Longtime resident of Kimberley and area, Kelly Brooks, will soon be returning home after a long recovery and ongoing rehabilitation.
On October, 26, 2016 Brooks was injured in a single vehicle accident where he sustained a serious spinal cord injury. He was flown by Air Ambulance to Vancouver General Hospital where he received surgery and two months of recovery. He graduated to GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre in Vancouver after Christmas last year, where he continues rehabilitation.
When Brooks returns to the Kootenays he will be transitioned to East Kootenay Regional Hospital in Cranbrook until necessary home renovations are complete to accommodate his needs.
Although Brooks and his family stay positive, there is still a long road ahead in rehabilitation for him to reach his full potential as a quadriplegic with some independence.
With that reality, comes the costs associated with home renovations, medical equipment ie: motorized chair, bed, lifts, elevator, etc. These costs are adding up quickly to the sum of about $110,000 thus far. This does not include a used van that could accommodate Brooks and his chair, or the ongoing home care, occupational and physiotherapy, and medications that are necessary.
ICBC covers $150,000 under section 7 (single vehicle accident), however the family has been told that these funds will be exhausted before Brooks returns home.
Brooks will be able to apply for the CSIL program (Choice in Support of Independent Living) once home, which is a self directed option for eligible home support clients in BC to manage their home support services. This gives Brooks the freedom to hire and train assistants/care givers to support his specialized daily needs.
Brooks and his wife Carolyn stated they are grateful for the overwhelming, diverse support they have received, and continued support from the community, friends and family, while they struggle to get on their feet again.
Fundraising initiatives such as The Go Fund Me page set up for Brooks at https://www.gofundme.com/Kellybrooksrecovery are still available for donations.
Close friend, Anette Hagman, is spearheading the fundraising, “we are receiving a lot of support from the community, which is fantastic.
“We also found out that the original chair Kelly was using, cost $65,000. The cost is now down to $35,000. due to Kelly’s progress and therefore eliminating some of the technology needed.”
Hagman will be hosting a fundraiser in support of Brooks’ recovery on the weekend of Saturday, June 10 and Sunday, June 11, at the Kimberley Curling Club from 9am until 2pm.
