laserspineinstitute.com/back_problems/spinal_stenosis/treatment/recovery_times/
Imagine telling an active man like Dave that he has to endure minimum, another 1.5 years out of work. Another 1.5 years of pain. Another 1.5 years of financial difficulty. Another 1.5 years of waiting…. This is simply not an option for the Befforts.
Dave and Cathy traveled to Williamsville New York for a new MRI, X-rays and consultation at Invision Health Brain and Spine Centre. Dr. Stoffman, Chief Of Neurosurgery, Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center, was able to book Dave promptly for surgery. Unlike the procedure offered by Canadian facilities, Dr Stoffman is able to achieve the same medical results using a FAR less invasive spinal fusion technique. The plan is to remove the L5S1 disc altogether, insert a piece of bone as a spacer, and fuse the vertebra back into the correct position with hardware. This procedure is not open spine, allowing for a much faster recovery and a quicker return to work and life for Dave (and Cathy).
The surgery is booked for March 9th.
The surgery costs $46,500.00 USD. With the exchange to Canadian dollars, the final bill is over $59,000 CAD.
We are aiming to collect $20,000 as a means of helping Dave and Cathy.
For those of you who know the Befforts, you know they have literally given the shirts off their backs to help people. They are constantly described as “the nicest people I’ve ever met”, “the most giving family”, “selfless”, “generous”, and “they go to extreme efforts to make others happy.”
I’ve personally seen Dave help strangers on the side of roads, family seeking new beginnings, tourists in need of a guide, and friends in need of a place to live. The Befforts don’t just give to family and friends. They also board international students and make them an active part of their family. Dave and Cathy create incredible adventures for their international students, which engulf them into Canadian culture and provide the most fulfilling experience possible.
Dave is easily the kindest, most giving, loving and deserving man you could ever know. I can guarantee that whatever good karma you throw his way, he will push it back into this world ten fold.
Thank you for having Dave’s back. No donation is too small.
This is our chance to support Dave and Cathy the way they have so selflessly supported, encouraged and given to others their entire lives.
With thanks, and urgency.