Every victory is thanks to you

We may not have crossed paths yet, but we’re united by a shared purpose: to provide the best for Quebec seniors.

My husband, Paul, has Parkinson’s disease. Last winter, after a bad fall, he underwent several months of rehabilitation at the Institut universitaire de gériatrie de Montréal.

Over the course of Paul’s journey, I’ve seen firsthand the difference your donations make during difficult times.

When I think about the man I once knew, so full of energy, and the person he is today, I’m struck by how profoundly his life has changed. For a long time, the disease progressed slowly. But as he aged, it accelerated.

Amid the challenges, Paul has regained strength, confidence, and hope with the help of specialists at the Institut. Through physiotherapy, he gradually relearned how to move. The staff knew him, encouraged him, and took their time with him. Before, he was discouraged. Today, he is determined.

 

Paul and I, at the start of our life together… 53 years ago already!

By giving, you help achieve the small breakthroughs that change everything

Paul has been back home since April. He’s still fragile and a little hesitant, but he’s making progress, one step at a time. Recently, he managed to take a shower by himself. This may seem like a small thing, but it took weeks of hard work—and a team that believed in him—to get there.

As his caregiver, I’ve been through a lot this year. Supporting a loved one on a daily basis is by no means an easy task. Yet, despite everything, I always felt reassured that Paul was in good hands at the Institut universitaire de gériatrie de Montréal.

Today, when I see the progress Paul is making, I realize how far we’ve come, and I know we were never alone. We had the care team—and we had you.

Thank you for being there.

 

Annette Cox Leslie

PS: Thanks to your generosity, other patients can slowly return to their normal routines. Please make your donation today.
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« Each achievement is built on teamwork—and a great deal of courage »

Patients entering rehabilitation each have their own story, their own challenges, and their own hopes for recovery. During physiotherapy sessions, we work on things like mobility, balance, and muscle strength. But beyond the exercises, it’s all about teamwork. We move forward together, at the patient’s pace.

What I find most touching in my work is establishing a personal connection with each patient, and of course, watching them return home. That’s when simple everyday tasks become small victories.

— Elisanne Crevier, Physiotherapy Technician and Paul’s caregiver
Institut universitaire de gériatrie de Montréal

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