Sending Support for Steve Hastie's battle with ALS
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2020 was a year to remember...for MANY reasons.
The pandemic hit in March and the world changed as we know it. COVID really negatively impacted the lives of so many. For many months, our family had to visit our mother 'through a window' at her long-term care home. Our mum was diagnosed with vascular dementia at a very early age of 69 and was placed in a LTC home in September of 2019, approx. 6 months before the pandemic started. Our father, our brother Steven, and Lorraine & I all took turns visiting her throughout the spring, summer and eventually fall.
Fall 2020. This is when Steve's journey began. We had all started to notice some minor changes in Steve’s appearance. He was losing weight. Steve also complained of mild cramping in his right hand and calves. By mid-October, Steve knew that something wasn't right when he began to have difficulty climbing stairs and ladders. He continued to lose weight, muscle mass and overall strength. Steve went to the doctors for a complete work-up and when the results came back showing no obvious abnormalities, it was at that point he realized something else was wrong. His GP informed him that it appeared that his symptoms were neurological, and a referral was given to see a specialist.
In late October, Steve worked his last day on the job. His medical condition prevented him from working as a heating and cooling specialist and he started receiving unemployment insurance which later turned into a long-term disability claim. Some money was coming in but not enough to help pay off debt, as well as keep up with current monthly bills.
On January 7, 2021 our brother Steven, age 54, was officially diagnosed with ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. ALS is a degenerative neuromuscular disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, causing loss of muscle control. Currently, there is no cure for ALS.
This news came as a complete shock to Steven, to us all. As you can imagine, our entire family was just devastated. We still are. Steve is staying positive and is committed to doing whatever he can to slow this disease down.
Over the next few weeks, more tests were given...MRI's, CT scans and more bloodwork. Steve was placed on medication to try to slow the progression of the disease and an appointment was scheduled to meet his ALS team.
Late January, our mother had a bad fall and required surgery for a fractured hip. She is now back in long-tern care recovering, however; the trauma set her dementia back a few more steps and she is also now confined to a tilted wheelchair.
On February 1, our family was delivered yet another blow. Our father suffered a massive heart attack and is still under the care of the Acquired Brain Injury program at the same Rehabilitation Centre that Steven visits for this ALS clinic every 3 months.
Since Steven's diagnosis, his walking ability has declined. He went from walking with the assistance of a cane in December, to using a walker in January, and most recently, has resorted to look at wheelchairs. It's not that Steve cannot walk, its the fact that he needs to conserve his energy. Simply using his walker to get to the bathroom is exhausting.
Steven is now under the care of a great team at the ALS clinic in Ottawa. We have also received so much support from the ALS Society who have a great support network and equipment program, however; there are a lot of costs that are not covered.
Living in a wheelchair will bring Steven many challenges. A complete renovation of his apartment is well underway. Costs are being incurred to allow for wheelchair access and future healthcare needs.
Steven also requires massage and physio on a weekly basis to slow muscle atrophy and maintain his mobility, not to mention it keeps him motivated. He has medical insurance through his employer, but the annual allowance has lapsed, and it is only March!
As you can imagine, our family is under a tremendous amount of stress and anxiety. Steve is struggling to come to terms with his diagnosis and its aggressiveness. Adding to this, is the waiting for his home renovations to be complete and the immense concern for both of his parent’s health and well being.
Our family cannot believe the rallying of friends, neighbors, and the entire village of Richmond. This community has come together to support Steve in so many ways. Many people have reached out to our family asking how they can help.
This is how you can help.
This GoFundMe page is set up to provide the much-needed love, support and funds that Steve needs right now. These funds will allow Steve to continue receiving his weekly physio, acquire a quality motorized wheelchair and other needed equipment, and help us with the home renovation costs.
The funds will also help Steve and our family reduce or eliminate the burden of any debt which will provide Steven piece-of-mind while he battles this terrible disease.
There are no words that can express how much our family appreciates your support. The many kind words and displays of compassion, love and support is so very beautiful. Our family is just so overwhelmed and so very grateful to all. This outpour of support demonstrates just how much Steve is loved ❤️
Again, thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Sending love and light to everyone. Please stay safe during this pandemic and remember to be kind to strangers. You never know what someone else is going through and kind words and a smile can really make a difference ❤️
Much love, Steve’s sisters,
Samantha & Lorraine
#HastieStrong
The pandemic hit in March and the world changed as we know it. COVID really negatively impacted the lives of so many. For many months, our family had to visit our mother 'through a window' at her long-term care home. Our mum was diagnosed with vascular dementia at a very early age of 69 and was placed in a LTC home in September of 2019, approx. 6 months before the pandemic started. Our father, our brother Steven, and Lorraine & I all took turns visiting her throughout the spring, summer and eventually fall.
