This is the second fundraiser I have done on Substack.
The first was last year for a heroic detective in Ottawa, Helen Grus, who was unfairly charged for investigating the link between infant mortality and mRNA vaccines.
Amazingly, we raised over $16,000 for Helen!
Today, I am hoping that we can raise even a fraction of that amount for my cousin Colin Martell, a brave 34-year-old living with early onset Huntington's Disease, a progressive, neurodegenerative illness with physical, cognitive and emotional symptoms. As his symptoms advanced, Colin’s ability to live independently diminished. A year ago, he moved into a long-term care (LTC) facility. However, Colin has been struggling emotionally and longing to be closer to his family.
As his disease reached the advanced stages, Colin shared with his family and loved ones that he did not feel that the long term care home was the appropriate placement to deal with his remaining time. Colin’s wish is to be back at his parents home under palliative care. His family feels that the comfort of home, surrounded by love and care, would provide him with dignity and peace. However, this decision is met with legal and financial hurdles.
Colin’s fight for dignity and autonomy is not one he faces alone. His parents, brothers, many of Colin’s lifelong friends and his large extended family have come together to organize a fundraiser titled :”Let’s Bring Colin Home”.
Donations will be used to cover:
Legal Expenses: To advocate for Colin’s right to transition from the long-term care facility to his family home.
Home Care Support: To provide Colin with medical care, therapies, equipment and personal support services required to improve his quality of life.
Living Space Modifications: To make his home accessible and comfortable for his safety and care needs.
Colin is surrounded by people who care deeply for him and believe in his strength and determination. The ‘Let’s Bring Colin Home” fundraiser will allow Colin to live at home where palliative care will be provided from his perspective. Together, we can ensure that Colin's wishes are supported and that he receives the care and peace he deserves in the place he loves most—home.
Karlstack now has 12,000 subscribers.
0.1% of 12,000 = 12 people.
If just 0.1% of my readers—12 people—choose to click the link and donate, it will make a world of difference for my family as we support my cousin during this incredibly difficult time. Every contribution, no matter how small, helps. I just need 12 people to click on this link, I will be forever grateful.
Growing up together, Colin was just a few years older, and I thought he was the coolest kid in the world. I idolized him—he was better at sports than me, stronger and faster, better at riding bikes, better at art and drawing, funnier and nicer than me, girls liked him more. So, it’s really brutal to watch him enter hospice care in his early 30’s. I won’t dwell too much here on the sorrow of mortality, but I’ll say this: it’s tough, and it hurts.
I applaud your efforts and send my deepest sympathies for what your cousin and those who love him are going through. May God bless him with abundance in donations and peace of mind to persevere for as long as possible.
May God bless you and your family and Colin in this time of need.