By Chad Klassen

Simpson family buys van to help get Jessie around

Feb 26, 2019 | 4:30 PM

KAMLOOPS — In the 11 months since Jessie Simpson moved into a care facility in Kamloops, he’s been limited to the dining room and his own room. 

However, thanks to generous donations from local businesses and residents, the Simpson family has a van that’s now ready to hit the road — equipped with a ramp and lift to help Jessie get around.  

“It’s exciting,” said Jessie’s mom Susan Simpson. “I’m happy to know we don’t have to take the medivan. Jessie gets really sore doing that, so we’re happy.”

The cost of the van — about $17,000 in total — was covered by donations from a GoFundMe page in November that raised more than $24,000 at the time for Jessie’s recovery.

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“It was absolutely huge for us. We bought the van, it was $10,500. We put $4,000 into repairs. We bought it in Kelowna. We put another $1,700 into the van,” noted Susan. “We’ve got straps for the van for Jessie from the GoFundMe page for $900. To be able to be on the road, it’s a huge step forward for us.”

The hope is to get Jessie out soon once the weather warms up. He remains in his wheelchair at the care facility, but has made some progress since the story on CFJC Today in November. 

“He remembers a little bit more with names, and we’re able to have conversations together now. So it’s pretty cool.”

Jessie was beaten with a baseball bat in a Brocklehurst neighbourhood in the early morning hours of June 19, 2016. The attacker, Kristopher Teichrieb, received a seven-year sentence in October. Jessie was in a coma for 10 months before awakening. 

The Simpsons, however, could be moving to a rehab facility in Ponoka, Alberta, where Jessie would receive 7.5 hours of rehab every day that could help him walk again. 

“I used to walk all the time, but I don’t walk much anymore,” said Jessie. “So that would be good.”

If Jessie is accepted, the only worry is he would lose his spot at his current care facility, unless the family can fork up $40,000 to cover the eight-month stay. He would likely end up at a different location upon his return to Kamloops.

“Very sad for Jessie after seeing him go through rehabilitation, so we’re definitely going to need help when we come back with extra nursing, extra baths for Jessie, extra care for him just to keep his quality of life.”

Susan said the family has about $7,000 left from the GoFundMe page after the purchase of the van. She noted if they move to Ponoka for the eight-month stint, they’ll be paying for rent in both cities. 

Both Susan and Jessie want to thank the entire community for their generousity in rallying behind the family during such tough times. Anyone interested in donating funds to the Simpson family, you can visit the GoFundMe page here.