Fall 2020. This is when Steve's journey began. We had all started to notice some minor changes in Steve’s appearance. He was losing weight. Steve also complained of mild cramping in his right hand and calves. By mid-October, Steve knew that something wasn't right when he began to have difficulty climbing stairs and ladders. He continued to lose weight, muscle mass and overall strength. Steve went to the doctors for a complete work-up and when the results came back showing no obvious abnormalities, it was at that point he realized something else was wrong. His GP informed him that it appeared that his symptoms were neurological, and a referral was given to see a specialist.
In late October, Steve worked his last day on the job. His medical condition prevented him from working as a heating and cooling specialist and he started receiving unemployment insurance which later turned into a long-term disability claim. Some money was coming in but not enough to help pay off debt, as well as keep up with current monthly bills.
On January 7, 2021 our brother Steven, age 54, was officially diagnosed with ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. ALS is a degenerative neuromuscular disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, causing loss of muscle control. Currently, there is no cure for ALS.
This news came as a complete shock to Steven, to us all. As you can imagine, our entire family was just devastated. We still are. Steve is staying positive and is committed to doing whatever he can to slow this disease down.
Over the next few weeks, more tests were given...MRI's, CT scans and more bloodwork. Steve was placed on medication to try to slow the progression of the disease and an appointment was scheduled to meet his ALS team.
Late January, our mother had a bad fall and required surgery for a fractured hip. She is now back in long-tern care recovering, however; the trauma set her dementia back a few more steps and she is also now confined to a tilted wheelchair.
On February 1, our family was delivered yet another blow. Our father suffered a massive heart attack and is still under the care of the Acquired Brain Injury program at the same Rehabilitation Centre that Steven visits for this ALS clinic every 3 months.
Since Steven's diagnosis, his walking ability has declined. He went from walking with the assistance of a cane in December, to using a walker in January, and most recently, has resorted to look at wheelchairs. It's not that Steve cannot walk, its the fact that he needs to conserve his energy. Simply using his walker to get to the bathroom is exhausting.
Steven is now under the care of a great team at the ALS clinic in Ottawa. We have also received so much support from the ALS Society who have a great support network and equipment program, however; there are a lot of costs that are not covered.
Living in a wheelchair will bring Steven many challenges. A complete renovation of his apartment is well underway. Costs are being incurred to allow for wheelchair access and future healthcare needs.
Steven also requires massage and physio on a weekly basis to slow muscle atrophy and maintain his mobility, not to mention it keeps him motivated. He has medical insurance through his employer, but the annual allowance has lapsed, and it is only March!
As you can imagine, our family is under a tremendous amount of stress and anxiety. Steve is struggling to come to terms with his diagnosis and its aggressiveness. Adding to this, is the waiting for his home renovations to be complete and the immense concern for both of his parent’s health and well being.
Our family cannot believe the rallying of friends, neighbors, and the entire village of Richmond. This community has come together to support Steve in so many ways. Many people have reached out to our family asking how they can help.
This is how you can help.
This GoFundMe page is set up to provide the much-needed love, support and funds that Steve needs right now. These funds will allow Steve to continue receiving his weekly physio, acquire a quality motorized wheelchair and other needed equipment, and help us with the home renovation costs.
The funds will also help Steve and our family reduce or eliminate the burden of any debt which will provide Steven piece-of-mind while he battles this terrible disease.
There are no words that can express how much our family appreciates your support. The many kind words and displays of compassion, love and support is so very beautiful. Our family is just so overwhelmed and so very grateful to all. This outpour of support demonstrates just how much Steve is loved ❤️
Again, thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Sending love and light to everyone. Please stay safe during this pandemic and remember to be kind to strangers. You never know what someone else is going through and kind words and a smile can really make a difference ❤️
Much love, Steve’s sisters,
Samantha & Lorraine
#HastieStrong
Fundraising team (2)
Samantha Hastie
Organizer
Osgoode, ON
Lorraine Hastie
Team member