Expressing our full gratitude...
The love you hold for your own children whether as a parent, grandparent, friend or neighbor can give you some insight into the unimaginable prospect of watching someone so young and innocent battling against so many obstacles and the unrelenting prognosis of an incurable, degenerative disease.
Alexandre is lucky to have so many people around him that love him like we do. There are so many people we would personally like to thank. We are truly grateful and touched by all the people surrounding us. Each and everyone of you who played and is still playing, in your own way, a role in Alexandre's life brings us relief and love. Without the support from all of you, we wouldn't be able to go through this journey alone.
No matter how you touched Alexandre's life, you can be assured that you made a BIG difference. We can't thank you enough for your friendship, loyalty, generosity and commitment to Alexandre and our family.
As Alexandre's parents, we ask you to help our courageous and amazing young man, with your support in the fight of his life. All your prayers and thoughts are welcome.
Alexandre is lucky to have so many people around him that love him like we do. There are so many people we would personally like to thank. We are truly grateful and touched by all the people surrounding us. Each and everyone of you who played and is still playing, in your own way, a role in Alexandre's life brings us relief and love. Without the support from all of you, we wouldn't be able to go through this journey alone.
No matter how you touched Alexandre's life, you can be assured that you made a BIG difference. We can't thank you enough for your friendship, loyalty, generosity and commitment to Alexandre and our family.
As Alexandre's parents, we ask you to help our courageous and amazing young man, with your support in the fight of his life. All your prayers and thoughts are welcome.
Together, we WILL make a DIFFERENCE!
Tons of Thank you!
People who made a BIG difference in Alexandre's life (and this is just mentioning a few...)
Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO)
Ottawa Children Treatment Centre (OCTC)
Riverside and General Hospital
Ottawa, ON, Canada
Dr. David Doyle, Child Development Service, CHEO
Dr. Peter Humphreys, Pediatric Neurologist, CHEO/OCTC
Dr. Baxter Willis, Orthopedic Surgeon, CHEO/OCTC
Dr. Anna McCormick, Pediatric Rehabilitation, OCTC
Dr. David Dyment and his team, Clinical Geneticist
Dr. Minh Nguyen, Neurologist
Dr. Suzanne Dojeiji, Rehab
Dr. Deanna Quon, Botox
Dr. Pagliarello, Gastric
Dr. Luc Duchesne, GP
Barb Juett, Social Worker
Jean-Denis Bernier, Teacher Liaison
Nurses at OCTC and CHEO
All Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists and Speech Therapists
All case workers and homecare PSW
Toronto Western Hospital (UHN)
Movement Disorders Clinic
Toronto, ON, Canada
Dr. Elena Moro
Dr. Alfonso Fasano
Others
Diane Meilleur, Child Development Services
Ian Casey, Mobility Lab
Jocelyne Desjardins-Lacasse, Elementary Educational Assistant
Anne St-Pierre, High School Educational Assistant
Cassandra Lelièvre, Childhood Friend
Carlo Levesque, Childhood Friend
And.. Lots and lots of family members and friends...
Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO)
Ottawa Children Treatment Centre (OCTC)
Riverside and General Hospital
Ottawa, ON, Canada
Dr. David Doyle, Child Development Service, CHEO
Dr. Peter Humphreys, Pediatric Neurologist, CHEO/OCTC
Dr. Baxter Willis, Orthopedic Surgeon, CHEO/OCTC
Dr. Anna McCormick, Pediatric Rehabilitation, OCTC
Dr. David Dyment and his team, Clinical Geneticist
Dr. Minh Nguyen, Neurologist
Dr. Suzanne Dojeiji, Rehab
Dr. Deanna Quon, Botox
Dr. Pagliarello, Gastric
Dr. Luc Duchesne, GP
Barb Juett, Social Worker
Jean-Denis Bernier, Teacher Liaison
Nurses at OCTC and CHEO
All Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists and Speech Therapists
All case workers and homecare PSW
Toronto Western Hospital (UHN)
Movement Disorders Clinic
Toronto, ON, Canada
Dr. Elena Moro
Dr. Alfonso Fasano
Others
Diane Meilleur, Child Development Services
Ian Casey, Mobility Lab
Jocelyne Desjardins-Lacasse, Elementary Educational Assistant
Anne St-Pierre, High School Educational Assistant
Cassandra Lelièvre, Childhood Friend
Carlo Levesque, Childhood Friend
And.. Lots and lots of family members and friends...
