Help Retrofit Living Accommodations for Steph

As many if you know by now, my nephew Stephane Okenge was involved in a horrific single vehicle accident in Nebraska on Sunday, October 23rd which left him in a quadriplegic state. (You can follow his journey here: https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/stephokengeinjury/journal).

After 5 weeks in a Lincoln hospital ICU, Steph has been airlifted back to Canada, where his rehab will continue at the Ottawa spinal cord injury rehab facility once a space is available there.

But there is MUCH work to be done to prep for Steph's return 'home'. He will require very specific and special living accommodations to suit his needs moving forward, which the family may have no coverage for. Steph will require a retrofitted, very customized house to live in - as well as specialized medical equipment - to accomodate his very specific needs.

-Ramp access into the house

-Extra wide doors and hallways

-Custom washroom for bathing

-Electrical upgrades for medical equipment

-Specialized medical bed

-Mechanical lifts to get in and out of bed

-Powered quadripalegic wheelchair

-Wheelchair accessible van

...just to name a few.

Steph's mom Trish has quit her job and moved back to Ottawa from Ethiopia to provide full time care to Steph. And, of course, securing financing for their unique and specialized needs will be next to impossible if she's not working...let alone covering the costs of the required equipment Steph will need.

Many of you graciously supported an earlier US GoFundMe to cover medical expenses while in Nebraska, but this Canadian GoFundMe is specifically to cover costs associated with Steph's 'new normal'.. a retrofitted home with the supporting infrastructure that will accommodate his long term, day to day needs.

Thanks for helping!