Nearly six years after the attack that changed his life forever, Jessie Simpson is heading home.
Jessie乌鸦传媒檚 mother Sue Simpson is absolutely thrilled that her son will be home on weekends as of May 6.
乌鸦传媒淚t乌鸦传媒檚 been a journey getting him home with COVID-19. He was supposed to come home a few weeks ago for Easter,乌鸦传媒� Simpson said.
The care facility Jessie currently lives in has had multiple virus outbreaks.
On June 19, 2016, Jessie was beaten into a coma with a metal baseball bat. He was 18 at the time and doctors told Simpson he would likely never return home.
READ MORE: Kamloops man to pay $7M to victim after life-altering attack
乌鸦传媒淭hat was probably the roughest part for us to think that Jessie may never come home,乌鸦传媒� Simpson said while choking back tears. 乌鸦传媒淏ut also, I didn乌鸦传媒檛 know if he was going to live. He乌鸦传媒檚 a fighter, my baby.乌鸦传媒�
Jessie has poor short-term memory and continues to undergo various forms of therapy, but Simpson was excited to announce he no longer needs speech therapy.
乌鸦传媒淗e乌鸦传媒檚 mister chatty pants!乌鸦传媒�
He is also able to eat and drink on his own, is regaining use of his left side following a stroke, and never lost his sense of humour.
Simpson has dedicated her life to caring for Jessie since the attack, including renovations to ensure her house is comfortable for Jessie and wheelchair-accessible.
乌鸦传媒淚乌鸦传媒檓 a nurse now for Jessie. That乌鸦传媒檚 what I will be on the weekends.乌鸦传媒�
Simpson is a single mom and says Jessie will spend weekdays in the care home while she works full-time cleaning houses.
Simpson is ready and eager to have her son back in his old bedroom.
乌鸦传媒淚 think bringing Jessie home is going to be a lot better for his health, especially with COVID乌鸦传媒� but also for quality of life.乌鸦传媒�
Jessie is constantly at risk of infection or heart attack.
乌鸦传媒淭here乌鸦传媒檚 a huge shortage in healthcare right now, that乌鸦传媒檚 another reason I want to bring Jessie home,乌鸦传媒� Simpson said with a discouraged tone. 乌鸦传媒淎 few times I乌鸦传媒檝e walked in and his T.V. is off and he is still in his chair with nobody around and he乌鸦传媒檚 been there for a few hours. That乌鸦传媒檚 really heartbreaking to see your son that way.乌鸦传媒�
His homecoming is just in time for his birthday. Jessie turns 25 on July 26.
Simpson said they will host a welcome home and birthday party for her son at that time and once again is asking people to send in cards to PO Box 233 Savona, B.C. V0K 2J0.
乌鸦传媒淪o many people have almost, like, adopted Jessie. I乌鸦传媒檇 say 80 per cent of Kamloops knows who Jessie is, knows his story, and it hit their heart.乌鸦传媒�
The to support Jessie and his family remains active and donations continue to come in to assist with medical and travel costs.
Simpson expressed her gratitude for all those who have supported them, saying Jessie wouldn乌鸦传媒檛 be where he is today without the community that rallied around them.
After Jessie乌鸦传媒檚 homecoming, Simpson commented that she is considering writing a book about her experience. She also plans to start a new petition believing Jessie乌鸦传媒檚 attacker didn乌鸦传媒檛 get the sentence he deserved.
Kristopher Teichrieb pleaded guilty in 2018 to aggravated assault and was handed a seven-year prison sentence. Teichrieb was also ordered in February 2021 to pay $6.9 million in damages to Jessie.
乌鸦传媒淚 want to be with (Jessie). I want to spend every moment with him because I never know when it乌鸦传媒檚 going to be his last.乌鸦传媒�
READ MORE: Kamloops mom asking for encouraging letters for son injured in 2016 assault
brittany.webster@blackpress.ca
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