Funding and Dreams
In 1999, the Fondation Alexandre Deschamps Foundation was established. Funds were collected to allow Alexandre to undergo hyperbaric oxygen treatments. In close to six months, an amount of $ 23 000 was collected from our community and friends through fundraising and from business and personal donations. The remaining money was used for medical treatments, medical trips to outside hospitals, equipment such as walker, prosthesis and seating supports and also helped with repair of his wheelchairs and home lift.
In November 2004, Alexandre had the chance to be treated to a wonderful day of magical memories at the happiest place on earth – Walt Disney’s Magic Kingdom – for a one-day trip. This trip was provided by Dream Take Flight Ottawa and Air Canada.
This picture was published in the Ottawa Citizen Newspaper.
This picture was published in the Ottawa Citizen Newspaper.
In December 2004, a group of teachers and students of L'Escale, our community French High School, volunteered to raise money for special needs equipment. They raise enough money ($ 10 000) to pay for Alexandre's hospital bed, his ceiling track and his shower and toilet commodes.
In 2005, a group of people from our community volunteered their time to built our new home. Our old house and Alex's bedroom were too small to accommodate his needs and to allow renovating for
it to be wheelchair accessible.
Unfortunately, in 2010, we had to move to a smaller home due to lost of job.
Our new home is now wheelchair accessible equipped with a lift and a bigger bathroom and bedroom for Alexandre.
it to be wheelchair accessible.
Unfortunately, in 2010, we had to move to a smaller home due to lost of job.
Our new home is now wheelchair accessible equipped with a lift and a bigger bathroom and bedroom for Alexandre.
In November 2006, Alexandre had his dream come true by Sunshine Dreams for Kids. We flew, for a week, to Walt Disney Florida to meet Spiderman. But beyond meeting Spiderman, he had the chance to meet all the Super Heroes. The glow in his eyes and the big smile on his face brought tears to everyone’s eyes. His heart was filled with joy and pride.
Every February since 2008, the Eastern Ontario Snowmobile Club and Place Royal organized the event called "Weiner Roast" which gathered over 200 to 400 snowmobilers. Every year, over 600 hot dogs are given with a donation to the Alexandre Deschamps Foundation.
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That was the first and last year I could be on site (2008). My feet are so twisted that I can't dress properly to be in cold weather. Sniff! Sniff!
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THANK YOU!
VIDeO - 2018 |
In February 2013, Alexandre's school organized a hockey night to raise money ($ 800) for him to realize one of his dreams: meet UFC George St-Pierre.
Unfortunately, his dream hasn't come true yet.
Unfortunately, his dream hasn't come true yet.
In May 2014, President's Choice Children's Charity donated a Symmetrikit Tiltrite Chair ($ 8 000) to accommodate Alexandre seating comfort. We call it "Alex Lazyboy".
In August 2014, after more than 10 years and 4 applications to March of Dimes, we have finally been approved to have our van converted. Our van was gone for 2 months in Indiana USA but what is 2 months when you've been waiting all those years??!!
Now, our lives will be much easier. We will be able to bring Alexandre everywhere. Youpi!
We would like to thanks March of Dimes, Easter Seals, Shoppers Home Health Care, Club Richelieu, Jean Coutu, Dentiste Eric Lavergne and Chevaliers de Colomb from Rockland for their financially support of $ 18 800.
Now, our lives will be much easier. We will be able to bring Alexandre everywhere. Youpi!
We would like to thanks March of Dimes, Easter Seals, Shoppers Home Health Care, Club Richelieu, Jean Coutu, Dentiste Eric Lavergne and Chevaliers de Colomb from Rockland for their financially support of $ 18 800.
On December 24th, 2015, I received a wonderful surprise... an angel dropped off to my house to show me her support.
The 7NW unit of the General Hospital of Ottawa does an annual Christmas basket draw every year. The money raised is donated to a foundation or charity and this year I was selected. Nitia Lafrenière, nurse in this unit, came to give me a modest sum of $ 750. What a beautiful gift that I received! This money will be used to buy me a feeding pump. Many thanks to Nitia and her colleagues at the General Hospital. |
I received my feeding pump on February 17, 2016 and my first trial was on March 20th. Wow! It is so easier. No more reflux.
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