Help Restore Hope: A Family's Journey to Recovery
Donation protected
Hello, my name is Jasmeet, and I am reaching out to you with a heartfelt plea for help and restoring our lives close to being normal. My wife, Preeti, and our 12-year-old son, Vansh(JV), have faced unimaginable injuries/deficits that have completely transformed our lives. We are currently residing in Langley, British Columbia, Canada.
Everything changed on that fateful Sunday, October 16, 2022. Preeti, a vibrant and energetic mother of our two children, was driving back home from a routine grocery run when tragedy struck. Out of nowhere, she suffered a sudden brain hemorrhage, despite having no prior medical conditions. In the blink of an eye, our world turned upside down.
With her 62-year-old mother seated beside her and JV in the backseat, Preeti lost control of the car due to the hemorrhage. In a desperate attempt to save his mother, our brave young JV unbuckled his seat belt, intending to take hold of the steering wheel. Unfortunately, the car gained speed and became airborne before crashing into a light pole and landing in a ditch. Eyewitnesses later revealed that the damage was so severe that emergency responders had to cut open the wreckage to extract my family.
The scene was nothing short of a nightmare. Vansh was unresponsive and had to be airlifted to the BC Children's Hospital. Preeti, on the other hand, was rushed to a different hospital, and the prognosis was grim. In fact, most of the doctors even believed that her chances of survival were incredibly slim. Against all odds, a life-saving surgery was performed, giving her a glimmer of hope. The extent of their injuries was devastating. Vansh had multiple fractures throughout his body—his Skull, Face, neck, back, arms, hands, legs, and even his femur bone were all broken. His face and skull were shattered, requiring extensive reconstruction using titanium plates. For the first four agonizing days, we lived in fear as the doctors hesitated to offer any assurances about his survival.
Preeti's condition was equally dire. She spent over seven months in the hospital and underwent extensive rehabilitation. Looking back at their hospital pictures and reflecting on what they have endured, I am filled with awe at their miraculous survival. Thankfully, my mother-in-law, though seriously injured, managed to recover after two months in the hospital.
However, our lives will never be the same. Vansh, after enduring multiple surgeries, was finally released from the hospital after four long months. Today, he walks with a limp, and the optic nerve in both his eyes is damaged, leaving him with only 40% vision, which is severely blurred and he suffers from severe mental trauma and depression.
October 2022: Vansh at BC Children's Hospital after the accident
The cause of Preeti's brain hemorrhage remains a mystery to this day. Prior to the incident, she was a vibrant and active individual, balancing the responsibilities of raising our two children while also holding a full-time teaching position at the Langley School District. Additionally, she held the esteemed position of Co-Chair at TTOC (Term Teacher on Call) and selflessly devoted her spare time to mentoring new immigrants, guiding them toward a career in teaching. She was a sevadaar (helper) and preacher at the Radha Saomi Satsang (a spiritual organization) center in BC and a first aid volunteer.
Unfortunately, the accident left Preeti completely paralyzed on her right side, and she now experiences severe speech Aphasia, a language disorder resulting from damage to the left side of the brain's communication center. Regrettably, her ability to comprehend and express her thoughts has been entirely devastated. The anguish I witness daily as Preeti struggles to move in her wheelchair and communicate with us is heart-wrenching. Often, she tries to convey something to me, only to break down in frustration when I fail to understand. Vansh, too, bears the lingering psychological trauma from the accident.
October 2022: Preeti at Royal Columbian Hospital after the accident
Why am I raising funds?
Recently, we made adjustments to our home, installing a chair lift and purchasing a hospital bed, so we could bring Preeti back where she belongs—with her family. As of now, I am the sole breadwinner, but the demanding schedule of medical appointments, including speech therapy, physiotherapy, and numerous tests for both Preeti and Vansh, has made it impossible for me to work.
Although Preeti and Vansh's hospital expenses were covered by the Canadian Health system, and the government has agreed to fund some of their physiotherapy sessions for the next three months, we are faced with a significant and costly journey ahead. To help them achieve independence, we must undergo rigorous and intense therapy six days a week for around 3-4 years, which comes with a considerable financial burden.
Throughout the past nine months, I have also been battling with the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC), the provincial Crown corporation responsible for providing insurance in our region. I approached them in the hope of receiving coverage for Preeti and Vansh's medical expenses. Shockingly, they refused, citing the stroke as the cause of Preeti's accident. I have tirelessly fought against their decision, using every ounce of energy left in me.
The media has even covered our struggle:
https://www.omnitv.ca/video/insufficient-compensation-langley-family-disappointed-with-icbcs-enhanced-care/
Currently, I manage our monthly expenses with Preeti's long-term disability checks from the government and some savings. However, to secure the long-term treatment and care Preeti and Vansh desperately need, I am reaching out to you for support. The funds raised will go toward Preeti's physiotherapy, intensive speech therapy, rehabilitation, massages, potential stem cell therapy, and other experimental drugs for both Preeti and Vansh. Every single contribution, no matter how small, will make a profound impact on their lives.
In happier times, From L to R: Kunsh (our older son), Preeti, Vansh, and me
I dream of restoring a semblance of normalcy for my family. I dream of seeing Preeti regain some mobility and regain the ability to express herself. I dream of witnessing Vansh's vision improve and his pain diminish. But I cannot do it alone. I humbly ask you to consider donating to our cause, so we can give Preeti and Vansh another chance at life—a life filled with hope, healing, and the possibility of a brighter future.
Thank you from the depths of my heart for your kindness, compassion, and generosity. Together, we can make a difference in their lives and help them find their way back to happiness.
Update January 2024:-
It's been 15 months since our lives took a sudden turn. It's been a rollercoaster of emotions, but one thing has remained constant – your incredible support.
I want to start by saying thank you, from the bottom of my heart. Your generosity has been our rock through it all. With your help, we've been able to explore different treatments and therapies for Preeti and JV, and it means more to us than words can express.
We've tried some experimental stuff, like the stem cell procedure Preeti had last October, aimed at helping her regain movement on the right side of her body. Unfortunately, it didn't quite give us the breakthrough we hoped for but continued stem cell therapy may bring positive results. Just recently, JV underwent electrical stimulation treatment in Germany, with hopes of regaining his eyesight, and we're crossing our fingers for some positive signs.
It's been tough, no doubt about it. But seeing the strength and determination in Preeti and JV every day gives us hope. Through regular consultations with specialists, we've learned that progress takes time, and we're in it for the long haul.
I want to share some updated photos of JV and Preeti with you all. They're fighters, and your support fuels their determination to keep pushing forward.
Now, I'm reaching out once again, with a hopeful heart. We still have a ways to go, and we can't do it alone. Every little bit helps – whether it's a donation, a kind word, or simply spreading the word.
Let's keep this momentum going. Together, we can give Preeti and JV the chance they deserve to get back to being themselves.
Thank you, from the depths of my soul, for being there for us through it all.
(JV and Preeti sharing a laugh - October 2023)
With endless gratitude,
Jasmeet
Organizer
Jasmeet Singh Behl
Organizer